baron
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 posted on 23/5/05 at 12:58 PM |
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newbie
Hi all,
Before i go get myself a kit, can somebody help me with a question or two? I am 6"4', and dont know if i will fit comfortably. I know its
possible to mount the seats where you like, but is there really enough leg room to do this?
Also, does anyone here use theirs as an every day driver? thats my plan.
I would like to build one myself, but think as a taster i will get a cheap one second-hand and learn some of the mechanics that way...
lastly, is it even worth me considering this as im only 23 yars old? (24 in Sept) a small 1400cc would be more than sufficient i think!
any good insurers around that may help? my initial thought is they will hurt my pocket being under 25...
Many thanks,
Daniel
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clbarclay
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| posted on 23/5/05 at 01:12 PM |
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Welcome to the world of virtually building kit cars. (seems eaier than building one for reel).
Go and have a good look round all the various manufactures and have a sit in thier cars defore making any decisions. Shows are good for this, or
arrange a visit/test drive with a manufacture. Some kits come more roomy than others and some manufactures make wide/long wheel base versions as well
as more standard sizes.
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DarrenW
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| posted on 23/5/05 at 01:31 PM |
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Shows are defo the place to start. Be patient and take your time. The Luego (Viento?) is a big car.
Second decision is buy kit or start from scratch (locost). Your choice. Depends on your skill, time, budget and what you want it for. If its for
everyday use you may wish to consider wet weather - this will limit choice further and push you down windscreen route.
i was put off getting a 2nd hand / unfinished kit. Few reasons - ask yourself why its unfinished, there may be a cery valid reason or it is hard to
build to a good standard. Buying unfinished means you have to get into the mind of the original builder, you may also find yourself having to undo a
lot of the work if it is not your preferred route or std not high enough for you. I noticed there seems to be a few repeatedly on the market
unfinished, you need to decide for yourself why this is. Unfinished projects can take longer and cost more.
At the shows talk to the companies but also try and talk to fellow builders. They will give you an honest appraisal. Someone who is proud of their car
and selection of makes will gladly talk you to death about it! They will also give you their experiences and what to avoid (in their oppinion of
course).
Shortlisting a kit is well difficult. There are pros and cons for all. Your size may limit the selection for you. I made my shortlist based on nothing
more than how close they were to visit. This then gave me an idea on aftersales and what help / assistance to expect. I was happy with my final choice
but there wasnt much to choose between them in the end.
Enjoy it and milk everyone for advice. At the end of the day it is you that will be spending the cash so you need to be happy for the 9 - 24 months
build time. The only downside is that you wont get to drive many (if any) first. I havent drove a se7en yet!!! I must be mad.
Above all dont doubt your sanity. You must be mad to even logon here!!! It is VERY addictive and rewarding.
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Scotty
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| posted on 23/5/05 at 04:00 PM |
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the viento, as well as being better (?) for tall people, is also better for fat-ish people - like me !
PLEASE NOTE! All comments made by this person are to be considered "Tongue in Cheek" and are not meant to be taken seriously in any way - so there!
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Jasper
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| posted on 23/5/05 at 04:07 PM |
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If it's gonna be your daily drive and you need to get there for sure everyday - don't get a kit car! Especially a secondhand one. Though
people do use them everyday - it's not really what there meant for, it may become a headache very quickly.....
ANyway - welcome and good luck!
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ned
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| posted on 23/5/05 at 04:10 PM |
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if you want to come and have a look at a work in progress james and myself are in guildford, so you'd be welcome to pop over for a look, or even
better come along to one of the newlands meets, check the clubs & events section for details, possibly meeting this sunday, 30/5..
Ned.
beware, I've got yellow skin
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baron
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| posted on 24/5/05 at 11:43 AM |
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wow! what a response already!
thank you all, i have taken in some good advice. i think i will try and get up to the Newlands corner meet (will check the time/date in a moment, but
if its this sunday i cannot sadly  ) so i can get a feel of what its all about! i dont know any shows at the moment but i think whsmiths can help me
out with a magazine or two!
im in no real rush, so its worth me keeping my eyes peeled for a while...until then my little rusty subaru (oil leaks and all) will have to soldier on
 wehey!
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baron
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| posted on 24/5/05 at 11:49 AM |
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i was thinking of this as a possibility:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29750&item=4551136747&rd=1
not too much work for a first timer!
still, its probably best i keep saving my pennies for a while longer 
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DarrenW
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| posted on 24/5/05 at 02:49 PM |
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quote:
i dont know any shows at the moment but i think whsmiths can help me out with a magazine or two!
There are some shows coming up soon.
Buy the kit car mags - they will be informative at first but after 6 months or so you'll get sick of them. You will get far far far more advice
etc from this website for free. i read classic ford and PPC more than the kit car mags as they have articles that are more relevant and the adds are
usually better.
Build your own - you'll love it and will be very proud. You might be 25 by the time its finished and thus get better insurance or be able to
plan more power into it now.
pinto's are easy choice. BECS are well quick. Consider VX 16V and Zetecs as well.
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ChrisGamlin
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| posted on 24/5/05 at 04:27 PM |
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Im in Lindford and will be back on the road in a couple of weeks hopefully, so pop down and have a measure up / sit in if you like.
Ive got a "book" sized Locost and I reckon you'd fit in that OK, a mate of mine is also around 6'4" and he fits in his
Westie OK which is pretty much identical in cockpit size.
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