[Tommy]

Dave,
Based on your answers, it sounds like your interest in a Factory Five is right on target. It's a true do-it-yourself kit with plenty of support from the manufacturer and owners. The only downside I see is that are lots of low end FF cars that were built by people who tried to build cheaply and make a profit on the sale. There are also lots of well built FF cars with quality parts, but the cheap ones have diminished the reputation of the brand when compared to cars by companies like Kirkham and Superformance.

There's a rule of thumb that applies to most specialty cars. It's usually cheaper to buy a finished car like the one you want than to build one just like that. For that reason, the most common reason people have for building their own car is because they want the experience and satisfaction of doing it. It is not typically a way to save money.

There are two ways to get the best of both worlds (i.e., lower cost and participating in the build). One is to find a kit that the builder did not complete. If you do this, it is important to get a kit that still has support (i.e., don't build a Street Beast or Everett-Morrison). The other way is to get a low cost car that you plan to rebuild. That is what I did when I bought a retired SCCA racer. ... BTW, most of these cars are little more than oversized go carts, so disassembling and rebuilding one is not a huge technological challenge for the mechanically inclined.

My last advice for now regards your goals for the car. The reason I asked is because it can have a big impact on your build decisions and costs. For example, if you plan to run a 500 HP engine and big sticky tires at the drag strip, you'll need to get a drive train that is up to the task. That'll cost a bit more than one intended for brisk driving on street tires. Similarly, if you plan to build a show quality car and collect trophies, it won't hold that condition long if you take it cruising every weekend. So why spend the time, money and effort on show quality stuff if the car is destined to be a driver rather than a trailer queen.

I hope this has given you more food for thought. ... And others here may not entirely agree with some of my assessments.