Fiero Factory Woes

[fcukruss]

the question begs!

do we want a growbags site or do we want a site where we can come and have a laugh and still get the answers we require?

i dont want a growbag site!

DOES ANYBODY ONLY COME ON HERE WHEN THEY WANT TO KNOW SOMETHING?no
we come for the laugh!

lighten you lot!


russ

[TINKA]

I have to say that I agree with a lot that has been said already, The thing is Russ it is good to have a laugh and most of us do, but there are some people on the site that only ever come on it for a laugh and in the process upset or offend others. Now this is always going to happen occasionally but when this is the only thing that they ever do, I think it is a bit out of order. By this I mean they never offer any helpful advice, they just come here for a laugh and when they have stirred things up enough, just disappear or keep on going oblivious to anyone else.

We all like a joke but lets not forget what this site was originally set up for.Well done Rob keep up the good work.

Martin :tu :tu :tu :tu

That feels better now :f :f :f :f :f

[johnnycobra]

Hi Everybody

I have a FF Cobra and am one of those who post, sometimes frustrated, on the FF.org website. I chose the FF kit because it appeared to be the simplest to build; I had worked on cars extensively in the past but had never actually built one, so it appeared to be the ideal choice for me, plus it was relatively inexpensive. The frustrating thing is, it really IS a simple design that anyone with a garage and a set of tools should be able to build. The reality is that it is let down by poor quality, complete disorganization with respect to design changes, a desperately bad build guide and highly ambiguous claims from the manufacturer about how much customization is needed to complete the build. In the past on this forum, Andy has claimed that you could have the frame sitting on its own suspension and wheels inside a weekend. This is actually true.....IF all the parts are supplied correctly, which in my case were not, over and over and over again (it took 9 months to get my front suspension sorted with the correct parts and originally all 4 shocks and springs were incorrectly supplied). Andy's point, though, is a good one; its a good, simple design. My experience (and frustration) is that it is the execution that lets the product down. Ironically, had I known up front, I probably still would have chosen it but I would have been able to prepare better. Also my expectations would have been different; I had originally expected to be finished by now ( I started building in April/May of 2003) but I have spent so much time waiting for parts I never expected to need, or making modifications that FF knew about all along but never mentioned in their 'build guide'. As it stands I am just about to fit the body and am currently struggling with how to vent the fuel tank. In their defence, though, if you call them for advice they (at least the guys who work there, not the owner) are always very helpful and generous with their time.

So I think you will find that anyone building a FF car has, of necessity become self sufficient with respect to actually constructing the kit, and probably knows the kit better than the manufacturer. When on the CRC site, I am generally looking for advice, (or to add my threepence worth), on general mechanical,electrical, SVA or styling issues. I tend to discuss FF specific issues on the FF.org website. I definitely do NOT get involved in the running battle between Andy and some guys on the CRC site! The same people show up on both sites and in general I find most are working toward a (more or less) common goal: sharing information in a common interest; that is, building big loud fast cool Cobs and enjoying it.

Oh yes and the big news about FF? No big deal. The Cobra business is being sold, to a father and son outfit in the south somewhere. This could be a Very Good Thing as the design is sound, but poorly executed, by the current owners. Repositioned perhaps as a car that can be built quickly and inexpensively by beginners, and with improved quality and a decent build guide it really could be a winner. Why the current owner never recognized that and acted appropriately escapes, me I'm afraid.

For all that my FF Euro 427 is starting to look good, is well constructed, (by me , ahem!)with valuable input from posters on the CRC and the FF forums and when its finished will be at least as good as those from other manufacturers. I have a V6 Ford Cologne from a Sierra XR4i so its not a huge muscle car but it suits me. But to get there I have had to wrestle with the poor quality of the product. Of course as a first time builder I have nothing to compare with my experience, but I'll look out for your comments.

John

[kitcarman]

I agree with John in everything he’s said.

I’m neither confirming nor denying that he’s right about the ‘big news’ but would simply question why Russ automatically believed that my contribution was going to be negative or heavy.

