Elio Kit, Would You Still Buy?

[ET Elio]

No, I am not qualified to assemble my own car, lol. Additionally, I don't have a space to do so.

 

[wheaters]

Yes I would however the price would need a heavy discount. Kit cars are just about worthless on the resale market as are most so called builds no madder how well done.

That's not always the case. My kit car is certainly now worth more than when I built it twelve years ago, judging by the prices of recently sold second hand examples. Quite a lot more than the price of a new Elio.

 

[Smitty901]

That's not always the case. My kit car is certainly now worth more than when I built it twelve years ago, judging by the prices of recently sold second hand examples. Quite a lot more than the price of a new Elio.

You can of course find an exception to most anything. However kit cars/motorcycles are harder to insure generally cost more. They are hard to sell and often bring in cash no where near what the sellers wants or thinks they are worth.
Still if that was how I had to get an ELIO I would . I would just expect the price to reflect the risk

 

[wheaters]

I think things must be quite different regarding insurance of kit cars in the USA. Here in UK we have a number of specialist insurers who provide very good policies at a very reasonable cost, as I said, at a cheaper price than for mass produced, mainstream vehicles. They know that builder/owners of kit cars tend to look after them very well and tend to treat them as their pride and joy and drive carefully.

 

[Kuda]

I think things must be quite different regarding insurance of kit cars in the USA. Here in UK we have a number of specialist insurers who provide very good policies at a very reasonable cost, as I said, at a cheaper price than for mass produced, mainstream vehicles. They know that builder/owners of kit cars tend to look after them very well and tend to treat them as their pride and joy and drive carefully.

http://www.carinsurancecomparison.com/kit-auto-insurance-what-is-it

 

[Texconsin]

If the elio was offered as a kit, would anyone have an interest in assembling their own vehicle?

With one semester of auto mech back in 1970...are you out of your bloomin' mind?

 

[JEBar]

If the elio was offered as a kit, would anyone have an interest in assembling their own vehicle?

I might put one together for someone else to drive

Jim

 

[Rickb]

Hopefully at one point you can purchase all the Elio parts from Pep Boys or Elio...........and create your own kit Elio.
My luck, I would get a parts missing kit.......and then the old days memories of "some assembly required" still haunt me with parts left over.

 

[wheaters]

Is it possible they have lower rates because they gamble on the fact that most of these garage mechanics won't survive the accident? Sorry, there is allot of research, testing, and R&D that goes into a production vehicle. Just because someone understands the laws of "lefty loosy, righty tighty" does not qualify them as a vehicle builder. If "like I believe is your case" you are building a "Toy" to dabble around town and take to car shows thats fine. (Another reason the insurance is cheaper) Building a vehicle for everyday transportation on the highways of American (or where ever) where you are putting Many other lives at risk does not sound compare nor fit in the "I think I can do that" category. I would point to personal aircraft builders as an example. Those stories rarely end well................ Kits are for those that like to look at large scale models or drive them 2 miles per week. The Elio is best left to professionals that are hopefully putting Safety on their first design goal.

I find that post condescending and insulting. I suggest you research the IVA regulations and you will hopefully then understand that any amateur built vehicle in UK has to successfully pass through a stringent examination and testing procedure before it can be registered for road use. It's the same test that a non EU built, mass produced vehicle, such as a personal import has to go through. There is no distinction or easement for a car to "dabble around town and take to car shows" as you put it. The vehicle either passes the test, or not. If it doesn't, it cannot be driven on any public road.

As I've said a number of times, I believe the P4 Elio is likely to fail the IVA test because the headlight spacing does not comply with the regulations.

 

[Mike W]

I find that post condescending and insulting. I suggest you research the IVA regulations and you will hopefully then understand that any amateur built vehicle in UK has to successfully pass through a stringent examination and testing procedure before it can be registered for road use. It's the same test that a non EU built, mass produced vehicle, such as a personal import has to go through. There is no distinction or easement for a car to "dabble around town and take to car shows" as you put it. The vehicle either passes the test, or not. If it doesn't, it cannot be driven on any public road.

As I've said a number of times, I believe the P4 Elio is likely to fail the IVA test because the headlight spacing does not comply with the regulations.

Not being a gear head and not knowing the regulations here in the States, I have a feeling the regs here are a lot less stringent on kit cars, etc. than for you across the Pond. People here would rise up on their hind legs if we had the same rules on the books as you have for cars and motorcycles (for driving licenses, requirements for kit cars, etc. Experimental airplanes (those airplanes built by private individuals, most usually from kits) are very stringently inspected by the government but with cars? I have a feeling there is still much of the shade tree mechanic (many of them with more of the shade tree than the mechanic about them) that put together the kit cars and hope for the best. Ah yes, the blessings of fewer governmental incursions in our lives here in the U.S., er, just a second... phew! That's all right then, it was just the spare tire falling off the mounting, I was afraid it was that left rear tire working loose on my MG kit car again! Maybe that's where that spare thingummy was supposed to go! By the way Wheaters, Happy New Year to you and yours!