Serious Question about Lightwreight

[smokemare]

Okay I've been eyeing up donors, really would've preferred a Mk2 1.8 for the 140 HP and I spotted this : -

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-MX-5-1-8i-Leather-Nevada-damaged-repairable-spares-repair-/270871078830?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3f112ca7ae

Now the ad says the front sub-frame is damaged, but doesn't the lightweight kit replace part of the MX5 subframe?

So looking at the car, from the damage seen;

1. Would a Lightweight Exocet be able to built from this car without ordering any new subframe parts from Mazda or scavenging around scrap heaps?

2. Would the fact that it was CAT C make it unsuitable for use as a donor for any reason?

thanks,.

[rharris19]

I can answer your first question as the lightweight integrates tubular subframes in the front and rear. There is no need for the oem subframe in the front or rear.

[stevieboy]

I can answer your second, my doner was cat c write off, only had a damaged wing, all you do is book a vic check with vosa, it will cost you £41 the car does not have to be road worthy but must be able to drive off a trailer into their inspection bay. If you can do that they check the chassis number with their records to show it is the damaged car and not a ringer. You will then be given a log book which can then be used to transfer onto your exocet, without a v5 you may end up with the dreaded Q plate.
The v5 will state that the car was a cat c checked vehicle and the date of the check, if ever you sell your kit car you can show the next owner the build photo's which of course will not show repairs, only replacement of all parts, long winded but hopefully you will now understand the importance of getting the doner onto a v5.
Steve

[stevieboy]

Just to note of caution, had a look at your link in your 1st thread, if you bought that car you would first have to repair just to get your v5, maybe it would be less cost if you bought one with more alround damage that was still drivable. When you try to register a cat c in your name dvla will not issue a log book until you have a vic check.
Steve

[smokemare]

Thanks all - I think I understand the issue, basically to get teh vic check the car has to drive off a trailer into the bay - and that particulary car has mashed wing obstructing the wheel which would prevent this.

Hmmm, wouldn't take much to cut the wrecked wing off, but the front sub frame might make it undriveable too?

I suppose if it was cheaper it might be a good bet, but in reality it seems a bit steep for what it is.

Back to the drawing board I suppose

Out of interest - is it the norm to find a donor first, then order the kit later? It struck me that if you can get the donor stripped, loom labelled, spares gotten rid of, and all that sort of stuff done first - it saves a lot of space?

[stubbers]

A lot of my questions on ordering the kit were answered here.

www.mevowners.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=exocet&action=display&thread=1891

Rich