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Gtm Libra / Spyder cars.
I just sold my Tiger Avon purely due to me finding it difficult with the pedal arrangement . Also due to the ability to "just get in and go" due to always worrying about the weather.
So I am looking an alternative to 7 style kit cars. I do like both the GTM Spyder / Libra but I can't make my mind on which one to go for of the two.
Anyone had a bad / good experience with any off them like to share? Anything to look out for? I am viewing a Spyder tomorrow that's been advertised in Pistonheads.
Thanks.
I just sold my Tiger Avon purely due to me finding it difficult with the pedal arrangement . Also due to the ability to "just get in and go" due to always worrying about the weather.
So I am looking an alternative to 7 style kit cars. I do like both the GTM Spyder / Libra but I can't make my mind on which one to go for of the two.
Anyone had a bad / good experience with any off them like to share? Anything to look out for? I am viewing a Spyder tomorrow that's been advertised in Pistonheads.
Thanks.
I absolutely LOVE my Libra.
It's my third kitcar and I would love to build another car, buyt don't have the space unless I sell the Libra. For this reason I simply can't build another car....
I think how you'll enjoy the car depends on wether you intend taking it on the track. Mine is a road car and a VERY good one in what it is capable of.
Track Libras require a lot of careful upgrades.
Some more TeamGTM people will be along shortly, I'm sure.
It's my third kitcar and I would love to build another car, buyt don't have the space unless I sell the Libra. For this reason I simply can't build another car....
I think how you'll enjoy the car depends on wether you intend taking it on the track. Mine is a road car and a VERY good one in what it is capable of.
Track Libras require a lot of careful upgrades.
Some more TeamGTM people will be along shortly, I'm sure.
I LOVE my Libra too 
I do take mine on track and enjoy it. It has taken me twice on 3500 mile trips through the Alps to the south of France and 3 times to Zolder in Belgium for a 2 day track day. It has proved to be very practical and comfortable and still provide the same sort of performance as an S1 Exige but with cheap insurance.
The downside is that to get it to a level where I am happy on track has taken a lot of time and money. This has involved uprated brakes, radiator, suspension, oil cooler, exhaust etc. This has been lots of fun and part of the experience and if I had to do it again I probably would.
teangtm.com is the place to join. Even though it costs £25 if you are serious about a Libra or Spyder then the wealth of knowledge on there is well worth it and every question you have will already have been answered.
Libra or Spyder? Libra every time unless you are a hairdresser!
I do take mine on track and enjoy it. It has taken me twice on 3500 mile trips through the Alps to the south of France and 3 times to Zolder in Belgium for a 2 day track day. It has proved to be very practical and comfortable and still provide the same sort of performance as an S1 Exige but with cheap insurance.
The downside is that to get it to a level where I am happy on track has taken a lot of time and money. This has involved uprated brakes, radiator, suspension, oil cooler, exhaust etc. This has been lots of fun and part of the experience and if I had to do it again I probably would.
teangtm.com is the place to join. Even though it costs £25 if you are serious about a Libra or Spyder then the wealth of knowledge on there is well worth it and every question you have will already have been answered.
Libra or Spyder? Libra every time unless you are a hairdresser!
I've never owned one but I've test driven them and they're bloody good little cars.
The only problem - being realistic - is that they are almost identical in concept, performance and ability to the Lotus Elise (the Elise has the edge in terms of steering feel, handling precision and ride, but only just).
If you're buying second-hand, common sense therefore suggests that you buy the Elise instead, 'cos its easier to get parts for and easier to sell when you want to move on.
But then since when has common sense had anything to do with buying sports cars?
The only problem - being realistic - is that they are almost identical in concept, performance and ability to the Lotus Elise (the Elise has the edge in terms of steering feel, handling precision and ride, but only just).
If you're buying second-hand, common sense therefore suggests that you buy the Elise instead, 'cos its easier to get parts for and easier to sell when you want to move on.
But then since when has common sense had anything to do with buying sports cars?
rdodger said:
Libra or Spyder? Libra every time unless you are a hairdresser!
Really???
Arhhhh that's shame......I am not a hairdresser......... but I really like the Spyder.......shame and I was going to look one tomorrow.
