Phantom Long Term Report - Six Months On
Discussion
I thought I would put together a few comments and experiences now that I have been driving the car for a few months for anyone who may be interested…….what, just me then? 
I am regularly using the Phantom to commute the twelve miles into Birmingham in rush hour and have only had one mechanical problem which was the Air-con pump burning out. This was due to the power supply to the pump being on when supposed to be off and hence with no gas in it yet it had no lubricant – exit pump!
New pump and wiring modification done by the electronics engineer that did the loom at his cost, really quickly.
Driving impressions:- Performance is brisk if not neck jarring, the power band is quite high at around 5500rpm and as it’s mid-engined you tend to let the engine burble away most of the time for a more relaxed atmosphere inside, when prompted it will easily pick itself up and get a move on, torque in the higher gears is great and fourth gear is useable down to 25mph.
Steering is quite heavy and a little dead, this I think is due to the wheel offset and will be looked at once I have fitted the new seats and decided whether to go to five stud wheels or not. Pedals are too far apart leaving nowhere for your left foot, I need to look at after-market pedal boxes.
Braking is good and has lots of feel, no adverse characteristics and no lock-ups, handling and grip seems good so far but I am waiting for my Ride-Drive day to find the limits, I am a little nervous of losing it too quickly on the roads as this is my first experience of a mid engined car with equal weight distribution.
Practicality: - no problems here with quite a lot of luggage space, large cabin and good heating/ventilation. It has proved relaxing and comfortable; you do not feel like you are driving a “kit” at all. More or less totally rattle and squeak free, some road noise, a little wind noise and a slight leak from the door seals if left out in this torrential rain like today.
Generally I am over the moon with the car, it took twice as long to build as I had planned, budget was not a million miles away and although the insurance is steeper than most kits it should be reasonably cheap to run as the mechanicals are so reliable (that’s Honda for you!).
I’m getting 28 to the gallon (super) and so far have not gone over 120 (private road etc etc).
Peoples reactions are very positive and it’s a real head turner, I will post a few more pictures once Mr Dontlift has sorted my website hosting (I think he has ordered the parts from Phantom as its taken months!).
Sorry to have bored you silly but we can’t let the McLarens have it all their own way can we
Cheers
Nick
I am regularly using the Phantom to commute the twelve miles into Birmingham in rush hour and have only had one mechanical problem which was the Air-con pump burning out. This was due to the power supply to the pump being on when supposed to be off and hence with no gas in it yet it had no lubricant – exit pump!
New pump and wiring modification done by the electronics engineer that did the loom at his cost, really quickly.
Driving impressions:- Performance is brisk if not neck jarring, the power band is quite high at around 5500rpm and as it’s mid-engined you tend to let the engine burble away most of the time for a more relaxed atmosphere inside, when prompted it will easily pick itself up and get a move on, torque in the higher gears is great and fourth gear is useable down to 25mph.
Steering is quite heavy and a little dead, this I think is due to the wheel offset and will be looked at once I have fitted the new seats and decided whether to go to five stud wheels or not. Pedals are too far apart leaving nowhere for your left foot, I need to look at after-market pedal boxes.
Braking is good and has lots of feel, no adverse characteristics and no lock-ups, handling and grip seems good so far but I am waiting for my Ride-Drive day to find the limits, I am a little nervous of losing it too quickly on the roads as this is my first experience of a mid engined car with equal weight distribution.
Practicality: - no problems here with quite a lot of luggage space, large cabin and good heating/ventilation. It has proved relaxing and comfortable; you do not feel like you are driving a “kit” at all. More or less totally rattle and squeak free, some road noise, a little wind noise and a slight leak from the door seals if left out in this torrential rain like today.
Generally I am over the moon with the car, it took twice as long to build as I had planned, budget was not a million miles away and although the insurance is steeper than most kits it should be reasonably cheap to run as the mechanicals are so reliable (that’s Honda for you!).
I’m getting 28 to the gallon (super) and so far have not gone over 120 (private road etc etc).
Peoples reactions are very positive and it’s a real head turner, I will post a few more pictures once Mr Dontlift has sorted my website hosting (I think he has ordered the parts from Phantom as its taken months!).
Sorry to have bored you silly but we can’t let the McLarens have it all their own way can we
Cheers
Nick
Hiya
Not a huge amount to report, the picture on my profile shows a change of rear lights but not the new wheels which have been added to decrease the offset by 30mm in a bid to solve the heavy steering. I would post a few more shots but still (after a year) have not solved the ftp to my website (blame Dontlift!).
Phantom are moving ahead slowly with re-designing the front suspension layout and geometry and have promised me a new setup to try soon. I should have new seats in by next week (re-trimmed mk4 celica) which will be even more gaudy than the current ones and will at least move and tilt!
I have taken the car to a couple of Caterham Slalom days, BTaP and Pistonfest, feedback has been positive and no breakdowns as yet.
I Need to re-route the aircon intake as it is fighting the hot air coming in over the condensor radiator as well as the normal rad and so never gets really cold, this will help with cold air to the face which is much needed with all that glass! The heater tho is phenominal and warms up in about a mile (unlike the defender which takes around seven!) so the kit is the preferred transport in cold weather as long as there is no ice.
I promise to take a few more photo's soon as I am buying a new camera whilst in Canada over Christmas.
Seasons Greetings
Nick
Not a huge amount to report, the picture on my profile shows a change of rear lights but not the new wheels which have been added to decrease the offset by 30mm in a bid to solve the heavy steering. I would post a few more shots but still (after a year) have not solved the ftp to my website (blame Dontlift!).
Phantom are moving ahead slowly with re-designing the front suspension layout and geometry and have promised me a new setup to try soon. I should have new seats in by next week (re-trimmed mk4 celica) which will be even more gaudy than the current ones
and will at least move and tilt! I have taken the car to a couple of Caterham Slalom days, BTaP and Pistonfest, feedback has been positive and no breakdowns as yet.
I Need to re-route the aircon intake as it is fighting the hot air coming in over the condensor radiator as well as the normal rad and so never gets really cold, this will help with cold air to the face which is much needed with all that glass! The heater tho is phenominal and warms up in about a mile (unlike the defender which takes around seven!) so the kit is the preferred transport in cold weather as long as there is no ice.
I promise to take a few more photo's soon as I am buying a new camera whilst in Canada over Christmas.
Seasons Greetings
Nick
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