What do you want?

[Nelff]

After reading these threads I have come to a conclusion. There a lot of competing ideas about what the 818 is and isn't.

I would like to start a thread that would allow ideas about what we want in the 818. Personally I want a mid/rear 400 hp AWD, flappy paddle, air adjustable ride height independent, yadda yadda.... But I know that I'm not going to get that.

What I can say is that:

I don't want a long-low curb scraping nose. I want short overhangs and a nose that looks like a mid engine car. Nose that when someone sees it in the rear view mirror it says, you are slow get out of my way.

I want something with some rake and big hips. Big wide fenders with little to no flare and a rear that says, good you did get out of my way, later, while it's throwing up dust from the diffuser.

The nose needs to be real world usable with a screw on splitter that Dave gets re-orders on continuously.

If we give Dave little ideas of what we really want it may help with direction...

[Oppenheimer]

I want a light, tossable, fun, fast street car, that I can drive even on chilly days when the weather forecast is iffy. That I can build myself, that I can actually afford. I want something I'm not embarrassed to drive, even to someplace fancy. If it sets HoF, even better.

Something that I can drive to track days. Something I can drive to work if I want to (I'll want to, a lot). Something that doesn't look too much like every other car on the road, but doesn't look like that was its only design goal.

Something that isn't too difficult to live with, that is reasonably useable. Something I can fit in (headroom). Something I can get in and out of (doesn't have to be like a modern production car, but can't be like climbing into a racecar either). Something that doesn't scrape on every driveway.

[vozproto]

A canyon carving car that drives like a go-kart but I can steer with my right foot to tighten up turns.

Something that I can take to a track day or autocross.

And something that I can take my wife to a nice restaurant in and let the valet fights over who gets to park it out front.

[RM1SepEx]

A canyon carving car that drives like a go-kart but I can steer with my right foot to tighten up turns.

Something that I can take to a track day or autocross.

And something that I can take my wife to a nice restaurant in and let the valet fight over who gets to park it out front.

Ditto and...

with at least the option of a soft top or targa top and side curtains just in case it rains during that ride up into the mountains or along the coast to enjoy the roads and scenery

[Rockraven]

An 818 kit is in my future regardless. But what I dream about and still hope for is a single donor, FF quality Stratos.

[305mouse]

I want a mid engine rwd kit that weighs in at 1800 pounds or less and costs under $10K. The chassis and handling has to be stiff, but it can't feel like a go kart. It has to fit 8" if not 9" wide wheels in the rear. The body has to look exotic and European but still be able to get over a speed bump or back out a angled driveway without scuffing the body. A replaceable splitter would be a nice touch in case. A targa roof would be awesome. So would some storage space under the front hood for a weekend trip or something. I must say that so far FF is doing a great job and I love how they are allowing us to participate in the developement of this kit.

[slopoke]

a coupe with roll-up windows and climate control .... even if costs extra

[Flamshackle]

If we are wish listing then I would like...
1) replaceable front lip as previously stated
2) space for 9" wide rear wheels
3) ABS
4) race roll cage integration option that works with hard/targa top

And a flux capavigor of course!

[PhyrraM]

First and foremost - A Subaru powered mid-engined roadster with top notch handling and fun to drive factor.

Strong second - A $9900 kit price + One complete WRX = Running, registerable car with no suprises.

Third - Attention to detail. Meaning good fit and finish. Even if this means that the car has to be sparten, the few features that do make production must be well done and near OEM quality. For example, I'd much rather have well done, but simplistic Lotus type of dash than a complex dash/console assembly that needs extra $$ to look decent.

Other wishes:
Comfortable for an 8 hour cruise, with a few stops for stretching out.
The firewall should accept the HVAC unit. I'm OK with an open or closed car, but a closed/closeable car MUST have HVAC.
Street ride, meaning firm - but not race car stiff.
300 mile range.
Good looks with OEM WRX wheels and tires.
Not keen on the current shoulder-to-shoulder seating arraingement, but keeping an open mind.
Great visability.
Visually lightweight, form-follows-function styling. Please don't have 8" thick door panels just to make the styling work. Find a style that fits the frame "snuggly".
Let me put my arm on the window sill without my arm is going uphill.

