1145 replies to this topic

[Graeme Lambert]

I can stay Sunday evening for as long as needed if your there then. Would be getting there about 7 PM though!

Kind offer, as usual mark, but only planning on being there Saturday daytime (if my hangover allows)

[GeorgeBC]

I should also add, that if anyone is keen/wants to/will lend a hand with any part of the project it would be very welcomed by me (and there would be beer money etc in payment for anyone with skillz)

 

G

Without wanting to sound predictable, i would help fit a turbo engine in the thing. Why you didn't stick some money into that is beyond me and i hope you are happy with the outcome 

 

Having said that it is a great project that i do enjoy following! 

[Bargi]

Seemingly Lee saw it and asked if I'd used my teeth to cut it out

 

[Gedi]

 

 

Why you didn't stick some money into that is beyond me

 

 

I keep thinking the same thing.

As much as I admire the work and attention to detail that's going into this build, you could have bought a nicely modded exige for similar money.

[ChrisS1]

 

 

 

Why you didn't stick some money into that is beyond me

 

 

I keep thinking the same thing.

As much as I admire the work and attention to detail that's going into this build, you could have bought a nicely modded exige for similar money.

 

Daft comment. How do you know how much he has or hasnt spent?

[Mangham54]

 

 

 

 

Why you didn't stick some money into that is beyond me

 

 

I keep thinking the same thing.

As much as I admire the work and attention to detail that's going into this build, you could have bought a nicely modded exige for similar money.

 

Daft comment. How do you know how much he has or hasnt spent?

 

 

Plus that Exige will in a few years time be in a shabbier state than this, unless you bought one less than a year old and went through a complete nut and bolt change, cleaning and preparing surfaces as has just been done.

 

Factoring the B207, plus SC kit then this could well be a more effective road and track tool than a £20k un-molested Exige.

 

Each to their own I say.... unless G decides that rim tape is the future.

[Harry Hornet]

and the attention to detail is immense, this will be no Friday afternoon build, sad about the target completion date though 

 

[siztenboots]

looking at your dashboard pic , are you keeping airbag setup as I can see the controller unit still in situ.

[Gedi]

Daft comment. How do you know how much he has or hasnt spent?

 

Because I've been closely following the thread, and I know how much things generally cost

 

I'm not criticizing, I'm genuinely interested. I'm currently doing a similar build, although nowhere near as detailed and comprehensive as this. Factoring in the price of my car, the money I've already spent and the money I'm likely to need to finish it, I'm probably looking at over £20k. Once I'm complete, I'll have a car that's not really worth any more money than before I started.

 

I'm now wondering whether I made the right choice, or if I should've bought an Exige, which would have given me as much fun and maybe even gone up in value.

 

Hence, I don't think it's a daft comment, although maybe worded a little negatively. 

[ChrisS1]

 

Daft comment. How do you know how much he has or hasnt spent?

 

Because I've been closely following the thread, and I know how much things generally cost

 

I'm not criticizing, I'm genuinely interested. I'm currently doing a similar build, although nowhere near as detailed and comprehensive as this. Factoring in the price of my car, the money I've already spent and the money I'm likely to need to finish it, I'm probably looking at over £20k. Once I'm complete, I'll have a car that's not really worth any more money than before I started.

 

I'm now wondering whether I made the right choice, or if I should've bought an Exige, which would have given me as much fun and maybe even gone up in value.

 

Hence, I don't think it's a daft comment, although maybe worded a little negatively. 

 

It is daft because you dont know how much he paid for the base vehicle or money that can be recouped from sale of unwanted parts from the base vehicle to account for the build cost.

[Duncan VXR]

Nice progress Graham, love it!!! Somehow missed a load of this thread but digested with froffy coffee look forward to seeing finished pics etc

 

Project cars are a labour of love and what Graham will have is something very indervidual and replacing..................everything means it prob better than it was new it never comes cheap and thats exluding the hours and hours of work. Also you cant buy it off the shelf as such

 

I love project cars but dont think Gedi was having a dig in anyway in fact its true - but half the fun is the build and doing it a bit different versus the like of just buying an exige in this example. Some builds manage to get some great deals on the new bits and fair price on bits sold on, this always helps. Its not always the case though

 

Keep up the good work 

 

DG

 

 

 

 

[Graeme Lambert]

 

I should also add, that if anyone is keen/wants to/will lend a hand with any part of the project it would be very welcomed by me (and there would be beer money etc in payment for anyone with skillz)

 

G

Without wanting to sound predictable, i would help fit a turbo engine in the thing. Why you didn't stick some money into that is beyond me and i hope you are happy with the outcome 

 

Having said that it is a great project that i do enjoy following! 

