G32s -are they any good? :)
Discussion
GTRene said:
I duno...they are indeed very "cheap" compared to other ginetta's maybe its the wedge shape and those popup headlights...?
Anyway for the money a bargain midengined sportscar?
Also, does anyone know what engine can be fitted besides a four pot? (standard 1.9 4cill I believe?)
GTRene
Anyway for the money a bargain midengined sportscar?
Also, does anyone know what engine can be fitted besides a four pot? (standard 1.9 4cill I believe?)
GTRene
I actually don't mind the XR2 engine. The one in my Quantum performed very nicely, admittedly after considerable modifications...
I like the classic G27 looks, but wouldn't object to a wedge shaped G32 if the rest of the car was ok (much the same as a TVR Tasmin...)
I sort of assumed that with the classic front engined cars having a reputation for twitchy handling, moving a majority of weight to the back could make for some interesting cornering characteristics? (but I may be wrong....) Also, don't know where the oarts came from, maybe theres a problem with spares or something?
I await a Ginetta expert to put me right on all of those
Hi Chris,
As you can tell from my id above I owned one of only two G32 turbos ever produced. Great little cars and I really have no idea why they're so cheap. I have a G27 and bought the G32 as an everyday Ginetta but soon found out that it didn't keep the weather out too well. Major leak paths for the rain were the front screen and the door seals. I eventually got rid and kept the G27 I built myself.
Parts are easy to source as most are standard Ford with a few minor exceptions like Triumph Dolomite top ball joints. Front springs, dampers and steering rack are also non Ford. The Ginetta Owners Club has masses of info about the technical spec of the cars including parts lists and some handling mods.
If it were me I'd steer clear of the 1.6 models. G32 are heavier than they look. The 1.9 is definitely the engine to go for.
Ignore anyone who says they're prone to overheating. As long as the cooling system has been bled properly this is not an issue. The cockpit can get a bit warm with the exhaust manifold just behind your left shoulder but its not beyond the wit of most men to fashion a heat shield.
As you can tell from my id above I owned one of only two G32 turbos ever produced. Great little cars and I really have no idea why they're so cheap. I have a G27 and bought the G32 as an everyday Ginetta but soon found out that it didn't keep the weather out too well. Major leak paths for the rain were the front screen and the door seals. I eventually got rid and kept the G27 I built myself.
Parts are easy to source as most are standard Ford with a few minor exceptions like Triumph Dolomite top ball joints. Front springs, dampers and steering rack are also non Ford. The Ginetta Owners Club has masses of info about the technical spec of the cars including parts lists and some handling mods.
If it were me I'd steer clear of the 1.6 models. G32 are heavier than they look. The 1.9 is definitely the engine to go for.
Ignore anyone who says they're prone to overheating. As long as the cooling system has been bled properly this is not an issue. The cockpit can get a bit warm with the exhaust manifold just behind your left shoulder but its not beyond the wit of most men to fashion a heat shield.
G32 is a v good car at the money it is currently fetching and bound to increase as years go by. Only the 3rd Ginetta ever 'properly' type-approved.
A few about that have done real miles ie 160,000+!
You can buy it's opponent the MR2 at a half the price or even a third, but lots of rot on them now and nobody will give it a second look, whereas the 32 will have them gathering round.
The most important factor not mentioned, above everything else if considering a G32, is it must be one with a GALVANISED chassis - if it ain't got one then avoid, unless v cheap.
A few about that have done real miles ie 160,000+!
You can buy it's opponent the MR2 at a half the price or even a third, but lots of rot on them now and nobody will give it a second look, whereas the 32 will have them gathering round.
The most important factor not mentioned, above everything else if considering a G32, is it must be one with a GALVANISED chassis - if it ain't got one then avoid, unless v cheap.
www.pistonheads.com/sales/97836.htm
a real bargain...you have to do something to make it better though, but even then its a bargain me thinks for the handy man/woman
GTRene
a real bargain...you have to do something to make it better though, but even then its a bargain me thinks for the handy man/woman
GTRene
The G32 is probably just about the most competent all-rounder that the Walkletts ever came up with, to the extent that it passed full Type Approval, prior to going into production. For the uninitiated, this means that it is arguable a lot tougher - and stronger - than most other specialist cars available today, which usually only go through some form of limited SVA process. Full Type Approval means the works - a full impact test, and all the other tests that Ford etc. need to take cars through, such as the one designed to prove that the heating and ventilation systems are functional and not just there for decoration...
