FM's Westfield is crated up and heading for a ship.

Printable View

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

11-24-2006, 08:26 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

Very cool, but way to much DIY fabbing for my skill set. I like the fact that the Westfield kit was specifically redesigned for everything from the Miata to bolt right in. I believe the only things that need modding are the driveshaft (needs to be shortened) and the Lower steering column (some brackets need to be cut off). FM plans to offer the needed modifications to these pieces as an option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coveland Website

Independent Rear Suspension Mazda Miata frame
Specifically designed for the Miata drivetrain , and will work with other IRS drivetrains with simple modifications. Designed to need No welding to mount a 1.6 or 1.8 litre Miata. This frame has been specifically dimensioned to properly fit the Miata engine and transmission. The rear differential mounts are located and a double plate used for strength. A plate has been added under the differential giving strength to the frame and the differential. Brackets are already welded to use stock Miata emergency brake, brake lines, and Miata steering column. Other parts used directly from the Miata include wiring harness, guages, Brake calipers, uprights, rack, exhaust header. Upper and lower front and rear wishbones included with the kit

$2,700.00

I also like the option of DOM Round Frame.

What do you see that require more Fab work than the Westfield???
11-24-2006, 08:29 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

So sell the Nissan already...

How long before it's paid off?

I need to look at the numbers to know exactly, but off the top of my head... 60 month loan, around 20 payments made. Each payment has been about 20% over the required, so with interest that should shave off somewhere between 10 and 14 months. So... less than 2 1/2 years left at the current pace. I may throw some bonus money at it next spring, and increase the payment a little more to try and shave some more time off.
11-24-2006, 09:19 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

I also like the option of DOM Round Frame.

What do you see that require more Fab work than the Westfield???

I honestly don't know a lot about the Coveland kit other than Keith mentioned that it "appears to be a copy of the CMC kit" he used to build his. CMC went out of business, and Coveland came out with their Miata kit shortly after. I know that Keith has said that the Westfield kit looks to be better than his kit in every way, and he did have to do a lot of custom work. One thing I recall him mentioning with his kit is that he had to make his own header. Coveland makes no mention of the header. With the Westfield, you use the Upper half of the Miata Header, and the kit comes with a new pipe that bolts up in place of the stock downpipe and heads out the side wall to the included exhaust.

Additionally, I think I like the fiberglass body over the aluminum, and I don't mind paying a small premium to get something built by a premier company that has been building Seven kits for 25 years, a US distributor 10 minutes from my house, and dealer that has proved to me that what a dealer offers you after they deliver a product can be as important as the product itself.
11-24-2006, 09:54 PM
POS Racing

Looks like Coveland is also importing the Robin Hood Kits another long standing kit builder.

After owning a fiberglass car I'd rather have aluminum but that's just me. Plus when I build one of these I want to AX it and I'd like a shell that could take a cone strike. :punchout:

On a sad note the current owner of my donor has decided to keep the miata for the time being. ::Censor::
11-24-2006, 10:07 PM
POS Racing

Titus have you seen this site!

Cool!
11-24-2006, 10:14 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Titus have you seen this site!

Cool!

That's actually a link he's sent me before too! Cool stuff...
11-24-2006, 10:14 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Titus have you seen this site!

Cool!

Yep... I forwarded Bean this page a while back. Notice the caption. :D
11-24-2006, 10:15 PM
Treibenschnell

My problem would be fitting in the damned thing...
11-24-2006, 10:17 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

After owning a fiberglass car I'd rather have aluminum but that's just me. Plus when I build one of these I want to AX it and I'd like a shell that could take a cone strike. :punchout:

The Westfield kit has an option of removable rear fenders. It is on my list as a must, as I would hate to have to replace 1/3 of the body work after one bad cone hit. Hmmm... why does that sound familiar? ::BaHump::
11-24-2006, 10:47 PM
cone-cerned

After looking at all these sites, I may have to get a job so I can buy a donor and a kit. Titus you could get a job if you really want a Westie.
11-24-2006, 10:50 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by cone-cerned

Titus you could get a job if you really want a Westie.

As long as the job didn't require actual work, I'd be game! ::Banana::
11-24-2006, 10:53 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

As long as the job didn't require actual work, I'd be game! ::Banana::

Hey, you could work in television!

Is there a W club here in town? Or at least an owner or two?
11-24-2006, 10:54 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

As long as the job didn't require actual work, I'd be game! ::Banana::

Or maybe Titus, you could get the wife to get a second job! ::StirTheP

Let us know how that turns out for ya! ::Chair::
11-24-2006, 11:25 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Let us know how that turns out for ya! ::Chair::

He'd quickly be - ::Curls:: but + :drive:.

Hmm...
11-24-2006, 11:36 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

He'd quickly be - ::Curls:: but + :drive:.

