GTM Spyder - any advice?
Discussion
Morning all,
After much hard thinking and looking around on the net I'm off to look at a pre-loved GTM spyder at the weekend, and I'm very excited about the whole prospect...
Anyway I was wondering if any of you Libra/spyder owners out there could advise on what if anything to look out for?
Its a 1.8vvc (not the 160 bhp one unfortunately) and the only technical thing I know about it is it doesn't have antiroll bars (not sure it really matters). It was built in 2004.
Someone mentioned about the rear end having changed in more recent cars from ball joint to rose joint design, but again I'm not sure whether it really matters either way.
Anything else to look out for or try out?
Thanks for any tips in advance....
After much hard thinking and looking around on the net I'm off to look at a pre-loved GTM spyder at the weekend, and I'm very excited about the whole prospect...
Anyway I was wondering if any of you Libra/spyder owners out there could advise on what if anything to look out for?
Its a 1.8vvc (not the 160 bhp one unfortunately) and the only technical thing I know about it is it doesn't have antiroll bars (not sure it really matters). It was built in 2004.
Someone mentioned about the rear end having changed in more recent cars from ball joint to rose joint design, but again I'm not sure whether it really matters either way.
Anything else to look out for or try out?
Thanks for any tips in advance....
Wiring/electrics as they are quite exposed, general trim, roof fitting, later suspension is definitely preferable and was about £600 to update when I did mine. General check for star cracks in gel coat, what brakes are fitted. Lots of things really but those are the more specific ones. Get on to the team GTM forum, loads of info there and well worth the subscription.
The early style rear suspension used land rover steering arm ball joints to hinge the rear suspension arm from the monocoque. These ball joints do start to rattle after ~ 10.000 miles. Besides that there have been cases where they failed. This is most likely caused by a defect on a different part, not so much becuase the ball joints are not strong enough. By far the most failures (if not all) happened on a track where the suspension is excerted to above average loads.
The later style rear suspension uses pillow bearings. These do not rattle and are fine. Please be aware that the very first batch of the new style rear suspension had a major problem; these are not to be used. The latest version has plates welded to the top and the bottom of the lower suspension arms. The version you do not want to have does not have plates welded to the top and the bottom. Replacement parts should be free, fitting them is a bit of work though.
I would not worry too much if the car has the earlier rear suspension. Many Spyders and Libra's do still use the earlier style suspension without any problems (besides a bit of a rattle). Replacement is do-able, but it is a bit of work....
Bye,
Bertram
www.gtmlibra.nl
The later style rear suspension uses pillow bearings. These do not rattle and are fine. Please be aware that the very first batch of the new style rear suspension had a major problem; these are not to be used. The latest version has plates welded to the top and the bottom of the lower suspension arms. The version you do not want to have does not have plates welded to the top and the bottom. Replacement parts should be free, fitting them is a bit of work though.
I would not worry too much if the car has the earlier rear suspension. Many Spyders and Libra's do still use the earlier style suspension without any problems (besides a bit of a rattle). Replacement is do-able, but it is a bit of work....
Bye,
Bertram
www.gtmlibra.nl
Don't worry about the engine being a 143VVC. The difference is so small you can't tell the difference and the 143 feels a bit more torquey.
For more info check back a few weeks to the post about buying a Libra.
Here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
For more info check back a few weeks to the post about buying a Libra.
Here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by rdodger on Tuesday 22 July 15:05
ive got a spider (1.4 15v k series)
its a great car, if you've got any questions about spiders in particular just ask
the roof on the sipder isnt bad but occasionally does leak a little, but not enough to worry about
i drove my car with out the rear anti roll bar and it scared the hell out of me, but maybe its just because im to having them
doug
and im surprised ferg hasnt come along yet to tell us all how the libra is better
its a great car, if you've got any questions about spiders in particular just ask
the roof on the sipder isnt bad but occasionally does leak a little, but not enough to worry about
i drove my car with out the rear anti roll bar and it scared the hell out of me, but maybe its just because im to having them
doug
and im surprised ferg hasnt come along yet to tell us all how the libra is better
Ferg said:
LOL!
To my mind it's got more interior space (I found the Spyder quite claustrophobic) and it's quieter on the road.
Interesting To my mind it's got more interior space (I found the Spyder quite claustrophobic) and it's quieter on the road.
I would have thought it would feel more spacious not having a roof and all.
It won't be an everyday car so I don't intend to drive it much with the roof up!!
The space in a Libra is one of the things that drew me to the spyder. I'm quite tall so struggle to fit in most production midengined cars... (elise/VX220 driveable but only just MGF/MR2 no way)
With a Spyder you are really only able to use a K-series due the size of the engine bay. And do not be put off by the 143bhp VVC, mine produced 170bhp on a reliable rolling road with just a 52mm throttle body, the Cat removed and a decent exhaust system / cold air intake. And as said, they are quite torquey.
And mine was one of the very few cars which had suspension failiure (twice). But to be fair, i did do a lot of drifting in it with sticky tyres, and i am convinced that the second failiure was due to the first failiure, when I launched over a kerb on track, all 4 wheels airborne and a loud crack on landing. The secont failed joint had rust inside it indicating it could have fractured in the previous off. I am sure that if you replaced the (very cheap to buy) joints every 3 years or so as a precaution, and was not as stupid as me on track, they would be fine on road or track (many libras get used on track with older style suspension and never fail).
And mine was one of the very few cars which had suspension failiure (twice). But to be fair, i did do a lot of drifting in it with sticky tyres, and i am convinced that the second failiure was due to the first failiure, when I launched over a kerb on track, all 4 wheels airborne and a loud crack on landing. The secont failed joint had rust inside it indicating it could have fractured in the previous off. I am sure that if you replaced the (very cheap to buy) joints every 3 years or so as a precaution, and was not as stupid as me on track, they would be fine on road or track (many libras get used on track with older style suspension and never fail).
Sorry to confuse.
I was directing my comment to Lee
(touches wood for luck, not that I'm supersticious or anything)
The Libra has a removable roof panel. It is lighter and stiffer than the Spyder. Which is why I chose it over the Spyder.
They are both extremely capable cars.
I was directing my comment to Lee
Furyblade_Lee said:
(many libras get used on track with older style suspension and never fail).
My car is one of the above.(touches wood for luck, not that I'm supersticious or anything)
The Libra has a removable roof panel. It is lighter and stiffer than the Spyder. Which is why I chose it over the Spyder.
They are both extremely capable cars.
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