Browser
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| posted on 28/11/04 at 05:01 AM |
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Market overpopulation
Am I the only one who thinks that the seven replica market is becoming a tad top heavy, in other words too many manufacturers for the number of
(potential) buyers? It seems hardly a month goes by without another new kit popping up promising unrivalled performance/handling/value, surely this is
unsustainable? I was speaking briefly to Grant when I collected my rollbar from Luego last week and he said it is a matter of great concern for them,
thus their sucessful efforts to expand their export market. I liken the situation to the late eighties when I first got into kitcars and hardly a
month went by without another Lamborghini Countach or AC Cobra replica coming onto the market. The main difference between them and the sevens
currently being marketed is the quality of kits now is generally far superior to the Broadbest Primos and the like which littered the ad pages of
Which Kit when I first started buying it.
Incidentally, the Countach reps is the reason I first got into kit cars, I thought I'd be able to afford one having seen the "Body/Chssis
kits only £3295" adverts, not knowing that all you got for £3295 was a chassis and a body, no suspension, so running gear, nowt!
Back to the topic, anybody got any observations?
[Edited on 29/11/04 by Browser]
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 28/11/04 at 06:52 AM |
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they do seem to be popular,probly cos they are relativley cheap and easy to build.what happens when the world runs out of rwd cars?everyone will go
the midi route ala the gt1/mk gtr.cant wait
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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zetec
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| posted on 28/11/04 at 08:49 AM |
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Must agree. I think what is happening is the lower cost kits are taking sales from the bigger players. I was all set to buy a Dax or Tiger when MK
come along and allowed me to build a car very near the quality of the Dax but for £2-3K less. I think the new companys have learnt that a lot of
builders want to mix and match parts and not be stuck with the module build normally offered by Westie etc.
As said also suspect Europe and USA are big markets. Maybe China will take pity on the industry and buy a few million for their masses to get about
in when they rule the world!
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Peteff
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| posted on 28/11/04 at 10:19 AM |
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Send China a mk2 Escort or Capri axle and get it mass produced. If you order 300 they'll knock 'em out at £30 each and ship 'em back
to you, no problem.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 28/11/04 at 11:04 AM |
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pete,if they are anything like their chocolate hack saw blades i dont think i,d bother
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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Simon
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| posted on 28/11/04 at 12:09 PM |
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Browser,
Good post! Have you noticed the number of 7 esque cars that appear in the Kit Car mags! Makes me wonder if mine would ever be sellable (not that
that's my intention).
I think scratch building is definately the way to go (initial cost/depreciation), BUT also think that Luego have hit the nail on the head with their
Viento (sizewise) and customer service (I've only had parts of them, but would definately buy a Viento if funds weren't otherwise
allocated).
I think the next development in the kit market is going to be Hot Rods from back in the 70's/80's (well Retro is good!!) but obviously
with f/glass bodies; modern 4/6/8 cylinder engines. Will be so easy to make SVA compliant and with the benefits of thoroughly practical (except a
"T" perhaps) and different from the production mass market!
ATB
Simon
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marc n
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| posted on 28/11/04 at 01:10 PM |
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the kitcar industry has changed so much, and as such i would think that in most cases cars can be classed as modular sportscars.
From a consumer point of view the ammount of manufacturers can only be a good thing, this i believe has raised the standards of the cars massively and
provides plenty of choice
regards
marc
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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wilkingj
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| posted on 28/11/04 at 10:31 PM |
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Hmm.. Yes.
I got a Luego Viento on the go.
Why?
I like the quality I saw at Luego.
I didnt like the price, but the Quality above Won the day.
I'm a 51 year old Bat Fastard..... I cant get in a Locost (easily). The Viento has the size to match mine!
I want mix 'n match. I wont buy ALL my bit from Luego (nothing wrong with Luego bits). I want to use suppliers that I like the look of, and
have the bits that suit my needs exactly.
A Kit Car is a very very personal Car, ie its special to the individual builder.
I dont feel beholden to any particular manufacturer or supplier. I like to shop around, almost just for the fun of it. I feel you get to talk to and
meet many people and pick up other ideas and styles.
To me this is what its alll about.
I must say the Staff at Luego are very good and friendly, which was another factor, and indeed, put me off another Kit I was condsidering, even though
the Viento was more expensive.
It means I am having to watch the budget a little more carefully, but its not a problem.
Luego, you may be a bit more expensive, than some, but the quality is good, and to me this is a Major factor in the decision making process. Quality
is important.
I am going to drive this vehicle around. I am putting my life at risk every time I sit behind the wheel of a vehicle (kit or otherwise). SO..... Well
engineered parts are crucial to me.
I believe the "Mission Critical" parts are so important that cost is not a consideration. ie chassis, brakes, steering etc. The rest is a
matter of choice and is often just a cosmetic issue.
So thats my 2d worth.
1. The point of a journey is not to arrive.
2. Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Best Regards
Geoff
http://www.v8viento.co.uk
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Rorty
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| posted on 29/11/04 at 05:07 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by theconrodkid
they do seem to be popular,probly cos they are relativley cheap and easy to build.what happens when the world runs out of rwd cars?everyone will go
the midi route ala the gt1/mk gtr.cant wait
I would have thought midis were the way forward, There are plenty of suitable donors that come with all the modern bits like EFI, ally rims, better
quality seats and electrics etc.
They don't have to look like a GT1/GTR either (hideous out-dated swoopy things in IMHO), they could be Viento-like in dimensions so people can
actually get in and out and have a modicum of comfort.
If I was back in Blighty, I would consider building something along those lines (though not Se7en -shaped).
AlanB and Grabber have the right idea.
Cheers, Rorty.
"Faster than a speeding Pullet".
PLEASE DON'T U2U ME IF YOU WANT A QUICK RESPONSE. TRY EMAILING ME INSTEAD!
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Simon
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| posted on 29/11/04 at 08:14 PM |
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Rorty,
"..If I was back in Blighty"
I thought you might have been seeing the UK/Oz Location!
ATB
Simon
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Noodle
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| posted on 30/11/04 at 10:06 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Rorty
They don't have to look like a GT1/GTR either (hideous out-dated swoopy things in IMHO)
Sacrilige! Prepare to be flamed! It's an MK product for heaven's sake - completely above reproach!
I think I've got that right.
Neil.
Your sort make me sick
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Rorty
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| posted on 30/11/04 at 10:27 PM |
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I know you're jesting, but others may not see it that way, so, please, no flaming. I have never had any dealings with MK, but totally respect
them.
I'm just sick of the swoopy GT/Trans-AM look...especially for road-going cars.
Surely if kit manufacturers want to copy the look of something fast and fashionable, they should aim ahead and emulate some of the beautiful
curvacious high-end cars or even some of the "bound-to-be-put-into-production" concept cars.
I can only presume it's because their body building skills are limited to basically flat panels with radiused corners.
I realise bodies are difficult, time-consuming and hence very expensive, but surely people can find some other use for 3mm sheets of MDF.
Cheers, Rorty.
"Faster than a speeding Pullet".
PLEASE DON'T U2U ME IF YOU WANT A QUICK RESPONSE. TRY EMAILING ME INSTEAD!
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