Hmm...

I think that the earlier recommendation of selling the Nash ends in the same result.
11-24-2006, 11:39 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

I think that the earlier recommendation of selling the Nash ends in the same result.

Well then, it seems you can't win for losing. So, the next move would be to do both recommendations! ::EvilBana
11-25-2006, 07:57 AM
Titus

Some interesting comments from a Coveland owner in this thread.
11-25-2006, 10:48 AM
POS Racing

:( Wow ya have to buy everything all at once and your at almost $15,000 without a doner.... Yikes!

Not exactly a Locost option!
11-25-2006, 10:57 AM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Not exactly a Locost option!

Yikes indeed!

Perhaps they'll call it the NOLoCost!!
11-25-2006, 10:58 AM
POS Racing

Oh Ah Ebay! ::Banana::
11-25-2006, 11:19 AM
Treibenschnell

Go git 'er, Titus!
11-25-2006, 03:10 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Go git 'er, Titus!

That is the same car (at the same price) that is offered on the Coveland site. After that $8k, you still need to add the Miata package ($2700) and some other mandatory items like a fuel tank and a windshield that are not included in the base Coveland kit. Yes, you still end up around $3k less than the Westfield, but I still take the Westfield for several reasons (some of which have already been mentioned). ;)
11-25-2006, 05:42 PM
Treibenschnell

I tell you what, you get the W kit and I'll sell you my heap of parts for cheap... that way you won't have to tear your yellow job all apart.
11-25-2006, 05:42 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

That is the same car (at the same price) that is offered on the Coveland site. After that $8k, you still need to add the Miata package ($2700) and some other mandatory items like a fuel tank and a windshield that are not included in the base Coveland kit. Yes, you still end up around $3k less than the Westfield, but I still take the Westfield for several reasons (some of which have already been mentioned). ;)

It is the Robin Hood kit sold in the US and on Ebay by Covelend. ::Banana::

Ya thinking FM support is worth $3-4K more than some of the other kits on the market??? Heck you can get one heck of a donor for $3-4K!

But hey you don't have the ::2Dollar: anyhow so it's all a pipe dream at this point. ;)
12-11-2006, 10:16 AM
Titus

FM's Build is coming along! ::Banana::

http://www.flyinmiata.com/westfield/images/IMG_4641.jpg
http://www.flyinmiata.com/westfield/images/IMG_4663.jpg
http://www.flyinmiata.com/westfield/images/IMG_4387.jpg
12-11-2006, 04:11 PM
Master357

i know they make a soft top for these things but how hard do you think it would be to make a permanent or removable one piece hard top for it? ya know if one were to wanna drive it all year and didn't wanna jack with a pop-on, zip together plastic/canvas top. or am i living in a fantasy world where this thing would then be the almost ultimate sports car? (ultimate in my book would require this thing to be electric and still not gain a pound of weight, can you image 100% torque 100% of the time in one of those)
12-11-2006, 04:29 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master357

i know they make a soft top for these things but how hard do you think it would be to make a permanent or removable one piece hard top for it? ya know if one were to wanna drive it all year and didn't wanna jack with a pop-on, zip together plastic/canvas top. or am i living in a fantasy world where this thing would then be the almost ultimate sports car? (ultimate in my book would require this thing to be electric and still not gain a pound of weight, can you image 100% torque 100% of the time in one of those)

Lotus actually offered a hardtop for the Seven near the end of its production, but they only sold 13 of them. I think it looked strange.

http://www.lotus7register.co.uk/imag...4pix/S4top.jpg
12-11-2006, 04:31 PM
MadMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

Lotus actually offered a hardtop for the Seven near the end of its production, but they only sold 13 of them. I think it looked strange.

http://www.lotus7register.co.uk/imag...4pix/S4top.jpg

I don't know why, but that looks really familiar. And really comical.

Something like the Munsters car?
12-11-2006, 04:33 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

I don't know why, but that looks really familiar. And really comical.

Something like the Munsters car?

I think it is the design they used on the front fenders. I believe many track guys have had a hard time with that design as it tended to generate lift.
12-11-2006, 04:45 PM
Treibenschnell

Looks strange? That's just fugly...
12-11-2006, 04:49 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Looks strange? That's just fugly...

I was trying to be nice. :D
12-11-2006, 05:40 PM
MadMonkey

I would still drive it :D
12-11-2006, 09:04 PM
Master357

that top is a little boxy but not ugly. i think the fenders are horrible, wow!
i think you could build one of those tops out of some sort of sheet metal if it's that boxy. i'm not as much concerned about looks as i am about performance. i own a 94 laguna blue miata, not exactly the coolest looking car, ya know. i've never even washed it since i got it (i just don't care)

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page