New to 818

[MartyD]

I've been a long time owner of a MKII Roadster. It just got totaled by my insurance company. 18 years of great memories. Time for new memories. I've been intrigued by the 818 since they first showed up. I don't really want to build one but I do want to buy one that is already done. I don't want a track monster. I just want a nice basic daily driver. I know with roadsters there were known issues and fixes. With the 818 I was wondering what those issues are and the common fixes for them. I'm familiar with Subaru drivetrains having owned a 2002 WRX for 15 years. It's my wife's daily driver. She loves it and gets asked all the time if it really is her car. Being a 70 year old silvered hair grammy will do that. I was more concerned about the 818 specific issues and their fixes. Thanks for your comments

[Hojo]

I’m lucky to live near FFR and went there to climb around the 818C in the showroom. I was 73 at the time and had been told by a wrestling coach years ago that I was the least flexible person he had ever worked with. I had such a hard time getting in and out of the coupe that I decided build the 818S. Your results may vary. My season is shorter than that of coupe people, but I didn’t have to install heating, defrosting and cooling. My friend here in Springfield Massachusetts has had his 818 S for 4 years, puts 2,000 mi. on his every year and adds or fixes something every year as well. My guess is that if you buy one there will always be minor fiddling to do.

[lance corsi]

I think ingress and egress of the 818 C is difficult at best. Depending upon your body size and your flexibility, you may want to sit in one before finalizing your decision. I’m 66 yo, 5’9”, 175 lbs and building an 818C and it is more difficult to get into than any previous car I have owned. For me, that is. I don’t bend in the middle like I used to.

[wallace18]

Best thing you can do is find someone who has one and go see it and sit in it. Ask on the forum if one is near you to visit.

[AZPete]

Marty, since you had a MKII for 18 years, you know the 818 will also require careful attention to maintenance and driving technique. I built a MK3 before building an 818C. There's a big design difference in the doors that many don't see.

I couldn't add a cloth or hard top to the MK3 because I had to get in from the top, as you know. But, at 6'3" I could get into the 818C. The difference is where the door hinge is located. In your MKII (or 3 or 4) the door hinge is about even with your knee when you're seated. There's no way to get your feet out unless you raise straight up. In the 818 (S or C) the door hinge is about where your ankle is. That means you can pull your left knee up to put it outside, then your right leg out, then your head out and stand up. Getting in is the reverse - butt on seat, right leg in, left leg in. It took a little practice and I had to pull my knees up, but once inside there's decent space. After 9,000 miles in my MK3, I really enjoyed 5,000 miles in my 818C without all that buffeting wind, blaring sun, occasional rain, and pounding noise. As an old geezer, I also liked the heat, AC and audio system that were possible with the hardtop.

As Wallace18 said, find an 818 in your area, if possible. And, if you want an experienced builder to build a very nice 818C exactly as you want it, ask Wallace18.

[MartyD]

I'd be doing the "S" because I need a convertible. I've been going through past threads, the stickies and learning about intercoolers, wiring issues, etc. I live in the wilds of southern Oregon so finding one to sit in is a challenge. Everybody around here drives big diesel trucks. I'm still fairly flexible between barbell weight lifting, mountain bike riding and skiing. My problem is I've got replacement knees that done quite bend as much as the originals. No problem in the Cobra so I think I'll be ok in the 818S. I wouldn't mind doing some minor finishing work. I just don't want to try and finish a kit.

[Katizzo]

I'm 6'3" and can fit fine in mine. I'm going to sell her but the motor needs to be swapped. If you want something that is otherwise complete and want to tinker and complete, let me know and we can talk.

[MartyD]

Katizzo, Is yours a Coupe or S? Tell me more

[MartyD]

Katizzo, I just saw your thread about what you might want to do next. The engine in there now, is it dead or just tired? Is the car currently registered or? Cheers Marty

[Cloudbase Engineering]

Where is this car located. Im considering electric so a car with a dead or tired motor is a good start.

[taco20]

Hey MartyD

I have an 80%+ 818s for ya. The owner was 6’3”+ and drove the car around no problem. It just needs final fit mint of some parts to be ready to go. Car is already registered so comes with a clean title. I sent you a PM if you want to discuss it more.

[Katizzo]

Katizzo, Is yours a Coupe or S? Tell me more

S, here is a link to my craigslist ad that tells the story: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d/santa-monica-factory-five-818s-kit-car/7283475016.html

[Katizzo]

And mine was titled in IL and registered in FL. It currently is unregistered in CA as I have a Dealer plate so never bothered to try. It should go through no problem but you never know in Cali... In OR, it should fly (I was born in Eugene, FYI).