Just because I have problems with the dishonest promotion and premature praise of a particular Cobra product (that hasn’t yet been fully designed, let alone built), doesn’t mean that all my opinions are similar – does it?

However, I would enlighten John in one respect. The reason that FF was willing and able to maintain a false façade concerning its quality was because, on the one hand, one of the two magazines praised it to bits (for whatever reason) whilst, on the other hand, the other magazine felt constrained from printing what it knew to be true (for fear of being accused of writing from a biased perspective). FF just smugly sat back selling what it knew really didn’t match the claims it was making.

The good news is that (for whatever reason) the situation is about to improve –me thinks. Whether it does or not, you may rest assured that I shall report what I know truthfully – both on this forum and in my two magazines. I believe that not only right and proper but in everybody’s long-term interests – except those who benefit from the truth not being made available that is.

If you consider my standpoint as being too serious, then don’t read my posts. It isn’t necessary, or helpful, to attack me IMHO. Take or leave my advice if you do read them – there’s no pressure either way. I really am only trying to be of assistance.

[chesterak]

Your comments are very well put...this could be shades of Classic Replicas (Viper) and a well known ( in the Kit Car industry) of an absolute ars*hole by the name of Ken Cook or Ken Weber or whatever alias he chooses to use today. The genuine supplieres of this product need to stand up and shout very loaud where they know Cowboys are operating.
Stan
:sm

[euro_427]

I actually own the factory demonstrator, which was the subject of the "other" Kit-car mag, and I can honestly say that as far as I can see they were telling the truth... (I did however get the colour changed)
I suppose it's because it was factory built, and not a self-build that I've not had any problems to moan about. :-;
When I was talking to Steve Bryddon a few weeks ago, he said that he was passing the sale rights to a family business - think he said in Swindon, but can't be certain - FF would still be making the body & chassis for these other guys to build & sell as complete cars.

I LOVE MY EURO 427 !!

I hope everyone is enjoying theirs - I'm in L.A. and my car is at home....
Wrong side of the pond for Valentine's Day...:}

Regards to all...

[kitcarman]

Graham,
I’m really pleased that you love your car and I’ve no doubt that John will love his car too when he’s finished it. However, that’s a quite separate issue compared to how hard it was to build, the quality (by which I mean accuracy of fit) of components and the attitude and service of the company to its customers.

What John is saying, what I know first-hand and what I’ve heard from others like John is that the attitude of the owner of FF switches to total disinterest as soon as he gets your money. Shortages in supply, inaccuracy of fit, omissions in information and changes in design are routine. Furthermore, there’s a total lack of regret, remorse, care or desire to improve the situation on his part.

I accept that it drives, looks and basically is OK as a finished vehicle. So, I’m not saying that Which Kit? reported anything wrong in that respect. Where they crossed the line IMO was in praising the after sales service – particularly that provided by Steve Briddon – in the most glowing terms. Of course, I felt particularly strongly because such hollow praise appeared in contrast to offensive and untrue remarks about one of Bridden’s competitors. A man very near and dear to me.

As John said, the concept is brilliant (modestly aside, as I originated its design). If a little more care and effort were put into it’s execution and a small resource devoted to customer care, the company would have I far better reception.

[osgood]

Stan, are you saying what I think you are saying!???? Last time I heard from him he was retired and had bought a small yacht Eric

[hfbradley01]

I was seriously considering buying a Euro 427 at one time and kept close watch on the FF website to pick up information. One of the guys building one lives near me and I went to see how he was getting on.

He was pleased with the general standard of the chassis and body and I have to say, I was impressed too. He then spent months trying to sort out a camber problem and in the end it turned out the wishbones he'd bought were crap.

FF just refused to acknowledge any problems until months of pestering and then came up with wishbones that were spot on.

It was this lack of customer focus that completely put me off the Euro 427, which was a shame because I thought it was good kit.

Howard

Classic Replica Viper
Understanding wife
Diminishing bank balance
But who cares