Handling-wise, the G32 excels, and can be made to work really well as a hillclimb car if you get the weight down, particularly in the wet when the rear-end traction gives it a huge advantage over front-engined cars.
As for engines, go for a 1.9 if you can find one. However, we had the 1.9 CVH replaced with an 1800 Zetec, on full management and fuel injection. It was well worth it - the XR2 unit is an antique by comparison!
Handling-wise, the G32 excels, and can be made to work really well as a hillclimb car if you get the weight down, particularly in the wet when the rear-end traction gives it a huge advantage over front-engined cars.
As for engines, go for a 1.9 if you can find one. However, we had the 1.9 CVH replaced with an 1800 Zetec, on full management and fuel injection. It was well worth it - the XR2 unit is an antique by comparison!
Any idea how much they weigh? My 1.7 stage III CVH Quantum tipped the scales at about 800kg and performance was still a little pedestrian. Anyone know any rough performance figures (for the most common engine fit, say...)
I guessed it might be afflicted by the dreade 'low volume car door seals' but the most fun car I've ever had needed seat covers (well, bin bags!) to keep the rain water off where the hardtop leaked, so could live with that, particularly now I have the resources to consider something purely as a second car which I didn't at the time.....
Rear engined cars always give me vision of leary momentum-oversteer!! Are they reasonably docile, or would i be looking for somewhere with some run off?
I guessed it might be afflicted by the dreade 'low volume car door seals' but the most fun car I've ever had needed seat covers (well, bin bags!) to keep the rain water off where the hardtop leaked, so could live with that, particularly now I have the resources to consider something purely as a second car which I didn't at the time.....
Rear engined cars always give me vision of leary momentum-oversteer!! Are they reasonably docile, or would i be looking for somewhere with some run off?
Here's the G32 spec based on info from Ginetta brochures.
Length 12'4 Width 5'5 Height 46" W/base 87" Track 55" Weight 1660 lb (754 kg)
Fuel tank 10 gallons Boot 0.25 cubic metres
1.6 carb 96 BHP at 6000 1.6 inj 105-110 BHP at 6000 1.6 Turbo 132 BHP at 5750 1.9 inj 135 BHP at 6000
Max speed/0-60 1.6 Carb 120 mph 8.0 secs 1.6 Inj 128 mph 7.5 secs 1.6 Turbo 135 mph 6.8 secs
Tyre size 185-60 x 14 or 195-50 x 15
Length 12'4 Width 5'5 Height 46" W/base 87" Track 55" Weight 1660 lb (754 kg)
Fuel tank 10 gallons Boot 0.25 cubic metres
1.6 carb 96 BHP at 6000 1.6 inj 105-110 BHP at 6000 1.6 Turbo 132 BHP at 5750 1.9 inj 135 BHP at 6000
Max speed/0-60 1.6 Carb 120 mph 8.0 secs 1.6 Inj 128 mph 7.5 secs 1.6 Turbo 135 mph 6.8 secs
Tyre size 185-60 x 14 or 195-50 x 15
G-27 said:
Here's the G32 spec based on info from Ginetta brochures ...........Weight 1660 lb (754 kg) ...... 1.6 Turbo 135 mph 6.8 secs
Which brochure was this from? I can't remember the exact weight on the chassis plate but it was certainly a lot more tham 754kg, from memory it was nearer a tonne. As for a 6.8 secs 0-60 time .... in my dreams!
Yes the car handled brilliantly (even in standard trim) but it was never renowned for its speed out of the blocks. 70 - 100 times were good fun with the turbo though, when being tailgated on the M-Way.
edited due to pressing the submit button too early first time
Edited by g32turbo on Thursday 5th October 00:30
Chris71 said:
Rear engined cars always give me vision of leary momentum-oversteer!! Are they reasonably docile, or would i be looking for somewhere with some run off?
Every car has its limits but you'd really need to be doing something daft to get the back end to break away and not get it back in a G32.
G32turbo
The info was from an early G32 one page double sided brochure. On one side it shows two pictures of a white G32 plus a picture of the G29 sports 2000 car. The other side has the Witham address, a drawn side profile of the G32 and a full spec sheet. I can scan a copy for you if you like and email it to you.
