G32s -are they any good? :)
Discussion
Hehe, well I sit in the middle ground - I wouldn't say they're the best lookign car, but perfectly palatable if you're getting elise chasing performance for say, £2k! Plus, I've only ever seen one in the and it looked a lot better than the photos.
Of course, if I wanted to be really contraversial I could ask about the 'square shaped' front engined cars (G.....) cortina based I seem to remember with either crossflows or V8s in them! From memory they make the second hand G32s look expensive! Anyone driven one?
Of course, if I wanted to be really contraversial I could ask about the 'square shaped' front engined cars (G.....) cortina based I seem to remember with either crossflows or V8s in them! From memory they make the second hand G32s look expensive! Anyone driven one?
We had both G26 and G31 - both cost less than £5K to build when they were new (1986 and 1988), and the G32 won Best in Class at the Sandown Park Kitcar Show. They were both probably the most reliable cars we have ever owned (thank Mr. Ford for that), and were probably the best-looking Ford Cortinas you ever saw. As for handling, well - have you ever driven a Ford Cortina/Taunus? I can tell you that the Ginettas were better, but nothing like a rear-drive Ford Escort - the chassis really needed a five-linked back axle rather than the standard Cortina set-up, which was better suited to a minicab than a sports car...
Speak to a convertible owner first - cutting the top off a car designed to have a roof rarely improves the handling! I would go for a coupe personally, especiaklly as most had a very big 'tilt and slide' sunroof fitted as standard.
Then dump the CVH in the skip and fit a Zetec, either 1800 or 2000, you takes your choice (we were advised that the 1800 is more free-revving) The Duratec won't fit, as the exhaust and induction are on the wrong side.
I would also suggest that you fit an LSD while the box is out.
Then dump the CVH in the skip and fit a Zetec, either 1800 or 2000, you takes your choice (we were advised that the 1800 is more free-revving) The Duratec won't fit, as the exhaust and induction are on the wrong side.
I would also suggest that you fit an LSD while the box is out.
g4addicted said:
As for ther boot - don't put your shopping in it. It gets quite warm back there in the luggage compartment...
Mmmm, ice cream.
Hmmm, thought someone said the body was non structural on those? To be fair they seem to be rare even compared to the G32 coupes and even less likely to keep the water out! The car does appeal though.
Despite being reasonably mechanically minded I don't really have the space, equipment or hands on experience to do an engine transplant, so I think I'd keep my eyes open for one done by somebody else!! Preferably Ginetta....
GTRene said:
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
That's mine! As you say, a real bargain. I've bought a TVR Chimaera and my first intention was to keep both, the Tiv for summer and the G32 for winter but in the end I used the Chim throughout the year. Insurance is about 40% for that of the Chim despite the performance under about 80mph being more or less the same.
The G32 has been very reliable apart from a defective waterpump bearing that just been replaced. The 1.9 engine is remarkably good but the 1.6 can be fun as well, although not, perhaps, on the open road.
The car is very pointy. Get the front wheels going in the right direction and press the accelerator. Just my level of subtlty. Ultimate grip is tremendous. On the way back from Le Mans I made a mess of a corner yet the car went on and on gripping. It's the Walklett's crowning glory.
We (I share the car with my son) have never had problems with overheating before the water pump decided to give up the ghost, this despite M25 traffic jams. The only problem can be the heat from the engine coming up out of the air vent, but close your window and it's gone. It's on the original starter and generator so underbonnet heat can't be much of a problem.
Not the easiest car in the world to work on, but that said, we haven't done much to it.
It really is tremendous fun to drive. Makes you feel as if you are a good driver. I reckon they are a bargain but, as I'm selling one, I'm bound to.
My son's just bought a house so he needs the money.
www.nzoz.co.uk
Derek
Edited by Derek Smith on Monday 16th October 19:41
Derek Smith said:
GTRene said:
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
That's mine! As you say, a real bargain. I've bought a TVR Chimaera and my first intention was to keep both, the Tiv for summer and the G32 for winter but in the end I used the Chim throughout the year. Insurance is about 40% for that of the Chim despite the performance under about 80mph being more or less the same.
The G32 has been very reliable apart from a defective waterpump bearing that just been replaced. The 1.9 engine is remarkably good but the 1.6 can be fun as well, although not, perhaps, on the open road.
