Anyone managed to build an 818 for $15,000?

[freds]

Just curious.

I can't even see $15,000 in my rear view mirror on a clear day...and I'm not done yet.

[Mechie3]

I'm somewhere around 18k. Having access to a machine shop to make things as needed or desired helps. Had lots of aftermarket on my donor too.

I think Dan (rm1sepex) was close to 15k.

[07FIREBLADE]

Wow. That number was gone when my car was delivered almost. With parts and shipping alone.

[JeromeS13]

I *could* have, had I left everyone 100% stock.

[wallace18]

I think if you got a N/A Imprezza cheap you could do it for 15K.

[Quiny]

I'm around $13,200.00 now with a long way to go. I live local to FFR so no shipping costs really ($60 on a U-haul) and I did not buy any upgrades except for powder coating. My donor was pretty cheap and I made most of that cost back selling parts off of it. Paint would put it over the top. Things like sound proofing, new fasteners, gaskets, etc.. can add up quickly.

[DMC7492]

I Agree with the majority on this, if your donor has any miles on it, you are absolutely going to start replacing bearings and bushings. If the engine is at all higher milage you'll most likely be putting head gaskets in and once this far the timing components and water pump, oil pump will be installed for the peace of mind, once the oil pan is off you might as well put in a killer bee oil pick up tube....... etc. etc.
I say this because as I will be starting the street version. The costs on getting the donor parts prepped is already climbing rapidly.

Most likely if it is going to be a street model you would be embarressed to produce a shabby looking "HOT ROD" so to get it looking good inside and out you'lll be putting a few more bucks into it.

If the resale is not there I would buy one with all the trick parts on it, before the shabby model.
I'm well over 15K with a few engine components and powder coating donor parts.
Kit 10
brakes 2
engine 3
donor 3
Paint 2
tires/rims 2
misc clutch/ PP,diff,seats, carbon fiber,Stereo 2
Here your at 24 k BEFORE SHIPPING ON ALL THE PARTS.
This is a more realistic for an estimate,based on my experience building custom rides.
All in all it comes down to what you want in YOUR 818, that will determine the final cost!!

[RM1SepEx]

I've sold $1943 from a $3500 to my door donor with 70,000 miles. I think that I can squeeze out $300-500 more...

BUT I bought all the aero goodies, new rotors, pads, clutch, lighter flywheel, ss brake and clutch lines, timing set, pumps, quaife, NRG wheel and adapter, Cobb Accessport 3, I bought 3 inch stainless exhaust components Bellmouth, high flow cat and muffler, and a ceramic coated header and up pipe, etc... If i would have left the good stock parts as is, not bought the engine tune up pieces, and not bought the aero I'd be well under $15K

right now I have $6208 plus the FFR purchases invested. The interior and stereo stuff will add $500 more.

I think that with my donor I could have done a bare bones, stock 70,000 mile wrx build for below $13,000 - $13,500. Just deleting the quaife and its install costs could have given me a sub $15,000 build!

My biggest concern is that no paint is looking near impossible due to fiberglass panel issues. We were sold a bill of goods when we were told that the 818S at the open house was as molded with a couple hours of buffing out by Tony Z... check out Aloha818S thread and see the voids. Mine has several and I'm sure that I will find more... fixing them with Gel Coat may not be possible and even then how many hours should we expect to put into a no paint body??? Painting it blows up the budget.

[Jvalgardson]

RM1, you still give me hope for an affordable kit! :D

[RM1SepEx]

Two words

"project creep"

good luck avoiding it! :rolleyes:

[EODTech87]

Two words

"project creep"

good luck avoiding it! :rolleyes:

That's no joke. You could definitely build a 818 for less than $15,000 but my problem is being proactive and replacing wearable parts such as wheel bearing, clutch, brakes, etc before install. That's where I'm getting a ton of project creep.

[Mechie3]

I just pulled up my budget spreadsheet.

I'm currently at $17,353.

