Murtaya & GTM Libra
Discussion
Well they're utterly different cars - I can't see you not having a preference when you've driven them both.
I haven't owned either but I looked at both before I bought the Elise. The Libra is very much like an Elise, albeit without the final degree of handling finesse that the later Elises provide. The Murtaya apparently handles very much like a lighter version of the Subaru that it's based on.
Both would be usable daily drivers if you don't carry furniture around on a regular basis. Similar, say, to an MX5 in usability terms. Both should be reliable if built and maintained properly. I guess the Libra, like all K-series engined cars, needs careful maintenance to avoid HGF unless you get a V6 or Honda engined one. The Libra will use far less fuel. In both cases it'll obviously depend on how well the car was built.
I haven't owned either but I looked at both before I bought the Elise. The Libra is very much like an Elise, albeit without the final degree of handling finesse that the later Elises provide. The Murtaya apparently handles very much like a lighter version of the Subaru that it's based on.
Both would be usable daily drivers if you don't carry furniture around on a regular basis. Similar, say, to an MX5 in usability terms. Both should be reliable if built and maintained properly. I guess the Libra, like all K-series engined cars, needs careful maintenance to avoid HGF unless you get a V6 or Honda engined one. The Libra will use far less fuel. In both cases it'll obviously depend on how well the car was built.
You could try the Kit Car forum on here.
I've got a GTM Libra.
Don't know what the mpg is.
It uses main stream components so it's as reliable as they are.
I perform a fairly agressive maintenance schedule because I built it, and I use it for the odd track day, so it gets 'used'.
I sometimes think of doing something different, but I wouldn't know what to change to. It's less comfortable and more noisy and more nervous than my BMW was. It's also much faster round a track, which is why I've got it.
I've done over 500 miles a day several times, and get out with a silly grin, and I like it.
website in profile.
I've got a GTM Libra.
Don't know what the mpg is.
It uses main stream components so it's as reliable as they are.
I perform a fairly agressive maintenance schedule because I built it, and I use it for the odd track day, so it gets 'used'.
I sometimes think of doing something different, but I wouldn't know what to change to. It's less comfortable and more noisy and more nervous than my BMW was. It's also much faster round a track, which is why I've got it.
I've done over 500 miles a day several times, and get out with a silly grin, and I like it.
website in profile.
ive got a spider (1.4 16v)
its actually quite practical if you pack well as theres lots of room behind the seat (ive managed to get a wheel in there with tyre and ive got a roll bar)
i would ignore the boot for lugage unless you go for hte libra as the spider boot is a pain to open, not that big, and gets wet (but htta might just me my car)
could you live with it everyday?
well i do. its my only car (although im building a beauford now)so i use it as my shopping car and fun car, at least this way it gets used
mpg wise, ive never got less than 35 when "having fun" but dont normally work it out if "having fun" but i have got over 45 on the motorways if taking it sensible
down sides to using it everyday,
the doors are too small and a pain to get in and out (and im not even 20 yet)
the petrol tank is an egg cup, im only getting abuot 120 miles to a tank and then filling up, this is when the neddle point to 1/4 ish
i probably could get more but then i dont want to run out
parts should be cheap although rover is curently dead/alive/coming back/already here???
cant comment on the mutrura one as i havent even sat in one, let alone drive it
oh and the insurane is cheap on the spider too
doug
its actually quite practical if you pack well as theres lots of room behind the seat (ive managed to get a wheel in there with tyre and ive got a roll bar)
i would ignore the boot for lugage unless you go for hte libra as the spider boot is a pain to open, not that big, and gets wet (but htta might just me my car)
could you live with it everyday?
well i do. its my only car (although im building a beauford now)so i use it as my shopping car and fun car, at least this way it gets used
mpg wise, ive never got less than 35 when "having fun" but dont normally work it out if "having fun" but i have got over 45 on the motorways if taking it sensible
down sides to using it everyday,
the doors are too small and a pain to get in and out (and im not even 20 yet)
the petrol tank is an egg cup, im only getting abuot 120 miles to a tank and then filling up, this is when the neddle point to 1/4 ish
i probably could get more but then i dont want to run out
parts should be cheap although rover is curently dead/alive/coming back/already here???
cant comment on the mutrura one as i havent even sat in one, let alone drive it
oh and the insurane is cheap on the spider too
doug
Guy I work with has a 1.4 Libra (planted the seed when he was looking at an Elise).
