Heres a new poll for you

[riptide motorsport]

If I could make a poll I would but heres the question:

How many of you with your "valuable" opinion actually has the funds as well as the justzpa to actually be a viable purchaser for FFR when it comes to this car?

[Steve91T]

Uh, I do.

[RonSchofield]

Me. I would buy a Rodney Orange 818, the moment I get my coupe finished. If Factory Five doesn't build that version, I would spend the time to hopefully but the frame and make my own body.

[Flamshackle]

that would make a good poll. Me for sure! I have already planned on the strip and sell of my impreza body to help pay for it...

[Rockraven]

Valid question. I suspect many critics here have no intention nor resources to buy an 818. Personally, I am retiring from 25 years in the Air Force in 10 months. I've followed FFR since 1997 or so, ordered an info pack in '99, and have $40k budgeted for my retirement gift to myself. All along it's been a MKIII/MKIV, but the 818 intrigues me, and might be a viable option. I haven't said much, except for the desire of a FFR Stratos. I'll patiently wait to see what transpires.

[GUNS]

I already purchased my donor car because of the 818. I'm committed.

[kitcarj]

I can't say I will be ready to plunk down the $ for at least a couple years but that doesn't mean I don't represent others who have never heard of FF or the 818. Any one of us could prefer a lame design but hopefully we as a whole better represent the target demographics preferences.
We are a two minivan family right now but our next vehicle purchase will not be another.:)

[Psay]

I was planning on buying an Ultima GTR and have £60k set aside for this, however after driving one I realised how impractical it is (speed bumps are virtually impossible , any sort of rough road, hump back bridges are a problem and the wife struggles to get in /out although that last one might be a good thing). I was planning on how to overcome these isues when I stumbled across FFR, initially I was looking at the GTM but that just doesn't do it for me the 818 however, has me excited and at present my money is on Rodneys orange car.

Hopefully some of the other cars will improve to the same degree that the Rodneys did making the choice even more difficult. I may have to buy 2! Been from England I guess I will have to wait longer than you guys in USA to get my hands on one.

So in answer to your question yes I have the money and am ready to buy when ever it is available.

[imom]

rip, since the 818 is a low cost entry... I'm sure there will be many including myself who will have the cash to buy such a car. The cost of GTM would be more cost prohibitive except for the folks that want to spend $50K to $70K+...I know the amount goes up more... but 818 will have many willing to dive head first into this car.

[Draco-REX]

Just tell me what to write on the check....

[NicksPapaw]

As you can see in my avitar, I am a viable customer. :)

[Jeff Kleiner]

Thank you Steven for asking what I have been soooo tempted to ;)

As for me, heck I threw my hat into the ring and asked to be on Beta list before details of the design contest had even been released so, yeah, I'm a viable (repeat) customer!

Methinks that some of the most vocal and opinionated posters may only experience the 818 if it makes it into their Forza game.

Jeff

[ScottKoschwitz]

I have the funds and the time, thanks to the Miata no longer being around. The only thing I lack now is the necessary garage space (though I could probably throw my wife's car out into the cold again).

[ScottKoschwitz]

I have the funds and the time, thanks to the Miata no longer being around. The only thing I lack now is the necessary garage space (though I could probably throw my wife's car out into the cold again). That reminds me: I have to change my avatar.

[Psay]

Just because you have the money to buy an 818 when it becomes available does not mean that your opinion counts any more than someone who may have to save for a year or two.

We all have different backgrounds are at different stages in our life etc. we are all entitled to our opinion and I for one enjoy reading what everyone has to say.

[2KWIK4U]

As you can see in my avitar, I am a viable customer. :)

I am too but I think rip has a valid point with all these poles having a small number of vocal supporters doesn't make it the only design the "people" want to build. I have not seen a design that would stop me from building an 818 yet , but I do have my favorites.