Bought my 06 donor for $4095 (it was my daily driver that got totaled)
Sold $3,761 worth of parts (it had a good amount of aftermarket, so maybe 1/2 that sold was aftermarket)

Large optional items purchased:
Exhaust header/uppipe combo: $309
Bimarco Seats: $1009
FFR CF Aero bits: $1471
XXR Wheels: $580

Total Optional: $3369
Running total - total optional: $13,984

That said, the stock seats aren't really suited for this car IMO. My head would be above the roll bar. Every other optional part has good usable donor alternatives (donor wheels, donor exhaust, no Aero).

My car already had a good amount of go fast bits so I didn't count anything I put on the motor when it was my DD and I didn't count the minor optional pieces. I did spend ~$600 on new seals and bearings and traded autocross seat time in my Fmod for powdercoating and exhaust coating services.

[metalmaker12]

IMO 15,000 is impossible. I am at like 20 with no paint. I am in a tuff place now because my engine is going probably going to need some $$$ in parts and many hours in labor to finish it all. I am looking at another 2-6k on engine and another 1-2k on paint. My donor plus engine was 5,800, and I sold some stuff but also needed to rebuild stuff etc.

[nkw8181]

For shipping of the donor and ffr is over 3k alone. I'm also replacing worn parts since mine had 121k miles on it. Also I went for the 06 wrx so paid a bit more there. I don't want to stay driving and then boom. I'm not rebuilding the motor now but if/when that is need I'll prob just buy a new short block for about 2k and call it done. It is a risk not changing the head gaskets exc but I drew the line at breaking into the actual motor. I did do killer b oil pickup and bafflec as well as timing belt kit, oil pump, water pump. I think realistically for me it will be closer to 25k by the time I'm done and I hope no more then that. Project creep. It is hard to do something like this without fixing and tweaking things as you go.

[wleehendrick]

For shipping of the donor and ffr is over 3k alone. I'm also replacing worn parts since mine had 121k miles on it. Also I went for the 06 wrx so paid a bit more there. I don't want to stay driving and then boom. I'm not rebuilding the motor now but if/when that is need I'll prob just buy a new short block for about 2k and call it done. It is a risk not changing the head gaskets exc but I drew the line at breaking into the actual motor. I did do killer b oil pickup and bafflec as well as timing belt kit, oil pump, water pump. I think realistically for me it will be closer to 25k by the time I'm done and I hope no more then that. Project creep. It is hard to do something like this without fixing and tweaking things as you go.

That's pretty much my situation... I got a 70k 2006 donor for under $6k; Shipping for the donor was minimal as I picked it up in state, but Stewart was almost $2k to SoCal. I could have built for under $20k, and it's obviously possible to build an 818 for less than $15k... but I doubt that many will resist the temptation to upgrade.

The motor's out, so it just makes sense to give it a thorough overhaul, and some go-fast parts. I did timing, H2O pump, plugs, VC gasket, etc, and got a Cobb Accessport and intake, KB pickup and tray, Silicone hoses, GrimmSpeed TGV, etc... but left the stock turbo and block untouched. I also supported a lot of our builders/vendors here by buying their custom parts (Wayne, Erik, Craig, Mike, Rori, Boyd welding).

Also, if you're going to all the effort of building your own car, who's not going to jazz it up? A $15k or less build, "by the book", and sourcing everything from the donor would be a little bland, IMHO. I got new seats, harnesses, steering wheel, shifter, e-brake and a stereo. The only noticeable Subaru parts that will be left when it's completed are the instrument cluster and exhaust note!

I'll be well over $25k when done, but the optional additions are worth it to me.

[Kalstar]

In the words of the mother from Waterboy......this thread is the Devil..

There was a thread like this several years ago but about the GTM. I took it as a challenge to personally prove it could be done for what Factory Five said it could be built for. What resulted was an awesome GTM that came in well below the target price but took way to much time to build, lots if deal searching and far less time building.

My advise, do what you want and do what you can afford. Build it the way you want in and don't add up receipts. In hind sight I would have far preferred spending 10k more and having it ready 2 years sooner.

[AZPete]

The $15K 818 is the same as the $25K roadster . . . it can be done but nobody does it.

[Mechie3]

Didn't the originL 15k estimate assumea non turbo donor too?

[Mechie3]

Thought of something morning. A different question to ask is not "can you" but rather "would you want to build an 818 for $15k?"

