tee
Part of things
Posts: 703
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Jul 28, 2012 17:05:15 GMT
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I was looking for a cheap runaround cos my current 5.0 caddy does a £1 a mile so not exactly practical everyday driving. I'm looking around and seen a few kit cars with 1.6 and 2.0 engines. Surely in something so light the economy must be fairly good.. or is it?
And practicality wise does anyone use one as a daily. You don't really see many on the road so I'm assuming it's for good reason!
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T
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Jul 28, 2012 17:09:41 GMT
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You can find some stories about running a Caterham as a daily, but it requires a mentality of a biker.
A Quantum coupe or 2+2 and a Midas would be a better bet, in my view.
But it also depends how well the kit is put together.
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 Click picture for more |
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Jul 28, 2012 17:59:16 GMT
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I have used all sorts of cheap/knackered/old kit cars as dailies, most of them are fine except that you get wet when it rains and cold when its winter. You can't leave stuff in them and expect it to be there when you get back, so travel light.
As said, think bike, buy thermals and biker gear if your bothered.
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Jul 29, 2012 15:54:54 GMT
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PopUpToaster got it spot on with the (I'm)practicalities, especially of a Se*en-based car. Fuel economy won't be much greater than the donor car. The kitcar might be lighter, but might also have the aerodynamics of a brick. I had a Quantum Coupe as my daily for over 5 years, and it returned 30mpg with XR2 engine. My wife ran a 2+2 as her daily for a few years. Quantum 2+2 and H4 can be found cheap now because they're not the usual track day kitcar fodder. They're a sound bet if you get a reasonable one. The Ginetta saloons (G26 etc.) are worth a look too. Hard to beat this for value at £1750, with hardtop and leather.  www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Quantum-2-2-/110926591227?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item19d3bd74fb |
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Jul 29, 2012 21:25:06 GMT
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A friend of mine uses a Kit car as a daily driver, a Vindicator Sprint. It has no windscreen, do sidescreens, no weather gear at all. He takes one of his kids to school as well! All he does is get togged up in wet weather gear, and wears a helmet. He absolutely loves it, and spends most of his time trying to convince me to get one!  Try it, you never know! |
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Midas
Part of things
Posts: 514
Club RR Member Number: 14
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Jul 29, 2012 22:01:19 GMT
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I run my Midas as a daily, if you could live with an MX5 then you could live with a Midas Convertible. More leg room, bigger boot and 45+ mpg.
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Jul 29, 2012 22:42:39 GMT
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1989 Peugeot 205. You know, the one that was parked in a ditch on the campsite at RRG'17... the glass is always full. but the ratio of air to water may vary. |
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Jul 29, 2012 23:02:19 GMT
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I've got an old Dutton that even has a locking boot, but to be honest if you're that brave to drive one day in, day out, you'd be better off buying a bike or moped depending on distance and saving parking fees, traffic jams etc.
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,950
Club RR Member Number: 174
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Ive done thousands of miles in cars with no wet weather protection and you stay a lot drier than people imagine. The worst bit is the cold, but with a decent coat/hat/gloves its not too bad. You do end up slipping as far down into the seat as you can and still be able to see though.
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my sensible daily is a fibreglass bodied kit car but it does have a roof so i guess it's not that much different to a "normal" car. fuel economy is about the same as it would be in the mk2 escort that the engine comes from (neither body is particularly aerodynamic)
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How about gassing the caddy, a couple of grand buys a lot of lpg?
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Jul 30, 2012 11:54:56 GMT
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A friend of mine uses a Kit car as a daily driver, a Vindicator Sprint. It has no windscreen, do sidescreens, no weather gear at all. Try it, you never know! HERO! ;D |
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Jul 31, 2012 12:06:00 GMT
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Yeah...that's possibly the worst one you could have found. Granted they're not the prettiest thing, but they're not *That* bad! This is James' Vindicator -  As i say, it gets used every day. This is at the bottom of Wrynose pass in the lake district, a couple of weeks ago! |
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tee
Part of things
Posts: 703
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Dodge the caddy is a big cruiser, sometimes you need a little pocket rocket to put your foot down! I'm keeping my eyes open for something don't mind what it is, £1k-£1500. I don't mind the cold I used to have an old beetle where nothing worked, and I don't mind getting wet, I won't tell you the story behind that.
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madmog
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,160
Club RR Member Number: 46
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Well plenty of people use motorbikes & scooters as dailys or even pushbikes. In another era the standard family man petrol-powered thing was a motorbike and sidecar. It's up to you what is practical for you really. I suppose compared to motorbikes you can have a heater, perhaps a sealed cockpit depending on marque.
As for why you don't see that many, I think there's a few reasons -
not many people have the time, inclination or skill to build something;
most people are nervous about building something that was 'knocked up in someone's shed';
most people don't want to stand out too much.
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