vinny1275
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 posted on 9/10/06 at 08:02 AM |
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Deciding what to build
Hi All,
I've just joined the forum, though I've been planning to build a car for some time.......
Just about got all my student debts paid off, have a nice big garage and all the useful bits stripped off an E-reg sierra that I bought 3 years
ago.....
Me and the other half have shortlisted down to an Indy, an MNR, and a Mac#1. The cars are all fairly similar (though I do like the idea of the pushrod
suspension on the new MK and the MNR), and I do like the fact that the MNR looks a *bit* different.
We'll be using the car on the road, and for some trackdays (the other half's dad is building a blackbird-engined Spire GTR that'll
be track-only). Weather gear isn't a necessity, as I think I'd prefer an aero screen.
OK, so to the point of my post. Given that the cars are (fairly) equal;
1) I'd like to know if any of the shortlisted companies are really great / really bad to deal with,
2) if there's an active club for the manufacturer (or a generic one for Swindon / South West)
3) I'm sure there was something else I wanted to ask, but it's Monday morning, and the coffee hasn't kicked in yet....
Thanks all,
Vince
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whitestu
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| posted on 9/10/06 at 08:12 AM |
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In my opinion, only having experience of MK I'd say that the product is generally very good for the money and very easy to build.
However they aren't the most organised and you need to be careful to check orders to make sure you get what you asked for.
I'd have no hesitation with going with MK again, although I'd also be considering Mac 1 and MNR as well.
Don't think you'll go far wrong with any of them, and best advice is to go see them and have a chat and a drive.
Stu
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smart51
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| posted on 9/10/06 at 08:12 AM |
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I built an MNR vortx last year. I can say that the build was straight forwards and that Marc and Chris are very easy people to deal with over the
phone. I would have no problem in reccomending them.
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Dillinger1977
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| posted on 9/10/06 at 08:39 AM |
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i'd guess that anyone building one of your shortlisted manufacturers would recommend them, they are all proven and seem to be highly
regarded.
This is what I found when I looked around.
- MK have been going the longest and therefore have more numbers on the road and a bigger owners club. Probably your best option for community and
others helping out.
- MNR have been making some great improvements to the 7 (in terms of build quality, safety, lightness, and racing engineering) since they have been in
production and are continuously improving things as they go. Its a little more expensive all round but the quality is great.
-Mac1. I havent heard a bad word said about the guys at Mac1, they seem to be renowned for customer service and having met them i'd agree that
they are thoroughly nice guys. i think in terms of cost its relative to the MK.
Myself, I went with MNR for the build quality of the chassis and bodywork, and the engineering.
One thing that I do appreciate more now i'm (nearly) finished is that building these cars you aren't dealing with a huge efficient
corporation, and accidents do happen. wrong parts, things missing etc. People are only human after all.
All of the above will go over the call of duty to remedy things though, and help you get your car on the road.
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donut
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| posted on 9/10/06 at 09:19 AM |
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If it were me i would probably go MAC#1 as the product is good and the service is the best. MK are good too and MNR have had many happy punters and i
have not head any complaints.
To be honest theres not allot in it so which ever one you decide you will have a good kit.
Andy
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andywest1/
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StevieB
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| posted on 9/10/06 at 09:32 AM |
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The thing to remember with the budget end of the market is that you are only buying the components - the final fit and finish is down to your own
doing.
All 3 companies will give you a well made set of components, so you're on to a good start whichever way you go.
Personally, I'd be looking at the inboard suspension systems - and also have a look at the Raw Striker (there's a regional dealer for then
in Leeds and they're a set of thoroughly decent chaps as well)
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Hellfire
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| posted on 9/10/06 at 11:21 AM |
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Vince, first of all welcome to the forum.
You have obviously done a fair bit of research already and to be honest, you won't go far wrong with any of the three manufacturers you've
shortlisted. They all sell a quality product at a good price. I suspect that of the three, the MNR will be the most expensive and from what I've
heard, there isn't much between the other two.
MK will undoubtedly have the largest owners club for the simple reason they've been around the longest.
We have now built two Indy's and are looking to build another (hopefully, in the non too distant future) To be honest with you, the MNR would
have been a possible contender for another build however, now that MK have had a new chassis designed, it'll probably be another MK. I have
heard very good reports about the new chassis (although I've yet to drive it).
Whichever manufacturer you ultimately decide, be certain to fit it with a bike engine and you won't be disappointed.  
Phil
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Bluemoon
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| posted on 9/10/06 at 12:53 PM |
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Also conisder how far they are way from you or how close the nearest builders are that can help you solve the little problems that allways come
up...
Dan
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TimC
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| posted on 9/10/06 at 02:44 PM |
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The quality and value of the MNR package is too good to have anything else in my opinion. I think the thought that has gone into the Vortx to make it
perform and to make it easy to build put it clear of the others.
Worth stating that I had a MK before. IMHO the MNR is superior on every level (apart from basic price.)
Also, if you want something a bit different, the new MNR nose certainly sets it apart.
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Agriv8
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| posted on 9/10/06 at 03:15 PM |
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Ahh Tim,
Can I assume you are getting the new style bodywork ?
Seen the nose in real life ( the pictures dont do it justice - trust me ) I am most jealous
getting back to the tread Vortx for me as it is the only thing I could fit me size 13s and a v8 in comfortably ( other engines are availble !!! )
regards
Agriv8
Taller than your average Guy !
Management is like a tree of monkeys. - Those at the top look down and see a tree full of smiling faces. BUT Those at the bottom look up and see a
tree full of a*seholes .............
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TimC
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| posted on 9/10/06 at 03:53 PM |
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As I'm not collecting until Feb, then yes. (House move in the way!!!)
New bodywork, unique rollbar blah blah...
she's gonna be a beaut!
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vinny1275
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| posted on 16/10/06 at 10:55 AM |
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Thanks for all the replies gang, 'twas very useful. Had a ride in the R1 engined Indy at Brands (the one with the inboard suspension), was very
impressed. So much so, that I'm not going to trust myself with a BEC to start with......
I'm going to drop the Pinto in to start with and learn to drive the car first - then think about making it faster (and faster and faster and
faster.....
Again, thanks for the welcome all, I'm sure you'll be hearing from me at some point in the future...
Cheers
Vince
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