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This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.

Joe's Alterative MX250 Hardtop

16 Oct 2016, 7:04pm
zagmad wrote:
My commuter car has been put to pasture or squished. After its MOT the job list of things to do was more than what I paid for it 4yrs ago. So taking up cycling till I find another small engine commuter. Have been looking at smart cars


Depends on how long your commute is. I travel up and down the M4 nearly every day. The old Saab 93 diesel turbo could do 460 miles on a tank. Once it had to go, I've been using my wife's second car, a Toyota IQ, and it only does 260 miles on a tank. I have to fill up nearly every day - a tremendous waste of time every week.
16 Oct 2016, 7:18pm
49mpg most of the time. 4.6 mile journey. Plus the occasional journey to Dorset. Tank would last bout week and a half sometimes 2. Other fiats I had would do 47 round town and 62mpg on a long run. Toyotas are quite revy. Think it depends how their geared and if you have a heavy foot. Small petrol engines take less time to get warmed up. Mine was an 8v so it had its pull round 3rd gear so quick to speed limit keeping revs down.
16 Oct 2016, 7:22pm
zagmad wrote:
49mpg most of the time. 4.6 mile journey. Plus the occasional journey to Dorset. Tank would last bout week and a half sometimes 2. Other fiats I had would do 47 round town and 62mpg on a long run. Toyotas are quite revy. Think it depends how their geared and if you have a heavy foot. Small petrol engines take less time to get warmed up. Mine was an 8v so it had its pull round 3rd gear so quick to speed limit keeping revs down.


You lucky, lucky b***Ard. As they say. Loads of small car options then.
16 Oct 2016, 7:22pm
Plus I leave with 25mins to travel a 15 minute journey at 6am in the morning. So my engines not gasping for cool fresh air. I tend to glide and not race that time of the morning.
16 Oct 2016, 7:28pm
Very low twenties is ideal MPG. That way you know you have the correct size engine and have just the right amount of lead weight in your right shoe.
16 Oct 2016, 10:43pm
Barber wrote:
Depends on how long your commute is. I travel up and down the M4 nearly every day. The old Saab 93 diesel turbo could do 460 miles on a tank. Once it had to go, I've been using my wife's second car, a Toyota IQ, and it only does 260 miles on a tank. I have to fill up nearly every day - a tremendous waste of time every week.


I commuted from Malvern to Wokingham for nearly 2 years , 1 1/2 hours on a good day upto 4 hours on a bad one !

Those days are gone , thank god , now its 20 minutes each way. That consists of 10 mins on country lanes and 10 mins on the M5 , happy days ! A full tank lasts nearly 4 weeks in my A6 TDI.
17 Oct 2016, 8:43am
The best fuel consumption I,ve had was in a VW Golf TDi. Over 650 miles from a full tank and around 60 mpg with carefull driving. Still not as good as the new Golf GTE which they say can get around 175 mpg.
17 Oct 2016, 8:49am
DSG4ME wrote:
The best fuel consumption I,ve had was in a VW Golf TDi. Over 650 miles from a full tank and around 60 mpg with carefull driving. Still not as good as the new Golf GTE which they say can get around 175 mpg.


This is VW remember. My wife used to have one of their 2.0 TDIs - it had to have 2 major fixes on warranty, then the emissions "software" recall. Together with the helpful suggestions for other expensive fixes after every service, and the normal service items that are now added as extras, enough was enough. Never again, despite having several Golf's over 30 odd years.
17 Oct 2016, 9:34am
Figures quoted (especially in catalogues or guy in pub) are rarely believable. Our petrol 1.4 Fiat grande Punto gives (in mixed driving) 48mpg or in the Winter 46mpg - we are both 'steady' drivers, and as I'm a cyclist I'm used to just slowing (rather than braking) and a slow speed generally:dance:
Given the inaccuracies in speed/distance measurement allowed (manufacturers are allowed 10% over, and try to get as close as poss so it gives a higher perceived mpg), we are getting between 42 and 44 mpg all year round, which I think is great. Interestingly because of the low final drive (this car is a 'city car') the economy doesn't really increase once on a Motorway, as it only does 20mph/1000 revs, so spinning away at 3500 at 70mph!:shock:
19 Oct 2016, 5:33pm
I think once the shape is solid and set it will be easier to choose the right colour.quite like the blue that one of the mx250 builds has. Also like the pale grey found on some of the fiat 500 abarth that's out.also saw one on a GT indigo grey I think it was but can't get a can of it as the modern paint company's don't seem to have the right code to make it.
9 Nov 2016, 5:43pm
The Alf is tucked up ready for winter. Bought a sheet with eyelets and its bin wrapped ready for the worst weather to come. Hopefully it doesn't blow off as it has bin tied to the car.
2 Dec 2016, 12:27pm
Yep,looks great..........:-( mine prob wont be on the road till summer next year. See how it goes. If anyone wants to buy it for 6k or their abouts when its finished I might part with it. Looking at campovolo grey got some testers next visit will try it on the body work with primer and laquer.tempted to do a jet black bonnet,boot,roof with the grey sides
2 Dec 2016, 12:35pm
At the moment I'm still looking for a cheap runaround. With my wife's car having limited mileage locked into the resale price it's getting close to being over its yearly use. One of those hand it back after 3 years, get a fresh one deals.
2 Dec 2016, 12:41pm
Saw a hot rod with black roof,bonnet,boot and pinstripe breaking the join.
2 Dec 2016, 11:15pm
zagmad wrote:
Yep,looks great..........:-( mine prob wont be on the road till summer next year. See how it goes. If anyone wants to buy it for 6k or their abouts when its finished I might part with it. Looking at campovolo grey got some testers next visit will try it on the body work with primer and laquer.tempted to do a jet black bonnet,boot,roof with the grey sides


