How will the 818 compare

[jontallon]

I stumbled across these guys, who resell MEV kits from Europe:

http://exomotive.com/sonic-7/

Seems like they are very similar in concept with what they are doing as compared to where the 818 will wind up. These are exoskeleton cars whereas the 818 will have a full body from the looks of it. And, the big kicker for me is that the 818 will have a true windshield - none of these MEV kits have anything more than a plastic screen, so you would have to wear googles or a helmet to prevent a bug in the face...

Aside from that, the Subaru based kit probably has more HP, and I'm hoping it's more 'complete', with a more well thought out construction manual - I think these MEV kits have a pretty weak manual, if they come with anything. Not fair to speak for MEV without knowing, but I'm assuming Factory Five will have a lot more design time into the car as well - it should be safer and better handling...

Any other thoughts? I'm just trying to envision how the 818 will match up to some of the competition that is out there...

[kach22i]

Not a car I'd feel comfortable driving in traffic to get to work, but it does look fun.

[riptide motorsport]

Never was a big fan of the exoskeleton , really sort of fugly to me.

[RM1SepEx]

ditto fugly, at least a seven type clone is classic

[D2W]

[QUOTE=jontallon;59813]... with a more well thought out construction manual... [QUOTE]

Obviously you are not real familiar with FFR. Luckily this forum and all the great people here can handle just about any question.

[PhyrraM]

While those are open wheel cars, I don't see any exo-skeleton.

Add a full windscreen and there will not be much functional difference between that and the 818 roadster version. The occupants have full protection (windscreen excluded), a proper dash w/gauges, roll bar, etc.

Completely different styles, but listening to what many 818 forum members (who want the roadster and are not waiting for a different 818 version) the design goals seem about the same.

[jontallon]

[QUOTE=D2W;59882][QUOTE=jontallon;59813]... with a more well thought out construction manual...

Obviously you are not real familiar with FFR. Luckily this forum and all the great people here can handle just about any question.

I AM - I built a roadster about 5 years ago. I'm just hoping they got better. And from what I have seen of the MEV cars, the manual is next to nothing...

[jontallon]

While those are open wheel cars, I don't see any exo-skeleton.

Add a full windscreen and there will not be much functional difference between that and the 818 roadster version. The occupants have full protection (windscreen excluded), a proper dash w/gauges, roll bar, etc.

Completely different styles, but listening to what many 818 forum members (who want the roadster and are not waiting for a different 818 version) the design goals seem about the same.

Some of the other cars on their website are more exoskeleton style. Thanks for the comments - you seem to have gotten what I was trying to get at - that whether you like the styling or not, these cars seem to play in the same market - using 5 to 10 year old donors, kit prices in the $10k range, etc. I still prefer the 818 from what I have seen, but it's an interesting market...

[StatGSR]

idk about the sonic 7, but i do think there are a couple of MEV cars that check the right boxes for me. the yet to be released busa powered one has me interested...