[Psay]

I simply want a car that is stunning looking but not something that could be mistaken from a big name manufacturer (that's why at present the Olmos car is my no1).
It must be fast as fu@k. With a stock engine and 818kg it will be just that. Start upping the power and it will be awesome.
For me a hard top and glass side windows are a must. A removable Targa would be fine.
Climate Control and ABS
The interior can be very basic as I would want to fit my own custom one.

I understand that most of the above cannot be achieved for the base kit price but would be more than happy to pay extra for these.

[ScottKoschwitz]

PhyrraM summarizes it very well for me.

[onyx_riddle]

I want a car that makes me feel like I "stuck it to the man" every time I look at it. The price of awesome styling, IMHO, was a rewritten rule with the release of the Lotus Elise. I want a car that looks like it was built to compete with that car, but didn't slouch on beating its design. Oh and creature comforts are a must.

[NicksPapaw]

I have a roadster. I am keeping my roadster. I want a car that I can use a lot in varied weather. A targa top woud be fine if it works. I really like Olmos' car except for the hood. The indent in the center makes it look toyish. I also think the color hurts the looks on the model. Xabier's car also looks great and I can see that car with a top. HVAC is also a must. I can make everything else work, I think.

[riptide motorsport]

Quiet would be nice

[BrandonDrums]

First and foremost - A Subaru powered mid-engined roadster with top notch handling and fun to drive factor.

Strong second - A $9900 kit price + One complete WRX = Running, registerable car with no suprises.

Third - Attention to detail. Meaning good fit and finish. Even if this means that the car has to be sparten, the few features that do make production must be well done and near OEM quality. For example, I'd much rather have well done, but simplistic Lotus type of dash than a complex dash/console assembly that needs extra $$ to look decent.

Other wishes:
Comfortable for an 8 hour cruise, with a few stops for stretching out.
The firewall should accept the HVAC unit. I'm OK with an open or closed car, but a closed/closeable car MUST have HVAC.
Street ride, meaning firm - but not race car stiff.
300 mile range.
Good looks with OEM WRX wheels and tires.
Not keen on the current shoulder-to-shoulder seating arraingement, but keeping an open mind.
Great visability.
Visually lightweight, form-follows-function styling. Please don't have 8" thick door panels just to make the styling work. Find a style that fits the frame "snuggly".
Let me put my arm on the window sill without my arm is going uphill.


A canyon carving car that drives like a go-kart but I can steer with my right foot to tighten up turns.

Something that I can take to a track day or autocross.

And something that I can take my wife to a nice restaurant in and let the valet fights over who gets to park it out front.


I want a light, tossable, fun, fast street car, that I can drive even on chilly days when the weather forecast is iffy. That I can build myself, that I can actually afford. I want something I'm not embarrassed to drive, even to someplace fancy. If it sets HoF, even better.

Something that I can drive to track days. Something I can drive to work if I want to (I'll want to, a lot). Something that doesn't look too much like every other car on the road, but doesn't look like that was its only design goal.

Something that isn't too difficult to live with, that is reasonably useable. Something I can fit in (headroom). Something I can get in and out of (doesn't have to be like a modern production car, but can't be like climbing into a racecar either). Something that doesn't scrape on every driveway.

I couldn't say it better myself, looks like we're on the same page.

[Kalstar]

A car to compliment my GTM and make up for what the GTM lacks. IE... top that can be removed, lighter appearance, sparse creature comforts, a high winding engine. Ideally I would like to see zippy to fast but not outrageous. 0-60 in 4sec flat would be great. Basically a one up on the Elise with a distinctive look but a more modern approach to the styling.

Lastly. I do not want a car that looks so mainstream that it can be confused as made by a more pedestrian car manufacturer.

[adesilva]

A car to compliment my GTM and make up for what the GTM lacks. IE... top that can be removed, lighter appearance, sparse creature comforts, a high winding engine. Ideally I would like to see zippy to fast but not outrageous. 0-60 in 4sec flat would be great. Basically a one up on the Elise with a distinctive look but a more modern approach to the styling.

