Discussion
Guys
Happy New Year
I would appreciate some honest opinions. I am looking for a new track car and having spent some time looking around have a shortlist which includes the Ultima. I have been reading the forums for the last month or so and have more questions than answers!
I have already started the process to get down to the factory to see the set up and of course a ride in the demonstrator.
However as an accountant (sorry!) but with little time then it would either have to be a factory build or a used purchase. As a track car then the used route may be more sensible from a cost perspective?
I usually drive a ML320 but have a 997TT for weekends and playing around but won't take that on track - I had a bad experience with my previous 996TT and I have changed to a tip!
I want a car that I can ideally drive to and from the track without trailer or helmet (and I have a large arse and feet so Caterhams etc are not an option).
I used to have a heavily modified MX-5 with 300+bhp which was a real blast and want to have the same fun again.....I am therefore used to the hair dresser jokes and not put off with a Can-Am (and views or history of the 500+bhp Can-Am or red GTR in the classifieds?).
What I am concerned about is buying one with the right engine/gearbox as there seems to be so many permuatations. I clearly want one that is quicker and has more feeling that the 997TT but also want the reliability of tracking the car without worrying that something is going to break. I know that you can only have 2 of cheap, reliable and fast. Top speed is not a concern but clearly reliablity, acceleration and handling are. Would also prefer NA as the MX-5 was turbo charged and this introduces a whole new dimension of tuning and reliability as I found out to my cost!.
I have also read lots of comment that the AS engine is old and requires regular rebuild for any high power application and that the LS7 seems to be the preferred engine of the moment but not sure how much of this is just myth and rumour?
Can anyone in a similar situation shed any light on the best suggested combination and if anyone is in the market for selling let me know. I have made contact with a couple in the for sale section but nothing really grabs me at the moment. Whilst I would like the power I would also like a tidy and well spec'd interior.
What kind of torque should I be looking for to notice a considerable improvement over the 997TT. I note that the factory demonstrator is now 720bhp which must be wild but nothing comes close in the classifieds at the moment. Do you reckon they will sell it :-) ?
Thanks
Happy New Year
I would appreciate some honest opinions. I am looking for a new track car and having spent some time looking around have a shortlist which includes the Ultima. I have been reading the forums for the last month or so and have more questions than answers!
I have already started the process to get down to the factory to see the set up and of course a ride in the demonstrator.
However as an accountant (sorry!) but with little time then it would either have to be a factory build or a used purchase. As a track car then the used route may be more sensible from a cost perspective?
I usually drive a ML320 but have a 997TT for weekends and playing around but won't take that on track - I had a bad experience with my previous 996TT and I have changed to a tip!
I want a car that I can ideally drive to and from the track without trailer or helmet (and I have a large arse and feet so Caterhams etc are not an option).
I used to have a heavily modified MX-5 with 300+bhp which was a real blast and want to have the same fun again.....I am therefore used to the hair dresser jokes and not put off with a Can-Am (and views or history of the 500+bhp Can-Am or red GTR in the classifieds?).
What I am concerned about is buying one with the right engine/gearbox as there seems to be so many permuatations. I clearly want one that is quicker and has more feeling that the 997TT but also want the reliability of tracking the car without worrying that something is going to break. I know that you can only have 2 of cheap, reliable and fast. Top speed is not a concern but clearly reliablity, acceleration and handling are. Would also prefer NA as the MX-5 was turbo charged and this introduces a whole new dimension of tuning and reliability as I found out to my cost!.
I have also read lots of comment that the AS engine is old and requires regular rebuild for any high power application and that the LS7 seems to be the preferred engine of the moment but not sure how much of this is just myth and rumour?
Can anyone in a similar situation shed any light on the best suggested combination and if anyone is in the market for selling let me know. I have made contact with a couple in the for sale section but nothing really grabs me at the moment. Whilst I would like the power I would also like a tidy and well spec'd interior.
What kind of torque should I be looking for to notice a considerable improvement over the 997TT. I note that the factory demonstrator is now 720bhp which must be wild but nothing comes close in the classifieds at the moment. Do you reckon they will sell it :-) ?
