http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ole-26239.html
I went with the enclosed wheels option. Not because I was convinced it was better, but so it would provide side by side seating. If it were not side by side then the design might follow your idea. My vehicle will weigh about 1100 pounds with similar mileage and horsepower amounts. Had your weight specifications been crucial I might have chosen the same option as yourself, but the additional concern for me was crashworthiness.
regards
Mech