He's had some problems with it but seeing as he didnt build it, cant really comment on that. It had problems with overheating but they were sorted out with a new header tank cap. Starter motor went and that was very expensive for a starter motor (didnt fix it himself in fairness though).
My view of it seeing as he kind of ended up test driving the ownership experience for me (wanted one but never got to taking the plunge).
Storage space isnt that bad but wouldnt be practical for me, I just carry big things too often which need space.
Fuel ecconomy is good, but the gauge is pure comedy. Driving me to work the other day, his went from 1/8th shy of full to 1/8th shy of empty. Apparently when it goes low and doesnt move around, you know to fill up.
Other gauges can be a bit temperamental, his oil pressure one went haywire on the same commute.
Its noisey. Very noisey at motorway speeds. Actually seems quieter inside with the roof off rather than on.
He's had some problems with it but seeing as he didnt build it, cant really comment on that. It had problems with overheating but they were sorted out with a new header tank cap. Starter motor went and that was very expensive for a starter motor (didnt fix it himself in fairness though).
My view of it seeing as he kind of ended up test driving the ownership experience for me (wanted one but never got to taking the plunge).
Storage space isnt that bad but wouldnt be practical for me, I just carry big things too often which need space.
Fuel ecconomy is good, but the gauge is pure comedy. Driving me to work the other day, his went from 1/8th shy of full to 1/8th shy of empty. Apparently when it goes low and doesnt move around, you know to fill up.
Other gauges can be a bit temperamental, his oil pressure one went haywire on the same commute.
Its noisey. Very noisey at motorway speeds. Actually seems quieter inside with the roof off rather than on.
Kit cars are typically pretty cheap to insure, probably no more than your Fiesta if you find a good specialist. Again, ask on the kit car forum.
I ran an MGB as my first car, insurance was about 350 quid a year fully comp unlimited mileage or something.
I ran an MGB as my first car, insurance was about 350 quid a year fully comp unlimited mileage or something.
Edited by kambites on Wednesday 27th August 14:32
Living with a Murtaya should be easier than a Vx220 or Elise - far larger boot and more cabin storage space. Getting in and out is very similar, reliability should be no problems at all, I have spoken to a Subaru garage about servicing and they were happy to service it and got a little too excited as they realised they could actually get to the spark plugs 
Insurance for me was a third of what I was paying for my VX!
Noise with the roof off at speed is really minimal - after a trip with the roof of in a VX I was nearly deaf at the other end, (still fun though) the Murtaya is really very civilised.
Adrenaline are definitely still going, in fact they are working their c*cks off - can't make Murtayas fast enough, there is a huge demand it seems. I am sure Neil won't mind me saying that the website situation is in hand.
Also worth checking out www.murtaya.com for Mike's website in the US - there are also companies in various other countries who have Murtaya kits who are doing their own builds.
One of the Kit-car Mags is or has built a Murtaya - might be worth checking that out too.
I believe someone has mentioned already get a Murtaya with 'just' a WRX engine and then upgrade later.
As I have said before, if you are thinking about a Murtaya have a test drive! Something which weighs less than an Elise and has three times the power through 4wd is really rather potent.
They are at Llandough today so hopefully Neil will be along later to let us know how it went.
Insurance for me was a third of what I was paying for my VX!
Noise with the roof off at speed is really minimal - after a trip with the roof of in a VX I was nearly deaf at the other end, (still fun though) the Murtaya is really very civilised.