Thanks
Edited by david.mt on Friday 2nd January 21:16
Edited by david.mt on Friday 2nd January 21:21
I built the Red canam thats for sale in the classifieds and used that on track quite a few times and generally used it to the max including high speed runs, drag strip etc etc... I always drove it to and from the track and even used it to go to work quite a bit.... BTW Im also an accountant so your forgiven lol.
thought I should add that I dont own the car anymore and that looking at the add it does describe the car pretty acuratelly.... oh and it did an Autocar timed 0-100 mph in 7.4's beating the zonda that they timed at the same time and I did quarters in 11.4's which is Enzo ferrari performance and the same time as a std Mclaren F1 did (LM was 11.1).
Can you tell Im biased about the car lol
thought I should add that I dont own the car anymore and that looking at the add it does describe the car pretty acuratelly.... oh and it did an Autocar timed 0-100 mph in 7.4's beating the zonda that they timed at the same time and I did quarters in 11.4's which is Enzo ferrari performance and the same time as a std Mclaren F1 did (LM was 11.1).
Can you tell Im biased about the car lol

Edited by andygtt on Friday 2nd January 21:45
Hi there, and welcome...... the 720 factory car is SBC based I'm pretty sure. (although the usual silver demonstrator was around 475-500 hp last year I think)
For modern all-round performance/reliability and unless you are quite mechanically inclined, the LS7 will probably give you the best overall motor.
Maybe a reasonably priced second-hand model with upgrades to include the LS, gearing and suspension would be a good route for you?
Kyle and one or two other Gurus are currently on with, or have recently completed similar upgrades.
Gents on here are very helpful and informative, you will not be short of support.
Enjoy the factory test flight too!
For modern all-round performance/reliability and unless you are quite mechanically inclined, the LS7 will probably give you the best overall motor.
Maybe a reasonably priced second-hand model with upgrades to include the LS, gearing and suspension would be a good route for you?
Kyle and one or two other Gurus are currently on with, or have recently completed similar upgrades.
Gents on here are very helpful and informative, you will not be short of support.
Enjoy the factory test flight too!
Edited by 738 driver on Friday 2nd January 21:46
andygtt said:
I built the Red canam thats for sale in the classifieds and used that on track quite a few times and generally used it to the max including high speed runs, drag strip etc etc... I always drove it to and from the track and even used it to go to work quite a bit.... BTW Im also an accountant so your forgiven lol.
thought I should add that I dont own the car anymore and that looking at the add it does describe the car pretty acuratelly.... oh and it did an Autocar timed 0-100 mph in 7.4's beating the zonda that they timed at the same time and I did quarters in 11.4's which is Enzo ferrari performance and the same time as a std Mclaren F1 did (LM was 11.1).
Can you tell Im biased about the car lol
nice car you built Andy, I would love to have taken that off Russels hands but redundancy and devorce soon stopped that.... Got another job but nowhere to live yet and canam too small to sleep inside.. If i wanted to know any of the build details and was serious would you mind me emailing you??
Dom
thought I should add that I dont own the car anymore and that looking at the add it does describe the car pretty acuratelly.... oh and it did an Autocar timed 0-100 mph in 7.4's beating the zonda that they timed at the same time and I did quarters in 11.4's which is Enzo ferrari performance and the same time as a std Mclaren F1 did (LM was 11.1).
Can you tell Im biased about the car lol

nice car you built Andy, I would love to have taken that off Russels hands but redundancy and devorce soon stopped that.... Got another job but nowhere to live yet and canam too small to sleep inside.. If i wanted to know any of the build details and was serious would you mind me emailing you??
Dom
Edited by andygtt on Friday 2nd January 21:45
andygtt said:
I built the Red canam thats for sale in the classifieds and used that on track quite a few times and generally used it to the max including high speed runs, drag strip etc etc... I always drove it to and from the track and even used it to go to work quite a bit.... BTW Im also an accountant so your forgiven lol.
thought I should add that I dont own the car anymore and that looking at the add it does describe the car pretty acuratelly.... oh and it did an Autocar timed 0-100 mph in 7.4's beating the zonda that they timed at the same time and I did quarters in 11.4's which is Enzo ferrari performance and the same time as a std Mclaren F1 did (LM was 11.1).
Can you tell Im biased about the car lol
Hi Andythought I should add that I dont own the car anymore and that looking at the add it does describe the car pretty acuratelly.... oh and it did an Autocar timed 0-100 mph in 7.4's beating the zonda that they timed at the same time and I did quarters in 11.4's which is Enzo ferrari performance and the same time as a std Mclaren F1 did (LM was 11.1).
Can you tell Im biased about the car lol

Edited by andygtt on Friday 2nd January 21:45
Nice statistics - when did you trade the car? I presume a sensible offer can only be in the eyes of the offeror!
