Second Hand Robins?

[Guest jonny_bounce2nd]

I would like a robin hood but i dont have a clue on how to build a kit car so i would like to buy one second hand, i dont really want to spend anymore than £3000 and that includes any work i may need to have done to it. i would also like a 1600 or 1800 lump for insurance purposes untill i can get somthing bigger.

 

My main questions to you guys are, where do i look for these cars? and what kind of performance does a 1600 lump give?

 

any reply will be really helpfull cheers!!

[ibrooks]

Number one and let's see if I can beat Jim to it - put your location in your profile. Chances are someone local will invite you to have a look and possibly a ride.

 

Have you actually had quotes for insurance? generally from what i've heard a 1.6 won't make that much difference to a 2.0. Steer clear of the 1.8 - there's nothing intrinsically wrong with them but they were rarer and not so tuneable or easy to get bits for. A 1.6 will go fast but not as fast as a 2.0

 

E-Bay has a section for kit-cars. I bought one that I'd seen on Findit.co.uk. The kit-car mags usually have a classified section at the back. Oh and I'm selling one at the moment

 

Iain

[Guest jonny_bounce2nd]

2.0 sounds like a good plan then! i'll have to get some quotes.

 

So i was just thinking! (nearly hurt myself too ) how hard is it to build one could someone who has no experince build one. maybe i could buy the kit and get a garage to the hard mechanical parts (sounds expencive)

[ibrooks]

Getting a garage to do bits for you will definitely be expensive (unless you're related to the owner).

 

There is no reason why you won't be able to build one. There are very few difficult jobs and for the odd bit that needs a specialist tool there are either workarounds or someone in the club will lend you the tool and or come around and help. The club is fairly active in most parts of the country (there are the odd remote outposts but if you are near one of them then it will become a little less remote). The main constraint is time - and lots of it - if you don't put the time in it'll never be finished. Think about everything (twice) before you do it - because it's annoying to have to re-do something and difficult to get rid of unwanted holes. My 2B has taken me ages to build because I couldn't spend the time on it (partly due to me buying the S7 partway through the build - I wanted to be on the road in a Robin Hood and couldn't wait until I'd finished the 2B).

 

Just beware the VISIT if you're in the north-west - it could cost more in tea and biscuits than it would have cost to have it done at the garage (the Phuckawi tribe hunts in packs).

 

Iain

[Guest battery joe]

you sold your s7 yet ian?

Building the car is fun and you can as you go along, espiassaly if you build it with someone ( like Me and dad who have a great time building )

good luck

joey

[Guest mickmellors]

Johnny Bounce - I am not suggesting for one second that you should tell porkies when getting quotes for insuring a kit car but you may be interested, just for reference, to know that some insurers add a bit on if you are not the builder of the car, or is it that they knock a bit off if you are the builder? Reason being - they assume that you will be a much more caring driver if you have spent hundreds of hours building your pride and joy whereas if you are driving someone elses creation you might not be so loving.

 

I got all my quotes prior to collecting my kit and based everything on me being the builder and the car being in a locked garage overnight and restricted to 6000 miles in any one insured year.

 

One thing I have never thought to check and I have never heard mention of it but many owners only tax their hoods for the 6 summer months and dot use the cars over the other 6 months - is there a discount to be had when getting quotes ?

 

I would still want the car insured against damage, fire, theft etc whilst parked up over winter but hopefully at a cheaper rate than whilst used on the road.

 

My cheapest quote (by a long way ) was from Roadsure - there is a link to their online RHOCAR QUOTELINE - dont forget you will get a discount for being a RHOCAR Member but dont try to cheat the system by claiming to be a member if you are not - they check with us. Also dont let your membership lapse or in the event of a claim, the insurers will check with the Club to confirm your status - we will not lie - you might not get a payout on a claim if your details are not correct.

[Guest daveg]

could someone who has no experince build one

you will need tools that even as a dedicated DIY mechanic you won't have...

 

Get a machine mart catalogue...you will get to know you local branch very well

 

You also need plenty of time and will power to keep going :angry:

 

Dave

PS It is possible...everyone with experiece once had none...

Edited September 9, 2004 by daveg