You Need This: Exocet, Exocet, Exocet!

Keith Tanner wrote:

Cxracer wrote: Does anyone know since this is registered in CO if it could be registered in CA as a kit car or if it would have to be smogged, etc?

It would go through the same SB100 process as any kit car, new or old. Basically no smog, but some paperwork to get to that point. I think all you need is a closed crankcase. My old Locost is now registered in CA.

Might be a little tricky since you're not the original builder. You'd need receipts for all major parts, and show some proof you built it, which you did not. Not a deal killer, but the process would need to be approached carefully. The car might need minor lighting tweaks, and the plastic windshield might need to be safety glass (mine is safety glass). Just little stuff. Nice thing is CA gives you a 1-month temp permit. I ended up getting three of them.. So i put on well over 1,000 miles during the registration process.

einy wrote: In reply to Azulevo: I dig the front fender on yours .... what did you use ?? Also, stock mounts or something different?

They're AL truck fenders (http://www.fendersnmore.com/). Yes, stock mounts for now on front. I have a set of pre-bent 3/8" sch 40 steel tube brackets i'll be installing in about a week which should be stronger.

Azulevo wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote:

Cxracer wrote: Does anyone know since this is registered in CO if it could be registered in CA as a kit car or if it would have to be smogged, etc?

It would go through the same SB100 process as any kit car, new or old. Basically no smog, but some paperwork to get to that point. I think all you need is a closed crankcase. My old Locost is now registered in CA.

Might be a little tricky since you're not the original builder. You'd need receipts for all major parts, and show some proof you built it, which you did not. Not a deal killer, but the process would need to be approached carefully. The car might need minor lighting tweaks, and the plastic windshield might need to be safety glass (mine is safety glass). Just little stuff. Nice thing is CA gives you a 1-month temp permit. I ended up getting three of them.. So i put on well over 1,000 miles during the registration process.

I was the original builder of my Locost and I was not the one who registered it, but the new owner is a friend so I followed along on the whole process. The fact that it was an existing car did not seem to add any difficulty.

I believe the bill of sale for the whole car was enough for receipts, although my friend did have my whole stash of receipts. They also wanted build photos which is easy enough. He did it all on the first temp permit, even with some time out of the country.

Pretty sure my brother just bought this car!

Car is sold. Thanks GRM and Everyone! I guess I need a new profile pic :)

What's about the true cost to build one of these? If I was to start off with a miata with a 1.8 for $2000?

My total cost for a Sport chassis (roll bar vs full roll cage) with the steel floor option, Exomotive supplied powder coating, a $500 starting point 1991 donor, full suite of maintenance parts for a 115k mile donor, VMAXX coilovers from FM, Enthuzacar full stainless exhaust system, Corbeau seats and 5 point belts, NRG quick release and steering wheel, MSW 0 offset wheels, Nitto NT05 tires, and miscellaneous other stuff is right at 18k. Add another 1k Ohio sales tax / title fee/registration on top of that, and that is where I am at as of today. I could have dine a couple of things at lower cost, but I wanted reliability with the rest of the package for now.

So, about the same cost as building a V8 Miata using a kit.

Would be interesting article to do a comparison of the two driving experiences. Wildly different approaches but kinda the same thrill.

First gut check...if told you can own whichever one you drive away in, but no test drives, which one do you choose?

Subsequently, to validate your choice, after a week of driving each, would you still stick by your original choice?

NOHOME wrote: Would be interesting article to do a comparison of the two driving experiences. Wildly different approaches but kinda the same thrill.

I think there's still a difference in cost given the same quality of parts and attention to detail. Put a turbo on that Exo and you've got a good comparo.

Check the Miatagasm article for a drive comparison. http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a32131/miatas-at-mazda-raceway-miatagasm-mega-test/

Short version: Both great fun on track. The Exo gives pure, hyperactive track thrills. The V8 Miata gives a Can-Am vibe of a big engine in a little car. On the street, the Exo is fun on short pleasure drives and you'll be all buzzed when you get out. The Miata can be a real car. With the Exo, everyone will make a comment about the Atom. With the Miata, they'll say something about the Z06

In reply to Keith Tanner:

I missed this article somehow - fantastic read!

With a really nice clean donor and selling off parts, you can build the basic car for $10k pretty easy. From there, sky is the limit.. I've got about $2k in seats, wheels, tires, lighting, etc. I'll have another $3k to roughly double the HP by the end of the summer. But it's a riot with only 115HP.

In reply to Azulevo:

That sounds tight.

The base model chassis is over $7K, PLUS the donor.

And THIS car was not a base model.

If you live in an area with a lot of Miatas, there's money to be made with clean hoods, doors, fenders, etc. Same with the interior. Getting the donor cost down to $0 is difficult but possible.

Couldn't do it around here, though. We scrapped dozens of doors and fenders because there's no local market.

mdizz7 wrote: Car is sold. Thanks GRM and Everyone! I guess I need a new profile pic :)

Cool--congratulations.