Sorry to hear you're thinking about selling the project, especially after all your hard work.

What's the plan if you do sell it? Another project?
3 Dec 2016, 6:04am
No. Clear the 11k debt and get on with life. 2 death in the family and almost being divorced by my wife has really knocked me about.
3 Dec 2016, 6:56am
Its 3deaths but I don't count my grandad as he wanted my dad aborted. If it wasn't for my nan back then my dad and me wouldn't had a chance of life. Its a case of of I knew what I know now I wouldn't of started the build. It lost direction and the Alfa was a way of giving it a better chance of being completed. Allways liked small coupes. 2 seats and a boot nothing more nothing less,agile and fun.
3 Dec 2016, 9:51am
zagmad wrote:
Its 3deaths but I don't count my grandad as he wanted my dad aborted. If it wasn't for my nan back then my dad and me wouldn't had a chance of life. Its a case of of I knew what I know now I wouldn't of started the build. It lost direction and the Alfa was a way of giving it a better chance of being completed. Allways liked small coupes. 2 seats and a boot nothing more nothing less,agile and fun.


Sorry to hear that, sometimes (very rarely) life is more important than cars so I totally understand. I'm considering putting my project on hold or cutting my losses just because it's become more of a chore than a pleasure and the money would be really useful for more important stuff.

Good luck with everything, I hope you find a resolution to it all which is best for you.
3 Dec 2016, 2:33pm
I'm not saying people shouldn't do these kits. I backed the wrong horse from the start should have bought a mk2 and everything would have ran more smoothly,quickly. Had the swb come earlier then that too would made a big difference. Thatd jidt howbit goes. Its on track just 3years behind
4 Dec 2016, 7:10am
zagmad - To echo obr's post, you need to do what is best for you, your wife and your life in general.

As even though I had a lot of problems with my build, I had a big advantage in using 'spare' money, not debt, to finance it.

In terms of my project timing, Tribute's A352 came out after my build turned messy. :rolleyes:

I also love the SWB 250 :cool: but that came out years after I started and yet many were still finished before me.

However, if you do want to finish this kit, my only suggestion would be to stop thinking about how to improve/change the design.

As changes cost time and money and your original idea for this build would have been finished by now.

Good luck, Paul. :)
10 Dec 2016, 10:27am
Was thinking I have the Alfa heart still that goes between the lights would it be best to remove the disc that holds the Alfa badge or put the Mazda badge on it or have it removed so its just the outline of the heart placed on the grill.
10 Dec 2016, 3:50pm
Zagmad - Are you planning to put any other badges on the car, e.g. on the back?

As I guess the badge on the front should be consistent with those.

Is your Alfa 'heart' made of metal or fibreglass, as cutting the badge holder off might make a mess of it.

It also looks like there are a few options for the area between the headlights…

Either the 'heart' can sit proud...



Or sit flush/behind.



Either way, I think the yellow lights look good. :cool:

Good luck, Paul. :)
10 Dec 2016, 4:15pm
Its fibreglass like the other bits I bought along with the bumpers. Got all the headlights and tailights. Side repeaters . Ive got the number plate holder as well just need a smaller plate to allow for the smaller holder and source a light for night use. I even got the indicators for the front. All ready to go into the finished shape. Hopefully 2017 will be the year it all comes together. C
10 Dec 2016, 4:19pm
Campovolo grey looks awesome on the tester I did on my interior. The trim that the radio sits in, I sprayed and ive got my colour sorted.