time to get serious about buying a used Can Am
Discussion
I'll get to the point: I'd like to meet up with an Ultima owner (or two) who is happy to talk about the pros and cons of Ultima ownership, show me the car and really give me the detail (preferable Can Am).
I'm happy to travel to you, but due to my work commitments I would prefer keep this to North East England: ie: Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Durham, Cleveland, N Yorks, Northern Lancashire, Cumbria
OR
Scotland: central belt, borders and SW Scotland.
Any volunteers?
BACKGROUND
I've bored my friends senseless about the Ultima Can Am; ever since I saw it at Stoneleigh and had a demo run from the factory 10 yrs ago.
I'd prefer to build one, but I can't. Although I'm quite happy to deal with the day to day small fettling that is required with a hand built car, I simply do not have the free time to build the car from scratch.
Ten yrs ago the choice was simple: buy a complete, built, used Can Am or buy a used Ferrari... I bought a Ferrari 308 GTS, which was a very happy 7 yrs that I don't regret for a moment.
2014 and time for new special car. I still don't have the time to build an Ultima, if anything my job affords me less free time than ever, but HERE WE ARE AGAIN with a decision to make.
1) a used Can Am
2) Ferrari 348 TS / Spyder
I now know Ferraris fairly well and feel comfortable and knowledgeable about the Ferrari 348, but the Ultima I'm not so sure about. Bizarrely the Ferrari would be the safe choice for me: head says, "Ferrari", but heart says I'd regret not ever having had the Ultima.
Hence this post, I want to find out and I'm sure there's somebody here who has the answers.
David
I'm happy to travel to you, but due to my work commitments I would prefer keep this to North East England: ie: Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Durham, Cleveland, N Yorks, Northern Lancashire, Cumbria
OR
Scotland: central belt, borders and SW Scotland.
Any volunteers?
BACKGROUND
I've bored my friends senseless about the Ultima Can Am; ever since I saw it at Stoneleigh and had a demo run from the factory 10 yrs ago.
I'd prefer to build one, but I can't. Although I'm quite happy to deal with the day to day small fettling that is required with a hand built car, I simply do not have the free time to build the car from scratch.
Ten yrs ago the choice was simple: buy a complete, built, used Can Am or buy a used Ferrari... I bought a Ferrari 308 GTS, which was a very happy 7 yrs that I don't regret for a moment.
2014 and time for new special car. I still don't have the time to build an Ultima, if anything my job affords me less free time than ever, but HERE WE ARE AGAIN with a decision to make.
1) a used Can Am
2) Ferrari 348 TS / Spyder
I now know Ferraris fairly well and feel comfortable and knowledgeable about the Ferrari 348, but the Ultima I'm not so sure about. Bizarrely the Ferrari would be the safe choice for me: head says, "Ferrari", but heart says I'd regret not ever having had the Ultima.
Hence this post, I want to find out and I'm sure there's somebody here who has the answers.
David
Well that stirred up a reaction, so in no particular order:
1) Yes there is a big performance gap, the Can Am is much quicker, although the 348 isn't exactly slow.
2) why 348 over 355... personal choice.
The 348/355 is basically the same car and I think the 355 soft shape bumper, door and tail mouldings don't sit right with the sharp edged upper panels. The 355 is beautiful, but I’d have the 348.
3) Ferraris and rust.
The new cars much better than of old (like most other marques), but they can still rust. The 348/355 and later monocoque cars are less likely to rust, but conversely are a bit harder to repair than the earlier body on chassis cars.
4) yes timing belts are a pricey job on a 348/355 as the engine has to come out. There are annoyingly a few other mundane jobs that also need the engine out of the car. I understand an American has grown an extra elbow and can now change the alternator with the engine in-situ.
Timing belts 2 yrs / 3yrs / 60K miles… rather depends on how brave you are! I have heard of one chap who left his belts on for 6yrs / 60,000miles, better him than me.
The high maintenance costs are offset by the lack of depreciation, or, if you’re really lucky, some appreciation.
5) USA imports / European imports:
There are enough pristine UK cars without looking overseas and UK cars will re-sell better.
6) Would I still keep talking about the Can Am? Yes probably. I regretted not buying a Fiat Super-Mirafiori when I was 17, but I survived that and doubtless I would survive if I never had the Ultima…
The more I type, the nearer to Ferrari I edge. Thank you for the input.
1) Yes there is a big performance gap, the Can Am is much quicker, although the 348 isn't exactly slow.
2) why 348 over 355... personal choice.
The 348/355 is basically the same car and I think the 355 soft shape bumper, door and tail mouldings don't sit right with the sharp edged upper panels. The 355 is beautiful, but I’d have the 348.
3) Ferraris and rust.
The new cars much better than of old (like most other marques), but they can still rust. The 348/355 and later monocoque cars are less likely to rust, but conversely are a bit harder to repair than the earlier body on chassis cars.
4) yes timing belts are a pricey job on a 348/355 as the engine has to come out. There are annoyingly a few other mundane jobs that also need the engine out of the car. I understand an American has grown an extra elbow and can now change the alternator with the engine in-situ.
Timing belts 2 yrs / 3yrs / 60K miles… rather depends on how brave you are! I have heard of one chap who left his belts on for 6yrs / 60,000miles, better him than me.
The high maintenance costs are offset by the lack of depreciation, or, if you’re really lucky, some appreciation.
5) USA imports / European imports:
There are enough pristine UK cars without looking overseas and UK cars will re-sell better.