Adrenaline are definitely still going, in fact they are working their c*cks off - can't make Murtayas fast enough, there is a huge demand it seems. I am sure Neil won't mind me saying that the website situation is in hand.
Also worth checking out www.murtaya.com for Mike's website in the US - there are also companies in various other countries who have Murtaya kits who are doing their own builds.
One of the Kit-car Mags is or has built a Murtaya - might be worth checking that out too.
I believe someone has mentioned already get a Murtaya with 'just' a WRX engine and then upgrade later.
As I have said before, if you are thinking about a Murtaya have a test drive! Something which weighs less than an Elise and has three times the power through 4wd is really rather potent.
They are at Llandough today so hopefully Neil will be along later to let us know how it went.
Hey EasyDude-
(trying to catch you on this thread, also)
Three times as powerful and lighter than an Elise might be some of the higher tuned carbon fiber Murtayas...but a Murtaya that's as light and twice as powerful as an S2 elise should be pretty standard.
I don't know if anybody here has been lucky enough to drive both the Libra and Murtaya, but I might be able to help with information on the latter...Some articles on the Murtaya:
http://www.pistonheads.com/roadtests/doc.asp?c=112...
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/?shownews=80
http://www.murtaya.com/EddiesMurtayaReview.shtml
http://www.murtaya.com/GezasMurtayaReview.shtml
http://www.murtaya.com/MyTripToAMS.shtml
I know Neil Yates and AMS can be hard to get ahold of (especially via email), and their website is very old (they've actually been forwarding people to www.murtaya.com ). But keep trying their email or phone; as for their site, they've got a new one on the way that is going to be very impressive, to say the least.
The Murtaya is probably too new to get anybody with long-term experience on one (most are still building theirs).
Try to get a drive in both in order to see which one "hooks" you more. You probably can't go wrong with either one, especially if you start out with a less powerful engine (for insurance, etc.).
Mike
(trying to catch you on this thread, also)
Three times as powerful and lighter than an Elise might be some of the higher tuned carbon fiber Murtayas...but a Murtaya that's as light and twice as powerful as an S2 elise should be pretty standard.
I don't know if anybody here has been lucky enough to drive both the Libra and Murtaya, but I might be able to help with information on the latter...Some articles on the Murtaya:
http://www.pistonheads.com/roadtests/doc.asp?c=112...
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/?shownews=80
http://www.murtaya.com/EddiesMurtayaReview.shtml
http://www.murtaya.com/GezasMurtayaReview.shtml
http://www.murtaya.com/MyTripToAMS.shtml
I know Neil Yates and AMS can be hard to get ahold of (especially via email), and their website is very old (they've actually been forwarding people to www.murtaya.com ). But keep trying their email or phone; as for their site, they've got a new one on the way that is going to be very impressive, to say the least.
The Murtaya is probably too new to get anybody with long-term experience on one (most are still building theirs).
Try to get a drive in both in order to see which one "hooks" you more. You probably can't go wrong with either one, especially if you start out with a less powerful engine (for insurance, etc.).
Mike
Edited by Hiryu on Sunday 28th September 04:39
Don't have any experience of the Libra, but can thuroughly recommend the Murtaya.
- Reliable scooby running gear.
- Well thought out design and professional company. To be fair the same could be said of either car, which isn't always the case in the kit car industry.
- Fast as you like (0-100mph in 7.5 seconds with a mildly tweaked WRX engine, which is Zonda pace)
- Sure footed, apparently vice-free handling.
- Decent boot - about MX5 or S2000 sized - plus parcel shelf. Easily more storage than an Elise.
- Insurance will be dirt cheap via a kit car specialist (much less than the donor scooby). Again, this applies to either I guess.
- Reasonably civilised ride and road noise (track day exhaust is predicatbly a tad loud for long distances, but I'm sure you could spec it differently). Plus you can get a lot of mod cons if you wish - air con, leather, MP3 player.
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