Used Vs New Kart: What To Buy First

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.

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 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.

When you want to 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.

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
• All of the accessories that are related with friction coefficient
• Bearing cages
• Rims

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 CIK FIA.

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.

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 following components need frequent replacement:

• Bearings — the number one thing that has to be replaced
• The axle
• Stub axles and all the bearings that are dealing with those frictions
• The hangers, which are also called as the bearing cage — going to have to be replaced quite often, because, yes, they’re going to wear out and lose the flexibility
• 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?

The major hidden costs for buying a used kart are all of the maintenance related to the kart. Perhaps you will need to replace the following:

• Basic things like some bearings
• Brake fluid
• Proper brake maintenance — 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