Used vs new kart. What to buy as a beginner?

Should a beginner spend more money on a brand new kart, or is it better to start with a used kart?

This is a question I get asked a lot, and in this guide, I’m happy to reply to all the frequent asked questions about this specific topic, which is very, very common.

And I totally understand the question, because I have been in that situation as well, and I still am. Sometimes, when I have to buy new shifter kz kart from Sosi, I always wonder, well, should I get a new one, or should I get a used one? Sometimes you get a used one, sometimes I get a new one. Like last year I got a used one. This year I got myself a new one, and in this guide I will let you know exactly what I would do if I were you as a beginner.

First thing first, let’s address the elephant in the room.

Is a new kart faster than a used one?

The real answer based on experience, is that while it’s hard to track and measure exactly the difference between a brand new kart to a used one, most of the times there is actually a difference. And yes, new karts are typically faster and better overall compared to used ones. Otherwise think about it, nobody would buy new karts and they would just get the used ones. Now I feel that new karts may only have a question mark for the first session or two, but normally it just takes a couple of sessions to get the tube to flex a little bit more. It could be a myth. Could be a reality. To be honest, I have noticed that, yes, sometimes when you put a brand new kart on the track for the first time, maybe it’s not faster than a used kart, but it just requires a day. And then I believe in most of the cases, it is quicker than a used kart. Of course, it always depends on the question, how used was the kart? Was the kart used only for a couple of races, for maybe five or six, or was it used for like a full season? And so it had maybe, like 5000 laps of mileage. So I guess you can now understand the difference that a used kart can have of just a few races to a kart that has done a full season or more, as it is the case in many instances. So of course, when you want to go buy a used kart, you need to always evaluate the state of the tube. You need to always check the tube from the bottom. So you want to take some pictures and actually ask the seller to take pictures and share them with you before evaluating buying that specific kart. Because, of course, if the tube is completely destroyed, cracked, completely finished, as I like to say, well, then you may still do a couple of sessions. Well, then maybe you hit the curb and it just cracks and yes, well, you find yourself holding the broken kart that nobody wants anymore. So that’s what I mean, is like new karts, of course, provide a guarantee that used karts cannot give you, and so, yeah, you need to do a lot of due diligence and make sure that you check the state of the tube. Because, of course, the used karts that have very high mileage, they will not be a good investment, I would say, because then you may have to throw them away after a few days of driving, and so at the end of the day, yes, new karts are quicker than old used karts, for sure. Then fresh used karts, not so much, almost identical. But of course, remember that for a longer period of time, new karts are going to be better because just they’re newer. Okay, so it’s very hard to quantify how much faster they are compared to very old used karts, but for sure, you can see that the tube is more reactive and the tube is also a little bit stiffer overall, and so that basically gives a little bit more grip, which is most of the cases, a good thing.

What should beginners check when buying a used kart?

The very first thing, as I already mentioned, is to check the state of the tube. So you need to check close to the engine, especially in that tube, how consumed the tube is and whether it even has some cracks, which is in many cases, I think so. Of course, it’s a big red flag, and you should not continue the conversation with that seller. And of course, if you notice that the paint of the tube is just completely gone, it probably may prove that, yes, it may be not cracked, it may be still fine, but that shows you that it’s very old, and again, it’s very worn. So I wouldn’t go with that as well.

The only option for me to buy a used kart would be to get a used kart that has just done like one race or two races that many professional karting departments sell, like after the World Championship, for example. So the kart sells a lot of used karts, and that is a good opportunity for people to buy them at a discount, but like having high quality karts that have just done one two races, so that is a good opportunity. But of course, that’s not very often, and it’s not very accessible to anyone.

How old is too old for a kart?

This is a very broad question, and it’s so hard to pick a right answer. But what I notice is that once the kart starts to become very slippery and kind of lazy in the changes of directions. I think that’s when you should call it a day and get a new frame, of course. Also the accessories are very important too. You know, the frame is probably so the tube is probably the most important aspect, of course, of a kart. But at the same time, you need to get the new accessories as well, such as an axle, the bearings, stub axles, yeah, all of the accessories that are related with friction coefficient, okay, so the bearing cages, the rims, etc. So all of those accessories are going to worn out a little bit. And of course, they can provide less flexibility, as for example, could be rims and axles, but yeah, most of the time the friction related accessories will have to be replaced quite often if you really want to go for the optimal performance that wins your races at an international level, like WSK or C, AK, FIA, but normally, I would say, after doing about like 300 days of driving on track, you should replace your kart. Now, of course, that includes replacing the frame the tube, but also including the accessories, the major accessories, like there’s no need to replace your NASA panel, your front bumper, and all the plastics, there’s no point you know that’s not going to provide any performance advantage in changing them, but all the things that are going to again, deal with friction and flexibility, those ones need to be replaced even more often, actually, than all those days that I mentioned. So, I mean, it’s obviously quite hard to say 300 days. I mean, 300 days for a frame is actually quite a lot. I think you will need even less days for a frame, like possibly after 80 days or 70 days, you would have to replace the frame already. And the frame doesn’t cost that much. A frame for a kz go kart, the shifter could be about like 1000 1200 euros. The frame itself for mini karts like 700 euros. Okay, so it’s not that much. It’s still probably the largest expense for the whole go kart, excluding the engine, of course. But yeah, it will need to be replaced every once in a while, and it all depends on the frequency of how often you go to drive. Basically because if you just drive once, once a month, then you can keep that frame for basically three, four years without any problem. But if you go to drive on a bi weekly basis, then you may need to replace that frame more often, but at the same time, remember, it’s not just about the number of days. It’s also about how much driving you do in that specific day, and also whether you use a lot of curbs, because when you use curbs, you’re going to stress the frame so much, and also the accessories, so you will wear out the frame much, much sooner. And of course, that is not a good news for for the owner of the kart.

