RE: Ginetta G4
Discussion
Graham, I think the current economic climate and the 2nd hand market offer the enthusiast bargains to be had. I just bought a Radical Clubsport for under 10K. However the ex-works Ginetta G4 offers superb value at under £16000. I suspect with all these pretenders coming on the market, their 2nd hand value will crash; I refer mainly to the one from overseas! The G4R is a classic and will be always sought.
James
James
fizz said: B19Grr, let us know your impression of the G4 vs. its competition. Like to know your thoughts...
Hi fizz,
Exactly which competition did you have in mind? Lotus Elise, Ginetta G27, SSC Stylus, Fisher Fury, GTM Libra/Spyder, Tiger Storm, Leading Edge RT240? As you can see, there's a bit of a choice!
During the 1960's and early 1970's Ginetta under Bob Walklett were rivals of Lotus. The G15 was a fully type approved car which was outstanding on the road as well as the track. Howard Jones is still racing a 1968 G4 in the 750MC roadsports series. There is a new G4 book to be published by Bookmarque soon.
James
James
Hi fizz,
Exactly which competition did you have in mind? Lotus Elise, Ginetta G27, SSC Stylus, Fisher Fury, GTM Libra/Spyder, Tiger Storm, Leading Edge RT240? As you can see, there's a bit of a choice!
Well the competition I'm considering is the VX220 and the S2 Elise. Had the VX last weekend and have the Elise this weekend. To be honest the Ginetta is the rank outsider of the trio as I'm really looking for something I can live with on a roughly day to day basis and having read your review I'm aware of the possible practical issues involved with the G4 but there's just something about it that I find appealing. I'll just have to find one to have a go in before I can give it the thumbs up or down - for my ownership that is, the fact the car exists still is great as far as I'm concerned.
As far as the VX and Elise comparison is going, I was impressed with the VX, great handling, good, solid engine giving very smooth power delivery and strong brakes only let down by over sensitive ABS. However I love the Elise. I find the driving experience much more involving, the engine - I'm surprised to say - giving every bit as much punch as the VX's. Handles pretty much the same although the suspension set up is much harder so it bangs around rough roads more.
Stylistically (have I just made that word up?!) I have to say I prefer the look of the Lotus but I do like the VX design, obvious links to the still born M250. The interior of the Elise is much better though, the VX being pretty much the same as the S1 Elise. The ergonomics of the S2 Elise have been improved - I can actually see all of the speedo and rev dials!!!
It has to be said the VX boot is much bigger. I bought 2 new pillows today and they filled the Elise boot, summat up there surely
Obviously all this is very much my own personal opinion, the VX/Elise debate rages on and I don't wish to be part of that, I like both cars and definitely if I didn't have the budget for the Elise I would very happily take on a VX.
So now I've just got to try and get behind the wheel of a G4, there ain't that many up my end of the world it seems!
ps I also like the look of the Phantom Vortex GTR but £30k for a turnkey with not so great performance is a bit of a put of.
>> Edited by B19GRR on Saturday 25th January 23:05
>> Edited by B19GRR on Saturday 25th January 23:06
Hi B19GRR,
Apparently there is one G4 owner in Wales who does use his car everyday, so it's possible if you're keen enough.
Might also be worth you having a look at the GTM Libra/Spyder. Similar weight as Elise, same K Series engine but just a bit different. You'll find more info in the Road Tests section.
Apparently there is one G4 owner in Wales who does use his car everyday, so it's possible if you're keen enough.
Might also be worth you having a look at the GTM Libra/Spyder. Similar weight as Elise, same K Series engine but just a bit different. You'll find more info in the Road Tests section.
jamesc said: Graham, I think the current economic climate and the 2nd hand market offer the enthusiast bargains to be had. I just bought a Radical Clubsport for under 10K. However the ex-works Ginetta G4 offers superb value at under £16000. I suspect with all these pretenders coming on the market, their 2nd hand value will crash; I refer mainly to the one from overseas! The G4R is a classic and will be always sought.
James
I saw the factory demonstrator up for sale the other day on the Ginetta webs site for about £13,000. They are getting closer to my price bracket
Hi Cotty the G4R I have mentioned is not a standard car by any means. It is a wide bodied car built for racing. I don't think it has ever been registered for the road. Pictures of this fine car are on the DARE website. If the works demo is for sale; then you can buy 2 superb cars for £29,000. Now that is good value!
