Advice on Ultima purchase

[simond001]

Hi, I won't ask the obvious "should I?" question as i am sure all would say yes, hence you are reading this. However I am considering buying a finished GTR.

What are the bad/troublesome/painful points of ownership. I don't want to jump in and regret it!

Also. noise at 80-90mph on a motorway.. loud, tolerable, very loud, uncomfortable?

servicing, I'm in east sussex, could this be done by a competant mechanic, or would it need to go to a specialist (and who / where?)

I anticipate that i would manage about 3000miles per year (maybe a little more summer one), what would you expect this to cost.

and finally insurance, who, where, how much (37yrs 8yrs NCB)

Appreciate your advise.

[v8wookie]

I too am ready to jump in... I want to build my own tho!
Im also keen to know more about cockpit noise after reading stuff about
intercoms on this website -also how about cockpit temp? does colour help to
combat this (typical i fancy black)?!
-
Also i currently have a 4.6 rush v8, another worry is have is am i gonna get anymore driving thrill?
I fancy a gtr, so ive immediatly lost the 'roof down' thrill - any ideas?

[stig]

simond001 said:

Hi, I won't ask the obvious "should I?" question as i am sure all would say yes, hence you are reading this. However I am considering buying a finished GTR. What are the bad/troublesome/painful points of ownership. I don't want to jump in and regret it! Also. noise at 80-90mph on a motorway.. loud, tolerable, very loud, uncomfortable? servicing, I'm in east sussex, could this be done by a competant mechanic, or would it need to go to a specialist (and who / where?) I anticipate that i would manage about 3000miles per year (maybe a little more summer one), what would you expect this to cost. and finally insurance, who, where, how much (37yrs 8yrs NCB) Appreciate your advise.

Always a tough one to answer as it depends what you define as being noisy I guess?

To be honest, the only way you're really going to know is by test driving one. My old GTR had a supercharger about 12" from where your head would be and I drove with my wife to Le Mans and back with no problem. Obviously, you're not going to get Lexus levels of tranquility, but it's all part of the experience being able to enjoy the V8 soundtrack behind you.

If you were building, you could go to town on sound insulation which would help alot. If you buy used (and the GTR in the classifieds at £29k seems a steal), then best to try before handing over the readies.

The Chevys that power 99% of Ultimas are dead easy to service. You don't need a specialist by any means, jsut a competent mechanic.

As for insurance, the Ultimas are well known to a few of them by now. MSM is (was?) the most popular choice. I'd say you're looking at about 7-800 quid given your age/NCD (unless you live in Salford of course )

[stig]

v8wookie said:

I too am ready to jump in... I want to build my own tho! Im also keen to know more about cockpit noise after reading stuff about intercoms on this website -also how about cockpit temp? does colour help to combat this (typical i fancy black)?! - Also i currently have a 4.6 rush v8, another worry is have is am i gonna get anymore driving thrill? I fancy a gtr, so ive immediatly lost the 'roof down' thrill - any ideas?

You don't need an intercomm to hold a conversation at any speed in an Ult, although as you 'press on' you have to appreciate that there will be more wind/road/engine noise - though not unbearable (quite the opposite as it's so intoxicating!).

If you want to keep the 'roof down' experience, go for a Can-Am! I did 2nd time round

[luckyp]

Stig said:

Obviously, you're not going to get Lexus levels of tranquility

You reckon? He-he!! We can try!!!

[stig]

luckyp said:

Stig said: Obviously, you're not going to get Lexus levels of tranquility You reckon? He-he!! We can try!!!

I'd better ring Woolies trim and warn them you'll be ordering 400 sq/m of sound deadening then Pete

[luckyp]

Trust me, I have enough of the stuff already!! I'm thinking of doing the house with what I have left!!

Actually I'll put what I have left on the classifieds - at a heavily reduced price of course!



>> Edited by luckyp on Wednesday 19th April 11:38

[edfoxuk]

several of my passengers have commented on how its alot quiter inside than outside. External colour has no effect on internal temperature.The real heat is radiated form the top of the dash. Also your forehead is in my case about an inch under the polycarbonate door screans.

You must have air con. As eric said to me when selling me mine if you dont have ac in an ultima "you will die" (in a nothern eupopean accent).
Hi speed cruising is not a problem much of the sound is left in your wake. Its a damn sight more civilised than my old marcos but ruacous enough to be a thrill.