What parts wear out fastest?

I believe the parts that wear out the fastest, besides, of course, the tube, the frame itself, which is the most responsible for the performance, for the flexibility and the elasticity, I would say. But then besides that, I feel like the bearings, that’s the number one thing that has to be replaced, the axle, I would say, also the stub axles and all the bearings that are dealing with those frictions, I think those are would have to be replaced more often, and also the hangers, which are also called as the bearing cage, those are going to have to be replaced quite often, because, yes, they’re going to wear out and lose the the flexibility, as well as rims, especially if they’re magnesium. But I don’t think they will need that much of a replacement. Of course, sometimes they get bent, and so that’s not ideal for optimal performance, but yeah, there should still be fine.

What hidden costs appear after buying a used kart?

Well, the major hidden costs for buying a used kart, I would say, is all of the maintenance related to the kart. Perhaps you will need to replace the basic things like some bearings as well as the brakes fluid, or even you will have to make a proper brake maintenance. So change the calipers and change all the O rings and everything related to the brake pump and the brake pads. So yeah, I believe those are the first major maintenance checks you will have to do. But then, of course, the engine, if you buy a full go kart, including the engine, then you would have to check whether the engine needs a new piston again, a new maintenance check, and maybe needs a new piston ring, etc.

Who should buy new go karts instead of used?

I feel like who’s got enough disposable income to spend on a new kart should definitely go for it, especially because you got total peace of mind that you start from a blank sheet and you’re not dragging all of those specific components and accessories that may be about to give up less, let’s say, and make your track days less exciting and more frustrating, I would say. So, yeah, I mean, if you got quite a lot of money saved up and you feel like going for proper shot at karting, you should go for a new kart, especially if you’re planning to use it for a long, long time, if you’re just testing the water and trying to see if you actually like it, then I think it’s not needed to get a new kart. You should go for a used one. But again, only if you’re very committed and you feel like that chassis brand is the best, and you feel like that’s the one you want to have. Then I would go with a with a new kart, if you don’t even know what brand or what category to use, or even if you like karting at all, then I wouldn’t go with a new kart. I think that’s a mistake, because you may get upset, you may get bored of it, or you may have to change the different brand of kart because you feel like that’s going to give you more performance. And so, yeah, that would be a waste. And you know, when you have a used kart, then it’s much more difficult to sell it than a kart that is almost brand new. So you’re going to be left holding the bag in a way. And yeah, it may take you more time to sell it before buying any.

Who should buy a used kart?

I think that anyone who’s not quite sure about the chassis brand, they are exciting to, let’s say, marry in a way. If you’re not quite sure about the chassis brand, you just want to test one of those different chassis. You can go for a used chassis instead of spending the full amount, which could be like 4000 4500 euros. You can just get yourself for 2000 a test and understand, okay, do I want to continue to drive with this chassis? Do I really like this chassis, or do I want to change this to another brand? Okay, so for sure, you reduce the risk and and then you allow yourself the chance to to purchase a different chassis brand if you want to later down the road. So if you are not sure about the chassis brand, you can go for used kart. If you’re not sure at all about karting and you just want to test it out. Well, that’s for sure, better decision than to go for a used kart, so that it’s just a minor risk, a minor investment, compared to buying a brand new kart. And maybe you go to the track a few times, then you’d decide to that you actually don’t like it, and maybe you you want to sell it, but I think you’re gonna like it because, uh, who doesn’t like karting? I mean, it’s it’s pure adrenaline, it’s pure passion and obsession. So yeah, I don’t think you will not like it. But anyways, I think that if you are still not sure whether you want to do it or not, because maybe, again, it’s also time commitment, a financial commitment, if you are unsure, I would go with a used kart rather than a new one. If you are fully committed and you’re ready to go all in, I would go for a new kart instead. Also, if you just care about doing club races and you know, nothing too complicated, nothing too competitive, perhaps at the local event or a just national level, you can go for a used kart. But of course, if you plan to compete at the high level and international races, then you need to go for a new kart. Because, of course, the level is so high, you cannot expect to fight for the top positions with a used kart. I mean, of course, there’s still a chance. But yes, it’s much more unlikely because the margins are so close, and if you just give out just 1/10 or two tenths because your kart is worn out and not performing compared to any brand new karts, well then of course, you are going to start with a gap already.