The info was from an early G32 one page double sided brochure. On one side it shows two pictures of a white G32 plus a picture of the G29 sports 2000 car. The other side has the Witham address, a drawn side profile of the G32 and a full spec sheet. I can scan a copy for you if you like and email it to you.
Edited by G-27 on Thursday 5th October 19:33
bought that long time ago its somewhere between other carbooks.... I had one as a daily driver for four years and it was excellent. Handling was great but as with any mid engined car once the back-end went you had to be quick to catch it.
Mine was originally a 1.6CVH it was pretty slow, I've driven a 1.9CVH which was better, I eventually dropped a 2l Zetec in mine (probably the first road going one with this engine) running standard fuel injection. It transformed the car...did a very memorable trip to Le-Mans in convoy with an Elise 111. The G32 was evenly matched (with both cars two-up) to about 80mph but would then have the legs on the Elise after that. Economy massively improved too, CVH 26mpg, Zetec 40mpg+. However doing the engine conversion wasn't cheap, cost me around £1200 in total to install (including £600 for a low mileage Zetec - maybe cheaper these days). All those sudries add up, don't fool yourself - I did all the work myself so there is no labour in that figure.
I managed to cure the leaks that do habitually afflict these cars, but saying that it did take a while to find the solution. The boot is big (for this type of car) and you can fit an amazing amount in - in fact all my possesions during my university days! Loads of space inside too and easy to get into compared to an Elise. Look out for rust on the Fiesta sourced doors. Huge plus point is that they are unusual, I think only 130 were ever built so you're not likely to pass one going the other way.
Cheap as chips, practical, good handling, quickish, different and cheap kit car insurance....hmmm I'm tempting myself..
Mine was originally a 1.6CVH it was pretty slow, I've driven a 1.9CVH which was better, I eventually dropped a 2l Zetec in mine (probably the first road going one with this engine) running standard fuel injection. It transformed the car...did a very memorable trip to Le-Mans in convoy with an Elise 111. The G32 was evenly matched (with both cars two-up) to about 80mph but would then have the legs on the Elise after that. Economy massively improved too, CVH 26mpg, Zetec 40mpg+. However doing the engine conversion wasn't cheap, cost me around £1200 in total to install (including £600 for a low mileage Zetec - maybe cheaper these days). All those sudries add up, don't fool yourself - I did all the work myself so there is no labour in that figure.
I managed to cure the leaks that do habitually afflict these cars, but saying that it did take a while to find the solution. The boot is big (for this type of car) and you can fit an amazing amount in - in fact all my possesions during my university days! Loads of space inside too and easy to get into compared to an Elise. Look out for rust on the Fiesta sourced doors. Huge plus point is that they are unusual, I think only 130 were ever built so you're not likely to pass one going the other way.
Cheap as chips, practical, good handling, quickish, different and cheap kit car insurance....hmmm I'm tempting myself..
maybe a few people will throw stones on me now but:
the G32 is a totally ugly car, outside and inside, its near to vomit!!! a shame that ginetta felt so deep to built such cars.
the performance may-be ok, but the design? no way. nothing to compare to a wedge shaped car like the tvr tasmin or lotus eclat
so thats the answer to "why they are so cheap"!!
the G32 is a totally ugly car, outside and inside, its near to vomit!!! a shame that ginetta felt so deep to built such cars.
the performance may-be ok, but the design? no way. nothing to compare to a wedge shaped car like the tvr tasmin or lotus eclat
so thats the answer to "why they are so cheap"!!
micha said:
maybe a few people will throw stones on me now but:
the G32 is a totally ugly car, outside and inside, its near to vomit!!! a shame that ginetta felt so deep to built such cars.
the performance may-be ok, but the design? no way. nothing to compare to a wedge shaped car like the tvr tasmin or lotus eclat
so thats the answer to "why they are so cheap"!!
the G32 is a totally ugly car, outside and inside, its near to vomit!!! a shame that ginetta felt so deep to built such cars.
the performance may-be ok, but the design? no way. nothing to compare to a wedge shaped car like the tvr tasmin or lotus eclat
so thats the answer to "why they are so cheap"!!
Can't see your white stick in the photograph....
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