Are you in practice or industry?
Any information you could provide would be appreciated even if by PM.
Thanks.
highflyer said:
Or you could even e mail ME, as I have the car for sale 
Thanks - maybe I will but the Xmas bargain has become the New Year bargain so if I leave it a little longer.....
. Although must admit adverts without prices do put me off.Edited by david.mt on Saturday 3rd January 15:59
I have no problems with anyone contacting me, but I wasnt intending to try to sell anyones car, just got a bit carried away lol.
Guess what I was meaning was that I used my car hard on track and speed trialing and it was spot on throughout (its capable of well over 200mph as well lol)... Im not a fan of the SBC and Im more in favour of an LS7 etc for a track car, but you will never find one for sale and if you did it would be much more money... but if you get the right spec SBC car it is possible to convert later (Ls7s are very expensive tho).
BTW Im in industry so not a 'real' accountant lol
Guess what I was meaning was that I used my car hard on track and speed trialing and it was spot on throughout (its capable of well over 200mph as well lol)... Im not a fan of the SBC and Im more in favour of an LS7 etc for a track car, but you will never find one for sale and if you did it would be much more money... but if you get the right spec SBC car it is possible to convert later (Ls7s are very expensive tho).
BTW Im in industry so not a 'real' accountant lol
Wow there seems to be a lot of accountants here (me included) - maybe we all need an escape route from bean counting.
David, not sure where in Yorkshire you are, but I am living in Nottingham, which may (or may not) be a long way for you. I have LS7 GTR, which is not for sale, but you're welcome to come over for chat and look round it if you like. Having said that, I wont be doing any high speed run outs until we see some much better weather. I decided that I didn't have the time or patience to build one, so I got a second hand one. Ones with the "more normal" interior are much rarer and mine is factory standard. Once I have raised some more cash, I will be looking to refit the whole inside and do some other bits to make it more personal to me. I have driven Ferrari's, Lambo's, Astons etc and will honstly say this is so different you wouldn't beleive it. You really need to drive one before deciding, even if it's only a short distance. The main downside to not building one for me is I am clueless about 95% of the topics on this forum, but maybe I'll find someone knowledgeable and local to help me learn some of the engine etc stuff sometime. Let me know if I can help you in any way.
Andrew
David, not sure where in Yorkshire you are, but I am living in Nottingham, which may (or may not) be a long way for you. I have LS7 GTR, which is not for sale, but you're welcome to come over for chat and look round it if you like. Having said that, I wont be doing any high speed run outs until we see some much better weather. I decided that I didn't have the time or patience to build one, so I got a second hand one. Ones with the "more normal" interior are much rarer and mine is factory standard. Once I have raised some more cash, I will be looking to refit the whole inside and do some other bits to make it more personal to me. I have driven Ferrari's, Lambo's, Astons etc and will honstly say this is so different you wouldn't beleive it. You really need to drive one before deciding, even if it's only a short distance. The main downside to not building one for me is I am clueless about 95% of the topics on this forum, but maybe I'll find someone knowledgeable and local to help me learn some of the engine etc stuff sometime. Let me know if I can help you in any way.
Andrew
andyouteast said:
Wow there seems to be a lot of accountants here (me included) - maybe we all need an escape route from bean counting.
David, not sure where in Yorkshire you are, but I am living in Nottingham, which may (or may not) be a long way for you. I have LS7 GTR, which is not for sale, but you're welcome to come over for chat and look round it if you like.
Andrew
Hi Andrew - thanks for the reply. I live in York and work in Leeds (but still in practice so my "patch" is quite large and I have a couple of clients in Nottingham (but don't tell our Nottingham office!).David, not sure where in Yorkshire you are, but I am living in Nottingham, which may (or may not) be a long way for you. I have LS7 GTR, which is not for sale, but you're welcome to come over for chat and look round it if you like.
Andrew
Are you sure you car is not for sale as an LS7 GTR would fit the requirement very nicely

I may drop you an email if I can when the weather improves...I am in Italy at the moment and its very nice but unfortunately I have to fly back tomorrow and start work
.Ciao
Hi David. An office in Nottingham? - I guess that makes you a Big 4 guy with loads of money and willing to pay me enough to retire on for my GTR! If I can't retire on the cash, then sorry, mine's not for sale. Enjoy going back to work, some of us saddos have been back since last Monday.
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