Who knows lots about Westy's?

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 5:43 pm

simon wrote:
Andy G wrote:the fact that someone built it would concern me also
Why? They have to go through the SVA process and are probably as good as/better built than by the factory.

Yup, but the quality of the workmanship could be awesome, or not. Its a concern for me though.

I'd rather pony up for a factory car......

ryallm · Post by **ryallm** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 5:47 pm

Andy G wrote:Can totally understand where you are coming from. Having driven a couple of the SE'ers 7's on track recently, I was just blown away by how involved they make you feel, even if you are not going that quickly.

For what its worth I think my Exige has vastly better driver feedback than my Westfield had, especially in steering feel. Mind you, so it should - it cost 5 times as much! Agree nothing beats a caterfield for sheer raw excitement though - everytime I get a pax in Jonathan's 7 at KH I want one

Mark

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 5:53 pm

Gordon's race prepared one is genial

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 6:43 pm

Marshall bought a really tidy Westfield recently for similar money.

Does anyone remember it from the Spanners weekend?

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 6:56 pm

Lawrence wrote:Marshall bought a really tidy Westfield recently for similar money.

Does anyone remember it from the Spanners weekend?

don't remember much from that weekend....

Rag_It · Post by **Rag_It** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:04 pm

Lawrence i was actually going to ask if you would have a quick gander at the car in question, and see what you think?!

I think if I had 10-15k then i would be going down the Lotus route, but again I agree with Andy, if it goes t*ts up then i will be scratching my head and begging for a Spanners & Sponges day!

Dave

Post by **simon** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:13 pm

Wasn't it the one that lost compression?

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:16 pm

simon wrote:Wasn't it the one that lost compression?

Yes indeed it was and needs a full engine rebuild

His Fisher Fury is for sale
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/101610.htm

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:26 pm

Rag_It wrote:Lawrence i was actually going to ask if you would have a quick gander at the car in question, and see what you think?!

I think if I had 10-15k then i would be going down the Lotus route, but again I agree with Andy, if it goes t*ts up then i will be scratching my head and begging for a Spanners & Sponges day!

Dave

It's a bit far to take a look

and really that's what is needed as often pictures don't let you see the real issues or hear them

Please speak to Marshall

BTW Mandy's car is in your budget isn't it?

Rag_It · Post by **Rag_It** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:45 pm

Unfortunately Mandy's is a couple of K out of budget, as yeah it prob would be ideal.

Thanks anyway Lawrence, you dont facy a trip all the way to Plymouth then!!

I am off to have a look around the Westy site, and will definately try and speak to Marshall.

Dave

renmure · Post by **renmure** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:26 pm

I wasnt trying to put a damper on the Westie idea. Infact... I bought mine for pretty much put the same reason. ie something to have a bit of a hoot in. And to be fair, they really do make pretty great 'fun' cars.

If you buy the right one and dont mind fending off low-ball offers when it comes to selling then there is no reason to loose money on them either. My megablade depreciated by 200 quid in 2 years although it did take quite a while to sell and being 'up in Scotland' doesnt really help. You also dont get very far with p/x at selling time either which can be a problem when the time comes to sell. On the other hand... there are some REAL bargains to be had if you scan through the 'for sale' threads on the Westie forum and the car you are looking at certainly seems to come into that group but bear in mind that it is an SE as opposed to an SEi and it is a narrow body as opposed to a Wide body. The westfield forum is a goldmine of info if you were ever to get into the diy mechanical stuff since there are some really beardy folk in there (oops.. really knowledgeable folk).

My main thoughts were along the lines that they really do make a focused track car for track days (if that is your thing then great) or they make a really great fun car for the odd run and fun blast in the sun (ok Ross.. in the wind/rain/snow/hail too

) But, unless you are pretty committed to the cause then I recon you would actually drive it less than you imagine and in that regard would probably get more use out of your budget in something less 'compromised'.

Dont let me put you off tho. I liked having mine but not enough to get another one and not enough to give you something to think about.

Jim

ryallm · Post by **ryallm** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:37 am

I would agree with everything Jim says above. An enjoyable toy, but I ended up driving mine far less than expected just because it was too uncomfortable for regular use. Buy one for the right price though and they can be a pretty depreciation free way to have a lot of fun. Personally I would hold out for a good SEi rather than SE.

Mark

Rag_It · Post by **Rag_It** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:08 am

Guys, I am on the verge of just doing it - despite not getting any really good positive 'go for it's!'

I do however appreciate everyone's opinions and am thinking should i just hold out for an S1?

Dave

dlogan · Post by **dlogan** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:18 am

Just do it

Seriously, They are great fun.

If you dont like it, sell it, and move on.

I went Elise S2 to Caterham, and am considering (quietly) an S1 next spring (S160 variant).

The caterham is great, completely impractical and I use it a lot less than I want to or should do. And the other half wont get in it, so its like a four wheeled motorbike, and pretty much an A to A car.

However................ If I do change it I WILL regret it and only remember the sunny blasts and the track days where you wave to thank seriously expensive machines for moving over to let you through.

See. I am talking myself into keeping it already.

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:40 am

which 7 have you got?