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Post by Stiggy on Jul 20, 2010 22:01:58 GMT
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Post by nigel on Jul 21, 2010 18:37:37 GMT
YES YES YES
I can't wait to see how the 'Exocet' compares with the Rocket and Sonic on the track ;D nigel
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Post by Stiggy on Jul 22, 2010 16:21:53 GMT
You can have a drive Nige but it will cost you a bottle of something, no brakes on it yet though, should have next week. 3 Sonics going out this week, one to go in the morning. Green/white, red white and yellow black. All very smart.
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Post by nigel on Jul 22, 2010 17:22:36 GMT
You can have a drive Nige but it will cost you a bottle of something, no brakes on it yet though, should have next week. 3 Sonics going out this week, one to go in the morning. Green/white, red white and yellow black. All very smart. Fantastic ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D I'm going to hold you to that promise and don't worry I'll bring along a bottle of brake fluid ;D (Dot4 be OK ?) nigel
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Post by Stiggy on Jul 22, 2010 20:16:16 GMT
That would be great if it's made from apples
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Post by nigel on Aug 22, 2010 10:14:37 GMT
Apologies for the delay, so what’s the new MEV Exocet like to drive First of all I’ll say that although I might think I’m a driving god when the red mist falls, in truth I’m no expert. My experience is also limited to only a few short laps around Curborough circuit having just got out of my mid engine MEV Sonic7, it also being some time since I last drove an MX5. First of all I was amazed by the amount of space the driver is afforded, I’m not small at 6ft 2” and about 110kgs, add to that, that a person with size 13+ feet would feel at home with the massive amount of room in the foot well, and the car ticks the first box for me. Overall the cabin while sparse - typical exoskeleton, is a vast improvement in terms of space from either the standard MX5 of which I struggle to fit in comfortably or any typical 7 derivative kit car. I was advised that apart from retaining the general driving position from the MX5 MEV by moving the fuel tank slightly further aft have made allowance for a much taller longer legged driver to fit. All that aside and having adjusted myself psychologically to peering down the long bonnet of a front engined car I was finally ready for the off. My first thought was of how sprightly and responsive the car felt both under acceleration and on turn in to the corners, the demonstrator was fitted with a completely standard 1.8ltr engine in every way and seemed almost to quiet and refined a package for a car of this exo styling. It was quite obvious that the weight loss, of over 300kgs form the standard MX5, had breathed a new sense of urgency and responsiveness in to the car. Not only had this weight loss improved the cars acceleration but by retaining the standard MX5 brake package including the use of the peddle assembly and brake servo, meant that, even with the old donors standard worn pads and discs, it allowed the for much latter braking into the corners with confidence. Although I found the back end light, I had to keep reminding myself that I’d just got out of a Sonic7, it amazed me at just how much grip there was and the amount of effort it took on the corners to get the back end out, and also just how controllable and easily manageable the backend was to keep in check by playing with the throttle and steering, it was quite simply a joy and could easily make the average driver, with a little practice, look like a drift king. On closer inspection and examination of the car its clear to see that what MEV have done, by utilising both the MX5’s front and rear sub frames / suspension units including shocks, springs, anti role bars, brakes etc, is to retain the bases of the MX5’s fantastic handling quality’s, and by introducing a very stiff lightweight chassis between the front and rear, lighting the overall vehicle to such an extent as to bring it alive. I also had to keep reminding myself that the car was standard in everyway and not be distracted with thoughts of what could be done, I mean there’s an awful lot of after market tune up goodies out there for the MX5 that will fit the Exocet ! My only reservation would be that I didn’t have enough track time to fully exploit and enjoy the car and that I’m left in a quandary as to weather or not to sell my Sonic7 and embark on a new project over the winter. nigel
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Post by squelch on Aug 22, 2010 12:06:41 GMT
im sold already as the MX5 is a great track toy as it is ive already started the hunt for a cheap mx5 to rip to pieces and have started clearing the carport/garage and driveway for build space, i should be weighing in the old rotten camaro in the next 2 weeks to make space just need to give MEV a call to sort out when i can pop up and have a look and talk the hard stuff (money)
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Post by daymo on Aug 22, 2010 23:34:45 GMT
Nigel,
Thanks for the "write up" which I really enjoyed. I am severely tempted to buy an Excocet kit and can forsee a visit to MEV very soon!
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Post by skidder on Aug 23, 2010 8:37:36 GMT
Great to read, thanks Nigel. I'm absolutely certain I will be building an Exocet I am just very uncertain as to when (new baby, skint, work crazy etc)! Your review certainly has added fuel to the fire.
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Post by squelch on Aug 23, 2010 21:43:01 GMT
well im now that little bit closer and ebay is a bad place just bought a 1995 1.8 for £500 with a cooling problem but it'll have a engine rebuild before it gets put in anything must give MEV a call now lol
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Post by nigel on Aug 24, 2010 5:53:36 GMT
well im now that little bit closer and ebay is a bad place just bought a 1995 1.8 for £500 with a cooling problem but it'll have a engine rebuild before it gets put in anything must give MEV a call now lol I'll be looking forward to reading all about how easy it really is to strip, refurbish and sell all the unwanted parts of your MX5. Please start a 'squelch - build thread' here under the Exocet section of My Vehicle to record your progress. nigel
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Post by nigel on Aug 24, 2010 6:08:18 GMT
Great to read, thanks Nigel. I'm absolutely certain I will be building an Exocet I am just very uncertain as to when (new baby, skint, work crazy etc)! Your review certainly has added fuel to the fire. Thanks for the kind comments, I'm looking forward to reading Complete Kit Car Magazines (Adam Wilkins) review on the Exocet that I understand is to be in the October issue available from about the 17th September from WHSmiths and other good outlets. He's one of only a very few journalists to have driven just about all the MERV products, in fact, I've just finished reading his review of the tR1ke and Atomic in this months magazine. nigel
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Post by skidder on Aug 25, 2010 9:11:25 GMT
Great to read, thanks Nigel. I'm absolutely certain I will be building an Exocet I am just very uncertain as to when (new baby, skint, work crazy etc)! Your review certainly has added fuel to the fire. Thanks for the kind comments, I'm looking forward to reading Complete Kit Car Magazines (Adam Wilkins) review on the Exocet that I understand is to be in the October issue available from about the 17th September from WHSmiths and other good outlets. He's one of only a very few journalists to have driven just about all the MERV products, in fact, I've just finished reading his review of the tR1ke and Atomic in this months magazine. nigel Thanks for the heads up, I will definitely be picking up a copy.
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Post by Stiggy on Aug 26, 2010 17:50:52 GMT
Nice shot, pity the body is made of wood and filler, well it was but now it's completed and ready for Stafford show. Attachments:
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