Maybe this one? 125cc Twin Seater Buggy - 3 speed semi-auto

[Joshmcmillan]

Hello again,
Still trying to choose which go kart to buy (I'm pretty sure I won't be building one now). I think I might have a bigger chance with this one (link below), as my dad said it looked better (it's 3 speed manual, roll cage etc..). What do you guys think? I talked to the guy and he said, "It has OK power but it would fit a $50 pocket bike carby on it which would double the power". He also said replacement engines were $350 which is quite affordable considering we could use it as a spare quad on the farm basically.

Total Price would be around $1862 with postage. Although we might be able to get some off tax as it would be used for farm use to.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400014357864

Thanks

 

[modelengineer]

$1862 is how much I am spending in total to make my 500cc Sidewinder, if I were you I would seriously reconsider building a buggy. All it takes is a welder, grinder, and a hand drill/drill press. It doesn't take all that long to learn how to weld well enough to build a buggy which is at least 5 times as good as this one.

The numerous reviews I've read of these, and similar buggies, say they are not good. The welds are generally pretty bad and crack with extended use, the frame is very thin steel which can rust through easily. Some have engines which are good for about 100 hours and then they die.
The list of problems is endless.
However, you may get a good one and it will be absolutely perfect in every way...

 

[BradenM]

I'm still for the Honda Odyssey, even if it's 6 hours away, you could try to meet halfway, and it would not disappoint.

 

[Joshmcmillan]

@ Modelengineer, the joints cracking would just be a matter of adding maybe extra support / re-welding wouldn't it? I'm wondering if it would fit say a Honda GX200+ or a clone in it, that would make it a lot more reliable etc.. am I right? If only I could pay someone even $500+ to build me a good buggy it would be good

@BradenM, That odyssey looks like it would be good. But bringing a fitting trailer 3 hours would be a fair bit of trouble considering on a dairy farm there isn't much time to spare, and that's if they would even do the other half, the roll cage is broken, and it's 25 years old.


If anyone knows of a buggy or anything that is reliable, big enough to fit someone 6" tall, good power and practicality on a farm, we could probably spend up to $4000 or more! Because we spend $12,000 on a farm quad every few years or so, $4000 would not be out of our limits so long as it was like this one with lights etc.. and it would have to be reliable or possible to put a Honda engine in it easily Although it would be a lot harder for me to convince dad to get

*EDIT* Model, how did you get sidewinder for $1862? On the edge website it says over $5000!

 

[modelengineer]

I've built every single bit myself to keep the costs down.
That buggy won't fit you if you are 6 foot tall. I'm 6'4" and looked ridiculous sitting in a very similar buggy.

There is really no buggy for sale in your price range which would be really good, unless you build it yourself. Hangon, I just thought of something:
http://edge.au.com/forum1/viewtopic.php?t=5425

The Edge kit for a new sidewinder is $6000 + engine ($0-$2000) + installation and wiring ($500). It ends up MUCH cheaper if you build it yourself.

 

[ed1380]

$250 for an axle
$230 for 2 A-arms
of course its going to cost an arm and a leg

 

[modelengineer]

But by building it myself the 2 A arms cost about $10 AUD each, and the axle was about $80