 

 

We did have a similar conversation at the national bar. Not sure if it was before or after you fell on your arse though

 

Anyway, I totally understand where you are coming from. I had a near mint VXT, with low miles, recent suspension refurb and in the best colour and I could have ploughed a chunk of money into it. For 300ish bhp I guess I could have gone standalone and spent a bit on the engine, and yes it would have been a very good car.

 

But if I just wanted a fast and very good car I'd never have bought the VXT and bought a Boxster instead (or maybe a Cayman).

 

And If I just wanted a track toy I'd have bought a radical or something along those lines.

 

I certainly wouldn't be here now doing this. And as I said before, part of the reason behind this whole thing is the project, the learning and making something completely individual.

 

Is it a sensible plan or choice? Will I recoup my money?

 

Of course not, but then even minor mods on these cars will struggle to recoup investment. I'm under no illusion that even doen perfectly my car will likely never be worth more than 66% of my total investment. As the son of two (scottish) accountants that's a bitter pill to swallow.

 

Still worth it though (I hope)

 

 

 

 

 

Why you didn't stick some money into that is beyond me

 

 

I keep thinking the same thing.

As much as I admire the work and attention to detail that's going into this build, you could have bought a nicely modded exige for similar money.

 

 

Trust me I see where you are coming from. Of course I never, like anyone that undertakes such a project, expected to spend quite so much on this whole thing. In fact at one point it was going to be a quick engine change and respray and out the door again. But where would the fun be in that?

 

I'll also admit that a few weeks/months into this project another car (a lotus) came up for sale that piqued my interest, and even had me wondering if I should sell all I had to buy it and take the shortcut. You have no idea how serious and close I was to doing just that.

 

And I'll also say that when I originally considered doing this whole thing, I sat back and asked myself what would I buy if I had another £10k in the bank at the time (which is probably what I'll be adding to that original budget) and I looked and looked through the classifieds. I really didn't find anything that would fit the ideal I had in my head.

 

I could of course have gone and bought an Exige, even a charged one. But it would have less power, older components and be far more common. Part of me likes the underdog and the unusual - after all thats why I bought a VX in the first place (and my first Saab).

 

This car will (have to) be like new, and far and away blow my mind in terms of performance, finish and overall feel. That's what I'm striving for, and anything less will be a disappointment to both you guys on here and myself. Otherwise I may as well just go home now. It will take time, but I'm confident that can all be achieved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why you didn't stick some money into that is beyond me

 

 

I keep thinking the same thing.

As much as I admire the work and attention to detail that's going into this build, you could have bought a nicely modded exige for similar money.

 

Daft comment. How do you know how much he has or hasnt spent?

 

 

Plus that Exige will in a few years time be in a shabbier state than this, unless you bought one less than a year old and went through a complete nut and bolt change, cleaning and preparing surfaces as has just been done.

 

Factoring the B207, plus SC kit then this could well be a more effective road and track tool than a £20k un-molested Exige.

 

Each to their own I say.... unless G decides that rim tape is the future.

 

 

Nope, no rim tape. That I can say for definite.

 

You're right though, the fact that this car will have brand new:

 

Engine

Brakes

Wheels

tyres

paint

exhaust

interior

 

etc means it should be a little different to some of the 'refurbed' VX220s out there (no disrespect to anyone undertaking such a project) and I will end up with a powerful, capable and I suspect unique car at the end of it.

[Graeme Lambert]

Daft comment. How do you know how much he has or hasnt spent?

 

 

 

Indeed. And if Naomi should read this thread I'll be pointing her in this direction. Who will ever really know ?

 

and the attention to detail is immense, this will be no Friday afternoon build, sad about the target completion date though 

 

 

Bit optimistic aren't you Ian? That mean you're lending a hand to give us one last push towards the finish.

