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What is everyone's average final cost to build?

Vwsaabvt
If you turn a blind eye it's easy to lose track of what you've actually put into the build. If you track every cent....it starts to add up.
View attachment 37477
between spending $6920 for a donor, $3300 on parts from ZZP ($220 on their "performance" coils alone that have been known to be useless and who knows what else that just looked shiny and neat) and $2700 for powdercoat alone the only person you should be salty with is the one getting spend happy with the credit card before shopping around.
 
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Vwsaabvt
I've posted extensively in other sections of the forum but many of the parts I received from DF, new parts, were out of spec and required drilling, grinding or cutting (floor/bulk head panels/pwr steering mount/heat exchanger and mounts...) to allow for parts fitment. Of course, many of them were already powder coated. Tough pill to swallow for new production parts.
you also installed your floor wrong, but ignored us when we told you
 
Sluggonaut
Why did shipping cost you $3,000?!

And powdercoat over $2,600?!

Those costs are definitely way outside the norm and definitely contribute to what I would consider a higher-than-normal build cost. Those 2 items alone are probably over $3000 more than what the average builder spends on those 2 items.

I not only kept track of my tools, but I also included my trip to Dallas to check these things out in person in my expenses. My net is $22,291 including stuff I've bought recently and not installed yet, so that number is a little more than what it cost me to complete the build.

I say net because I bought my donor for $3,400 and recouped $2,548 by selling what I didn't use. So gross outlay was closer to $25k but my actual net cost to date is $22,291.
 
S
I'm just under 30k on my build. Higher than I should have paid for donor and lots of upgrades/custom work that was by choice. I probably have a much higher level of expertise than most builders with a mechanical background of over 20 years but I ran into very little issues with the build. I did the harness work myself using DF video even adding some circuits of my own and only had one issue blowing a fuse which was my own fault powering the car without the tail lights wired in causing a short. IMHO the process is the most entry level that can be expected of assembling a kit car. Keep in mind most kit cars never get completed due to the amount of work that goes into finishing one. Local car meets will often have cars that have had only small changes engine/suspension/brakes that should not be on the roads due to poorly executed work. The build is what you make of it, very few seem to be sticking to the most basic build and that appears to me to be where the biggest problems come into play. I do not feel the almost anyone can build one or the budget DF puts fourth to be a stretch. If you desire to build a kit car you must account for your level of experience or expertise around car systems and account for the fact that lower levels will have more problems to overcome but building the car is the goal not just having a built car. Same is true for restoring older cars, anyone that has done one can maddening. that is usually the case. I had to modify exactly 0 parts to fit on my build but did modify multiple things because of a desire to have a unique car that was mine. I have a new f23 I just installed a quafie in waiting to be installed and plan on more custom work in that process. I hope everyone enjoys the process as working through any problem can be maddening.
Rant over.
I hope I did not offend anyone as that is not my intention, just offering my humble opinion that from my experience I can say nothing negative about the experience with DF or the product they produced.
Happy building
 
Vwsaabvt
between spending $6920 for a donor, $3300 on parts from ZZP, and $2700 for powdercoat alone the only person you should be salty with is the one getting spend happy with the credit card before shopping around.
Sir, you're flippant statements and general lack of syntax say a lot. Let's step back for a minute. Let's not defend a business with blind loyalty. Let's provide some feedback to them so they can in fact grow said business and make this a better place for future builders.

Please, please do a LITTLE homework prior to posting. This is how people get into trouble.

Ironic that you say that.

Please...see floor install HERE courtesy of DF Goblin Kit Car. Not that the 1.127mm difference on the mic would make any difference. I don't see you're "we told you so" response to that thread? Strange...Sir.

from, your thread post see 16 and 17

Please...read....it IS in fact fundamental. Costs associated with Donors varies widely. Of course, you know this as I see you "liked", very Gen Z of you, my statement concerning their new VW project and hoping they can fortify what they've currently fielded for the Goblin.

