How does it feel so far ...?
Discussion
Well, its three weeks since I bought Stig's fabulous Ultima GTR ( I know that because the cover note runs out tomorrow ) The overriding impression is that the car is a real no compromise "racing car" - built to go round corners and accelerate. Both at the same time if you wish. Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches are built as compromises between comfort, appearance, cornering, acceleration, bird appeal etc. Not the Ultima.
Have now got used to it but if you have never owned one bear in mind that it is more like owning a motorbike than a car. Very uncomfortable, incredibly noisy, hard to get in and out, nowhere for anything other than a toothbrush, very very low ( going thro the M6 toll booth you toss coins through the roof - no windows - into the basket high up above your head like playing basketball ), drinks petrol, scary but ENORMOUS FUN. Makes my Porsche Turbo S seem very tame and civilised.
So, if Stig turned up with the banker's draft would I take it? Right now the answer is no but watch this space.
Finally, does anybody know of a good mechanic in South Manchester ideally who can look after the car? You can Email me details if you wish ... many thanks
Have now got used to it but if you have never owned one bear in mind that it is more like owning a motorbike than a car. Very uncomfortable, incredibly noisy, hard to get in and out, nowhere for anything other than a toothbrush, very very low ( going thro the M6 toll booth you toss coins through the roof - no windows - into the basket high up above your head like playing basketball ), drinks petrol, scary but ENORMOUS FUN. Makes my Porsche Turbo S seem very tame and civilised.
So, if Stig turned up with the banker's draft would I take it? Right now the answer is no but watch this space.
Finally, does anybody know of a good mechanic in South Manchester ideally who can look after the car? You can Email me details if you wish ... many thanks
I don't agree with all your comments.
Comfort: We did 900 miles over to Spa Belgium this month in the Canam. Very hot weather but the car was very comfortable for long journeys. I climbed out at Spa marveling at the cars performance and comfort.
Fuel economy: I think for the performance, my car is doing well. (525bhp) It did an average of 19mpg (including the trackday) and we weren't hanging about. One of the worst features of the car is the addictive sound of the exhaust and I find myself bliping the throttle just to hear it... does not help the fuel economy. (Tunnels like the one at Goodwood are just great)
Luggage space: Yes, OK limited but we were away for five days. Just have to learn to pack differently. My partner was into packing for every eventuality. She still does and we had to attend two smart formal evening dinners as well as the track day. Just needs careful thought. No booze on the way back but what the hell.
Cost of ownership: You did not consider this and I think that is one of the marques attractions. I have heard that performance cars attract big service bills. We did the whole trip, track day and the wear on brakes and tyres was minimal (much to my suprise) The simplicity of the car means I can service and repair it. Could I do that on many cars? We do not take any tools with us so reliability is excellent (touch wood).
Design: Uncompromised minimal creature comforts and gizmos but wow, it attracts comments and crowds everywhere. That is perhaps just one drawback. I left the car outside the other day intending to go for a late evening drive. As soon as I started the engine a bloke from across the road appeared and we spent 2 hours talking cars. He was a car nut with lots of background in the motor racing business and just one of the many people I have met that admire the cars looks and performance
Comfort: We did 900 miles over to Spa Belgium this month in the Canam. Very hot weather but the car was very comfortable for long journeys. I climbed out at Spa marveling at the cars performance and comfort.
Fuel economy: I think for the performance, my car is doing well. (525bhp) It did an average of 19mpg (including the trackday) and we weren't hanging about. One of the worst features of the car is the addictive sound of the exhaust and I find myself bliping the throttle just to hear it... does not help the fuel economy. (Tunnels like the one at Goodwood are just great)
Luggage space: Yes, OK limited but we were away for five days. Just have to learn to pack differently. My partner was into packing for every eventuality. She still does and we had to attend two smart formal evening dinners as well as the track day. Just needs careful thought. No booze on the way back but what the hell.
Cost of ownership: You did not consider this and I think that is one of the marques attractions. I have heard that performance cars attract big service bills. We did the whole trip, track day and the wear on brakes and tyres was minimal (much to my suprise) The simplicity of the car means I can service and repair it. Could I do that on many cars? We do not take any tools with us so reliability is excellent (touch wood).
Design: Uncompromised minimal creature comforts and gizmos but wow, it attracts comments and crowds everywhere. That is perhaps just one drawback. I left the car outside the other day intending to go for a late evening drive. As soon as I started the engine a bloke from across the road appeared and we spent 2 hours talking cars. He was a car nut with lots of background in the motor racing business and just one of the many people I have met that admire the cars looks and performance
I agree with Phil.
Mine fits me like a glove.
6' 1" with history of back problems. Get in and out with no problems.
