mr henderson
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 03:03 PM |
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What are the obvious gaps in the kitcar market?
OK, so we are all interested in making cars, but not as mass manufacturers. I'm sure many of us might like to convert our hobby into some form
of money makng enterprise, and indeed quite a few have already done that.
But, does the kit car world need another LSIS? Not really. There are more n the market than I could shake two sticks at. But, when I am daydreaming
about having my own little company turning out kits I need to have something particular in mind, but what should it be?
Any thoughts on this? What is the market lacking at the moment?
Your thoughts are welcome
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indykid
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 03:13 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mr henderson
what are the obvious gaps in the kit car market?
down the side of a tiger bonnet? 
sorry. couldn't resist
tom
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Dangle_kt
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 03:14 PM |
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I quite fancy a 3 wheeler, 2 up front using the back end off a bike.
Kit wouldnt be too hard.
I know there are a few around already but I doubt if anyone had any great ideas they would post them up...as they'd be shooting their own
pipedream in the foot.
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 03:48 PM |
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more like its saturated are the moment, especially 3 wheelers. as donor cars are reaching the point that you need to be a computer expert just to get
them running, fewer and fewer folk will be willing to take the plung. On top of that, kit cars seem to be climbing in price while second hand cars are
falling. l wonder what is in store for this industry.
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
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joneh
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 03:53 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mr henderson
Any thoughts on this? What is the market lacking at the moment?
Your thoughts are welcome
Good customer services?
Edit: Sorry thats not fair - Some are great.
[Edited on 11/5/08 by joneh]
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bigrich
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 03:55 PM |
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I really like the idea of Mid engine, with the abundance of FWD vehicles on the road they make more sense long term than the 7 style. Pretty sure
thats where the industry will head long term AIMHO obviously. 400 bhp 6 speed zlet midi anyone
.JPG)
A pint for the gent and a white wine/fruit based drink for the lady. Those are the rules
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RK
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 03:55 PM |
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Service. The same with any industry. Providing service costs money though, as time = money. I spend a lot of time asking a lot of questions, that to a
mechanic, seen banal and simple, and take a lot of time. Maybe I'm not the normal kit car person, but I represent a possible target market for
any business.
I don't think you can provide really good service, and still make money. That's just what I've concluded after 1 1/2 years of
building.
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zilspeed
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 03:58 PM |
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Something light and with minimal bodywork so it's relaitevely simple to build.
Also, the , most obvious donors nowadays are front wheel drive, so it would make most sense to use one of those mid engines or possibly even a bike
engine.
So, a modern mid engined seven with the possibility of a bike engine.
Oh wait, it's already been done...
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froggy
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 04:01 PM |
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it seems like the atom is the car to ape at the moment .there are a couple of copies already out there using focus drivetrains
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nitram38
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 04:14 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by froggy
it seems like the atom is the car to ape at the moment .there are a couple of copies already out there using focus drivetrains
Or an R1
 
Description
 
Description
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mr henderson
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 04:16 PM |
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I see service has been mentioned a couple of times. interesting.
At the moment it seems to me that the only kit car that caters for tall people is the Luego Viento, most of the other cars I've seen, especially
the coupes, set off my claustrophobia even thinking about trying to get in one.
In fact, if a kit manufacturer were to make a 2 seater coupe that could accommodate tall people in comfort I think they would have found a gap in the
mainstream manufactured market too!
[Edited on 11/5/08 by mr henderson]
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DIY Si
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 05:14 PM |
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I have to say, from my experience, that cars for tall people aren't that hard to find. I'm 6'3" and fit in my Indy just fine.
There's even 3" or so behind my seat too. The new/upcoming Epona is designed to fit people up to 6'4", which if it ends up as
a coupe and a soft top, should help fill the gap you're looking at! Otherwise, if there's two or more similar cars out there, I'd
tend to go with the one that's best supported. Not necessarily the cheapest or best, but the one I'm most likely to actually finish!
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Mix
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 05:16 PM |
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A sportscar for £250......
Mick
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Guinness
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 05:47 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Dangle_kt
I quite fancy a 3 wheeler, 2 up front using the back end off a bike.
I REALLY want to build the "Magnet" but without the electric drive and weird front wheels:
 
