Mossman

Hello all,

I am JUST starting to get the itch to purchase a second hand Caterham/Westie and was hoping people would be able to point me in the right direction in regard to where to buy, models etc.

I want one that is as quick as poss and will only be used evenings and weekends. What can I get for my money!?!

Any help, really appreciated. Would love a caterham R300 or similar but not sure of 2nd hand prices.

All the best,

Mossman

Rich B

try www.blatchat.com

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Hehe... I got that itch a while ago. It gets definitively scratched a week on Sunday, when I pick up my (very yellow) Vauxhall-engined Westfield

My research indicated that Caterhams were a lot more expensive than Westfields for equivalent performance, so that's what I opted for.

A few places worth looking at for used ones are:

- Auto Trader's web site;
- Terry Nightingale, who specialise in Westfields and have a good reputation, even if the web site isn't updated all that often;
- Find It, who carry a few ads for Westfields and parts;
- Mad About Kit Cars, PistonHeads and Which Kit? magazine who also have a few ads;

Also well worth a visit are:
- The Westfield factory web site;
- The Westfield Sports Car Club which has a forum filled with lots of knowledgeable people and no muppets

Do ring up the Westfield factory (nr Birmingham) and book yourself onto the factory tour. They're only too happy to show round prospective customers for new and used cars, Jon Moss is a top bloke who'll be only too happy to answer your questions, and you'll get to take a car out for a blat. (Tip: don't go out in the SEiGHT - the 3.9 litre Rover V8-powered car - unless you can afford one!)

Have fun, there's a lot of research to do, but it's well worth it in the end

Andy.


[Edited by AndyC_772 - 6/14/2002 8:36:29 PM]

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Further idle thoughts on type of car - you say you want one as quick as possible (and don't we all!), but there are different ways of going about that, and some may suit your driving style better than others.

Basically there are three kinds of Seven-type car:

- the regular car-engined type. These have been around for years, and basically consist of a contemporary car engine (often more used to doing service in Escorts, Mondeos, Astras and so on) strapped to a lightweight chassis. These are cheap and plentiful second hand, especially if you're happy with an older (usually Ford) engine.

- the bike-engined variety. These use the engines from high-performance motorcycles, taking advantage of their high power and light weight to give an extremely light car. You get a sequential gearbox too. These cars have the quickest 0-60 times of all, and are track day favourites. They're often stripped right down to save weight and improve aerodynamics, which are particularly important given the relatively modest power available.

- the Westfield SEiGHT, which goes to the other extreme and has a massive aluminium alloy Rover V8 engine which can deliver loads of torque, so you'll never need to change gear again (almost!). Tuneable up to five litres and can produce up to 400 bhp if you can afford it. The car is heavy, though, so not as nimble on the track as its bike-engined brothers. Lots of TVR bits fit, though

There are also cars available with other engines too - I've seen at least one Honda VTEC, and a couple of silly-power turbos.

I went for a 2 litre Vauxhall (Astra, Calibra) engine, because I like the torque and couldn't afford a SEiGHT. I personally find rev-happy engines hard work, so I ruled out the bike powered cars, but they're undeniably popular.

I also wanted a relatively modern engine for its ability to be tuned, reasonably light weight, and ability to run on unleaded fuel - not all are!

Andy.

GaryC

Private ads can be the best place to find them. Keep eyes out and wait for prices to flex. I first saw my car advertised at £17k, decided I wanted it put hung back for a month. Ended up getting the same car for £12,700

I went for a bike-engined and nothing is more intoxicating than 12000rpn red line, sequential manual gearbox, and an F1 soundtrack

Caterhams are around 50% more expensive than a Westfield but there is very little dynamic difference except a body made from ali rather than a plastic composite. The premium is for the 'hertiage'

igratton

Hey Andy,

Glad youve found a car - you've been quiet on the Westfield bbs of late - but then again so have we

Loads of extra detail to add to our diary - it just seems more important to build than document right now

Ian

http://www.xtr2.net

catflap

I still cant finde a busa

sob sob

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Ian: Have another look, I've been pestering the poor souls on the WSCC bbs at least as much as I have Scoobynet. In particular, I've been bemoaning the lack of SEiGHTs for sale, then after I gave up trying to find one, I started asking about the Vauxhall engine and who to get to tweak it

Catflap: Sorry to hear that, mate - I trust you know about the (expensive) new one on Auto Trader and (similarly expensive) ones at the factory? What about the Magablade on Auto Trader instead? I read a review - Evo I think - which implied that the 'blade is a bit less intimidating, and about as quick in all but the most experienced hands.

