Who is the best speedster replica manufacturer?

I am about to purchase my first speedster replica. I have heard so many different opinions and I guess I am looking for who is the "Best" if this is possible. I would appreciate any advise.

thanks,
frank

When you decide, take a ride up to my place in Colgate to see my Beck.

Frank,
In descending order from best to worst,this is my assessment of manufactures. This is personal preference and opinion. Everyone on this site thinks that their Speedster is the best!!!
Best to go to a gathering of Speedster owners and talk to the various owners and formulate your own opinion!

Intermeccanica
SAS
Beck
JPS
Vintage
Thunder Ranch
CMC

You might tell us what your expectations are.

Before we get too far into this, I suggest looking into a used car as a starter.

If you like turning wrenches, put CMC, JPS and Street Beasts at the top of the list. If you don't, Intermeccanica and Vintage are a pretty safe bet. If you are patient person and want a tested Subaru-based power train, SAS is a great choice, but there are only a few examples out there on the roads.

If you want a sporty car and care about original or premium reproduction parts for the interior and trim, maybe Intermeccanica, Beck and JPS have what you're after. You'll hear a lot of jabbering about pretty much every builder, as has been said, and the chatter will be all over the map.

Personally, unless you've seen some examples of each already, I think you're best off going to see cars owned by folks in your area.

I had a piece of crap CMC when I started rebuilding my car, and now have something completely different than everyone else. I like it, but an IM buyer might not. Put some local feelers out. I'm sure you'll have a few nearby from different builders.

Also, use the forum to your best advantage; there's a locked thread at the top of each section which really bears reading, plus the search function in conjunction with manufacturers' names will net crazy results.

There's a Speedster out there for every price-point, and a decent used Speedster is a good way to start.

"Best" what do you mean "best"??

What is the best state?
What is the best college?
What is the best month?

You asked a question that is impossible to answer with any accuracy.

There are LOTS of bests when it comes to Speedsters, otherwise wouldn't we all be driving the same car???

For example when it comes to Speedsters there are MANY bests, for example:

Best all round quality
Best number of features
Best value
Best for DIY maintenance
Best paint
Best customer support
Best engine
Best cutting-edge engineering
Best for largest number of Speedsters produced
Best for racing Porsche 911's
Best for long distance trips
Best for ease of registration
Best delivery schedule
Best yadda, yadda, yadda,

So which best were you referring to because there are lots of "bests."

I suggest you do a search on this site to see what the reviews are on the various cars to see which particular" best" interests you so you can begin to ask the right question(s) if you are looking for a Speedster.

Too bad you missed the Carlisle event where we had almost 50 Speedsters on hand and you could have spoken with the owners but some searching here will give you a good start.

Frank: Asking the question you did is like your wife asking "Do these pants make my ass look too big?". There's no right answer other than the best Speedster is the one you own.

So, Frank, how do you like them apples? My Beck Speedster is about a week away from firing up. I got mine without an engine (longer story) and am having a local Porsche mechanic building me a mild Type 4 engine for it. I have a thread running within the ShopTalkForums.com (http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=128871) where you can follow the whole process of this build. As everyone above states, you need to be a little more specific regards your question. Limited Editions is a 3.5-4 hour drive from this neck of the woods and no doubt the closest manufacturer. In addition, Carey and Kevin Hines, the keepers of that place have a solid reputation for customer service. So right off the bat, give them a call and arrange a meeting with them. When mine is complete, you're welcome to come and see it. There is also a fellow out in this neighborhood who owns a Beck Spyder whom I have just made acquaintances with, it's not a Speedster, but a cool car to see and a nice guy to know. So let me know if I can be of assistance...Colgate (near Holy Hill).

This is a simple question, the best manufacturer is the one who produced the one in your driveway!

Shhhhhhhhhhh, Dave, you weren't supposed to tell anyone, Now what do we talk about? ;-)

thanks everyone for your comments and opinions. I have always been a 911 guy and know an understand the pro's and con's but never had a speedster. As for the "best" i guess i wanted to see what all of you thought about reputable manufacturers. i am not interested in racing one but rather one that has some pep and a nice weekend drive. again, thanks to everyone for taking the time to send input.

frank

"but rather one that has some pep and a nice weekend drive" That's a totally different question! What is the best speedster replica engine?

CMC is last on list but they went out of business in 1992. They built (or had others build) ones they had on display at numerous airports but the vast majority were home built. So not fair to compare those to a new professionally built IM or Beck (etc). FiberFab/CMC was the largest producer of kit car bodies - so you see a lot of them out there. Some still in original shipping crates.

Hey East Coasters, maybe there will be more of us from Wisconsin next year. I'll start working on this guy immediately.

Frank - There is a thread at the top of the Newbies listing titled "Are you ready for a Speedster Replica"?

Click on the link to an article written by one of our long time members, Paul Hartford. It pretty much covers (in detail) the answers you seek on this subject. Its an unbiased and objective approach to making a very difficult decision for those un-initiated to "THE MADNESS".

Do yourself a favor and READ THIS ARTICLE and then try to ATTEND an SOC event to physically see/feel/ride a sample from each manufacturer that is typically represented when SOCers get together.

...I'm just saying...

Frank, I'm a Beck owner too. Special Edition (not Limited Edition ;)) in Bremen, IN is the Manufacturer. Since I wanted a turnkey and my mechanical experience is limited, proximity and builder reputation were important to me (I live in Detroit). Very happy with my car and the customer support.

Okay, Tom, it was a senior moment...this is what happens when you retire. Be careful, the same could happen to you if you don't find that second career of yours soon.

Yes Nolan, your ass looks big in those pants.

Watch it Marty, I still have some "friends" there in Chi-town, they didn't all retire and move here to South Florida.

Do dey make dem concrete scuffies? Dats how youze make sure dat dey stay down on da bottom.

Dey never found Jimmy Hoffa did dey?