New Guy Trying To Get Started In Kit Cars

[EricScottZehnder]

I'm not totally new to the forums, but here I am:

My name is Eric and I'm from the Troy/Birmingham/Royal Oak area of Michigan. I'm in my late 20's and I'm dying to get to assembling and driving a car of my own. I'm especially interested in open wheel cars (from karts to buggys to true Formula cars).

Until I sit in and see an 818R in the flesh I can't say I've truly decided on it but it's currently the front-runner by a LONG way. The problem is I know I won't be able to do that for quite some time (probably like 7 years, depending on funds).

I'd love to build a cheap kart or buggy but it seems like you can't find a good, working kit for cheap. There are tons of unfinished or bad quality kits out there that need 100 parts I wouldn't know about. What I love about Factory Five is that you know exactly what you need the entire way. I don't have the knowledge to take a half-way finished Cobra and just junk yard source everything and put it together. I need a smaller and cheaper project to start out with.

Please help!

[riptide motorsport]

welcome! your in the right place.........................Steven

[Bob Cowan]

I need a smaller and cheaper project to start out with.

Please help!

This might pique your interest. You could build a pretty nice car for about $11K.

http://exomotive.com/exocet/

[EricScottZehnder]

Hi Bob, I've been tracking the US Exomotive progress as they've really taken the UK design and gone much further with it. I'm not opposed to it but even that might be a bit expensive for my first time out. I was really hoping to find karts and buggies for like $3-4k out there but it doesn't seem like there are any with any power.

I will keep watching Exomotive, though, as it does seem like once they get their manuals and processes down it will be a great, cheap track car.

EDIT: It's not $11k anymore. It's $20k. (http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/exocet-xp-3/66618/page14/)

[skullandbones]

Hi Eric,

Welcome! I started building hot rods when I was fourteen. So I kind of relate to your situation. If you think you are a little short of the cash in your late 20s, imagine financing a project with grass cutting money. So you have a real conundrum. My best advise is to get involved with a car club that has similar likes for cars that match yours. You will be surprised how much support you could muster. First of all, that partial kit that you couldn't resource and finish on your own is doable with the club support. I've been there and done it. The forum is great; don't get me wrong. But you need local guys to give a helping hand until you get up to speed on the build. Plus they can help you find those parts. In my case, a fiberglass body (only) was what I started with and gathered components along the way.

If you do find the resources for an 818, you won't find a better value in my opinion (quality/price). I'm not saying that just because I like FFR. It's a fact! Good luck, WEK.

[Bob Cowan]

Hi Bob, I've been tracking the US Exomotive progress as they've really taken the UK design and gone much further with it. I'm not opposed to it but even that might be a bit expensive for my first time out. I was really hoping to find karts and buggies for like $3-4k out there but it doesn't seem like there are any with any power.

I will keep watching Exomotive, though, as it does seem like once they get their manuals and processes down it will be a great, cheap track car.

EDIT: It's not $11k anymore. It's $20k. (http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/exocet-xp-3/66618/page14/)

I don't think you're going to find much for $3-4K. Maybe a VW based dune buggy, or a Fiero rebody kit. But don't get your hopes up.

The exocet base kit costs $6K. You can buy a decent Miata for about $4K if you're a careful shopper. Now you have everything you need - in theory. Add another grand or so for incidentals and you're there. Of course, you can easily spend much more, depending on the performance levels you're after.