Buying an Ultima
Discussion
Very soon I'll be looking seriously for a new car this year. My shortlist is a Viper, Exige or Ultima. I have a nice Westy that I'm thinking of selling if I get the latter two as I like doing track days.
So what to look out for? Aircon a must, 550hp+.
Budget is £45k tops, preferably under 40k.
I'm back in the UK Feb/Mar, sure to see a few more on the market by then hopefully.
So what to look out for? Aircon a must, 550hp+.
Budget is £45k tops, preferably under 40k.
I'm back in the UK Feb/Mar, sure to see a few more on the market by then hopefully.
845ste said:
...I do not think any of us here would sell her gtr for only £ 45k ....;)
ha! completely irrelevant, but thanks! Plenty for sale at the moment in my budget, i should think there will be a few more on the market in the coming months also. The yellow Can-Am would have fitted the bill nicely but he's got a buyer lined up and i'm currently overseas.That aside, any tips of things to look out for when i do get back? i've read storers rebuild thread which gave a few pointers on the things he found.
My other shortlists are the Viper and Exige. The Ultima is no doubt more capable, but it is still a kit car at the end of the day. I've seen a few quotes about there being some rough examples out there, cost savings and shortcuts made on builds which may be more evident. The red one got pulled apart for no air-con so i guess that's a must, the "right brakes" were mentioned for other cars.
I can accept some low rent compromises at my budget level, i'm not expecting carbonfibre wings and canbus milspec looms, but a few tips would be welcome.
I actually live in Hinckley and took the nephew down there. Tried to strike up a conversation with a guy who was pushing one into the workshop but he just fobbed me off basically, I was in the Porsche so not sure if that was good or bad, though I think someone who works there might actually own one too, sure it had a funny number plate like turbo or something.
Sent an email few months back on specs and options and got no reply, I got more info from a build thread on here after someone posted his costs.
I'm sure they'll be more welcoming when I need parts mind, if I get one of course, but factory experience wasn't particularly great.
Sent an email few months back on specs and options and got no reply, I got more info from a build thread on here after someone posted his costs.
I'm sure they'll be more welcoming when I need parts mind, if I get one of course, but factory experience wasn't particularly great.
RWD cossie wil said:
What are the main deficiencys of an Ultima then? Why does the Can-am not get much love? Does the Evo sort out most of the issues?
Still longing for one, just considering if it's worth buying a secondhand one, or building a new one over 3/4 years?
Hey Will, you thinking of one too then? chopping in the turbo or just keep it?Still longing for one, just considering if it's worth buying a secondhand one, or building a new one over 3/4 years?
Storer said:
I think there are two types of Ultima owners.
Those with funds for a fleet of toys of which the (probably Factory built) Ultima is one. Used when the urge takes them and the weather suits.
The other owner is one who enjoys the build process (or the modification process if the build cost is beyond their pocket).
Some of these owners sell promptly after completion as their 'bag' is the build itself. For others the build is only part of the process, as they also enjoy the ownership experience.
For some of these owners the Ultima will be their only real toy. Others will have a small selection.
Used Ultima owners are often scratching an itch but soon realise the car is not really for them. I purchased mine s/h but had a rebuild planned and as a car that was already registered it would not need SVA/IVA, which gave me more freedom.
These cars need regular checking with (usually) small fixes or adjustments. Some mechanical knowledge is very useful and improve the experience.
Comparable cars (not necessarily performance wise) would be Cobra replicas, GD70, GT40 replicas, Aerial Atom, Caterham, Radical, Lotus Exige S1, get the picture?
A Porsche GT3, Ferrari (any), Viper, Mustang, etc are all much more 'normal' than an Ultima in every way.
Paul
I've already mentioned my Westfield, it's close to 300hp, 570kg, sequential box It's noiser than an Ultima will ever be, whether it's the whine and clunk from the box or screaming at 9k with the wind in your face. No windscreen, hard seats. My Porsche is a 4.1 stroker which I am also building myself. I'm no stranger to fast, uncomfortable or noisy cars.Those with funds for a fleet of toys of which the (probably Factory built) Ultima is one. Used when the urge takes them and the weather suits.
The other owner is one who enjoys the build process (or the modification process if the build cost is beyond their pocket).
Some of these owners sell promptly after completion as their 'bag' is the build itself. For others the build is only part of the process, as they also enjoy the ownership experience.
For some of these owners the Ultima will be their only real toy. Others will have a small selection.
Used Ultima owners are often scratching an itch but soon realise the car is not really for them. I purchased mine s/h but had a rebuild planned and as a car that was already registered it would not need SVA/IVA, which gave me more freedom.
These cars need regular checking with (usually) small fixes or adjustments. Some mechanical knowledge is very useful and improve the experience.
Comparable cars (not necessarily performance wise) would be Cobra replicas, GD70, GT40 replicas, Aerial Atom, Caterham, Radical, Lotus Exige S1, get the picture?
A Porsche GT3, Ferrari (any), Viper, Mustang, etc are all much more 'normal' than an Ultima in every way.