[JAubin]

I don't have my kit yet, but I made $1500 profit after parting out my donor. I picked up some Cobra Imola seats ($500 for a pair, used) so in theory I could pick up a used EJ205, and do the basics (timing belt, plugs, etc) for ~$2500. So again, all hypothetical, I'm at $12k. Add wheels/tires, $1600 and $400 in a plasti-dip kit, and it's right around $14k. That leaves another $1k in other stuff to add on there....of course I plan on having my wheel bearings replaced, new wheel studs, add a LSD, nevermind that my plan involves using a EJ207, so I'm really looking at right around $20k+ realistically. But with a EJ25D (ie non-turbo) motor, stock wheels and tires, no LSD I imagine you could come under $15k for a no-frills build. But like Mechie says, it's hard to do a project like this and put time, money and energy into it and not want to do it exactly the way you want.

[sponaugle]

I can certainly see 15k working using an older NA car and all of the stock parts, but if you are going through the process most people will want to upgrade. Consider the average Subaru owner who buys a 30k car and ends up spending another 15k modifying it.. if not more.

My donor car was 13k, so I am at about 26k before any of the parts, wheels, etc. With the two engines, turbos, drag tires, etc, I should be right around 40k.. which is a bargain in my mind!

[freds]

Anyone?

[billjr212]

The people aiming for the $15k budget are less likely to be active on the forum looking for incremental improvements and ideas, so don't be disappointed if you never see someone confirm it has been done on here. As someone mentioned above, it's exactly the same with the roadsters and the old $20-25k target

[xxguitarist]

If the donor we bought was actually what we thought it was, we would have come very close. We live in pickup range for FFR, and we sold a little more off of the car than we paid for it. We got the wiper kit, adjustable rear laterals & harness bar, also PC frame from FFR.
We would have had $3-4k for maintenance, update, mods, and still been around 15k... but then we wound up building the motor (pretty thoroughly..) Oh, there's the twin scroll turbo..awic..carton of gauges..race seats..

Yeah, it's all about project creep.

[RM1SepEx]

Right now I'm at $6147 plus the kit. I spent $3769 on upgrades that I'd call project creep...

Thankfully my wife doesn't read the forum and UPS and FedX deliver boxes when she is out teaching Tai Chi or taking care of her 92 yr old mom etc...

Who needs a budget???

[C.Plavan]

Try a little more than ~$30k for the 818R. Thats with iWire, Dry Sump, AWIC, Built Race motor, LSD, Real Fuel Cell, Two sets of racing wheels, Wing, Splitter, Diffuser, Door Vents, Canards, Aluminum radiator, Aluminum Cooling tubes, Real race seat, Misc performance parts.

[D Clary]

Seriously doubt that anyone has built a car for 15k. Tha main reason is the kit has not been out that long and to penny pinch the build takes a lot more time than carte blanch. I refuse to add up the reciepts fo mine as I dont want to cut corners for cost, ( and if I leave them around my wife might find them). If you stick to 15k you will have a new chassis and body on a 150k mile subaru. If you do start with a low budjet your car has a far greater chance of being one of the many never finished projects as frustration leads to procrastination = project death.

[Sgt.Gator]

Try a little more than ~$30k for the 818R. Thats with iWire, Dry Sump, AWIC, Built Race motor, LSD, Real Fuel Cell, Two sets of racing wheels, Wing, Splitter, Diffuser, Door Vents, Canards, Aluminum radiator, Aluminum Cooling tubes, Real race seat, Misc performance parts.

Yep, good list!!!

For the R I would also include a Data Logger, Video Camera + extra SD card, and probably a Dash Display for the logger. A Cobb AP if you are using the stock ECU. Oil Cooler, and maybe a Trans Cooler. At least a hand held Fire Extinguisher (ALL 818s) but probably a full Fire Suppression System in an R. Is that stuff necessary for just a track car that you won't race? Maybe not, but you will buy it all in 2 years anyway!

Plus: A complete set of spares with you at the track of at least: Brake Rotors, Brake Pads, CV Axels, At least one front and one rear Wheel Bearing, Alternator Belt, Spark Plugs, Spark Plug Wire Set, Radiator Hoses, Oil, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter.