2 people down to LeMans.
You will be surprised how many places you can store things if you really need to.
Any non-dealership garage will be able to service the car. Why not do it yourself? It is very straightforward.
Steve
Mine fits me like a glove.
6' 1" with history of back problems. Get in and out with no problems.
2 people down to LeMans.
You will be surprised how many places you can store things if you really need to.
Any non-dealership garage will be able to service the car. Why not do it yourself? It is very straightforward.
Steve
I think the only thing we are disagreeing about really is comfort and ease of getting in and out. I didn't buy it to be comfortable so it is not really a complaint merely an observation to anybody thinking of buying one who is not young and athletic!
As for storage, in mine one of the storage compartments is taken up with a big fire extinguisher so that leaves total storage space on one side which is about three feet long and about nine inches square so about two cubic feet in total say. I have solved the problem of where to put wallet, mobile phone, keys etc by constructing ( from corrugated cardboard ) a tray with lots of comparments that sits in the bottom of the space referred to above and works very well.
These are the kinds of thing that are not really apparent until you buy a car so I was trying to be helpful to people thinking of buying/building one, not negative. Obviously the sound, appearance and wow factor are immediately obvious to anybody who is not deaf and blind. I bought it to get McLaren F1 performance at a fraction of the price and it delivers that superbly.
As for maintenance and "messing with cars" that is something I don't do - I'm too old so still looking for a mechanic. I guess I am not a typical buyer in that respect - my guess is that most owners having built the car are only too happy to mess about with the oily bits.
A couple of people ( in the racing industry ) have expressed the opinion that it needs restyling to bring it "up to date" but I think it looks fine as it is - nobody says that Clarice Cliff is "old fashioned" - the retro look is great and it is virtually the only car I have brought home that my wife likes ( actually she would prefer a Morris Minor Convertible so maybe that is no great compliment )
A great car.
>> Edited by wavering on Tuesday 28th September 23:08
As for storage, in mine one of the storage compartments is taken up with a big fire extinguisher so that leaves total storage space on one side which is about three feet long and about nine inches square so about two cubic feet in total say. I have solved the problem of where to put wallet, mobile phone, keys etc by constructing ( from corrugated cardboard ) a tray with lots of comparments that sits in the bottom of the space referred to above and works very well.
These are the kinds of thing that are not really apparent until you buy a car so I was trying to be helpful to people thinking of buying/building one, not negative. Obviously the sound, appearance and wow factor are immediately obvious to anybody who is not deaf and blind. I bought it to get McLaren F1 performance at a fraction of the price and it delivers that superbly.
As for maintenance and "messing with cars" that is something I don't do - I'm too old so still looking for a mechanic. I guess I am not a typical buyer in that respect - my guess is that most owners having built the car are only too happy to mess about with the oily bits.
A couple of people ( in the racing industry ) have expressed the opinion that it needs restyling to bring it "up to date" but I think it looks fine as it is - nobody says that Clarice Cliff is "old fashioned" - the retro look is great and it is virtually the only car I have brought home that my wife likes ( actually she would prefer a Morris Minor Convertible so maybe that is no great compliment )
A great car.
>> Edited by wavering on Tuesday 28th September 23:08
Hi Wavering,
I've had mine on the road for about the same time as you.
Done 500 miles already and I have'nt been anywhere!
As you say it is completely different from any other car, but I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable mine is.
Getting in and out of them is just practice. Ted is no spring chicken and he gets in and out like a 16 year old.
My 80 year uncle got in mine last week without a problem (is this a record?)
The only thing I have'nt got used to yet (apart from the acceleration)is the petrol consumption, but that is only because I drive a diesel van.
Your GTR will do twice as many mpg as your old jensen!
Gary
I've had mine on the road for about the same time as you.
Done 500 miles already and I have'nt been anywhere!
As you say it is completely different from any other car, but I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable mine is.
Getting in and out of them is just practice. Ted is no spring chicken and he gets in and out like a 16 year old.
My 80 year uncle got in mine last week without a problem (is this a record?)
The only thing I have'nt got used to yet (apart from the acceleration)is the petrol consumption, but that is only because I drive a diesel van.
Your GTR will do twice as many mpg as your old jensen!
Gary
Had first really long run in mine over last couple of days and was pleasantly surprised to get around 23 mpg (that's Imperial gallons) in cruise mode. Consumption understandably much, much worse if a) posing around town or b) using all the performance of course. Did quite a lot of dark, wet motorway miles and must say lights, wipers, crosswind stability and general feeling of security as good as my BMW. Concrete surface a bit deafening though. So not exactly a commuter, but with a decent set of ear plugs, pretty good drive-length-of-country-do-a-track-day-and-back GT I would say.
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