build or buy ultima

[pistontyred]

ok .. i'm smitten,i want an ultima sooo badly.had a cobra so i know about running these type of things,but didn't build it.Going to sell porsche,do i spend the next 2 years trying to build it?..Small garage,no pit/lift,not a mechanic,or do i hassel the bank manager and cut to the chase.How about the cost?is it cheaper to build,or do you pay a premium on a finished one?

[polus]

I lurk in this section often as I would like to build an Ultima one day. I have to say one of the big factors as to why I would like an Ultima is building it and I think its what appeals to many others. Theres plenty of fast cars but how many can you tailor to your own requirements. I can understand why you would just buy one but from a non-owning / outsiders perpesctive If I get the money together theres no way Ill be missing out on putting it together.

[pistontyred]

just out of interest do you have any mechanical/engineering know how,or would you just jump in the deep end.i totaly understand what your saying regarding finishing the car to your spec.

[steve_D]

For me building was everything.
You don't need a lift or a pit. Most builders use a dolly (stand about 2' high on casters) to build the car on which means if you only have a single garage you can push it against one wall while you work on the other side.

If you stay with the factory spec then all the engineering bits are so well defined that you do not need to be a mechanic. DIY skills will be more important for cutting and trimming GF panels, ali panels, doors, and interior trim.

Building it yourself should make a considerable saving over having the factory build you one but buying second hand will be cheaper than self build.

Steve

[pistontyred]

WOW ! steve, looks like you did a lovely job on yours,it seems to me every body has very high standards of build quality in thier cars,think i'm leaning toward buying somebody elses hard work, and saving some scraped knuckels on the way.Interiors can always be re-trimmed,engines tweeked,wheels changed.thanks for your advice ...

[GTWayne]

I set out to build an Ultima 5 years ago but circumstances beyond my control prevented me from starting to build,let alone actually building it.I have been very lucky in as much as I met someone (who is well known on this forum)and a deal was struck between us that he should build the car for me.I do feel a little like a pretender,as I would dearly have liked,or the idea at least,to have built the car myself.As the Ultima is nearing completion I have mixed feelings, but most of all, I have come to realise that even instigating such a project takes a fair amount of vision and commitment.The car has evolved into so much more than I would have been capable of creating myself and in answer to your question, I would say what do you see as being the most important ingrediant of an Ultima project?.If the idea of building the car yourself is paramount,then there you have it.If you can afford to buy a built car and want to enjoy it sooner rather than later (and possibly realise somewhat of a cost saving)then I would advocate this rout as you can always change parts to personalise and keep your interest alive as you enjoy ownership.Whatever your decision,I wish you well.

>> Edited by GTWayne on Sunday 23 April 16:35

[pistontyred]

thanks for every bodies thoughts,will keep an eye out for your soon to be completed car wayne,cheers

[domster]

GTWayne said:

I set out to build an Ultima 5 years ago

LOL, another thing we have in common Wayne... the longest Ultima builds in the history of the forum That said, many have told me that the build is the best thing, so I'm savouring it like a single malt on a cold night.

For me, it's about building something - especially when there are plenty on Pistonheads who think I couldn't even build a Lego car competently, LOL... I'll show them - my Airfix kits looked sodding great so tell me where the roundels go and get my some duck egg blue paint for the interior.

I'm measuring each rivet 32 times and using a laser rivet jig so it will make Stig's cars look like botch jobs. My Dremel is guided by GPS and... OK, enough... it'll be reasonable tho'

It would have been cheaper buying second hand, but for me the build was important. If you don't have an insane urge to prove people wrong, look in the classifieds. If you do, order a kit

[peterpsg]

I would also have liked to build mine from scratch, but when one came up that was 99% of the spec that I would have liked to achieve myself, I couldn't resist!

As it is, I've had plenty of fun working on the car, modifying things here and there, and just generally tweaking things a bit as there is always a small blemish to iron out... (even if there was none to start with ;-))

[vipernick]

I have considered the same question whether to Buy complete or Build! I ended up buying a complete car which was not quite to the ideal 'clean peace of paper' spec but quite close! I am in the process of rebuilding areas for which I am not happy, while having the enjoyment of driving the thing. After all the car is a focussed kit car, which will need development / refinements even if it is built from scratch. I have in the past spent years creating a car, which was sold on completion, because it did not fulfill expectations. It is nice to know quickly whether the vehicle will meet expectations without waisting alot of time!