[Kalstar]

I am a buyer as soon as my GTM is done. The GTM and 818 will be staked on the rack (Lift)

I agree, I had to wait about a year to get my GTM and I enjoyed giving imput even if I did not have one yet, the "future owner" should have the same imput as the ones that have the cash. Those of us building will benefit from the free time the non-builders have to hunt for new ideas and products. At least that's what I did for the members of the other site.

[Mechazawa]

I could write the check at any time.

[305mouse]

I have a donor lined up, but probably won't buy the 818 till 2013. I have a garage to build first since the house we're buying doesn't have one. That'll give me plenty of time to strip the donor and sell off parts and do some nice engine mods.

[Andr3w]

I too am ready to purchase once i get back from my deployment

[PhyrraM]

Methinks that some of the most vocal and opinionated posters may only experience the 818 if it makes it into their Forza game.

See, that's why you can't jump to conclusions - everyones perception is varied, and equally valid. To me, alot of posts have a "I'm a current FFR customer, so my opinion has more weight" feel to them.

In all honesty, it's time to stop with the styling beatdown on FFR. They have tons of input from the forum already. They now need breathing room to 'Git-er-done'.

Anybody else feel like Jim's early eye twitch has now become a daily "I told you so" to Dave?

[DrieStone]

My WRX daily driver is almost 7 years old and it will become my donor, and I have $5k sitting in the bank that would go towards the project today. I shouldn't have any issues getting the remainder in the next 12 months. It this point I would consider myself 75% committed. I'm cautiously optimistic about this project.

[Xusia]

To answer the original question, I have the money right now. I've also been following FFR since about 1996, and came very close to buying a Roadster in 1997--ultimately opting for another sports car (the right decision for me at the time). I've been wanting to build my own car for years, but my requirements haven't lined up with offerings--until now. If the 818 winds up having real world weather protection, I'm almost certain I'll be buying one.

[bromikl]

It's fair to assume FFR wants to sell a lot of these. The price point is a big plus. Even if someone doesn't have $15K today, it's reasonable to assume he/she could get it even if it takes a second job and fifteen months. Compare that with $20-40K for a Roadster. For many people, that's so far out of their budget, they can't even dream about it. Why would someone work toward a goal that will 'never' be within reach? (It is; but that's beside the point - it's their perception that matters.)

I think all people with any interest in an 818 should rightfully have an equal say at this point. Even if they never purchase a kit, they will be influencing the design of a car that someone else in their exact circumstances eventually buys and builds.

[Slaughter]

I have no plan on buying the 818 or any FFR for that matter - I just spend a good amount of time on these forums to troll. U MAD?

In all seriousness, what kind of question is that? Who would sign up on a forum for a highly niche market with no *real* interest in the product?

[Draco-REX]

I have no plan on buying the 818 or any FFR for that matter - I just spend a good amount of time on these forums to troll. U MAD?

In all seriousness, what kind of question is that? Who would sign up on a forum for a highly niche market with no *real* interest in the product?
You don't know the NASIOC crowd.... ;)

[apexanimal]

i'm in once the beta's and bugs are out of the way...

[Niburu]

Most importantly I have pre-approval from the wife, money is just a mere inconvenience at this point.

[OCCPete]

I already built one car, so I think I've got the "justzpa" to buy a kit and build a 818. However, I will not be buying if it has no top. I've already got one car I don't drive in the rain, I don't need another.

Pete

[Silvertop]

I have the dollars, the chutzpah, and conditional spousal approval. Once I see that a body shape I like will be produced, I will shop for and buy my donor car, begin stripping the necessary parts, and making the desired engine mods. The goal will be to have the donor parts ready for installation the day my new kit is available for purchase, so that I can begin assembly the day it arrives.

[AVIONX]

$$$ = Check, Chutzpah = Check, Repeat Customer = Check, Spousal approval = Check, Garage Space = Check, Donor Purchased = Check. Man this next year is gonna suck. :(

[dbjr63]

i will buy the FF 818 when they offer a hard top and a full kit.

