Hello eveyone I'm new to this form and would like some help. Which builder would you recommend when purchasing a new speedster replica? I
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Hello eveyone I'm new to this form and would like some help. Which builder would you recommend when purchasing a new speedster replica? I
Hit the Makers Tab at the top of the page to review all other builders; there's more than JPS or Vintage. Vintage and JPS are both VW pan based and are basically the same car except that JPS puts more effort into finishes, etc. so in effect it's a more finely finished VS but will take more time to deliver. Vintage, on the other hand builds lots of cars, gives you a good basic product for a reasonable price and can deliver sooner.
Hello Benny and welcome.. Boy you come right out and hit a homer with that question... LOL. It is really going to come down to who YOU like and how they make you feel about the purchase. I personally own a VS, but I bought it used, and in fact Kirk Duncan the owner of VS told me about that process too. Not many owners talk their new clients OUT of a sale, but he is very honest and a good guy, but so is JPS. Kirk just told me and I'll share with you that if you are not sure about the car you might consider a used one first then when the bug bites..... (And it will) you can always upgrade! This way you get minimum dollar out lay but still a solid buy. and all the "New" bugs have been worked out to. Both cars are super and I totally enjoy my speedie, and I can call it a daily driver too. Both vendors are rock solid and support you from beginning to end.
Good luck on your choice, it's a tough one.. When you decide let us know so we can check out that bad boy when it gets delivered!
Later,
Speedster "D"
Good luck on your choice, it's a tough one.. When you decide let us know so we can check out that bad boy when it gets delivered!
Later,
Speedster "D"
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Benny
A few weeks ago I had the same question. I visited both Kirk and John's shops. I also went down to El Cajon and looked at the Thunder Ranch stuff. I could have picked any of them for different reasons. They all have fine products. Being a newbie in this area, I wanted to get into my Speedy as quickly as possible with the least amount of effort and money. I have had my Vintage now for a couple of weeks and love everything about it. It's a great car. HOWEVER, I am still thinking of building that radical Outlaw, but right now I'm driving twisty, turny roads with bugs on my teeth. And, no regrets.
A few weeks ago I had the same question. I visited both Kirk and John's shops. I also went down to El Cajon and looked at the Thunder Ranch stuff. I could have picked any of them for different reasons. They all have fine products. Being a newbie in this area, I wanted to get into my Speedy as quickly as possible with the least amount of effort and money. I have had my Vintage now for a couple of weeks and love everything about it. It's a great car. HOWEVER, I am still thinking of building that radical Outlaw, but right now I'm driving twisty, turny roads with bugs on my teeth. And, no regrets.
Did someone say "radical outlaw?"
Danger, Will Robinson. Danger! Danger!
That path leads only to the Dark Side ...
Benny, most of these guys who've been around a while will be happy to give you an opinion on what they own, but I'd tailor your questions a little more specifically. Are you 7'6" and need some legroom? Do you want a car you can drive in the rain ... and so forth. Where you live and how you'll be using the car will make a whole lot of difference (my opinion). Are you a good mechanic?
I drove my car entirely too hard for what it was, and I didn't know the first thing about it; this forum has been a lifeline.
From this corner, though, and since you asked the question, I'd stay away from late-run used CMC entirely unless you check with the folks here first. Many of these guys have done excellent work with the same materials that went into my car, and they remember the cars they've seen over the years by looking at photos or cross-checking VINs.
I bought mine sight-unseen from a private ad -- not an ebay auction -- and I'm still working on making what I want out of it. I was sorely disappointed with the garage-builder's craftsmanship and I have had to replace virtually every component of the car to get it right.
Danger, Will Robinson. Danger! Danger!
That path leads only to the Dark Side ...
Benny, most of these guys who've been around a while will be happy to give you an opinion on what they own, but I'd tailor your questions a little more specifically. Are you 7'6" and need some legroom? Do you want a car you can drive in the rain ... and so forth. Where you live and how you'll be using the car will make a whole lot of difference (my opinion). Are you a good mechanic?
I drove my car entirely too hard for what it was, and I didn't know the first thing about it; this forum has been a lifeline.
From this corner, though, and since you asked the question, I'd stay away from late-run used CMC entirely unless you check with the folks here first. Many of these guys have done excellent work with the same materials that went into my car, and they remember the cars they've seen over the years by looking at photos or cross-checking VINs.
I bought mine sight-unseen from a private ad -- not an ebay auction -- and I'm still working on making what I want out of it. I was sorely disappointed with the garage-builder's craftsmanship and I have had to replace virtually every component of the car to get it right.
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Thank you for the feedbacks this will be a tough decision. Thank for the warm welcome and I
Hello Benny; I am also new to this site. I just fnished my car (Vintage kit). I seleced VS because of his volume. Although the Car looks great and was fun to build, when I do this again, and I will, I'll do several things differently. I have a three page list of "issues" that came up over this process. E-mail me and I'll share this info, but it's very specific and not for a public forum. The most important thing to remember when selecting a company is that you have to be comfortable with the pesonality of the owner. Kirk (VS) and John (JPS) have entirely different attutides. Give then a call them and discuss your plans, the car, and the kit building process. Find a personality your comfortable with. After talking to both of them I think the choice wil be clear. Remember; both kits are basiclly the same, the difference is in the details.
Hello Benny; I am also new to this site. I just fnished my car (Vintage kit). I seleced VS because of his volume. Although the Car looks great and was fun to build, when I do this again, and I will, I'll do several things differently. I have a three page list of "issues" that came up over this process. E-mail me and I'll share this info, but it's very specific and not for a public forum. The most important thing to remember when selecting a company is that you have to be comfortable with the pesonality of the owner. Kirk (VS) and John (JPS) have entirely different attutides. Give then a call them and discuss your plans, the car, and the kit building process. Find a personality your comfortable with. After talking to both of them I think the choice wil be clear. Remember; both kits are basiclly the same, the difference is in the details.