Build or buy used - Focaljet

**240ZX34V8** · 09-05-2006, 08:03 AM

I think its time for me to finally pull the trigger and start racing. Next year I'm going to start hitting up a bunch of racing schools and then the next year buy a car. After reading through all the lower level racing series, I think the Spec Focus sounds about the best. I've always wondered if I should buy a used car that's already prepped or buy a new (used) one and build it. I guess there'd be benefits to both. Also, is what I'm planning on doing the right way of getting into racing or should I just buy a car this winter and race next year?

**Ted7rns** · 09-05-2006, 12:00 PM

Good, Let me know if you need any help at all. It might be hard to find a used SF car since the series is young, and I believe no used SF for sale. You might be about to find some new SF cars or have someone build you a new car. Otherwise your best bet is building a new car.

**PhocusZX3** · 09-05-2006, 07:03 PM

I thought there was a guy in here selling a partially prepped SF car a while ago. I think he had everything except the cage and the motor work (the most expensive parts of the build).

I agree with what was stated above...best to start on your own at this point. Foci in "average" condition are selling for $2-4k at auction. Depending on whether or not you intend on registering the car for road use you could purchase a lower mileage salvage title Focus for dirt cheap. Of course you'd proabably want to stray from anything with major damage, however it doesn't take much damage for an insurance company to deem an older Focus a total loss. So depending on your connections with body shops and used body parts you could probably have a very nice, low mileage Focus to start off with.

**Ted7rns** · 09-05-2006, 07:54 PM

I know both LC Racing and F2/Gillis are both making SF if you want to go that route.

F2 has one for sale right now for 9k.

**JimmySolo2** · 09-05-2006, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhocusZX3

I thought there was a guy in here selling a partially prepped SF car a while ago. I think he had everything except the cage and the motor work (the most expensive parts of the build)

That was probably me.

I have the Cage and all that jazz, just missing the bolt ons to make it fast and the suspension, battery kill, SVT Wheels and window net to make it legal.

I still have a baby on the way and would probably sell it for $6500.00 or so.

**240ZX34V8** · 09-06-2006, 04:43 PM

I'm not ready just yet. I'm about a year away from buying a house and can't do anything until then due to space. Just for compairason, what type of money am I looking at to build one? I can get Foci at auctions VERY cheap. I'd rather build one myself to know the car, but if I can get one rather cheaply (~7k) then I may go that route.

**MSpeedRacing** · 09-06-2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmySolo2

That was probably me.

I have the Cage and all that jazz, just missing the bolt ons to make it fast and the suspension, battery kill, SVT Wheels and window net to make it legal.

I still have a baby on the way and would probably sell it for $6500.00 or so.

You want to sell the cage?

**JimmySolo2** · 09-06-2006, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSpeedRacing

You want to sell the cage?

It's welded in. I don't think the time and effort to yank it, would be worth it.

**MSpeedRacing** · 09-07-2006, 07:39 AM

Agree.

**JimmySolo2** · 09-07-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240ZX34V8

I'm not ready just yet. I'm about a year away from buying a house and can't do anything until then due to space. Just for compairason, what type of money am I looking at to build one? I can get Foci at auctions VERY cheap. I'd rather build one myself to know the car, but if I can get one rather cheaply (~7k) then I may go that route.

Figure you will have to get a Zetec to go cheap.

Rough prices here
$2500 for engine. [Head, Cams, Header, Cam gears and tuning, UDP, Exhaust , T/B]
1000-2000 for cage.
800 for SVT Brakes
300 for SVT Wheels
500 for Tires
200 for needed saftey equipment
50 for numbers

**240ZX34V8** · 09-12-2006, 03:36 PM

That's not bad. How competative are the Ztecs compaires with the Duratecs? I'd rather not be bringing up the back every race.

09-05-2006, 08:03 AM	#1
240ZX34V8 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: WNY Posts: 1,108	Build or buy used I think its time for me to finally pull the trigger and start racing. Next year I'm going to start hitting up a bunch of racing schools and then the next year buy a car. After reading through all the lower level racing series, I think the Spec Focus sounds about the best. I've always wondered if I should buy a used car that's already prepped or buy a new (used) one and build it. I guess there'd be benefits to both. Also, is what I'm planning on doing the right way of getting into racing or should I just buy a car this winter and race next year? __________________ 06 Fusion 2.3 91 Mustang GT

09-05-2006, 12:00 PM	#2
Ted7rns Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thousand Oaks, California Posts: 4,228	Re: Build or buy used Good, Let me know if you need any help at all. It might be hard to find a used SF car since the series is young, and I believe no used SF for sale. You might be about to find some new SF cars or have someone build you a new car. Otherwise your best bet is building a new car. __________________ NASA Spec Focus Series Director \| NASA HPDE Instructor 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 Malibu Blue <23>

09-05-2006, 07:03 PM	#3
PhocusZX3 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Tampa/Brandon, FL Posts: 5,801	Re: Build or buy used I thought there was a guy in here selling a partially prepped SF car a while ago. I think he had everything except the cage and the motor work (the most expensive parts of the build). I agree with what was stated above...best to start on your own at this point. Foci in "average" condition are selling for $2-4k at auction. Depending on whether or not you intend on registering the car for road use you could purchase a lower mileage salvage title Focus for dirt cheap. Of course you'd proabably want to stray from anything with major damage, however it doesn't take much damage for an insurance company to deem an older Focus a total loss. So depending on your connections with body shops and used body parts you could probably have a very nice, low mileage Focus to start off with. __________________ 1984 Ford SSP Mustang (my daily driver) 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit (wife's daily driver)

09-05-2006, 07:54 PM	#4
Ted7rns Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thousand Oaks, California Posts: 4,228	Re: Build or buy used I know both LC Racing and F2/Gillis are both making SF if you want to go that route. F2 has one for sale right now for 9k. __________________ NASA Spec Focus Series Director \| NASA HPDE Instructor 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 Malibu Blue <23>

09-06-2006, 04:43 PM	#6
240ZX34V8 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: WNY Posts: 1,108	Re: Build or buy used I'm not ready just yet. I'm about a year away from buying a house and can't do anything until then due to space. Just for compairason, what type of money am I looking at to build one? I can get Foci at auctions VERY cheap. I'd rather build one myself to know the car, but if I can get one rather cheaply (~7k) then I may go that route. __________________ 06 Fusion 2.3 91 Mustang GT

09-07-2006, 07:39 AM	#9
MSpeedRacing TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 393	Re: Build or buy used Agree. __________________ AKA SRF

09-12-2006, 03:36 PM	#11
240ZX34V8 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: WNY Posts: 1,108	Re: Build or buy used That's not bad. How competative are the Ztecs compaires with the Duratecs? I'd rather not be bringing up the back every race. __________________ 06 Fusion 2.3 91 Mustang GT

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