8 replies to this topic

[mattair]

Hi everyone

 

I've been looking at buying a 7 style kit car for several months and having come across this web site, I've spent hours and hours reading, watching youtube and boring my wife senseless.   Anyway I've come to the conclusion that they look like a "right laugh" and I'm considering one but my only concern is I'm just over 6 foot 2 and built more like a rugby prop than a racing driver ! (17st)

I can't get in Caterhams or narrow bodied westfields but I have managed to squeeze into a 7 style Tiger and MGB GT.

Is there anyone out there that you know is about my size and can fit in one ?

I don't want to go looking and wasting peoples time if I've got no chance.

I'm looking at pre built zcar mini's.

Your advise would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Mini 360]

Height, no bother,  width, get a seat that fits.  Buy a Mini.

[Mini Type R]

I'm 6'2" and don't have problem, i positioned the seat further back than a standard Mini, up against the bulkhead, to provide more space. The only problem I then had was that I couldn't reach the dash so had to mount all of the switches next to the central box section.

 

I've also taken passengers of a similar height and weight to you and they've found the seats comfortable so you should be fine. You may just have to make a few modifications to the seats

[mattair]

Cheers lads

You've got me going now !  

I was preparing myself for the "no chance you fat arse" response !!

Just have too work through the different specifications and costs.   There seems to be a real disparity on costs.

Theres a very nice vtec in green but the guy wants 20k while a white hayabusa 11k ?  I understand one's a road and one a race cage and they are different engines but does that mean nearly 10k ?

Next question is, Vtec or Hayabusa ?

Any advise again

[Birdman]

I would go with the Hayabusa.  It's lighter and has a 6 speed sequential gear box.  

[RED HOT]

From my own experience and from other z-cars I've seen the quality and spec can change drastically. I initially set a budget to build mine (Volvo I'm afraid so no great help!) and that went out of the window once I spec'd it up a bit and decided I wanted something a bit more special.

 

A great example of this is my switchgear, some of the buttons, switches, knobs I've used were £20+ each as the cheaper ones (£2 each) didn't give a very nice feel and felt cheap. Most of this is my own doing due to my anal nature and might not bother some, but its worth bearing in mind; I'm ashamed to admit that she'll certainly be more of a garage queen than track racer once finished!

[Mini Type R]

It depends what sort of thing you're after. You could build a bike engined mini for about £10k using all of the parts off the donor car or you can build a supercharged vtec with customised parts for £25k+, It's therefore difficult to really compare 2 cars purely on price.

 

I went for a vtec as I wanted something that was slightly more useable, I fitted sound deadening, carpets, headlining, to make it quieter (although it's still loud) but with 260bhp it's still got similar acceleration to a bike engined version.

[ZCars Steve]

Cheers lads

You've got me going now !  

I was preparing myself for the "no chance you fat arse" response !!

Just have too work through the different specifications and costs.   There seems to be a real disparity on costs.

Theres a very nice vtec in green but the guy wants 20k while a white hayabusa 11k ?  I understand one's a road and one a race cage and they are different engines but does that mean nearly 10k ?

Next question is, Vtec or Hayabusa ?

Any advise again

Motorcycle engined cars are very, very fast and a lot of fun with their sequential gear boxes and high revving engines. They are ideally suited to track days and They are however more difficult to drive in traffic due to their lack of a flywheel and they are also noisy. Motorway journeys can be tiresome for some due to the high revs of the engine. The Honda Vtec engine is also very fast but doesn't have the noise and drive-ability issues of the bike engine car. The engine is heavier though and so handling is not quite as agile. Different owners love their different engines though so it is difficult to know what everyone might prefer.

 

the best option is always to talk to us and if possible come and visit the factory this will allow us to tailor the right car for you

 

regards

steve

[mattair]

Thanks for the messages everyone, 

Steve I'd love a new zcar but don't have the time or skill to build my own (4 kids !!!).  My mechanical skills go about as far as changing the oil.   Also (I think) my budget upto 15k is not sufficient for one of your Zcar factory built monsters, wish it was. 

I'm looking at track days mainly, about 6-8 times a year, probably Blyton (already been a couple of times with a pal) and then the occasional hour on a sunday etc.

I've spent many a night watching your and others zcar youtube videos, cracking !!

After listening to people I'm siding with the Vtec option, as you pointed out it's easier to drive and as long as I can find a good one (if you want to sell that red one on your web site cheap !) I don't think someone with my driving skills will really miss the performance of the bike engine. 

May be wrong though !!!!!

Cheers

Matt