K1 Attack.

[deevergote]

I have no idea how it even would go together.......and Id worry that id forget one fucking bolt and it would fall apart 1/3 of the way down the road and id have to move to a new neighborhood LOL.

That would be my concern, especially when the instructions are reputed to be absolutely horrible! Kit cars that are just cosmetic (like the Ferrari kits for Fieros), or kits that are based on old models that are body-on-frame (not unibodies) are a good deal easier. Much more idiot proof. Without quality support and documentation, I'd feel pretty uneasy about trying to put one of these together!

Deev, that 818 is awesome. Ralphie if you want to build a kit car, Id look into that 818.
Why buy an FRS, when you could build one? Itd be cheaper. I wouldnt get a turbo one, but a 2.5rs motor in a car that light would be fun as hell.

Factory Five is well known for their quality and support, so to me, that'd be the only company I would want a kit car from. I also just happen to love every model they offer! They're based in MA as well, so for me it's not a great distance.

I really want an 818, but I don't like that it doesn't have a roof. I don't have a garage, so a roofless car is a bad idea! With any luck, they'll make a roofed design for it in the future. With grad school on the horizon, I'm not looking to buy a kit car anytime soon (if ever... but I really do hope to someday!)

[Domesticated]

I got the feeling Deev was brushing me this direction. I've been looking at kit cars for a while. The GTM is cool, but it looks too kit carish. The 818 is a great price too. But I think the K1 looks better and has a better looking interior. Plus, I'm a huge fan of the H22. I want a high reving small displacement engine. I get 35mpg highway with mine. With about a 1000lb decrease in vehicle weight I couldn't imagine how much better my city mpg will be and there should be a small highway increase too. The K1 just fits my interest more.

[deevergote]

That's true. I've just heard HORRIBLE things about the K1's quality, and the price doesn't justify such issues. I do agree that the GTM looks fairly kit-car-ish... though honestly, so do many other high-end cars (Noble... looks like a kit to me!)

Personally, I want the FFR 33 Hot Rod. That thing is amazing. $20,000 for the kit, and probably another $10,000 to really make it impressive. $30,000 is a lot of money... but for a car that looks like an 80 year old hot rod, has a Mustang powerplant, handles like a Miata, and weighs less... I'll take it!

[Domesticated]

Well it is a kit car. You have a template to work off of, but you're still building. I feel that someone like me with the access to the tools I have would be just fine. I also probably wouldn't need directions so I'm not too worried about that. I had no idea the 818 was under 10k! That definitely changes things a bit. IDK, I want to build my car someday. I've done most of the drive train in cad. 3.0 V8 turbo in a mid engine platform. Sounds exciting!

[deevergote]

Yeah, the 818 is made specifically for people who want something inexpensive. I'd get the cheapest Impreza I could, and just upgrade the thing after it was built. The concept is fantastic.

With the K1, I'd be concerned about parts not fitting as well as they should. It's one thing that it'd need some extra effort, but another if things fit poorly. The review I read mentioned panel gaps, interior bits that just didn't want to stay put, etc... now, that could be due to the person who assembled it, but it seemed that it was due to the quality of the kit based on the review. Then again, the company has been selling those kits for a decade or so now... so I guess they can't be THAT bad... nobody can stay afloat for that long if the product really sucks!

[owequitit]

What I want to know is how the fuck do they put the engine in the middle and still end up with a 57% front weight distribution.

I used to want one of these, but to be honest, for the money I would rather have an NA2 NSX.

[deevergote]

Honestly, any NSX would probably be a far better purchase.

[steelbluesleepR]

What I want to know is how the fuck do they put the engine in the middle and still end up with a 57% front weight distribution.

I used to want one of these, but to be honest, for the money I would rather have an NA2 NSX.

its mid-engined, and the rear wheels are pushed to the far back corners of the car. the engine and seats are further up the car, and there is a decent overhang past the front wheels.

when i first saw this car, i assumed someone on this forum would eventually get one.

I would love to build one, but it's taken me four fucking years to do the engine bay of a normal accord lol. there are also a lot of other faster, more refined sports cars out there that can be had for as much or less money, and they dont have to be assembled. they also wont have 2.2 liter 4cyl's in them.

[dysfunk]

If I were to get a kit car, it would be the 818, or the Ultima GTR. European kit based off a Chevy V8. If I had the money, the Ultima would be my choice, with an LS7/9.

[owequitit]

its mid-engined, and the rear wheels are pushed to the far back corners of the car. the engine and seats are further up the car, and there is a decent overhang past the front wheels.

when i first saw this car, i assumed someone on this forum would eventually get one.

I would love to build one, but it's taken me four fucking years to do the engine bay of a normal accord lol. there are also a lot of other faster, more refined sports cars out there that can be had for as much or less money, and they dont have to be assembled. they also wont have 2.2 liter 4cyl's in them.

The powertrain is nearly 500lbs, and doesn't sit in a location any different than an NSX or any other number of MR cars. The overhang is largely empty space, and the passengers are well in between the wheel wells. There is still no reason this car should have anywhere near a 57% front weight distribution. That is as bad as FWD cars with the entirety of the powertrain in front of the axle line.