And of course if you don't already race:
Helmet, Driving Suit, Balaclava, Gloves, Socks, Shoes, Hans type device. Cool Shirt system. I would not go out on track in an 818 without all the personal driver safety gear even for "just an HPDE".

Transponder if you are going to race and not just HPDE.
Trailer, Tow Rig. Tools galore.........Fuel Jugs. Race gas or something to blend in to make high octane gas.

[thall818]

$15 may be possible, but not for me either.

Did the old brakes stop the donor, yes.
Will the stock seats fit, yes
Can I get in the car withe stock fuel tanks, yes
Will it drive on stock wheels and tires, yes
Can I drive it with the stock air to air IC, yes
If only one rear wheel is driven, will it drive, yes
Are aero parts required, no?
Are wipers needed, maybe
Was anything wrong with the old timing belt, not that I could tell
Did I need new inner and outer tie rod ends and bellows, maybe
Do I need a stereo, no
Does the car need to be painted, no


That being said, I think it can be done. I just don't want that car.

Personally, I've set my ceiling at $25k and yes, it would be easy to over.

[oldn0tded]

I've been lurking for a while, waiting for the right time to chime in. I've read through several build threads and I think I have a fair overview of what this project is gonna require.

That said, I'm impressed with Mechs build, it sounded like a 30k build, and RM1 yours sounded/looked like it was higher. I'm encouraged with what I'm seeing on this forum. I think this shows what can be done with some careful thought, doing as much as possible yourself (as opposed to contracting it out), but most of all, holding "mission creep" in check. Mission creep is deadly to trying to maintain a reasonable build, ref F-35 and the defense department. I got on FFparts.com and spent 5k in about 6 minutes. The point is, I think a 15k can be build. However, like the guy said earlier "I don't want that car".

My son and I are planning on a 20k car. My goal is to have a reliable, streetable "Boxster Beater" that could be driven as a daily driver. It doesn't have to be a show car. In the end I'll be happy if we build a car that can be driven by anyone with the ability to drive a manual. No special instructions, ie "hold your left foot like this, because the thingamagig has to be held just so while you hit the starter button with your right elbow, oh yeah, sometimes the idle sticks but don't worry it'll come down after a few seconds".

If it will smoke a Z06, well, that's just icing on the cake....

My 2 cents worth
Oldnotdead, it's more than a screen name

[Hendow]

I'd say it's unlikely for many of us a bit further away from FFR...

Case in point, the kit alone, just the basic kit, to my door is US$19,000...!!!

Seeing what you guys n gals pay for the extras is amazing, as we are up for almost double, for the same stuff!

That said, it's still worth it!! What fun!

[Mechie3]

Well, if you consider the money I've made from parts I designed and now sell for the 818 I'm technically under $15k by a smidge. Hahahaha

[D Clary]

but its put the rest of us over.

[Wayne Presley]

I think the GRM car is under $15K

[fact5racer]

The people aiming for the $15k budget are less likely to be active on the forum looking for incremental improvements and ideas, so don't be disappointed if you never see someone confirm it has been done on here. As someone mentioned above, it's exactly the same with the roadsters and the old $20-25k target


It's doubtful they are active on this forum. If they have only 15K to build one of these cars, they probably don't have enough income for a computer or even internet service for that matter

[svanlare]

I stopped tracking the cost shortly after I spent a good bit more on the donor than I wanted to and was over $15K at that point. Overall buying the pallet donor made my wife MUCH happier than a semi-scrapped car in front of the house would have so it was money well spent. I've purchased a number of parts from the vendors on the forum, they haven't helped the budget but they have all helped the build. I had a visitor here this week and the k-tuned shifter, radiator mounts and boyd tank drew a lot of attention.

[Kalstar]

It's doubtful they are active on this forum. If they have only 15K to build one of these cars, they probably don't have enough income for a computer or even internet service for that matter

I go to the local library, they have free use of Internet/computers.

It can be done just trade time scorching "wants" for time driving. It will tak you longer to build if pinching pennies. $3500 donor, sell $2500 in parts, buy kit (no shipping) 10k. All basic prats for 11k. Rest is how much one can do themselves and what kind of deals they can muster on wanted parts. It think 20k gets you something extremely nice. 15k gets you basic but still a rocket. I think that the 15k estimate from factory five will water down the value of these cars. No reson with the looks and P/w these cars should not resel in the 30k+ range.