Lastly. I do not want a car that looks so mainstream that it can be confused as made by a more pedestrian car manufacturer.

Your a lucky man, I would love to have a GTM / 818 garage combination haha (Along with a truck, maybe that can even be FF one day if they end up doing the truck project)

I really want the 818 to be a car with a removable hard top that I can use a good 50-75% of the time I drive.
- I would like the car to have that HOF factor, something with a more exotic look
- A decent level of weather proofing, I do not plan on driving the car in intense rain but if it stars raining I dont want my roof leaking (something ive heard as a stigma of kit cars but im sure FF would be better at that)
- I do not need anything that can actually carry anything other than maybe a few small bags
- Mainly something that is light and fun to drive on the street, I am not planning on tracking the car but I do plan on enjoying it on the street and I am confident this car will be amazing in that regard.
-"Let me put my arm on the window sill without my arm going uphill." would be amazing but not a requirement for me

[Draco-REX]

A power-to-weight ratio that shames most anything under 6 digits.

Tossable handling to navigate cones at an AutoX.

Removable top so I can drive it from OH to MA to visit family (both mine and the 818's).

A powertrain I'm familiar with.

Looks that are anything but BORING.

I want people to look at it and wonder "What is that?" not "Oh, it's a kit car." And when I give a ride to someone, the first thing out of their mouth better be "OH S***!"

[flytosail]

New here, but with the cost of the 818 being a whole lot less then the GTM, this is way more likely to find its way into my garage. That said I would hope for my one build to be able to:

Be driven somewhere as a roadster with some sort of top as either a snap in soft top or stored in the front hardtop.
Storage for at least one regular roller-board or two small duffel bags.
As a NH resident a place to mount a front license plate to make some .gov folks happy.
Good quality seats with 5 point harnesses.
Good lights for night driving.
Does not look like a "chick car". Think Saturn Sky.

[vozproto]

One design cue that I see as almost a no-brainer but still a MUST for a good modern design...

dual/symmetrical exhaust or at least design/fabrication considerations for it.

I can't stand single sided exhausts on look-good/go-fast cars.

[scartaan]

The turbo Subarus have a single exhaust so a single central exhaust, (Porsche 550) would make the most sense and be the lightest.

[olpro]

One design cue that I see as almost a no-brainer but still a MUST for a good modern design...

dual/symmetrical exhaust or at least design/fabrication considerations for it.

I can't stand single sided exhausts on look-good/go-fast cars.
This is a KIT car. People will build it however they want. It isn't an issue for the basic FFR body designs.

[BipDBo]

One design cue that I see as almost a no-brainer but still a MUST for a good modern design...

dual/symmetrical exhaust or at least design/fabrication considerations for it.

I can't stand single sided exhausts on look-good/go-fast cars.

Feel free to add whatever useless weight that makes you happy.

[vozproto]

This is a KIT car. People will build it however they want. It isn't an issue for the basic FFR body designs.

Yes, I do understand this is a KIT car.
And it really depends on the design that is selected. For instance... Vman's design has the dual exhaust ported through the back of the car above the bumper.

And if the design selected has them ported below the bumper and there are flares in the bumper to allow for clearance from the pipe... then I just ask there there are 2 of them.

I don't think my request is without basis.

[vozproto]

Feel free to add whatever useless weight that makes you happy.

I assume then you are not familiar with the fact that a dual exhaust when done properly produces a more free-flow environment that would increase power particularly on a forced-induction vehicle.

You call it useless. I call it more power:weight, better sound and better looks.

[Silvertop]

First and foremost - A Subaru powered mid-engined roadster with top notch handling and fun to drive factor.

Strong second - A $9900 kit price + One complete WRX = Running, registerable car with no suprises.

Third - Attention to detail. Meaning good fit and finish. Even if this means that the car has to be sparten, the few features that do make production must be well done and near OEM quality. For example, I'd much rather have well done, but simplistic Lotus type of dash than a complex dash/console assembly that needs extra $$ to look decent.