I "liked" your statement that was corrected by other members subtly calling you out by crossing out "most" and replacing it with "some"
as most people have made it.

"It's exciting to see a new kit car in the making...but many of us are struggling to build our Goblins and without the "trial and error" exposed on the forum, most some of us wouldn't make it."

Can't wait for your build thread once they start offering it.

I see you purchased in April of 2021....and got it registered in Sep 2022. Congrats. It's a very basic build that wouldn't fly is most states outside a Montana registration.

Not sure what Montana has to do with anything as mine is titled and registered in Ohio, and I haven't seen anything outside of basic from your build.

I also see you purchased most things pre-pandemic, and worked side jobs to get it done. Also...commendable. I see you DROVE to DF goblin to pick up your car. Very convenient. Wife helped along the way...bonus! I see you have a mountain of threads asking these fine folks questions...videos....could not answer. Strange...isn't it?

From your response on here I see you can search the forum for previous information, yet complain there are not videos of a step-by-step process with someone holding your hand. If I couldn't find an answer to something I asked, not a big deal plenty of people before me plenty after have asked the same questions. There's a mountain of information here on the forum you don't need a video for everything.

Please...stop making assumptions. I'm paying cash for parts. I served my country and made smart decisions growing up. I use...credit card...companies.

Ok?
I'm not assuming anything, you spent $3300 on parts from zzp, looking at your build thread I see you bought their red coils which have been proven as useless in the ecotech community, I would be curious to see where the other $2800 was spent with them.

Thank you for your service


Again, I'm not here for a pissing contest but you've wading into those waters...haven't you???

No pissing contest here, my car is done. Most of the problems I had while building it were self inflicted just as I have seen yours are too.

I'm simply here to provide my experience with the build. Many factors affect others with regard to costs and requirements. Assumptions are like that orifice at our 6 O'Clock...we all have them...and should be careful not to assume we don't.

I'm glad we have you here to level out the company reviews, don't want it to look fake with 100% positive someone has to complain every once in a while.
 
Vwsaabvt
No self-inflicted problems here sir. Just those you, and others, have offered. This is how my $1.1K wiring harness went to DF. I hope you can see my concern. I was told to do a thing...it was the wrong thing. This has happened multiple times.

So your aftermarket boost gauge not fitting the mount designed for the stock boost gauge was someone else's fault also?

Got it, your former quality control position in the firearms industry qualifies your as smarter than all the other forum members and all problems with building this kit car are caused by them or the company that provided it.

Glad we could clear that up.
 
S
Come on, please take a moment before posting. Everyone here has experienced something or someone pushing their button intentionally or not at a time where our fuse was the shortest. Try to take the high road and assume the best of intentions from others rather than the worst. My post was just my opinion based on my experience and perspective. With somewhere around 400 kits out there I'm sure there are 400 different experiences.
Merry Christmas
 
G
Do you even understand the definition of "class action" lawsuit? What group do you claim to represent? Must be something going on with the Facebook pages. Or are you just trolling us know?

Hopefully Lonny or Adam will lock or delete the last 2 days of post before I say something that will get me kicked off.
 
Dale E
For the second time on the Goblin forum - I will be signing out! Good by to all! It's been great up to this point!
 
escapepilot
If you turn a blind eye it's easy to lose track of what you've actually put into the build. If you track every cent....it starts to add up.
View attachment 37477
You paid $4,750 for a running donor but spent:
$532 for LS4 throttle body, PCM, and connectors from ZZP
$522 random ZZP parts order
$471 random ZZP parts order
$371 random ZZP parts order
$828 clutch, crank pulley, seal, elbow, pipe, exhaust flange - yup ZZP
$445 flywheel, hardware, seals - ZZP
$26 pressure plate bolts - ZZP

=$3195 in ZZP parts (necessary replacements or upgrades? Not specified)

$1891 in wheels and tires - reasonable, but OPTIONAL
$2671 in powdercoating - a little high and highly recommended, but still optional.
$210 for brake proportioning valve kit - recommended but optional.
$125 for steering wheel quick release - again optional
$95 for billet A Arm brake line brackets - REALLY? Billet?
$1160 - Sparco seats, steering wheel, and parts - nice upgrade, but again, optional.