Edit...Sorry for the typing, m right arm is messed up so I am typing with my left hand.

[wallace18]

I go to the local library, they have free use of Internet/computers.

It can be done just trade time scorching "wants" for time driving. It will tak you longer to build if pinching pennies. $3500 donor, sell $2500 in parts, buy kit (no shipping) 10k. All basic prats for 11k. Rest is how much one can do themselves and what kind of deals they can muster on wanted parts. It think 20k gets you something extremely nice. 15k gets you basic but still a rocket. I think that the 15k estimate from factory five will water down the value of these cars. No reson with the looks and P/w these cars should not resel in the 30k+ range.

Edit...Sorry for the typing, m right arm is messed up so I am typing with my left hand.


I echo the 15K price has hurt sales of this car. Personally I do not think a 15K car would be any good. The donor would be most likely high mileage and in need of many repairs to be road worthy IMO. 20K is very likely. I just do not personally ever see these cars going for big bucks on resale. JMO.

[tmoretta]

The first complete car for sale - a convertible mind you - is offered at $25K. So our cars may not be worth as much as we would like to think. Evidently it would be a rather poor investment to spend too much on the build.

[C.Plavan]

Yep, good list!!!

For the R I would also include a Data Logger, Video Camera + extra SD card, and probably a Dash Display for the logger. A Cobb AP if you are using the stock ECU. Oil Cooler, and maybe a Trans Cooler. At least a hand held Fire Extinguisher (ALL 818s) but probably a full Fire Suppression System in an R. Is that stuff necessary for just a track car that you won't race? Maybe not, but you will buy it all in 2 years anyway!

Plus: A complete set of spares with you at the track of at least: Brake Rotors, Brake Pads, CV Axels, At least one front and one rear Wheel Bearing, Alternator Belt, Spark Plugs, Spark Plug Wire Set, Radiator Hoses, Oil, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter.

And of course if you don't already race:
Helmet, Driving Suit, Balaclava, Gloves, Socks, Shoes, Hans type device. Cool Shirt system. I would not go out on track in an 818 without all the personal driver safety gear even for "just an HPDE".

Transponder if you are going to race and not just HPDE.
Trailer, Tow Rig. Tools galore.........Fuel Jugs. Race gas or something to blend in to make high octane gas.

Yeah I forgot about that stuff- Which my car has.

[C.Plavan]

The first complete car for sale - a convertible mind you - is offered at $25K. So our cars may not be worth as much as we would like to think. Evidently it would be a rather poor investment to spend too much on the build.

95% of ALL cars are a bad investment.... lol

[wleehendrick]

As has been said, $15k is certainly doable with a careful donor selection, refurbishing parts yourself, and keeping the project scope creep in check. It would have to be pretty basic, though, and I think most people going to the effort will want a few upgrades; especially if they spend time on the forum and see what's available/possible. That certainly happened to me!

I paid a bit of a premium for my donor parts, but it was worth it for low mileage 06 California WRX; perfect for my plans for a lightly modified S. I was originally planning to spend around $20k, but caught a bad case of upgraditis. I used my donor's brakes, suspension pieces and motor/trans with just maintenance and reliability items addressed, but went for a lot of strictly unnecessary items... the street aero package from FFR, new wheels/tires, Boyd tank, K-tuned shifter, lots of Craig's/Mike's/Rori's products, new seats, harnesses and steering wheel, Lokar ebrake, Cobb AP, Spyder headlights, CF mirrors, silicone intake and stainless exhaust, etc... I think I'm up to ~$25k (I need to update my spreadsheet), and now have decided to get an iWire harness... that blows the budget but saves my sanity!

This is certainly not an 'investment' for me; I fell in love with the concept of the 818 before the design was chosen. However, even at $30k, double the entry level price, I think it's a great value. Consider the options for a street legal, basic, light weight, mid-engined sports car: Lotus only imports the bigger Evora now, and $30k buys you a used (abused?) Elise (even more for an S or Exige); the Alfa 4C is twice the price. Sure, those are more civilized, but the 818 is even more exotic (nobody know what it is) and has the advantage of greater performance potential, especially in CA, where being a specially constructed vehicle, I'm not limited to CARB legal modifications, like a production car would be. And the experience is building yourself, just the way you want to, is priceless.