Paul
Viper's are the only car I know without doorlocks and windows, there's only 3 places to put your feet, its anything but refined, they are also quite an event, with dare I say wow factor surpassing an Ultima on looks alone, everyone knows them, but you never see them. The first question I'd expect as an Ultima owner is "what is it"
I'm no Nigel mansell and don't try to be but that has never stopped me from buying, modding and owning fast cars, nor is it a prerequisite for Ultima ownership as far as I'm aware.
The undercurrent of this thread appears to be a thinly veiled attempt at dissuasion, like it's some kind of exclusive club. It's a car I can pap 35-45k on drive, enjoy, sell. There are zero cars advertised at £50k so heaven knows why that would be regarded as a starting point. The starting point is the price they're advertised at which is currently about 90% of the market in my budget!
Not many pointers on buying tips so far.
I quoted storer but it wasn't the only act of dissuasion. I did start this thread so don't be surprised if I take the comments personally. Pigeon holeing buyers into two types is really quite conceited.
Spannering a kit car goes without saying, even a built one. Whether someone pays the factory or does it themselves is largely irrelevant.
Misconceptions on refinement would be a tiny percentage of the demographic that shows any interest in buying one, especially on PH. Every vid, review and comment says as much. It's not really relevant to my question either, which is my point. Traction control is VERY easily added, as is power steering. One could dynomat it to death if they choose. The evo upgrade list is packed with supposed refinement upgrades, I was actually disappointed because to my eye is mostly garnish but the factory is clearly trying to open the market for is product. All my opinion of course, which means I'm right.
I work in an industry where I currently don't get much time off and spend 89 days in the UK/year max, less in the current climate, so building one is really out the question, but that is my own personal circumstances influencing my decision, im sure many others have theirs which is no one else's business. So am i type 1 buyer or 2? No need to answer that btw.
Spannering a kit car goes without saying, even a built one. Whether someone pays the factory or does it themselves is largely irrelevant.
Misconceptions on refinement would be a tiny percentage of the demographic that shows any interest in buying one, especially on PH. Every vid, review and comment says as much. It's not really relevant to my question either, which is my point. Traction control is VERY easily added, as is power steering. One could dynomat it to death if they choose. The evo upgrade list is packed with supposed refinement upgrades, I was actually disappointed because to my eye is mostly garnish but the factory is clearly trying to open the market for is product. All my opinion of course, which means I'm right.
I work in an industry where I currently don't get much time off and spend 89 days in the UK/year max, less in the current climate, so building one is really out the question, but that is my own personal circumstances influencing my decision, im sure many others have theirs which is no one else's business. So am i type 1 buyer or 2? No need to answer that btw.
Edited by e8_pack on Thursday 29th December 07:44
Thanks, some excellent pointers on the engine choices and something I might want to consider. I could up my budget if I see value in doing so and it does explain the market somewhat. Before I bought the westy I didn't know much about the engine types but after some research nothing less than a duratec would do.
I know there are obvious differences in the shortlist options, the viper is really just a dream car from my youth which happens to be in budget and one that I would love to own, I don't think I'd sell the westy if I bought one though. As I've got older, the Ultima has an equal appeal on its own merits, the time is right for either. Exige is the likely progression from a Westy for most, it will give similar enjoyment but not be entirely limited to warm sunny days, especially with so little time off work these days.
Ultima is probably the best compromise, has the pantomime of a viper, thrills of a Westy and the practicality of an Exige. (Leaking viper roofs are considered normal!)
I know there are obvious differences in the shortlist options, the viper is really just a dream car from my youth which happens to be in budget and one that I would love to own, I don't think I'd sell the westy if I bought one though. As I've got older, the Ultima has an equal appeal on its own merits, the time is right for either. Exige is the likely progression from a Westy for most, it will give similar enjoyment but not be entirely limited to warm sunny days, especially with so little time off work these days.
Ultima is probably the best compromise, has the pantomime of a viper, thrills of a Westy and the practicality of an Exige. (Leaking viper roofs are considered normal!)
Matt's blue one is obviously a candidate. He may well have a buyer before I can view it though
Yellow can-am, again, unlikely to be around in Feb
The red SBC which is quite recent, though red is not my choice colour.
The blue 45k one, I think is dealer priced which doesn't interest me seeing as I don't need finance or enough mileage for warranty.
What are the thoughts on charged one in the higher end, i'd expect that price for a charged LS engine. No AC, SBC, cheap interior switches. Was over heating on a you tube video.
Sure there will be more available in the next few months though, quietist time for selling cars now.
Yellow can-am, again, unlikely to be around in Feb
The red SBC which is quite recent, though red is not my choice colour.
The blue 45k one, I think is dealer priced which doesn't interest me seeing as I don't need finance or enough mileage for warranty.
What are the thoughts on charged one in the higher end, i'd expect that price for a charged LS engine. No AC, SBC, cheap interior switches. Was over heating on a you tube video.
Sure there will be more available in the next few months though, quietist time for selling cars now.
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