Topic: Cheap mini supercar?

[jfrabat]

The other day I was fooling around the internet, and I visited Factory Five's site (I've always thought about building my own car someday), and I noticed that they have a new product; the 818.

This looks like a fun, affordable little sportscar, and, if done right, I would guess you can smoke the heck out of more than a couple of much more expensive cars...  And the car looks the part, to boot!

https://www.factoryfive.com/kits/project-818/

Some specs (what little I could find)

Kit cost: about $10K
Donor car: Subaru Impreza or WRX (if it's to be done right, it needs a 06 WRX, as that's the 2.5L turbo with the bigger brakes and aluminum parts)
Total cost: $15~$25K depending on donor car and mods
Weight: 818 Kg (about 1,800 lbs)
Engine: The WRX is rated at  275 PS @ 6500 rpm and 319 Nm mounted in Mid engine configuration

What's included:
 Frame:
Conventional Factory Five tubular steel space-frame chassis with integrated roll hoop, side-impact protection, crumple zones front and rear, and aluminum chassis panels
• Body:
Complete composite body with the following gel-coat or paint-free composite panels: lower front nose, right and left front quarter panels, hood, right and left doors and door liners, side and rear lower quarter panels, tail section, upper trunk hatch
• Aluminum and Composite Chassis Panels:
Pre-fit inner panels that form the cockpit, floors, rear bulk head, engine bay, and splash guards
• Front Suspension and Steering:
Front upper control arms, spindle adapter brackets, KONI brand coil over shock assembly, fasteners, brake bias adjuster, and brake line adapters. Steering rack mounts and fasteners to use Subaru steering rack and column.
• Rear Suspension:
Multi-link rear suspension includes rear lower control arms, fasteners, adapter brackets, and KONI brand coil over shock kit. Frame mounts enable use of Subaru links and transmission.
• Fuel System
Fuel tank with adapter kit (requires Subaru fuel pump, lines, and fittings).
• Cooling System
Cooling system adapter kit with radiator hose extensions and fasteners to utilize the Subaru radiator.
• Exterior Trim, Lighting, and Glass:
Kit includes headlights with integral turn signals and running lights, tail lights and license plate light, windshield, and badges.
• Interior Trim:
The 818 is designed to use Subaru interior components such as gauge pod and seating. Kit includes carpeting, upholstered interior door panels, seat adapter brackets, formed dash, center console, shifter assembly, and e-brake adapter

Anyway, it certainly looks like a fun car...  I do wish that we had a track near by!  I would so build one of these!

[grumpygy]

Did you see anywhere a photo of it with a top.  Reason I ask is on the parts list you need to get from the donor car is the headliner.


  Also those engines you can really get some Horsepower out of them.

[jfrabat]

There is a couple, and it looks good...  Rod Tops is making them.

[sharpxmen]

i couldn't find a pic with the top on - I thought it doesn't have one (which would be a deal breaker for me. Post one JF (or a link to a pic with the top on)

if it's got a top it's pretty sweet.

another thing i wonder, since its a 2 seater, why do you need to save the rear seatbelts?

[Jeffy]

Hmm, I'd rather have a WRX or STi.  Or for that matter a Seven.

[sharpxmen]

i'm totally digging it

if you find a rolled wrx you can get this completed fairly cheap, I'd love to see one in person though.

Does anyone know why is cheaper to order for Canada? I'm not complaining for getting a better deal, just curious - $9900 for US, $8200 for Canada, and for sure is not related to the roof (I think we need it more here)

EDIT: the "convertible soft top" is not included in the price, they don't have a price for it yet

[Jeffy]

i'm totally digging it

if you find a rolled wrx you can get this completed fairly cheap, I'd love to see one in person though.

Does anyone know why is cheaper to order for Canada? I'm not complaining for getting a better deal, just curious - $9900 for US, $8200 for Canada, and for sure is not related to the roof (I think we need it more here)

EDIT: the "convertible soft top" is not included in the price, they don't have a price for it yet

The Canadian Order form doesn't have the Wilwood Brake options which add $1800 or so.

