Which kits have good value and quality

[tfarhood]

Boris,

As mentioned above, you need to pick a few parameters first to narrow your choices.
If having a cool, quality car at the lowest price is your only objective, then FFR is a great fit. The down side is the time it take to get on the road if you build one rather than buy a used one.
If you don't want to go the donor car route, then B&B, Team-C, & Mid-States all have nice kits that come pretty complete.
For a few dollars more, the Unique deluxe pallet kit is a complete kit with great quality.
Personally, I was leaning very heavy towards the Unique kit. I didn't want to go the donor route, and wanted 4 wheel disc brakes, IRS was desireable, 5 lug wheels (for looks, not strength) ..... You can see how easy it is to start spending much more than you originally wanted to spend.
I narrowed down to B&B originally, then upgraded my choice to Unique. Then along came Backdraft.
Superformance was way too much, but then Backdraft (pre-price increase) shows up with a roller for less than I can build the Unique for after body prep, paint, and wheels/tires.

I wanted a father son project. My son and I are building a 302 engine right now. Economics forced me to change my plans of building the Unique to buying a Backdraft. Engine building is still a father son project, but the car will now come as a roller. The up-side is being on the road about a year earlier.

If building is you objective, pick donor vs. no-donor as your first task. If being on the road is your main objective, consider a roller, or even a re-sale of a completed car. With a little patience, you can find a good deal on a re-sale.

Now that I've said all that, here is the best bit of advice anyone can give you. Come to the Kit Car Show in Carlisle, PA in May 2004 and see every kit/replica at one place and kick all the tires, meet the manufacturers/dealers, and most importantly, the many cobra owners that bring their cars there for show.

You will go home either extremely excited or thoroughly confused, but plenty educated.

Good luck.