Other wishes:
Comfortable for an 8 hour cruise, with a few stops for stretching out.
The firewall should accept the HVAC unit. I'm OK with an open or closed car, but a closed/closeable car MUST have HVAC.
Street ride, meaning firm - but not race car stiff.
300 mile range.
Good looks with OEM WRX wheels and tires.
Not keen on the current shoulder-to-shoulder seating arraingement, but keeping an open mind.
Great visability.
Visually lightweight, form-follows-function styling. Please don't have 8" thick door panels just to make the styling work. Find a style that fits the frame "snuggly".
Let me put my arm on the window sill without my arm is going uphill.

What he said. But for me, must have removable, stowable top option, soft or hard (Targa-style preferred). Stunning good looks.

[BipDBo]

I assume then you are not familiar with the fact that a dual exhaust when done properly produces a more free-flow environment that would increase power particularly on a forced-induction vehicle.

You call it useless. I call it more power:weight, better sound and better looks.

Really? On a NA V8, sure. You're telling me that in the application of a single turbo, a dual exhaust could be made to provide lower static pressure and therefore allow more power than a larger single exhaust of the same weight? I don't think so.

[Silvertop]

Yes, I do understand this is a KIT car.
And it really depends on the design that is selected. For instance... Vman's design has the dual exhaust ported through the back of the car above the bumper.

And if the design selected has them ported below the bumper and there are flares in the bumper to allow for clearance from the pipe... then I just ask there there are 2 of them.

I don't think my request is without basis.

No, it's a reasonable request. But requesting a single exhaust configuration would be just as reasonable.

I'm betting that in their final production form, NONE of the 818 body shapes actually reaching the market are likely to have through-the-body exhaust exit ports, single or dual. Too limiting. As Olpro pointed out, it is a kit car. Build the kind of exhaust you want.

[vozproto]

Really? On a NA V8, sure. You're telling me that in the application of a single turbo, a dual exhaust could be made to provide lower static pressure and therefore allow more power than a larger single exhaust of the same weight? I don't think so.

Ok honey. You're right. <-- Learned that one from being married.

Now... I'm gonna do whatever I want because I believe in maintaining function AND fashion and a giant Folgers can out the back of a killer sports car doesn't appeal to me. Otherwise I'd be building a Locost if all I wanted was function.

[BipDBo]

Ok honey. You're right. <-- Learned that one from being married.

Now... I'm gonna do whatever I want because I believe in maintaining function AND fashion and a giant Folgers can out the back of a killer sports car doesn't appeal to me. Otherwise I'd be building a Locost if all I wanted was function.

Switch it to dual turbos, and you'd be in business. I think that considering that the WRX engine is going to come from a much heavier car, serious 818 tuners are going to find turbo lag to be a problem. I'll think we'll see a few people try twin turbos.

You can build it however you want, but you will be constrained to not cutting the fiberglass unless you are willing to paint it. Maybe they will have the exhaust come out of a screen like on the GTM. If so, you can cut holes to your heart's desire.

[Nelff]

Okay, a little self policing...

One person wants a dual tipped exhaust, one wants a single. Not difficult to post what you want...

[BipDBo]

Sorry. Just being a twit.

[shinn497]

Rocket launchers, machine guns, those rode that make it jump, the ability to go underwater, and a deployable bird that lets me send messages.

[kitcarj]

A car that is practical to use everyday, but looks like it shouldn't be.
I would rather it look like an exotic kitcar than a boring street car.

[txjeepn]

I want a great looking car that is completely impractical that is not a cobra kit. I already have a S2000 and a MX-5 in my garage. It must have a no roof option, I would prefer the “R” version with little to no windshield. The only luxury I would like is a heater. Where I live a car like this would be great and on the low end of the price scale. I have thought about a cobra kit, and it is too common. I almost purchased an Ariel Atom, and at the time 60K for tubing a Civic engine and little to no factory warranty seemed a bit high. Plus Brammo went out of business 6 months after I went there with my deposit. And the money that people did have in limbo was held and passed on to TMI. And from a person that I got in touch with that made the unfortunate decision to order an Atom around the same time I almost did. He got his car 18 months after giving his deposit and was up charged around 5K for getting an Atom 3. And the other option was to give up the 20% cancelation fee.