James
James
I owned a Dare G4 for 1 1/2 years and used it everyday in London, to get to work. Unfortunately i had to sell it a while ago. I now own a marcos and alpine gta. I have always been interested in a G12 though. I've constantly pestered Ivor about producing a road-going version.
Good News...! The latest i've heard is that a new G12 longer cockpit version that will pass SVA is in the pipeline. It will be a far more useable version of the traditional racing 12.
Hopefully a return to competition to pound some more elises is on the cards also.
Anyway, does anyone agree that there's more than a hint of G12 in lotus's successful elise? Or is it just me?
Good News...! The latest i've heard is that a new G12 longer cockpit version that will pass SVA is in the pipeline. It will be a far more useable version of the traditional racing 12.
Hopefully a return to competition to pound some more elises is on the cards also.
Anyway, does anyone agree that there's more than a hint of G12 in lotus's successful elise? Or is it just me?
I like the lines of the G12 a little better than the G4. A wide body G4 would look good but so would a wide body g12.
My impression was that if you want a g12 you can get it specially made or used perhaps. I hope to see some of these cars up close someday so I can really make a determination of looks. In the US that is tough. Any in *South* Florida or the midwest?
My impression was that if you want a g12 you can get it specially made or used perhaps. I hope to see some of these cars up close someday so I can really make a determination of looks. In the US that is tough. Any in *South* Florida or the midwest?
B19GRR,
I know it's a long trip, but Paul Stephens is really worht the effort to get to. His demonstrator (last time I had contact) was the standard 1.8 zetec. However, he does have a few on the go quite a lot.
He is only down the road from Dare, but Dare are asking people to talk to him over sales of cars, which leaves them to get on with making them, I guess
As for a day to day car, I think the G4 boot is bigger than the Elise's boot, but I couldn't say about the VX's boot.
The roof doesn't leak nearly as much as an Elise, and I don't care what anybody says, I've seen through 4 of them, they leaked, my friends leaked, they all leak.
The suspension isn't any harder than an Elise either, and it's fully adjustable sa standard, so you could soften it up if you needed to.
One small point is that there is NO spare wheel - keeps the weight down, and increases storage room.
Hope the drive goes / went well.
Dave
p.s. still can't find the video of Mark!!!
I know it's a long trip, but Paul Stephens is really worht the effort to get to. His demonstrator (last time I had contact) was the standard 1.8 zetec. However, he does have a few on the go quite a lot.
He is only down the road from Dare, but Dare are asking people to talk to him over sales of cars, which leaves them to get on with making them, I guess
As for a day to day car, I think the G4 boot is bigger than the Elise's boot, but I couldn't say about the VX's boot.
The roof doesn't leak nearly as much as an Elise, and I don't care what anybody says, I've seen through 4 of them, they leaked, my friends leaked, they all leak.
The suspension isn't any harder than an Elise either, and it's fully adjustable sa standard, so you could soften it up if you needed to.
One small point is that there is NO spare wheel - keeps the weight down, and increases storage room.
Hope the drive goes / went well.
Dave
p.s. still can't find the video of Mark!!!
Hi Dave,
I emailed Dare a few weeks back now and got a response from Ivor about a couple of queries I had. He also passed my email on to Paul Stephens saying that he'll contact me in due course. Not sure what due course is down south but I still haven't heard from them which has kinda annoyed me!
At the moment time is against me and I need to get a car before the end of March - evil tax reasons - so I'm not sure if I'll be able to go with the G4 this time round. Wouldn't mind testing one still but like you say it's a long way!
Any idea if they've got an indicator stalk yet or is it still a rocker switch? Bit of an iffy design there!!
cheers,
Rob
I emailed Dare a few weeks back now and got a response from Ivor about a couple of queries I had. He also passed my email on to Paul Stephens saying that he'll contact me in due course. Not sure what due course is down south but I still haven't heard from them which has kinda annoyed me!
At the moment time is against me and I need to get a car before the end of March - evil tax reasons - so I'm not sure if I'll be able to go with the G4 this time round. Wouldn't mind testing one still but like you say it's a long way!
Any idea if they've got an indicator stalk yet or is it still a rocker switch? Bit of an iffy design there!!
cheers,
Rob
Gassing Station | Ginetta | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff