Sam, Many will say Rotax is dead or going to be dead and to go X30. If you are looking to run in MSA with new kit for the next few years then maybe X30 is the best bet. If not and are looking for something cheap to run in maybe NON MSA, go Rotax, make sure you pick up an engine and all ancillaries you want as a package. If you search around you should get a low hours from last rebuild for about£800. Rebuilds are expensive so better to buy something with lows hours from the last full (not just top end) rebuild. With X30 taking over and the new rotax evo the used Rotax market is a bit stagnant at the moment or there are many engines available so you can pick an choose. Make sure you get an post 09 engine and barrel or at least the later clutch the drum is a solid drum rather than a drum with holes in which is the earlier clutch. You should pick up a chassis worth having for about £500 - a 2012 OTK (original tony kart) the most common but best chassis to set up and drive fast. IF OTK check in front of the rear bearing carriers the chassis tends to crack here first after a lot of use and abuse, also check around the front yokes if the chassis gets a big hit here on kerbs or a crash it can crack here too. OTK are not prone to cracking - just they tend to crack in those places first. As the new 401 OTK is out and many will be getting a new one for the summer season, people are off loading 2013 and 2014 chassis for about £800, worth having if you can afford it. OTK cover Tonykart, Kosmic, Exprit, Alonso they are all exactly the same just a different colour / graphics. You might get a non OTK chassis with an earlier Rotax engine with limited history - rebuild etc for about £1000, but if you can go to £1500 you will get much more for your money. Min. just to get a running lart with engine would be about £750. At £750 or £1000 they are unlikely to be MSA legal, but if you are a newbie I wouldn't recommend going MSA to start with anyway - do NON MSA, get a feel for it and if you want go onto MSA. Many circuits / clubs will run both non MSA and MSA. Unless you run a fast 4 stroke (biland etc.) you will find 2 stroke much faster but harder to drive well, but that's more fun! Better to go to where you will race for a couple of meeting and have a good chat to a few people and then make up your mind on what to go for.
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