To have a kit car or not?

I must admit when ever I see a Ferrari or Lambo on the road I get a fuzzy feeling. They're relatively rare, fast, and very expensive. However what if you could actually own and drive a car that is not only rare and fast but is cheap.

Enter the kit cars. Kit cars are vehicles that come in parts with instructions for the assembly. Some kit cars require a doner car (e.g. a Fierro) on which the vehicle is built on while others are designed and produced from the ground up. Doner kit cars usually are for those who want to have a replica of their dream car, however they usually lack the performance of the real thing.

This article is about the other type of kit car, an original vehicle built for one purpose...speed on a budget.

There are a number of different kinds and makes of original kit cars out there. However some are more expensive than others. So I have compiled a short list of the best Ferrari and Lambo beaters out there.

- The Ultima GTR

Heard of the 1.75 million dollar Bugatti Veyron? The worlds most desirable and fastest (top speed) car? Probably. Now have you heard of the 45,000 to 85,000 dollar Ultima GTR? The world record holder for 0-60, 0-100-0, 0-100, 0-150, 100-0, and 30-70mph times. And top speed aside it beats the Veyron for acceleration.

If you were to build this car you can go about your own pace. You don't have to spend the 45 to 85 thousand dollars at once. The kit comes in 17 stages, where you might order the 1st stage one month then a couple of months later order the 2nd stage. Oh and that price range includes the engine and transmission which is selected by you.

Being made in the U.K. it is street legal there and in the U.S., for Canada I have seen one on the road (a black one) which tells me it can be made to be street legal in Canada.

- Race Car Replicas Superlite Coupe (SL-C)

The SL-C coupe at ~44,000 dollars doesn't include an engine or transmission but does come as a rolling chassis. Meaning things are mostly assembled but not torqued together.

The performance of this car has yet to be officially tested but the expectations for really good numbers is shared by everyone.Being one of the nicer looking kit cars it also has alot riding on it's success. Being made and designed in Michigan U.S. It's looking to bring attention back to the once bustling auto industry there.

Since it's made in the U.S. it's of course street legal in the U.S. and on their website they claim it was designed with other countries regulations in mind too.

- Factory Five GTM

At only 20,000 dollars U.S. (less engine and transmission) this 0-60mph in 3 seconds car is not to be messed with. This Kit is a nice blend of performance price and looks. and is street legal in the States and Canada.

- Westfield XTR2

If you want to keep that Ferrari in your mirrors with out getting a second mortgage then this might be for you. If you love open top driving and go cart racing then why don't you have one?

This car thingy has no roof or windshield. In fact what it does have is a Hayabusa engine, which is a motorcycle engine. Confused? Well don't be, at only 970 lbs this car flies. Being as fast as the Radical SR3 and Caterham R500 the XTR2 is better because it's cheaper. However you do have to cannibalize a Hayabusa motorcycle, but only for the drive train and various sensors. Since it has an original chassis and components it is not a doner kit car.

This Car or go-cart is not available in all the U.S. States and is not legal at all in Canada.

-Thoughts

Above are only a few of the fastest kit cars out there. Guarunteed to make heads turn, they will make Ferrari and Lamborghini owners feel like they got ripped off, both financially and on the track. I love the idea of passing a million dollar car on the track that can't drive home and having paid a fraction of the price. Also having built it your self will give you satisfaction and pride like nothing before.

I think it's more than worth the time in your garage to have something beautiful that without warning will devour a few prancing horses for lunch, if you know what I mean. And when you join a car club and take your kit car to the track you will have an experience that most people just dream about.

Just remember that with your super car on the cheap don't embarrass the rich guys too much.