The car is very pointy. Get the front wheels going in the right direction and press the accelerator. Just my level of subtlty. Ultimate grip is tremendous. On the way back from Le Mans I made a mess of a corner yet the car went on and on gripping. It's the Walklett's crowning glory.
We (I share the car with my son) have never had problems with overheating before the water pump decided to give up the ghost, this despite M25 traffic jams. The only problem can be the heat from the engine coming up out of the air vent, but close your window and it's gone. It's on the original starter and generator so underbonnet heat can't be much of a problem.
Not the easiest car in the world to work on, but that said, we haven't done much to it.
It really is tremendous fun to drive. Makes you feel as if you are a good driver. I reckon they are a bargain but, as I'm selling one, I'm bound to.
My son's just bought a house so he needs the money.
www.nzoz.co.uk
Derek
Edited by Derek Smith on Monday 16th October 19:41
Sorry, my appologies to the Ginetta people
Wasn't the G27 available as a kit?? (kind of a bit off topic, anway...)
If I had another thousand pounds in my bank account I'd be giving you a call Dereck. Let me know if the car is still available in a few pay cheques time
MTv Dave said:
Derek - what kind of pace does your car have at b-road speeds (0-60, 40-80 and conering ability) compared to, say a spec'ed up Elise, or your Griff?
I may have to change my car sooner than I wanted and I must say, I'm pretty tempted by yours.
I may have to change my car sooner than I wanted and I must say, I'm pretty tempted by yours.
The G32 is at its best on B and unclassified roads. I reckon that there's little to choose between my 4 litre Chim and the G32 on such routes. That said, the TVR is much more comfortable and, given a significant straight, would pull away without problem. They are entirely different cars. Nice though the standard Elise is, I'd expect to be able to stay with it in the G32. As for cornering, ultimate grip is extremely high. I've not lost it and I've cocked up the occasional corner, unfortunately. I've got Continentals on the back and they are superb. Following advice, I'd taken two degrees of tow-in off the back wheels as this gives a bit of feedback near the limit.
We've got a fast road cam and when it gets to around 3500 revs, the driver's face lights up. It really is impressive. It's still reasonable at under that although the tick-over can be a bit lumpy. Small price to pay. You have to be a bit careful when accelerating hard with the steering wheel not centralised, although not as much as my Chim. The Contis are great in the wet but I must admit to not being brave enough to go silly when it rains.
In talking to my son, he's told me of two instances when the car did break down: fan belt problem and a defective water pump, both with the 1.6 engine. The fan belt was extremely difficult to adjust, so I would assume the same source for both. Over- and under-tightening probably. So, I stand corrected. No totally reliable. Not quite.
I've just sold my G32. Despite having money in my poocket, I'm not really that happy. It is a shame to see it go, although it seems the new owner is an enthusiast.
To anyone else considering buying one, go for it. They are a bargain. Cheap to service, insure, repair and own. Fun to drive and, with the 1.9, faster than it needs to be. It's comfortable for me at 6'3" and, should you be smaller, there's lots of adjustment. There's sufficient luggage space.
Shame it's gone.
Derek
To anyone else considering buying one, go for it. They are a bargain. Cheap to service, insure, repair and own. Fun to drive and, with the 1.9, faster than it needs to be. It's comfortable for me at 6'3" and, should you be smaller, there's lots of adjustment. There's sufficient luggage space.
Shame it's gone.
Derek
Derek Smith said:
I've just sold my G32. Despite having money in my poocket, I'm not really that happy. It is a shame to see it go, although it seems the new owner is an enthusiast.
To anyone else considering buying one, go for it. They are a bargain. Cheap to service, insure, repair and own. Fun to drive and, with the 1.9, faster than it needs to be. It's comfortable for me at 6'3" and, should you be smaller, there's lots of adjustment. There's sufficient luggage space.
Shame it's gone.
Derek
To anyone else considering buying one, go for it. They are a bargain. Cheap to service, insure, repair and own. Fun to drive and, with the 1.9, faster than it needs to be. It's comfortable for me at 6'3" and, should you be smaller, there's lots of adjustment. There's sufficient luggage space.
Shame it's gone.
Derek
My thoughts exactly - in the nicest possible way, I was hoping you'd have problems shifting it until I had two grand to spare
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