[jfrabat]

Hmm, I'd rather have a WRX or STi.  Or for that matter a Seven.

I'd rather have this than the WRX...  Mid engine, lower center of gravity, less weight...  Should be a lot more fun to drive.  And from what I read, the R version can hit 1.5g on the corners (let's say the S version can hit 1.2 or 1.1g on street tires; STILL pretty good!).  It is also cheaper than a new WRX (you should be able to get this up and running in a good way for about $20K).  The only thing that's a miss for me is that it does not have Air Conditioner, which, living in Panama, is kind of a must...  (from what I have seen there are no windows to roll up, so it's hard to even adapt one!)  I would also add a stereo, but that's simple; the AC is a bit more complicated.

As for the 7, yes, I like those as well, but I like the styling of this one better, and I like the mid mounted engine.  Also, the 7 is more expensive to build...  $40K just the kit, plus the engine and such, so more than twice the cost.

[sharpxmen]

does it have heat?

the roof and windows are a must (for me at least).

[jfrabat]

does it have heat?

the roof and windows are a must (for me at least).

AC, windows and roof are a must for me too...  Opposite reason, I guess (too HOT here, vs too COLD for you!).

[grumpygy]

I read on their site where you must get the side windows from the donor car so I think its got side windows.

[sharpxmen]

I read on their site where you must get the side windows from the donor car so I think its got side windows.

that should be fine, we were wondering if it's provisioned at all to be installed in the doors

[jfrabat]

that should be fine, we were wondering if it's provisioned at all to be installed in the doors

Same here; but if you need them, I guess it's because you will use them, right?  So then it SHOULD have windows!  And if it DOES have windows and a soft top, then you CAN put AC into it (I would skip the heater, though).

[Jeffy]

I'd rather have this than the WRX...  Mid engine, lower center of gravity, less weight...  Should be a lot more fun to drive.  And from what I read, the R version can hit 1.5g on the corners (let's say the S version can hit 1.2 or 1.1g on street tires; STILL pretty good!).  It is also cheaper than a new WRX (you should be able to get this up and running in a good way for about $20K).  The only thing that's a miss for me is that it does not have Air Conditioner, which, living in Panama, is kind of a must...  (from what I have seen there are no windows to roll up, so it's hard to even adapt one!)  I would also add a stereo, but that's simple; the AC is a bit more complicated.

As for the 7, yes, I like those as well, but I like the styling of this one better, and I like the mid mounted engine.  Also, the 7 is more expensive to build...  $40K just the kit, plus the engine and such, so more than twice the cost.

Meh, the WRX can be more then just a play thing.  That's a big advantage.  You can buy a decent used 2003-2007 and have a really nice car.  Thought it's getting harder to find one that hasn't been molested.  You can also tune them to be better performers then the STi/STI.  Not to mention you can do both autocross and rallycross.

I see no reason to have a heater nor A/C since it's basically a track car.  Having a top doesn't mean it has windows.  None of the Cobra's have windows even though you can get a top for them.  Nor door locks for that matter.  Notice it has no exterior door handles.  You reach in to open the door.

[jfrabat]

Meh, the WRX can be more then just a play thing.  That's a big advantage.  You can buy a decent used 2003-2007 and have a really nice car.  Thought it's getting harder to find one that hasn't been molested.  You can also tune them to be better performers then the STi/STI.  Not to mention you can do both autocross and rallycross.

I see no reason to have a heater nor A/C since it's basically a track car.  Having a top doesn't mean it has windows.  None of the Cobra's have windows even though you can get a top for them.  Nor door locks for that matter.  Notice it has no exterior door handles.  You reach in to open the door.

If I wanted asensible car, I would not have the Jeep...  besides, that's what the beemer is there for anyways!