magnet and not a kitchen
Stick a 1000cc Honda V twin VTR as a donor and away you go. Quite happy to shoot his pipe dream in the foot though!
My own thought on a gap in the market would be a "green" kit car. I know it's all the fashion, but I really liked the
"Quitgas" electric motorbike from last year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzi4tL3QMWk
Wonder if I could combine the two?
Cheers
Mike
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LBMEFM
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 06:11 PM |
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Instead of re-inventing the wheel purchase part built kits, there are many around, completing and then retailing them as finished cars. You couild
also offer servicing and build assistance. Maybe , this would be a less risky venture.
Barry
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RazMan
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 07:04 PM |
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One major thing is missing from the market IMO - proper weather protection. It is what I originally looked for when I started my build but I only
partly achieved it - I've still got leaky doors but hopefully the new version will have sorted it out once and for all, along with electric
windows too.
Fair weather driving is not for me - I like to use my car all year round 
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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Simon
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 07:20 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by RazMan
One major thing is missing from the market IMO - proper weather protection. It is what I originally looked for when I started my build but I only
partly achieved it - I've still got leaky doors but hopefully the new version will have sorted it out once and for all, along with electric
windows too.
Fair weather driving is not for me - I like to use my car all year round
I have an old version of this:
http://www.frank-thomas.co.uk/index.php?pge_id=11&product_id=177
Cheaper than a roof, and keeps you dry from car to inside
I think if you want to sell something as a business, find out how far most people drive in a commute (prob <10 miles) and make a cheap electric
version that at costs eff all to run and electric).
Something like an electric golf cart, with scooter prices.
ATB
Simon
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Schrodinger
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 07:55 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mr henderson
OK, so we are all interested in making cars, but not as mass manufacturers. I'm sure many of us might like to convert our hobby into some form
of money makng enterprise, and indeed quite a few have already done that.
But, does the kit car world need another LSIS? Not really. There are more n the market than I could shake two sticks at. But, when I am daydreaming
about having my own little company turning out kits I need to have something particular in mind, but what should it be?
Any thoughts on this? What is the market lacking at the moment?
Your thoughts are welcome
I think what the market is lacking at the moment is customers and I'm not sure how you can tackle that. I agree that there are enough LSIS out
there but there are one or two other kits like the GTM and hopefully the Epona soon.
Keith
Aviemore
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eznfrank
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| posted on 11/5/08 at 08:55 PM |
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I wish you could buy bikes in kit form, I fancy a big ass American chopper but without the gargantuan custom build price tag. Something like this....
linky
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Bob C
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| posted on 12/5/08 at 09:44 AM |
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Very obvious
A Gwiz style electric thingy
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donut
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| posted on 12/5/08 at 11:37 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Bob C
Very obvious
A Gwiz style electric thingy
I think the next 'big' thing will be electric power. Also as said before clip on hard tops for the
top selling 7's like MK, MAC1 etc.
Andy
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andywest1/
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Marcus
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| posted on 12/5/08 at 11:44 AM |
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If it's a gap in the market you're looking for, try a 4 /5 seater, lightweight, mid engined car with a good soft top. Lots of us are
family guys needing another seat
Marcus
Because kits are for girls!!
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zilspeed
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| posted on 12/5/08 at 06:56 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Marcus
If it's a gap in the market you're looking for, try a 4 /5 seater, lightweight, mid engined car with a good soft top. Lots of us are
family guys needing another seat
Here here.
I've almost bought a Quantum on a couple of occasions for this particular reason. And yes, that's why we have the Golf Ragtop. Left home
Saturday and it was cloudy. Got the shopping, came out of the shop and it was lovely and sunny.
Roof down, home via the scenic route. Me, She and the little She.
If there was a kit car that could do these things, it would sell IMHO.
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