why do owners sell with such low mileage

[malky1965]

Hi, I have joined your forum as I am thinking of building an Ultima but I have slight concerns that there are many for sale with very low mileage, ie; 700, 900, 1300 etc etc.
Why would you spend all that time and money building it to have so little time driving it?
Are they not good to drive except on the track? Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks
Malky

[barriejames]

They are not daily drivers that is for sure and to be honest I would not be put off by low miles that is a buyers gain!! Some people build these cars for the end result not so much to use all the time. I almost fit into this latter group, but will hopefully not be selling on, but can understand why some do. It is a big financial undertaking also, so I would guess lots need to recover some money. One thing for sure, these cars are not being sold on for profit once built. But I would say book yourself a trip to the factory, and don't be concerned about low mileage cars for sale, there is nothing quite like these cars on the road when you weigh up the options.!!

Edited by barriejames on Monday 22 June 21:56

[Corsair613]

As has been said, some enjoy building more than driving and some need to get the cash out of the car. I suspect that others, though, have seriously miscalculated on both the driving and ownership experiences.

Driving and owning an Ultima is not at all like having a modern supercar; it's far more akin to a race car of, say, mid-80s vintage with some very minor creature comforts (and turn signals). It's loud, it's relatively bare-bones inside, and it has absolutely zero idiot proofing. The best part about the Ultima (and my favorite airplanes, for that matter) is that it'll do exactly what you tell it. The worst part is that it'll do exactly what you tell it. GIGO, so to speak.

I'm sure there's a significant subset who've either scared themselves in the car or decided they'd rather have something more modern and comfortable (Porsche, Ferrari, etc.) or both. Nothing wrong with that at all and each case is a likely win for some lucky buyer.

I don't anticipate selling my GTR until my Evo is done…

Ken

[malky1965]

If I decide to go ahead I want to build my own for the satisfaction value, I was not concerned about buying a low mileage car, I was just curious that maybe they did not live up to owners expectations with possibly giving problems regularly.

Thanks for your reply
Malky

[Storer]

These cars do need some attention on a reasonably regular basis. Usually only minor fettling but if you have built it is normally something you can do yourself for peanuts. Many 'fixes' are also known as 'improvements' or 'upgrades'.

Regarding the low mileage. Many want the build experience but need the cash back but some find them more than they can handle. These cars have a performance level that some find just plain scary. No driver aids or nannying electronics can see the unwary sideways in the blink of an eye if they do not read conditions carefully.

You are talking about a car with hypercar performance but without ABS, TC, Air bags, etc. etc.

Think of an Ultima as a hobby you can drive (if you have large spherical objects!!) and you won't go far wrong.


Paul

[Nabbott]

Speaking from experience of buying a low mileage car - 650 miles in 12 years!!!! You have to go into these things with your eyes wide open (same as you do if you're planning to build one).

My particular car, whilst 'finished' was rendered pretty much un-driveable due to the chosen spec ("I want the ultimate track weapon, with as much BHP as a NA SBC can produce"), thus I've spent the last 18 months re-configuring, re-designing and messing about with it so I can drive it properly! If you're planning on building one yourself consider the drivability and 'practicality' of your choices very carefully.

Consequently I think a number of cars get moved on either because people realise that the fun was in building them OR they don't have the energy to resolve the last 5-10% of post build niggles that spoil the driveability.... my 2 cents any way :smile:

[deadscoob]

I think it could be easy to miscalculate what you want the end result to be, as highlighted by Nabbotts post. It's easy to convince yourself you "need" 700+ hp (I think anyway )

A sub 500hp engined car is faster than most on the road, a slightly tuned LS3 or 7 is a bit nuts, anything supercharged is plain mental. But in a good way imo, if you build one think carefully about what you want the end result to be, then plan the build around it.

For me, my main enjoyment is on track, I love it and it's phenomenal, the build experience was great and if I had the opportunity Id build another. Every road trip is an event, but in my case can be a little like a roller coaster due to the way I've set it up for trackdays. I can't think of anything I would replace it with that I can actually afford.

[Racingroj]

When you step into the Ultima world you are at the bottom of the learning curve like I was just over 12 months ago. Having gone on permanent vacation I decided I wanted to build an Ultima having raced for 20 years or more and had a list of the nuttiest road cars you could imagine. I came on the forum and did what you have done and asked questions and advice. The guys on here are very knowledgeable having in the most part lived with their cars for years. In my case from a financial point of view all advised me to buy a professionally built used one with a fuel injected engine. That is what I did and apart from making a few changes for personal taste and handling I am very happy I went that route. I would still like to build one but if I do it will be a completely different build than if I hadn't already owned one.
There will be a large gathering of owners at the Silverstone Classic, I suggest you get yourself down there and talk to as many as you can.
Roj

[jmwram]

hi Roj you can't just leave it there??? how different would your new build be [what engine gearbox body mods etc etc ] would you do and why,with your 20 years of racing you must have thought of some changes and would it be for performance or drive-ability resons or asthetics even ??? regards--john

[BogBeast]

Storer said:

...

