BrumBrum
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| posted on 16/7/18 at 07:11 PM |
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What's the cheapest kit car with all new parts...
... other than engine and gearbox?
I've been thinking about building a kit car for longer than I can remember and I really do need a project at the moment!
I'm not the richest guy in the world however have sufficient funds (don't really want to put a budget but would like to do for less than
£10k) to complete a build but am looking at keeping outlay as low as possible but wanting to use new parts where possible but accept that I would
probably have to use a secondhand engine and gearbox.
I have previously been advised to buy a used kit car and rebuild but it's not really the way I want to go.
What would people suggest I look at to keep my budget as low as possible?
If you have built and kept a spreadsheet of costs (and more importantly willing to share) they would be really helpful to me!
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Ugg10
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| posted on 16/7/18 at 07:37 PM |
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For a budget, set a number and then double it and keep the real costs from SWMBO! (Unless you are planning on separating as she/he might flog it for
what you told them it had cost you :-) )
Try the Mnr vortex mx5 as the full pack minus the donor looks competitive or possibly one of the exo designs like the exotech which is Ford Focus
based.
Main way of keeping costs down it to use the donor engine and gearbox and ecu which pretty much limits you to mx5 based red kits or possibly Ford mid
engine (info on here how to get most ford engines running on stock ecu).
https://mnrsportscars.com/mnr-cars/mnr-vortx-mazda/
http://www.exosportscars.co.uk/sve_exotech.html
Most manufacturers will offer a donor package but you will pay a heavy premium if they have been refurbished, probably best to do that yourself if
possible.
That said, remember to budget between £750 and £1000 to get through IVA test and register it for the road (tax).
Are you after a new reg, may be worth checking out regs as I think it is only one part refurb, gearbox or engine, but may be wrong.
That said, if you have a budget of £10k then there are some pretty tasty kits second hand out there, spend £7500 and use the rest to customise/upgrade
to your taste, probably the most economic route.
Finally you can save a bit on a part built kit from the classifieds but make sure you know what you are getting and if possible any build photos and
receipts. Thus will help with registration.
How about this -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tiger-Avon-Unfinished-Project-Kit-Race-Track-Car/263790288353?hash=item3d6b205de1%3Ag%3AdM4AAOSwAspbOQ1a&_nkw=unfinishe
d&_from=R40&rt=nc
Happy hunting
[Edited on 16/7/18 by Ugg10]
---------------------------------------------------------------
1968 Ford Anglia 105e, 1.7 Zetec SE, Mk2 Escort Workd Cup front end, 5 link rear
Build Blog - http://Anglia1968.weebly.com
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harmchar
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| posted on 16/7/18 at 07:51 PM |
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In my opinion 10k is a healthy budget if you're looking at a Seven type car, but think you'll struggle to get a show stopper Cobra type.
You haven't mentioned which style is your preference. How handy are you with diy tools? Do you have a fully kitted out garage/workshop at your
disposal? Are you planning to do the welding and spraying yourself? I'm about 3/4 finished a Haynes Roadster that costs a lot more than the
original Ron Chapman book suggests at £250. I've roughly spent £2500 so far (not including tools) and could easy spend another 1000 before
finished.
Your question has been met by more questions, but there are so many options out there that you have to narrow the options by letting us know what
you're prepared to do yourself and what you will service out to pros.
Good luck with what ever option you settle for.
Charlie
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BrumBrum
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| posted on 16/7/18 at 08:01 PM |
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Whilst I'm aware of the MNR Vortx I'd never looked their website and mentally I expected it to be a more expensive kit than it is.
Actually I do really like the design, giving the typical 7 a slightly different look but still attractive.
I've recently sold an MX5 Mk2 which was far to nice to use for a kit car... it was in fabulous condition for its age with only 37k on the clock
but what a fabulous engine! I'm not (well not yet) a petrol head so mentally a 1.8 140bhp would be fine for me.
An MX5 would look a good choice for a donor to me.
I always like Jeremy Phillips designs and could quite happily live with a Riot. The Riot Cars kits are starting to look expensive though especially
when it was always one of the cheapest kits around. Any thoughts?
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BrumBrum
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| posted on 16/7/18 at 08:21 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by harmchar
In my opinion 10k is a healthy budget if you're looking at a Seven type car, but think you'll struggle to get a show stopper Cobra type.
You haven't mentioned which style is your preference. How handy are you with diy tools? Do you have a fully kitted out garage/workshop at your
disposal? Are you planning to do the welding and spraying yourself? I'm about 3/4 finished a Haynes Roadster that costs a lot more than the
original Ron Chapman book suggests at £250. I've roughly spent £2500 so far (not including tools) and could easy spend another 1000 before
finished.
Your question has been met by more questions, but there are so many options out there that you have to narrow the options by letting us know what
you're prepared to do yourself and what you will service out to pros.
Good luck with what ever option you settle for.
Charlie
I purposely didn't mention a style as I am open minded (within reason) and yes a Seven type car is absolutely fine but it would have to be a
decent looking version as I've previously owned a Caterham. I also get that many kits will be well out of my budget.