=$6152 in OPTIONS.

Not counting tools that are usually available on a Loan A Tool program from a local parts store (Advance Auto, O'Reilly's, and AutoZone have this) your over $9000 in parts that you probably could have lived with out or replaced with a quality part at a lower cost. Also, it looks like shipping may have been listed twice - possible if you ordered in separate stages (down payment shipping, final payment shipping, Stewart Transport Shipping).

Also comparing what DF says a BASIC goblin can be built for and comparing that to a Supercharged, fully optioned Goblin isn't reasonable.
 
Lonny
FYI, we did not have anything to do with his posts being removed.

This is an open forum and as long as it is DF Kitcar that is being discussed and it is not directed at other forum members we don't mind or faults being advertised.

We need it once in a while.

I do appreciate the positive support from the Goblin community. You guys are awesome.

I hope you all have a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Lonny
 
LLBenJ
FYI, we did not have anything to do with his posts being removed.

This is an open forum and as long as it is DF Kitcar that is being discussed and it is not directed at other forum members we don't mind or faults being advertised.

We need it once in a while.

I do appreciate the positive support from the Goblin community. You guys are awesome.

I hope you all have a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Lonny

Well, I hope not Lonny.

I was targeted. Every post in the forum, every question I've asked for my build...gone. My entire build log, gone. The link to my build log...dead.

All of that time and effort. I was looking forward to completing a project and being part of a new community and was apparently censored.

I immediately changed my password and now back online. If there is a way to recover these posts it would be greatly appreciated.

I'll get this car built, and sold, and move on to a less toxic environment.

Ben
 
Joebob
Well, I hope not Lonny.

I was targeted. Every post in the forum, every question I've asked for my build...gone. My entire build log, gone. The link to my build log...dead.

All of that time and effort. I was looking forward to completing a project and being part of a new community and was apparently censored.

I immediately changed my password and now back online. If there is a way to recover these posts it would be greatly appreciated.

I'll get this car built, and sold, and move on to a less toxic environment.

Ben
Not cool. :( Ben, while I don't agree with you on some topics, nor your attitude, I definitely don't think you should be deleted from the forum. Challenge is healthy and debate is when we share knowledge and learn.

Joe
 
Ross
My initial build cost is $10511.28, and I still had a bunch of Cobalt parts left over, that I have been selling, so after those sales are factored in, my final build cost is $9,911. This number will continue to go down, as I continue to sell Cobalt parts.

In that cost, I chose to include these DF options/upgrades:
- Extended frame,
- SS/SC Upgrade,
- Boost gauge mount,
- Solid front and rear transmission mounts for SS/SC (now a standard part of the kit, but was optional when I built)
- Parking Brake Kit (now a standard part of the kit)

Upgrades that I purchased:
- QA1 COK104 - QA1 Coilover Hardware Kits (this kit does 2 wheels)
- QA1 High Travel Coilover Springs 10HT125
- Control Arm Bushing MOOG K201285
- Front brake pads for 2009 Cobalt base model Centric Posi Quiet Premium Ceramic
- Rear brake pads for 2009 Pontiac Solstice
- QUICK STEER K90473 Alignment Caster Cam Bolt Kit
- Rivnuts 10-24

Consumable costs I included my build costs:
- Sandpaper
- Paint trays
- Paint rollers
- ALLDATA 5 year subscription

I didn't include the costs of auto insurance, and motor vehicle registration, but at this point I had a running, licenced and street legal goblin on the road. Very much a budget build, I did my own wiring harness, and did minimal maintenance to the Cobalt parts.

Since that point, I got to know my goblin, and figured out what Cobalt parts needed maintenance.
I continue to evolve my build, with many customizations, and racing upgrades.
The costs associated with these upgrades, I consider to be part of my racing hobby.
 
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