Think of an Ultima as a hobby you can drive (if you have large spherical objects!!) and you won't go far wrong.

+1

[malky1965]

Thanks to all for your advice, I would probably go down the build route rather than buy a built one for the simple reason that I could not justify the massive outlay all at once on a toy as I am just an average working guy,
I could on the other hand build it over a couple of years to spread the cost. I would probably just use it for weekend drives and car shows but I do want to be able to drive it around town, in traffic etc without feeling it needs to be red lined to run properly. I already have a few toys so her indoors don't realy understand why I would like another.
I already have a Jaguar e type V12 roadster , Jaguar e type V12 fixed head coupe, Jaguar 3.8 Mk2, and a few motorbikes.
I am an Aircraft Engineer so I would find building it enjoyable ( I think ) so that is one of the main reasons to go for the kit format.
What do you think of the LS3 575bhp for what I am looking for?

Thanks
Malky

[drivin_me_nuts]

My build is a WIP ( coming to an end soon(ish) ) It has a 540 bhp LS3. I think it will be plenty. Make it driveable.

[renmure]

I came at it from the opposite end of the spectrum.

No interest (certainly combined with no ability) in building one so last year ended up buying a "high mileage" 2006 car with a whole 18,000 miles on the clock, which really works out at about 2k miles / year. Part of the thinking was that most (all?) of the niggles would have been ironed out. As it happens, I have owned it for about 9 months and covered nearly 3k miles. I actually drove mine on a round trip of 140 miles today.... to go for an ice-cream sundae!!

[malky1965]

renmure said:

I came at it from the opposite end of the spectrum.

No interest (certainly combined with no ability) in building one so last year ended up buying a "high mileage" 2006 car with a whole 18,000 miles on the clock, which really works out at about 2k miles / year. Part of the thinking was that most (all?) of the niggles would have been ironed out. As it happens, I have owned it for about 9 months and covered nearly 3k miles. I actually drove mine on a round trip of 140 miles today.... to go for an ice-cream sundae!!

I love that attitude, 140 miles for ice cream LOL. Thats how I would like to use the car, not as a daily driver but rack up some miles at the weekend. Can you have a conversation with your passenger as I am reading they are very loud?

Malky

[BogBeast]

malky1965 said:

Thanks to all for your advice, I would probably go down the build route rather than buy a built one for the simple reason that I could not justify the massive outlay all at once on a toy as I am just an average working guy,
I could on the other hand build it over a couple of years to spread the cost. I would probably just use it for weekend drives and car shows but I do want to be able to drive it around town, in traffic etc without feeling it needs to be red lined to run properly. I already have a few toys so her indoors don't realy understand why I would like another.
I already have a Jaguar e type V12 roadster , Jaguar e type V12 fixed head coupe, Jaguar 3.8 Mk2, and a few motorbikes.
I am an Aircraft Engineer so I would find building it enjoyable ( I think ) so that is one of the main reasons to go for the kit format.
What do you think of the LS3 575bhp for what I am looking for?

Thanks
Malky

I approached the build of my sport in a very similar more than a few years in the end. I simply didn't have the money to drop on the entire kit at once and it took some time to locate a good gearbox for sensible money (£1100 back then !!). I really did enjoy the process of the build and found so satisfying that I would build another at a drop of a hat (... and a large wedge of cash..).

I would not discount the good old SBC if cost is an issue. A well built engine is plenty reliable if not as efficient as an LS and a doddle to install, setup and maintain (I rebuilt mine as part of my build - learnt alot..). You wouldn't need an american speed engine, as far as I understand, for SVA you only need a 'new' engine (stand to be corrected) which can be bought locally fairly cheaply. SVA it then go nuts, you with a bit of effort SBC's can turn 600hp. I am plotting demise of my stinky Holley. Not because I have to, but because I feel a project coming on To that end, if I were building again with a SBC I would make the fuel system more suitable/ready for fuel injection.

Edited to add: nice set of cars BTW! don't know man average working men with a garage load of Jaguars

Edited by BogBeast on Wednesday 24th June 10:44

[malky1965]

BogBeast said:

Edited to add: nice set of cars BTW! don't know man average working men with a garage load of Jaguars

Edited by BogBeast on Wednesday 24th June 10:44

LOL, Honestly, I am just an average working man with a decent job, my two e types are imports from Arizona so much cheaper and rust free but not minters and my MK2 is average, all bought over a number of years.

Oh, Did I mention I am divorced and not married to my current partner as she said ( if we get married you will need to stop spending )
Silly woman,
No marriage there then LOL, but I do have more freedom than most to buy things but I still like to ask her opinion from time to time.

Regards
Malky