I started writing something in my first post and was distracted part way through and then couldn't remember what I was writing, you've
prompted my memory... definitely no chasis building/welding for me! Spraying is a no for me at this point but I may have mates that could help me out.
Another thing I won't be doing is designing or altering a wiring loom myself!
Reasonably empty double garage, decent tools/work bench but accept I will still need to buy a few extras but also have a few mates that have good
tools as well.
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Ugg10
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| posted on 16/7/18 at 08:34 PM |
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Here’s a list of U.K. manufacturers to look through.
http://www.totalkitcar.com/uk/uk-manufacturers/
Agree with the JP cars, I built a fury, great experience.
The tiger gta body is very similar to the fury and can be retro fitted to an Avon iirc. May be worth a look for the part built I linked.
https://www.tigerracing.com/model/tiger-gta/
Forgot this one, the MeV Exocet is probably the cheapest to do, just add an old mk1/2 mx5. Not a great looker in my opinion but they have sold a lot.
http://www.mevltd.co.uk/kit-cars/mev-exocet
This is my favourite kit at the moment, but after you added all of the bits I suspect it will be over budget.
http://bathoscars.simpl.com
---------------------------------------------------------------
1968 Ford Anglia 105e, 1.7 Zetec SE, Mk2 Escort Workd Cup front end, 5 link rear
Build Blog - http://Anglia1968.weebly.com
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BrumBrum
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| posted on 16/7/18 at 08:43 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Ugg10
Here’s a list of U.K. manufacturers to look through.
http://www.totalkitcar.com/uk/uk-manufacturers/
Agree with the JP cars, I built a fury, great experience.
The tiger gta body is very similar to the fury and can be retro fitted to an Avon iirc. May be worth a look for the part built I linked.
https://www.tigerracing.com/model/tiger-gta/
Forgot this one, the MeV Exocet is probably the cheapest to do, just add an old mk1/2 mx5. Not a great looker in my opinion but they have sold a lot.
http://www.mevltd.co.uk/kit-cars/mev-exocet
This is my favourite kit at the moment, but after you added all of the bits I suspect it will be over budget.
http://bathoscars.simpl.com
Thanks for the info.
Mev Exocet... not for me either: )
I'm aware of Batho and do like his work I suspect I could spend a lot of money there: ) No painting required though!
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ianhurley20
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| posted on 16/7/18 at 08:45 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by BrumBrum
quote:
Originally posted by harmchar
I
Good luck with what ever option you settle for.
Charlie
I purposely didn't mention a style as I am open minded (within reason) and yes a Seven type car is absolutely fine but it would have to be a
decent looking version as I've previously owned a Caterham. I also get that many kits will be well out of my budget.
I started writing something in my first post and was distracted part way through and then couldn't remember what I was writing, you've
prompted my memory... definitely no chasis building/welding for me! Spraying is a no for me at this point but I may have mates that could help me out.
Another thing I won't be doing is designing or altering a wiring loom myself!
Reasonably empty double garage, decent tools/work bench but accept I will still need to buy a few extras but also have a few mates that have good
tools as well.
If you have owned a Caterham and don't want to do welding, spraying, wiring then don't try to build a car, buy a complete one. Kit cars
always require work and modifcation
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Ugg10
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| posted on 16/7/18 at 08:52 PM |
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Total kit car have a donor vehicle cross reference so you can find which use the mx5.
http://www.totalkitcar.com/uk/uk-donor/
You will need to work through the option on this one, but a possibility.
http://www.greatbritishsportscars.co.uk/cars/zero-mazda/
The MeV Replicar is interesting and now in the hands of anc sportscars, £6k which leaves a bit for trim and refurb if donor parts.
http://www.ancsportscars.co.uk
You are probably aware if you can pick up a cheap bodywork mot failure mx5 then you may be able to make quite a bit back on selling trim, interior,
etc.
---------------------------------------------------------------
1968 Ford Anglia 105e, 1.7 Zetec SE, Mk2 Escort Workd Cup front end, 5 link rear
Build Blog - http://Anglia1968.weebly.com
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BrumBrum
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| posted on 16/7/18 at 09:07 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ianhurley20
quote:
Originally posted by BrumBrum
quote:
Originally posted by harmchar
I
Good luck with what ever option you settle for.
Charlie
I purposely didn't mention a style as I am open minded (within reason) and yes a Seven type car is absolutely fine but it would have to be a
decent looking version as I've previously owned a Caterham. I also get that many kits will be well out of my budget.
I started writing something in my first post and was distracted part way through and then couldn't remember what I was writing, you've
prompted my memory... definitely no chasis building/welding for me! Spraying is a no for me at this point but I may have mates that could help me out.
Another thing I won't be doing is designing or altering a wiring loom myself!
Reasonably empty double garage, decent tools/work bench but accept I will still need to buy a few extras but also have a few mates that have good
tools as well.
If you have owned a Caterham and don't want to do welding, spraying, wiring then don't try to build a car, buy a complete one. Kit cars
always require work and modifcation
I guess any car always needs work. Kit cars always need modification is that necessarily correct? Surely many kits have a dedicated wiring loom?
