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Go Back   Madabout Kitcars Forum > Mad Build Area > Marlin 5exi builds

Marlin 5exi builds Calling all you sexi builders....sorry 5exi builders, show us your progress.

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  #1  
Old 17th May 2005, 11:47
Alth Alth is offline
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Default 5exi vs Elise!

Anyone on here have any experince of this?

From looking at prices I recond a 5exi would cost about the same as a nice S1 elise.
Can a standard 5exi with a gel coat finish really be done for 8K or is marlin a bit optermistic?

How hard is a standard 5exi 1.6/1.8 to build - it would be my first build, its alot of money if I endup unable to finish it! Would the car be upto being a daily driver?

Ta Scott!
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  #2  
Old 17th May 2005, 12:11
dylanp dylanp is offline
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Hi Scott,

Welcome to the forum!

I've driven a few Elises and in my opinion I consider both 5exi and Elise as kit cars..

I think that 8K is rather optimistic but it all really depends on how good you are at not wasting money on un-needed items and tools/toys..
I reckon I spent about £11-12k but then i wasn't on a tight budget...

The car is not difficult to build - this was my first time and I somehow got there in the end.. Don't forget if you really get nowhere Marlin will be happy to take it off you and finish it for a reasonable sum of money.

I can't really imagine 5Exi being suitable for everyday driving - for me its more of a weekends and track days toy.. But having said that, its quite confortable to drive, its got weather gear so if you are very keen I can't see why you couldn't use it everyday..

Ultimately, my advice is - buy the 5exi if you genuinely want to spend the time building it and if you will enjoy doing it.. If you are just doing it to get the car and drive it than perhaps buying a finished product is more suited for you..

Let us know if you have any more questions?
Dylan
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  #3  
Old 17th May 2005, 12:25
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Hi Scott.

Welcome to the forum. I like many on here are not experienced at building cars. I just have a keen interest and want to learn along the way. For me this was going to aways be a big learning curve. But to me this was all part of the fun. How else could you work with computers all day and learn how a sports car works!!! All the guys on here are very helpful and would aways help out if your stuck.

Cost wise as Dylan says is down to how you want to customise your project. When starting out I thought right stick to standard and to budget. Then things like I'll just change the dials and so on. But if you get a donor bubble 216 then this will save you some money as the donor has most if not all the bits needed. Apart from the little things like rivinuts and silly little things. But go for a turbo and things get a little more complex and cost a little more as you need to source some more parts that don't come with the donor.

Hope that helps.

PS put on your profile your location. And perhaps if your local to anyone, you could pop round and have a look.

John
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  #4  
Old 17th May 2005, 14:47
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Welcome aboard Scott.

IMO the Elise is not an everyday car, so is a fair comparison with the 5exi.

To build the 5exi to a reasonable standard, you will need a minimum of £8k. You will probably end up with things like seats etc from the donor though.

I think it is reasonable to say the average standard build will be iro £9-10k, with turbo's being about £1k more.

The easy route is the Elise.

The route that will give you the most satisfaction is the 5exi.

Another option might be a second hand GTM Libra. These can be found for around £9-10k

Hope this helps.
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  #5  
Old 18th May 2005, 18:06
Ferg Ferg is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex-Biker
Another option might be a second hand GTM Libra. These can be found for around £9-10k
..and they are so much nicer.

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  #6  
Old 18th May 2005, 19:00
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ooohh you b*tch!!!!

& I was being sooo nice recommending your car . .
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  #7  
Old 18th May 2005, 19:32
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I think there both good looking cars. It's all down to preference.

Hi Ferg. If you in the area with your Libra I would love to see it. You can have a look at a kit car on tressels (hopefully not for much longer ) and bring back all those memories during your build.
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  #8  
Old 19th May 2005, 00:09
tony-g tony-g is offline
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you can argue all day on the pro's and cons, but if every body wanted a car that was like everybody else's car we would be driving the same 4 wheels. Kit cars offer their owners the chance to be different from the herd. they may not be better, smother lines or faster but they are a one ofF and reflect the love and tears that the builder has put into the build.