9 days and counting...

Andy.

catflap

ANDY the vx is a very interesting option, due send me a review when yo uhave had chance to spin it up

GaryC

Catflap - wise advice to look 'lower down'. My megablade still scares me ****less. I will get used to it and upgrade to a bird/busa angine at somepoint, but it will be YEARS until I can get 100% out of my car as it is.

Still makes the impreza look like it is going backwards, but also makes the impreza look easier to drive than a pushbike.

Even my 'baby' has a diablo rivalling 330bhp/tonne and will offer wheelspin/oversteer in 1st second and 3rd in the dry

catflap

Have thought about the blade, it does seem the more sensible option

And the nice cheep engines if they go bang !!!

Cheers mate, how fast would you say the blade is compared to the scoob, as daft as it sounds i do want one that will out drag my old scoob, as well as better on track

Any advice would be appreciated

Reidy

Edited to remove libelious content.

[Edited by Little Miss WRX - 6/18/2002 12:19:52 AM]

catflap

Thats interesting mate, i have a friend who swears by him.

But thanxs for your opinion, could i mail you off line? ( i was considering him)

Cheers

Reidy

of course you can

preid@hodes.co.uk

happy to help, you've got to be so careful with these specialist cars.

Little Miss WRX

Reidy,

As you have no email address in your profile, I am posting up here to inform you of the action I am taking in your above post.

I am editing it as the post is libelious.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to email me on my profile address.

Best Regards,

Michelle.

johnfelstead

pick up the phone Jon.

Reidy

It was just my opinion based on an experience I had.

I had shocking service from terry Nightingale that was overpriced and he performed work on my car without agreeing it with me. After quoting £300 for some work I got a bill for £700 as he does not include VAT or labour in any quotes and it needed more work than he thought.

Is this libelous? Others should be aware of this I think.

Little Miss WRX

Reidy, you didn't express it as your opinion. That is why I had to remove it.

To help (I only say help!!) avoid problems using In my opinion I think...... as opposed to He is......... would be a better option.

Regards,

Michelle.

[Edited by Little Miss WRX - 6/18/2002 1:31:06 PM]

GP

for Westfields, and Vauxhall engine tuning, you can do a lot worse than www.sbdev.co.uk (SB developments) - they have probably the fastest vaux powered westfield, bar none.

I've been using them for tuning bits and advice for my engines for a long time, highly recommended.

Reidy

Thank you for my punishment Miss.

I'll remember this - I guess I am just angry about how the W@nker fleeced me in my opinion!

Paul

Stephen Read

A 'corner' shop

GaryC

Sorry - hectic week!

A std scoob has c160bhp/tonne. The P1/STi has c200bhp/tonne. My little car has 330bhp per tonne (better than any current Ferrari and the same as a Diablo).

It makes any Impreza look like it is stuck in 2 gear. 0-60 is 'only' 4.01, not much quicker than the scoob - BUT bear in mind no AWD and an absolute dog to get off the line quickly but it still betters all but the very best tuned imprezas. HOWEVER - once on the move...no contest. A friend timed mine coming of a roundabout, it got from c40 to c90 in not much over 4 seconds I am always too scared to look at the speedo when hoofing it

Furthermore, it feels twice as quick as it is as you are less than 6 inches of the ground and have no screen so really feel the rush A fireblade bike owning friend swears my car is quicker than his bike - it isn't of course, but just feels it.

Unless your impreza has over 500bhp(!), you will take an enormous leap forward in performance going to a megablade ot equivalent - and the 'blade would still lap a circuit faster

Where are you? you are welcome to have a look/ride in mine if you are local to/ever in the north west.