6) Would I still keep talking about the Can Am? Yes probably. I regretted not buying a Fiat Super-Mirafiori when I was 17, but I survived that and doubtless I would survive if I never had the Ultima…
The more I type, the nearer to Ferrari I edge. Thank you for the input.
ANYBODY CONSIDERING SELLING A CAN AM?...
Well it was an interesting summer. I spoke with a number of fine Ultima people (thank you all for your help) and viewed a couple of Can Am cars.
The first car I tried I now believe was set up for a tall driver and it really turned me off. Years ago I recall the passenger experience in the factory Can Am and I sat rather too low in that car as well! It really does help if you can actually see the road and I jumped to the conclusion that I would not feel comfortable driving any Can Am on the road...
I got as far as 'definitely' deciding I'd go for a Ferrari 348ts instead.
Meanwhile I had a holiday to Italy and while there I took the chance to view an ex-British RHD Can Am. The seat set up was entirely different, I could see! The Can Am was viable and suddenly I had a dilemma. I had a half done deal on a F348, from a chap in the Owners' Club and a viable Can Am in Italy!
Long story short... I set up a test drive on the F348, but the mechanism on the driver seat jammed and the test drive was delayed a week. Following Saturday I had a long test drive in the 348ts and it did not impress me. The front end was very twitchy and it was barely quicker than my temporary TR7v8 stop gap, which followed me around the test route easily. The 348 was a beautiful car and sounded fantastic, but it needed an unknown amount of chassis alignment to make it into a nice driving experience.
DECISION REVERSED - previously I'd had a Ferrari 308GTS instead of the Can Am (and enjoyed the whole Ferrari experience), now I was looking at a 348 instead of the Can Am... no this time it has to be the Can Am.
I emailed Italy to buy the Can Am, which they'd had in stock for more than a year... only to find somebody had nipped in and got it 3 days earlier! I would like to congratulate whoever bought it for being more decisive than I and I hope you enjoy it... (through gritted teeth).
And so the search is on. I have a limited budget, but am definitely in the market for a used, but not abused Can Am road car. I am not looking for a show car, nor does it have to be >500Bhp! Just a largely 'factory spec' Cam Am, Chevrolet / LS series rather than Ford, AP brakes, preferably with a roof, right hand gear shift and thoughtfully screwed together.
I might consider a near complete project or re-commission (such as the car that was sold w/out engine a couple of years ago), but realistically if I had the free-time to build one myself that would have been my first choice anyhow.
I might also consider a Spyder, however I do much prefer the Can Am's square rear styling and the lack of windscreen / weather equipment is a issue to me. This summer has been exceptional, but normally it rains in northern Engand and the ability to limp home in a downpour, with at least a basic roof or windscreen to hide behind, is a major advantage.
So if anybody knows of such a car I'd love to have a chance of look before the traders grab it to make profit.
Yours,
David
Well it was an interesting summer. I spoke with a number of fine Ultima people (thank you all for your help) and viewed a couple of Can Am cars.
The first car I tried I now believe was set up for a tall driver and it really turned me off. Years ago I recall the passenger experience in the factory Can Am and I sat rather too low in that car as well! It really does help if you can actually see the road and I jumped to the conclusion that I would not feel comfortable driving any Can Am on the road...
I got as far as 'definitely' deciding I'd go for a Ferrari 348ts instead.
Meanwhile I had a holiday to Italy and while there I took the chance to view an ex-British RHD Can Am. The seat set up was entirely different, I could see! The Can Am was viable and suddenly I had a dilemma. I had a half done deal on a F348, from a chap in the Owners' Club and a viable Can Am in Italy!
Long story short... I set up a test drive on the F348, but the mechanism on the driver seat jammed and the test drive was delayed a week. Following Saturday I had a long test drive in the 348ts and it did not impress me. The front end was very twitchy and it was barely quicker than my temporary TR7v8 stop gap, which followed me around the test route easily. The 348 was a beautiful car and sounded fantastic, but it needed an unknown amount of chassis alignment to make it into a nice driving experience.
DECISION REVERSED - previously I'd had a Ferrari 308GTS instead of the Can Am (and enjoyed the whole Ferrari experience), now I was looking at a 348 instead of the Can Am... no this time it has to be the Can Am.
I emailed Italy to buy the Can Am, which they'd had in stock for more than a year... only to find somebody had nipped in and got it 3 days earlier! I would like to congratulate whoever bought it for being more decisive than I and I hope you enjoy it... (through gritted teeth).
And so the search is on. I have a limited budget, but am definitely in the market for a used, but not abused Can Am road car. I am not looking for a show car, nor does it have to be >500Bhp! Just a largely 'factory spec' Cam Am, Chevrolet / LS series rather than Ford, AP brakes, preferably with a roof, right hand gear shift and thoughtfully screwed together.
I might consider a near complete project or re-commission (such as the car that was sold w/out engine a couple of years ago), but realistically if I had the free-time to build one myself that would have been my first choice anyhow.
I might also consider a Spyder, however I do much prefer the Can Am's square rear styling and the lack of windscreen / weather equipment is a issue to me. This summer has been exceptional, but normally it rains in northern Engand and the ability to limp home in a downpour, with at least a basic roof or windscreen to hide behind, is a major advantage.
So if anybody knows of such a car I'd love to have a chance of look before the traders grab it to make profit.
Yours,
David
Gassing Station | Ultima | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff