Hey can someone here run a carfax on a go kart for me?

"Jeff-God-of-Biscuits" (Jeff-God-of-Biscuits)
02/27/2014 at 11:39 • Filed to: None

Uhm, I realize it doesn't have a VIN, and they barely track production, let alone statistics..... Okay, I am just kidding about that part. But I am taking my son out to look at a used kart this afternoon. What should I look for, are there any typical go kart related fatal flaws that should make me walk away the minute I see them? I dont have any exact model, but I have been told that it's a Manco Dingo of some flavor. I think it has front springs on the wheels, but no true suspension. It does have the rollover cage. New-ish HF predator motor, rear tires look good, though the fronts are apparently due for replacement in the near future. Asking $250 Opinions? I will try to get a pic in from my phone... Though near as I can tell, it seems to be this model...

DISCUSSION (24)

Mattbob > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
02/27/2014 at 11:45

those look like dirt tires/tread... Without a suspension... I don't understand what this thing is designed for.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
02/27/2014 at 11:46

250 is cheap enough that you practically can't go wrong, unless you see frame cracks or other obvious signs of abuse.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Mattbob
02/27/2014 at 11:48

I think the theory is that with the big puffy tires, they act as a "pneumatic suspension" of sorts. think of it as awd vs 4wd.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > vdub_nut: scooter snob
02/27/2014 at 11:49

Kinds were I am at, but I never owned a go kart, and I don't have the experience on what I am looking at.

Kailand09 > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
02/27/2014 at 11:52

I'd say check if it uses a torque converter as it will perform way better.

250 ain't bad at all.

Not much else to check for after what you listed.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > Mattbob
02/27/2014 at 11:52

fields. It's also low to the ground, so deep mud etc is off the table.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Kailand09
02/27/2014 at 11:53

Torque converter, solid axle. That much I do know

Mercedes Streeter > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
02/27/2014 at 11:53

NP. Offroad go karts aren't cheap new and that one looks like it's in quite good condition!

offroadkarter > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
02/27/2014 at 11:57

I hope you are in the north east because I have two I could sell you.

The dingo is just your basic go kart. IIRC it is front suspension only, and probably a 5hp motor with a centrifugal clutch setup (or is it a torque converter? Its been a while, I think this would have a torque converter since its bigger). Not to much to talk about.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Mercedes Streeter
02/27/2014 at 11:57

It's not that kart, but I believe that it is the same model as the one pictured.

puddler > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
02/27/2014 at 11:58

steering, axles, bearing, oil...

i dig it. 250 looks like a killer deal.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > offroadkarter
02/27/2014 at 12:01

dc area.... I would only need one.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > puddler
02/27/2014 at 12:02

just the general go to stuff then... Like I said, I didn't know if there were any specific inspections that needed to be done for them

offroadkarter > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
02/27/2014 at 12:03

I mean I have one of two lol, the one I have in mind would probably be better since it needs no work and its more basic

I have a 2004 manco 906C, full suspension and a 6.5hp robin subaru engine (its like a rally car!).

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > offroadkarter
02/27/2014 at 12:06

Sounds awesome for a nearly 10 year old!!! How much? Talk about being hero dad....

offroadkarter > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
02/27/2014 at 12:13

I'd like to get 600 for it, a bit more than a dingo but its a bit more of a kart. I also put 4 full hydraulic shocks on it (comes with the stock mechanical shocks to).

picture

kinja is gonna be a fucking asshole trying to post a pic again

Mercedes Streeter > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
02/27/2014 at 12:13

Oh shite, the problems of skimming instead of fully reading the whole thing.

My brother had a Manco Dingo about 10 years ago (I had a Manco Critter two seater). My Critter was much faster than his Dingo, but the Dingo was unstoppable.

My Critter's engine suffered a cracked engine block four years after I got it. I hit some metal shard in a field and it somehow pierced the block.

My brother's Dingo lived forever, we eventually sold it some 6 years after getting it.

Both karts had a full rollcage and if I remember correctly, 5 hp.

The only problem I remember about the Dingo, was that the front wheels rubbed on the thick foam padding that was wrapped around the rollcage.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > Mercedes Streeter
02/27/2014 at 12:15

Good to know...

Mercedes Streeter > Mattbob
02/27/2014 at 12:16

My brother had a Dingo when I was a kid. Damn thing was crazy bouncy thanks to the lack of a rear suspension. But those rear tyres (things are thicker than many cars) made the thing practically unstoppable...even in mud...

However, the thing was godawful slow...even for a 5hp kart...

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > offroadkarter
02/27/2014 at 12:17

Wow, that looks fantastic... Sadly, our budget is right about 250. I dig the yellow, reminds me of the Spa Yellow on my S.

offroadkarter > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
02/27/2014 at 12:19

Well the dingo will work for your needs either way, a friend of mine had one of those for a while. IIRC, manco is still in business

puddler > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
02/27/2014 at 23:59

so, how was it?

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > puddler
02/28/2014 at 01:04

bastard sold it this afternoon to a guy he worked with; called me literally 10 minutes before I walked out the door. Real fun telling my 9 yr old that J**f the jerk sold his kart out from under him. Felt so bad for him... But, we are going to look at a different kart this weekend, and hopefully it will work out better.

puddler > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
02/28/2014 at 02:21

bummer. those people don't deserve your money anyway.

good luck with finding something cool.

inspiration:

Kinja'd!!!