In the end it is the smile on your face when you walk down your drive and think to yourself ( I BUILT THAT CAR AND IT GIVES ME PLEASURE) For that reason no two kit cars will ever be the same because part of you is in every build

all the best
tony.
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  #9  
Old 19th May 2005, 09:49
Alth Alth is offline
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I think i'm going to have to go the kit car route

I really want to get to know more about the workings of cars, and it would be so much fun to be able to tell people that you built it
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  #10  
Old 19th May 2005, 18:12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex-Biker
ooohh you b*tch!!!!
& I was being sooo nice recommending your car . .
Oh I do like a laugh, Mark.
Quote:
Originally Posted by limpabit

Hi Ferg. If you in the area with your Libra I would love to see it.
I'd really love to, but I don't get down your way very often. 40 miles of not very exciting roads between us!!! If I'm out and about I'll drop you a mail.
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  #11  
Old 24th May 2005, 21:15
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Quick question, what colour gel coats are available?

Or are most people going for a sprayed finish?
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  #12  
Old 24th May 2005, 21:32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alth
Quick question, what colour gel coats are available?

Or are most people going for a sprayed finish?
Your obviously talking about the beautiful looking 5exi and not that GTM thing . . (Hi Ferg)

I believe you can get:
Red (not many getting this colour I don't think)
Blue (very nice)
Yellow (most common I think)
Black (yum yum - my colour of course)
Orange (off the back of the lambo orange demo car, but not as nice)
Grey (for painting)

Gelcoat finish is good from all I've heard and I believe painting will cost upwards of £1k.
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  #13  
Old 24th May 2005, 21:53
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Yup talking about the 5exi (hmmm or 5exi-R (is that doors as well? (I only want the type R engine) if I can afford it! Otherwise it’s the 1.6/1.8) Would I be able to handle the type-R power anyway
The libra comes to more than I want to spend, I have decided I prefer the looks of the 5exi –tho something odd happens around the exhaust! + the libra is slower than the 1.6
Hmmm, would have to be black/blue or spray job I think.
I have to say I really like the orange car but would want it metallic.
I have trouble seeing what the car will look like in different colours; I quite fancy magnum grey or a really dark metallic blue.

Bah role on July so I can go have a test drive, I want the car so I can build over the winter
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  #14  
Old 25th May 2005, 19:04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alth
the libra is slower than the 1.6
I expect it's a power to weight thing. Wind-up windows, trim, a real roof, proper doors with apertures that don't require a slightly strange bracing bar.....
Do you get a spare wheel in the 5Exi? A boot?

Oh nearly forgot when I bought my Libra I could have it in virtually any colour I wanted.
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  #15  
Old 25th May 2005, 19:46
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Totally depends on what car you want and what you want it for. I did look at the Libra but my 5exi when finished will be used soley for fun road driving & trackdays so no boot ain't an issue.
I don't however see how anyone could call the 5exi an everday car. Looking at the roof I can't see me ever getting myself out of the car with the roof attached...
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  #16  
Old 25th May 2005, 20:18
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I have to admit it comes down partly to cost, I can not justify 17k on a libra...
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  #17  
Old 26th May 2005, 06:57
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Well I'm going to buck the trend. I inteed to use mine every day for commuting to/from work. 12k for a car is a lot of money to be sitting about most of the year. To make it more practical for me as I thought it's a bit of a challege to get in and out with the roof up, I'm going for doors.
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Old 26th May 2005, 09:20
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Not sure about the doors, but I plan to use mine every day what ever it is!

As Limp said its alot of money for a highdays and holidays car!
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  #19  
Old 26th May 2005, 12:37
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My world your all brave... Makes me sound like a right puff..
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  #20  
Old 26th May 2005, 17:55
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Hi all

I dont think you will have to much trouble using it all year round. From what i have seen and getting in out of the 5exi with the hood on at stoneleigh there is no real problem. If you have ever tried getting in and out of a 7 type kit car in bad weather i think you would really appreciate the zip hood.

all the best

tony
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