me again was put of roobin hood from last post so how about one of these (stylus link bottom of page also more pics of 5exi)
comments welcome

MARLIN 5EXi T16 Turbo

Registered Jan 1st 2006

Covered 3000 miles only

Engine Spec: 2 litre T16 turbo (Rover Tomcat) (220bhp)

Autronic SMC Engine Management c/w boost controller

Davies Craig Electric Water Pump and Temp Controller

Innovate LM-1 Wideband kit c/w Bosch sensor

SPA gauge pods containing:-

* Oil/Water Pressure/Temperature
* Fuel/Oil Pressure/Temperature

Mocal Turbo Gauge

3" custom exhaust system, including stainless steel tubular manifold

Front mount intercooler with bespoke intake piping

Dump valve

ITG intake filter system

Uprated suspension

Additional engine mounts

Corbeaux Sprint Blue Seats

4-point Harnesses

VW Heater assembly

Bodywork still in original grey gelcoat colour

Dell Laptop c/w Autronic software for SMC

Innovate LM-1 Wideband kit c/w Bosch sensor

16" Lenzo Concept 5 Wheels with Yokohama 195-45/16 tyres

Tax until end of September


http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jannerboy/5EXi

or this

link

I do quite like the styling of the 5EXi, the body is basically a copy of the ill fated Strathcarron SC-5A, but with a conventional space frame chassis rather than composite honeycomb. Is the one in pics anywhere near Plymouth? "jannerboy" would suggest is might might be

One thing that puts me off a little is the angle that the short driveshaft runs at with the T16 engine. You can just about see it in the pics you have linked but here are a couple of close ups I took at Exeter a few years ago:

Horrible driveshaft angle 1
Horrible driveshaft angle 2

Whether this causes significant problems in practice I don't know; the owners club might be a better place to ask.

The Marlin will be very quick with the engine, but I'd certainly want a test drive to see how well it handles as the T16 is a weighty engine, and mid-engined cars can need very rapid reactions to hold it together on the limit.

The Stylus is the more practical car, has very classic looks and an excellent pedigree, originally coming from the Sylva fold. It won't be a tarmac ripping monster with a crossflow under the bonnet, but it'll still be pretty rapid. Given the choice between a well built example of either I'd personally go with the Stylus.


[Edited on 17/9/08 by MikeRJ]

I would expect those two cars to have quite different price tags?

The 5exi - stupid name - seems to have the front headlights hanging out of the front clam? Could be an indication of a budget build along with grey gelcoat finish and age related plate? I would crawl all over it to see how well it's been put together.

Also just seen that driveshaft angle - i cannot believe that. Can't see those lasting long.

I'd go with the Stylus - it has the advantage of a well proven design , good weather protection , and can easily be made a lot faster

Autronic Hey?

You are going to need that laptop and software, trust me!

Thanks for coments so far
and only £1000 difference between them

Definately the Stylus for me - much prettier car, and probably a lot easier to get well sorted.

Stu

I like the 5exi and briefly considered wanting one a few years ago. I would never own a car with a name that looked like sexi, not in a million years. That drive shaft angle just looks wrong. Is it just that particular engine that is mounted like that? It is designed for the K series but will take the rover 2.0 and the civic type R I believe. Perhaps they don't all fit that badly.

I like them both but would go for the 5exi.

I was driven around Brands at one of the Totalkitcar days - brilliant roadholding and great fun. Don't like the colour of this particular one much and it needs a rear wing to finish it off.

quote:

---

Originally posted by smart51
That drive shaft angle just looks wrong.

---

quote:

---

Is it just that particular engine that is mounted like that? It is designed for the K series but will take the rover 2.0 and the civic type R I believe. Perhaps they don't all fit that badly.

---