 

looking at your dashboard pic , are you keeping airbag setup as I can see the controller unit still in situ.

 

Nope going QR wheel, but need to sort an issue with my bought boss first.

 

 

Daft comment. How do you know how much he has or hasnt spent?

 

Because I've been closely following the thread, and I know how much things generally cost

 

I'm not criticizing, I'm genuinely interested. I'm currently doing a similar build, although nowhere near as detailed and comprehensive as this. Factoring in the price of my car, the money I've already spent and the money I'm likely to need to finish it, I'm probably looking at over £20k. Once I'm complete, I'll have a car that's not really worth any more money than before I started.

 

I'm now wondering whether I made the right choice, or if I should've bought an Exige, which would have given me as much fun and maybe even gone up in value.

 

Hence, I don't think it's a daft comment, although maybe worded a little negatively. 

 

 

I'll 100% be over £20k.

 

I realise it won't be worth what its cost me, but no project cars are. That's just something I'll have to deal with. However I'm confident that I couldn't go out and buy a car as capable, as unique and interesting as this one will be for the final figure. That confidence could be my undoing of course...

 

 

 

Daft comment. How do you know how much he has or hasnt spent?

 

Because I've been closely following the thread, and I know how much things generally cost

 

I'm not criticizing, I'm genuinely interested. I'm currently doing a similar build, although nowhere near as detailed and comprehensive as this. Factoring in the price of my car, the money I've already spent and the money I'm likely to need to finish it, I'm probably looking at over £20k. Once I'm complete, I'll have a car that's not really worth any more money than before I started.

 

I'm now wondering whether I made the right choice, or if I should've bought an Exige, which would have given me as much fun and maybe even gone up in value.

 

Hence, I don't think it's a daft comment, although maybe worded a little negatively. 

 

It is daft because you dont know how much he paid for the base vehicle or money that can be recouped from sale of unwanted parts from the base vehicle to account for the build cost.

 

 

To be fair I did get a decent deal on the base vehicle and have already notched up a few £k on selling off some individual items.

 

Nice progress Graham, love it!!! Somehow missed a load of this thread but digested with froffy coffee look forward to seeing finished pics etc

 

Project cars are a labour of love and what Graham will have is something very indervidual and replacing..................everything means it prob better than it was new it never comes cheap and thats exluding the hours and hours of work. Also you cant buy it off the shelf as such

 

I love project cars but dont think Gedi was having a dig in anyway in fact its true - but half the fun is the build and doing it a bit different versus the like of just buying an exige in this example. Some builds manage to get some great deals on the new bits and fair price on bits sold on, this always helps. Its not always the case though

 

Keep up the good work 

 

DG

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Duncan. It's been tough, and motivation isn't always overflowing, but I'm enjoying the (learning) experience.

[Claws]

The whole point of Project Once is exactly why going out and buying an Exige wouldn't have done. To all intents and purposes this will be effectively a brand new car, but EXACTLY to Graeme's taste and spec. I have a sneaky feeling that it will be better than an Exige into the bargain. Awesome progress so far!

[Gedi]

Good answers. So it's more about the build and the individuality than the money worries 

I do love S1/S2 those Exige's though.     I'd swap my VX for one in a heartbeat

[Graeme Lambert]

I have a sneaky feeling that it will be better than an Exige into the bargain.  

 

It fcuking better be

[Graeme Lambert]

Good answers. So it's more about the build and the individuality than the money worries 

I do love S1/S2 those Exige's though.     I'd swap my VX for one in a heartbeat

 

Agreed, but you'll need at least £25k for either, and with the S1 I suspect you'd need to plough a chunk more money into it as well.

 

And the S2 just isn't fast enough for that money. A 350bhp Honda conversion though? Now you're talking (big bucks)

[Claws]

I have a sneaky feeling that it will be better than an Exige into the bargain.  

  It fcuking better be

Fingers crossed, eh? I saw a van for mobile soda blasting earlier. It was in Edinburgh though...

Edited by Claws, 20 June 2014 - 02:50 PM.

[rob999]

More money into an S1 you say? Never!!

[Graeme Lambert]

More money into an S1 you say? Never!!

 

Suspect you've already surpassed my expected expenditure Rob.

 

Only difference is you'll get your money back if/when you decide to sell (if not make money).

 

G