[t3steve]

I will be ready to build if the FFR 818 will have a Lotus 211 style dedicated track variant.

edit: I mean function of the Lotus 211 not form

[wjfawb0]

Some of the feedback on this site reminds me of one of those new-fangled HOA message boards for a neighborhood. I asked new property management rep's at their first HOA meeting if they were going to provide such a forum just to get a reaction out of them. They basically said 'HELL NO!' Residents often go INTERNET WARRIOR on the forum and post things to their neighbor that they would not say to their face. Plenty of drama on TBS, so I don't need more in the subdivision.

I am still very interested in building an 818, but it's so far out I'm just lurking the forum for now. I'm actually building a single seat motorcycle powered buggy in my garage to take up what little free time I have (2 year old kid and wife that works some weekends). The buggy should be a $5,000 to $7,000 investment. It will help me learn more patience and gain some knowledge and skills that will make a locost or kit car that much easier to build.

Money is no problem. I've got a sugar momma. :D

[Oppenheimer]

In all seriousness, what kind of question is that? Who would sign up on a forum for a highly niche market with no *real* interest in the product?

a 17 year old kid with more dreams than dollars?

But so long as the kid has productive input, lets hear it! He represents all the kids who will be 20-something soon, ready for a cool project, but haven't stumbled across FFR yet.

[D2W]

Anybody else feel like Jim's early eye twitch has now become a daily "I told you so" to Dave?

Are you sure Dave doesn't counter with "I'm glad we didn't go with the inhouse design". Input is good as long as you know how to filter it. And yes I'm able to purchase an 818, I just need to wait and see if I want to.

[Fast818]

I am in $ as long as I like the final design and there is a Targa or coupe.

[MurrayT]

I will buy the 818 in whatever body style offered, but I prefer the 818-R version.

I have offered Dave a deposit on the 818 a number of times. He has declined all my offers because the car is simply not close enough for delivery. The man has integrity. From the crowds I saw at FFR's SEMA booth, I am sure Dave had dozens more deposit offers.

Dave knows the 818 is a winner and knows he is going to sell thousands worldwide. He just will not sell the 818 before it is ready.

When the 818 is ready, I'll be there dangling cash with all you other guys hoping that I'll be one of the first to get the 818. Until then I'll be having fun driving my donor STi until it is parted out.

[bbatts]

I have the cash and I am ready to build. I have also offered my deposit in Oct 2011, but FFR will not accept it yet. I would like to start building and apply the body when they finalize.

B Batts
Nashville, TN

[BipDBo]

The million dollar question, and the one I've been asking myself since this contest has begun. Do I have the ability and know how to put together a kit car. I've never done it, but I have no doubt that I could. Do I have the time and money right now to pull it off? I could probably pull together $15,000 but honestly, with 3 young kids, my priorities are just not there yet. Whenever I'm under the hood, they always want to help. I let them pump the jack, or turn a screw.

Someday, that will probably change. My father was a USCG aircraft mechanic and a fairly skilled wood worker. When he was a teenager, he wanted to build a wooden boat. He saw an add in Popular Mechanics for plans and mailed in for them. One day when I was a teenager, he pulled out those plans, yellowed by a quarter century of storage, and said, "Son, do you want to build a boat?" We only used that boat a few times, but the time we spent together was invaluable. I know I'll never build a GTM, but in a few years, when my two daughters and son can properly wield a torque wrench, I hope to say, "Hey, you want to build a car?"

At $15,000, the 818 is within reach for me and it's not such an impractical purchase, if you need to buy a car anyway. There's a lot more expensive things I could plan for my mid-life crisis.

If I never actually get around to building an 818, I can still live vicariously through those that do. I can at least pretend that I have a part in its design, even a small one. It is an honor for an engineer who has made a thousand doodles of plane, boat and automobile designs, and who now draws ductwork, to be involved in the design of something a bit more exciting.