How much performance difference exists between used and new karts?

It’s difficult to quantify exactly. It depends from track to track, and obviously it depends a lot from the kart mileage. So of course, if the used kart has 1000 kilometers, or it has 10,000 kilometers, or it has of course, 50,000 kilometers, you can probably agree that the difference is going to be quite large. But of course, if the kart has only done one race from when he was new. So you know, if the kart has only one race, it’s not going to be any slower than a brand new kart. Of course, the more races you do, the more mileage you put on the kart, the bigger the difference starts to become. It’s very hard to track. There is no formula that can say that. It’s all based on assumptions and experience, but I can guess that, yeah. I mean, after a certain amount of mileage, you start to lose half a 10th, then be another half a 10th, then another half a 10th, because the tube loses the rigidity, it loses the flexibility, and so it starts to become a little bit less grippy, and I would say, a little bit less reactive, and, yeah, just worse performance overall. But yeah, I can suggest that normally, after, I don’t know, a full year, full season of karting, the used kart may start to do is like one, 210s compared to the brand new karts in a kz kart shifter in a track like, I don’t know, Sarno, but of course, if you drive with different karts, it may be less or maybe more. I cannot say exactly. It’s very hard to track and very hard to guess.

Should engine condition matter more than chassis?

Yes, engine, of course, matters a lot as well. You cannot neglect that. Of course, if the engine is not rebuilt, and it’s not a race engine, and you know, you’re lacking 10% horsepower compared to race engines of other drivers. I mean, there’s nothing you can really do on the chassis to kind of compensate that engine performance loss. So yeah, you want to be perfect from both ends, both on the chassis and the engine side. When you go racing, obviously, if you have a low performing kart, it’s probably going to be both due to the chassis and to the engine. So of course, if you have a used chassis again, you cannot compensate that with a with a poor engine. Equally, if you have a poor engine, you cannot compensate with the brand new chassis. You may still have to find the lap time in the engine. So yeah, at the end of the day, you really need to have both to be maxed out if you wanted to perform at the really high levels internationally.

If you had 5k today, what would you buy?

If I had 5k I would probably go and look for the best chassis brand for the specific category that I am going to take part in. For example, if it’s a shifter, I’ll take a SoDI. If it’s a juniors or seniors kart, I will go either with OTK or I would go with Tony Kart slash pyrene. If I go for a mini kart, I’ll go for Parolin. I would buy a brand new kart. Yes, definitely. And I would try to get a better deal and a discount from the reseller. Perhaps I’ll try to get him some referral customers so that they can give me a cheaper deal. But at the end of the day, yes, I will probably have to pay somewhere around 3500 4000 euros for the for the kart, complete kart alone. And then, of course, I’ll have to pay at least 1.5 to 2000 euros more just for the engine, some cases even 3000 but the engine, to be honest, I would not recommend you to to buy a new one. You can always go and get a used engine. To be honest, I feel that you lose less performance with a used engine than you do with a used chassis. So you can go for a used engine at the end of the day in the race, I highly encourage you to get a race engine rented from proper tuner so you can just use your own engine just for testing days, which I’ve been doing it all my career. And then when you go to the races, you just rent a proper engine for a proper tuner. That’s what I would do if I had to spend 5000 euros a day. That would be my strategy, and that’s pretty much what I did recently as well.

So there’s no one size fits all. Everyone is in different situations. So in some cases, some drivers will have the benefit of going for a used kart. Especially if they want to test the water and try to see if that specific chassis brand and whether even karting is their thing. But if you’re fully committed, you know exactly what chassis to get. You are willing to do international races at a really high level, then I would suggest you to go for a brand new kart so that you are going to just get a better performance in general, especially after a few races, compared to a used kart, that it starts to get worse and worse. A new kart actually starts to get good, I would say, after the first race. But again, it’s not a rule of thumb. That’s a bit what I’ve just experienced and lot of drivers experience the same. So yeah, I can say so, but it’s not the law. That’s not always going to be anyways. I hope this guide was useful. Remember, for most beginners, you want to be smart buying the kart that fits your needs either used or new you don’t necessarily have to go with a new kart, so yeah, just choose wisely and feel free to ask some questions. I hope this was helpful. If you need any online remote coaching, please apply for our remote coaching service at send it, or you can apply to the six months training program.