| The Seven-esque Kitcar Buying Guide |
Buying a Seven-esque Kitcar can be a mine field. There are so many variants and so many decisions to make - before you have even thought about enquiring.
The first question is new or second hand?
This question is fairly easy. Most people know straight away if they want to buy new or used and the advantages and disadvantages of each route are fairly easy to spot too.
The real first big question is kit form or built?
Buying new doesnt mean it has to come in kit form. Some companies will happily sell you a fully built road legal car. Ofcourse there is a premium to pay for this and most say half the pleasure is in the fact you built it.
Buying second hand can come it built or sometime kit/part built form too.
Buying second hand requires quite a few more questions so read on!
The second big question is bike engine car (BEC) or car engine car (CEC)?
This is probably the question which has caused the most debate between owners. Car engine cars tend to be the Ford units such as the pinto and duratec, the Vauxhall redtops and the V8 blocks whilst bike engines are commonly Fireblades, R1s and Hyabusas'. There are many other engines used but these are the more common ones.
The cause of the commotion between owners is the quite stark difference in characteristics. The car engine cars dont need to rev as high and have standard H pattern gearboxes so are better for gentle ride out but they are heavier. In contrast the bike engine cars are often much lighter giving better acceleration and they have sequential gearboxes which are very good to use when driving fast. The down side being a lack of natural reverse (so having to either push or fit a reverse system) and the power is much higher in the rev range leading to a drive being very noisy and non relaxing even when you want to just go for a ride out.
The usual result from debates about BEC Vs CEC is that CECs are best suited for people who want a Seven-esque car with the ability for a gentle ride where BECs are suited to the frequent track user.
Once you have these sorted your well on your way!
If your looking at buying a new kit and you have decided on your engine variant you will probably be already looking around the different kits available. This is the part where you need to do your own investigation by looking on forums and talking to each individual manufacturer and where possibly going to see the demo car and take a ride. Different kits all have their own individual pit falls and skill levels required.
Buying second hand you still need to do your own investigation to decide which kit and varient is the one for you. But once you have made this decision you still have a world of questions to ask!
Each kit will have been competed to a different standard by its original builder so you need an idea of what level you are looking for in your kit.
Some good things to be asking and looking at when you talk to the seller are:
- When it was built?
- When was it SVA/IVA'd?
- Did the seller build it?
- If not is it 'as built'?
- If not what has been added?
- Why are the wanting to sell?
- What is written on the logbook? - Avoid if the log book says something different to what the car is such as Sierra (or even westfield when your looking at a caterham!).
- Is the VIN correct?
- Is there a copy of the Mac (not everyone keeps one but it is nice to see).
- Is the owner the person selling it? (you would be surprised!)
Now for some more technical questions to think about:
- Are the straight bits straight?
- Any re-welding done?
- Are the footwells panels straight?
- Is there any rust? - Especially front suspension, can be fixed but can also be quite dangerouse.
- Check the rear suspension for twists and buckles and indications of impact.
- Take it for a drive. Make sure it doesn't overheat and oil pressure and temp is ok.
- Is oil pressure and temp ok after it has sat after a drive?
Other nice things to see when buying a second hand kit cars are the build notes. This will help no end when trying to find a replacment part, knowing its a caliper from a Mazda MX5 rather than knowing its a caliper! Plus its good to see the care and attension spent during the build.
Finally is the owner an enthusiast? Have they taken care and delt with issues and cleaned it or just driven and left and now looking to offload a tired toy?
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