Twerd68

I love your car, HOTTTCAR. I have lurked the hardtop build for forever. . .

Funny. Yes, it's fun ego-wise to have a ridiculously fast car. Also funny that if I build a crazy V8 Stalker I know my driving will suck enough that track day will be me grossly underutilizing a tremendous car -- getting passed by guys in Datsuns. However, on non-track days I'll get the joy or rumbling down to the Starbucks grinning like a fool. :driving:

Yes, Scott relatively recently made AC available for the XL. Bigdog, I totally hear you o making the car light, not ridiculously powerful, BUT I just cannot help but love that V8 sound and feel. It is a purely non-rational preference. Like I said earlier, it is so much fun just going slow with that big rumble. My next challenge will be to find a taller seller if I buy used so I don't have to move too much stuff around as I am a true 6'-2". Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and contributions. It's been really fun hearing everyone's perspective. I don't know which way I'll go -- except that it will be a Seven!!!!

Both! I know nothing about racing but have been studying local Chicago/Midwest area track day schedules and so forth. I also hope to put a canvas top on whatever I buy or build and try to extend it to a three season car. I am obsessed with the Stalkers and the v8 sound and have been following this website and saving my pennies for a couple of years now. Time is getting close -- one way or another I plan to take the leap late winter/early spring.

One more thought: anyone ever see any LS Stalkers for sale?

Great stuff. I know your car well from the Brunton website and from the YouTube videos racing. It is one of my favorite builds with the front wing. I also recall the NJ Stalker on sale recently. Beautiful Scott build. It seems to be struggling to find a permanent home, though. I wonder why. Don't people realize these are four wheeled motorcycles? Can you shoot me a private note wrt the third car? In all candor I am probably looking at a Feb/March purchase timeframe while the kitchen is being remodeled.

That's exactly the car I'm looking at if I build. Is yours to be an xl? I can squeeze heat and ac into an xl and turn it into a three season car.

So true, Dean G. I come from a boat family and totally relate. I had the thought that building and knowing the car so intimately would make repair and improvement a bit "easier."

Thanks Coffee. Scott Minehart asked me the same question and I gave him the same answer albeit qualified as I also love building stuff. All great feedback. I am also revisiting the idea of a roller. My v8 over v6 preference comes from the following experience: whenever I drive a fast four or six I have a great time when driving fast. But when I drive a fast v8 I also have fun rumbling slowly along.

Fascinating answers -- particularly given that it comes from guys who build! Thanks for those thoughts. Any takers on sharing how long their builds took?

New member, long time reader and lurker. Here is the debate I'd love to trigger (and apologize in advance if it has been covered before or if I touch on any sensitive topics): what do you argue as the key pluses and minuses in the build vs. buy debate? My personal debate is between purchasing a completed Brunton(and probably a v6 as that's usually what is available like the lovely car being sold by member Pat right now) and building a new LS3 powered M-spec. The later probably costs twice as much but you build it exactly as you want -- if you manage to finish it. My side question for anyone who chooses to respond is: how long did you take to build your car? I've hear of the mythical 3 month build (by someone with a team and no job apparently) as well as the 18 year build. I'm trying to put a realistic expectation around an untrained guy who is doing his research and will likely get to pound away for an hour or two each night. Great group you all have here. One way or another I plan to become a part of the USA7 elite .