I hope you are wrong with your above comments: )
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JC
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| posted on 17/7/18 at 06:23 AM |
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If you really want a ‘comprehensive’ kit of all new parts, except engine and gearbox, the you will struggle to get anything under £10k.
Take the GBS Zero -complete Mazda kit minus engine and box is around £14k (web prices are out of date....)
Using internet prices, Raw Striker May be the cheapest....
You will save money by reusing old parts but remember there is no point spending all that money on a kit only to reuse brakes, bearings etc... it will
bite you in the long run!
[Edited on 17/7/18 by JC]
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BrumBrum
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| posted on 17/7/18 at 06:37 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by JC
If you really want a ‘comprehensive’ kit of all new parts, except engine and gearbox, the you will struggle to get anything under £10k.
Take the GBS Zero -complete Mazda kit minus engine and box is around £14k (web prices are out of date....)
Using internet prices, Raw Striker May be the cheapest....
You will save money by reusing old parts but remember there is no point spending all that money on a kit only to reuse brakes, bearings etc... it will
bite you in the long run!
[Edited on 17/7/18 by JC]
I'm not averse to researching and buying all the new components myself rather than buying a comprehensive kit especially if it is going to be a
cheaper way of achieving a goal.
I completely agree about reusing brakes, bearings, etc.
I may have to get a job and earn a few pennies to placate the wife: )
If anyone is willing to share (privately... PM) details of component/build prices (of a Seven type) it would be really appreciated as this would put
things in to perspective for me.
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INDY BIRD
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| posted on 17/7/18 at 07:05 AM |
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Try Mk sports cars
The new rx5 car is a single donor car and using lots of the parts from the donor car,
prices can build from under 10
www.mksportscars.com
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peter030371
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| posted on 17/7/18 at 08:16 AM |
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I purchased a RAW Striker that had already been stripped down for a total rebuild having previously been on the road in the early 00's and then
the owner lost interest.
I could have probably just about done it for £10K as it came with nearly everything other than ECU and instruments but I took a little longer changing
a few bits and got exactly what I wanted i.e. Dash2 Pro, Quaife diff, SPC gearbox, alloy rear brakes and lots of carbon bits etc. I did most myself
and what I didn't do cost me well under £500 for someone else to do. The chassis was re-powder coated, bodywork replaced, new wheels, new seats,
new loom, new lights...so much is new it looks like new but no IVA as it is still the same chassis and suspension 
Final price is the wrong side of £15k but like I said a good car could have been built for under £10k if that was a hard limit.
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sdh2903
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| posted on 17/7/18 at 08:51 AM |
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It has to be something mx5 based to make that budget but your original brief says all new parts apart from engine and box. Most mx5 based kits use
lots more than the engine and box. Uprights, brakes, steering, diff, wiring looms etc so are you prepared to use and recondition the used bits?
If so a westfield mx5 kit would also come into range. Heard of several getting on the road for under 10k.
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ragindave
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| posted on 17/7/18 at 09:58 AM |
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I would also recommend a Westfield the resale value is generally higher than most other kits and if you join the Westfield forum you will find a
steady stream of used and new parts come up for sale that would help keep you within budget great support when you are building and its one of the
best quality kits on the market and depending on your level of skill you can still be creative with the build or just buy what you need off the shelf
arguably one of the easiest kits to build.
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BrumBrum
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| posted on 17/7/18 at 06:13 PM |
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Uhmm I do like the thought of using an MX5 as a donor. Last year I spoke to a guy who was running a MK1 with 285,000 miles on the clock. He reckoned
it was still reliable! The car itself was a rust bucket but just show how even using a donor with 50-60k should be fine.
I'm pleasantly surprised a Westfield could be done for around £10k.
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Simon
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| posted on 17/7/18 at 06:56 PM |
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Could GKD
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jps
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| posted on 18/7/18 at 10:51 AM |
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Personally I think that resolving 'all new' with 'under 10k is going to be impossible.
But it depends on what you count as covered by your 10k. I monitor my spend and budget closely, and include all tools and consumables I have to buy.
I.e. all the actual ££ i have to spend to get the car built. I also don't have any kind of work/professional angle that I can use to swallow up
any costs/provide free access to tools, etc.
I'm currently projecting I will build my Haynes - including an awful lot of parts that will not be 'new' - for £8k. I have spent
around £4k so far.
I bought an abandoned project as a starting point to cut costs, am fabricating things myself to save money which I could have just bought for
"not a lot more", am refurbing things myself where I can, and have bought second hand parts to further save costs where I can.
I have not recorded the 'alternative' cost, but as an example, the 'abandoned project' comprised a rolling chassis, engine,
gearbox, radiator and a box full of running gear parts which were either refurbed or refurbable. I paid just under £1300 for the lot. I got a Sierra
differential I can use as is. A quick look at kitspares.co.uk, a Sierra diff is available as a reconditioned unit at £676, or remanufactured at
£1418....
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