[thall818]

I've always told people that keeping track of what you spend on the car is like a golfer keeping track of his expenses to see how much he has invested in his game. Budgets and restraint have their place, but in the end make sure you build what you want, otherwise you won't be happy with the result. Want to sell it when you're done? It won't matter how much you spent on it, it will only be worth what someone is willing to pay. Just have fun, it's a hobby. And be thankful you don't have to recoup your greens fees.

[wleehendrick]

Amen... I basically told a program manager at work (whose life is schedule and budget) that he would cringe at how far behind schedule and over budget I am. Oh well, its my project and I'm gonna do it right!

[erlihemi]

$15K might be a good project goal for a vo-tech class paint job and assembly exercise. It certainly is worth considering handing off some skill training to the young folks and maybe raffling the car off at the end. I think I could do one for under $20K myself but it wouldn't be competitive in anything but local autoX, which is OK. I would do a natural aspirated car with a kid willing to learn and some coin burning a hole in his pocket. I don't know if I could go $30K on one of these without having first had some seat time.

[indiana818]

i had an unexpected experience with the donor and bought it on ebay for 1650 i ended up selling all of the parts left over for 2000
i am right at 15,000 because i bought lots of bolts, new seats,wheels and tires, steering wheel and alum lower a frames
kerry

[indiana818]

100% agree

[icky]

I think I might do it, about $12,000 shipped to my door, $800 04 wrx with a blown motor. That leaves me $1200 for motor and vinyl wrap. I was planning on dumping a lot of money into this car but after seeing what people are buying them for it makes me want to be cheap.

[longislandwrx]

yeah selling some of these cars it might make sense to do a partout.

[Ekim7878]

I am currently on track to finish at just over $19k.
However I am far from finished and scope creep could push me to around $21k

Here is my current expense sheet breakdown.

Donor $4.5k (2004 wrx wagon 128k miles)
Sold parts right now $2.2k (probably $3k best case)

Kit: $11,275
Self pickup $650 in diesel
Clutch and flywheel $1000
Seats $800
Wrap $500
Bushings $400
Brakes $1000
Misc $1000
Wheels + tires $1200

My goal is under $20k completed but we will see. I love the challenge.

[AZPete]

So, the answer to this thread title is . . .
YES, it's possible for $15,000 but most spend more due to upgrades.
It's like the $25,000 roadster - possible but improbable.

I can't give my expenses because there's a slight chance my wife will find this thread. :eek:

[STiPWRD]

I can't give my expenses because there's a slight chance my wife will find this thread. :eek:

I concur

[RM1SepEx]

With the effort that is required who wants to do sub $15,000? It is possible I could have done it pretty easily as I've sold more out of my donor than I paid for it... But every 818 NEEDS an LSD, who wants to use many of the old parts, you can't really run the early WRX oil pans w/o oiling problems... etc

Mine will be no paint, WRX seats and come in under $20K even with all the CF pieces a cobb accessport, 3 inch stainless exhaust with cat and muffler, ceramic coated header, sti oil pan and pickup, etc...

if you built an NA and reused everything I bet $12K is possible.

[Mitch Wright]

AZPete, I can relate to that.

[nkw8181]

I haven't looked at mine in some time (or added up the last 6 months of extras) I'm betting I'm close to 25k once I add wheels/tires. Paint is another story entirely. Gonna run it white for a while though. I didn't have good luck reselling donor parts and still have random parts. Hvac and such

[Hindsight]

I'm already at $25k, without wheels, tires, paint, or a bunch of other expensive things like an access port, another race seat for the passenger side, harnesses, traction control, dyno tune, and some other misc stuff. But then again, I'm not trying to do this cheap, I'm trying to do it the way I want it, and what I feel is the "right" way. When I was younger and messing around with cars a lot, I did things cheaply because that's all I could afford. It feels really good to be doing things the right way now.

[C.Plavan]

I do not add up receipts. It's an unwritten rule for race cars. I'm probably close to the high 30's now.....