Soooooooo if they are so similar to Lotus Elise does that mean that the Elise is a hairdressers car?
Edited by mkindyblade on Monday 28th September 20:53
mkindyblade said:
rdodger said:
Libra or Spyder? Libra every time unless you are a hairdresser!
Really???Arhhhh that's shame......I am not a hairdresser......... but I really like the Spyder.......shame and I was going to look one tomorrow.
Soooooooo if they are so similar to Lotus Elise does that mean that the Elise is a hairdressers car?
The elise? That's for girls!!!!!
Seriously? The hairdresser bit is a running TGTM joke. Go and look at the Spyder and drive it. I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Edited by mkindyblade on Monday 28th September 20:53
as another ex Libra owner..... If you want a fantastic road car you can occasionally use on track then a Libra is awesome. IF you are seriously into trackdays then go for an Elise, parts / upgrades far easier to get hold of short notice. As for the Spider, I really like them, not many kits have more road presence than a Libra, and I say that from having Bike engined Phoenix and Fury as well. Always get asked what it is ect even when getting a pint of milk. You do really need to join TeamGTM , everything you ever need is there. I will take a look at the spider ad for you when I get a minute
I looked into a Libra a while back. While I loved the looks and the individuality I found it hard to justify one over an S1 Elise for my purposes. Actually in the end I ignored both and went for a Seven and you're not wrong about the usability - the weather doesn't annoy me much, but they're a bit of a pain on the motorway, so long distance trips aren't much fun. I'd love to drive around North Wales or the Dales in the Seven, but I'm not sure I'd enjoy driving over there! Something like an Elise or TVR, on the other hand, would be fine - as would the Libra probably.
Love my Libra.
It really is a car that you can get into, drive across to the far side of wherever, adjust the tyres and dampers, and go hooning round the track. After the event, re-adjust, drive home. Just like that. That's what I did the other weekend to Zolder.
Looks like nothing else, and has great road presence for a tiny car. Easier to get in and out of than an Elise, and more individual. As Lee says, folks keep looking at it on the road.
It really is a car that you can get into, drive across to the far side of wherever, adjust the tyres and dampers, and go hooning round the track. After the event, re-adjust, drive home. Just like that. That's what I did the other weekend to Zolder.
Looks like nothing else, and has great road presence for a tiny car. Easier to get in and out of than an Elise, and more individual. As Lee says, folks keep looking at it on the road.
.That budget should get you a nice example.
There is a nearly new Spyder for sale, well probably. I'm pretty sure it's done less than 1000 miles and has been built with unheard of attention to detail by a very nice bloke. The only down side is that it's got a 1.4 8v engine. Having said that putting a VVC engine with PG1 box wouldn't cost the earth or take more than a couple of weekends.
I think he wants about £11,500 for it though.
Let me know if you want me to check and pass on the details.
This one looks nice.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GTM-Libra-2-seater-sports-co...
There is a nearly new Spyder for sale, well probably. I'm pretty sure it's done less than 1000 miles and has been built with unheard of attention to detail by a very nice bloke. The only down side is that it's got a 1.4 8v engine. Having said that putting a VVC engine with PG1 box wouldn't cost the earth or take more than a couple of weekends.
I think he wants about £11,500 for it though.
Let me know if you want me to check and pass on the details.
Edited by rdodger on Thursday 1st October 21:04
This one looks nice.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GTM-Libra-2-seater-sports-co...
Edited by rdodger on Thursday 1st October 21:07
rdodger said:
That budget should get you a nice example.
There is a nearly new Spyder for sale, well probably. I'm pretty sure it's done less than 1000 miles and has been built with unheard of attention to detail by a very nice bloke. The only down side is that it's got a 1.4 8v engine. Having said that putting a VVC engine with PG1 box wouldn't cost the earth or take more than a couple of weekends.
I think he wants about £11,500 for it though.
Let me know if you want me to check and pass on the details.
This one looks nice.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GTM-Libra-2-seater-sports-co...
Thanks for your reply fella. The first one is def out of my price range unfortunately........ and the one on fleebay I have send the seller an email with an offer.There is a nearly new Spyder for sale, well probably. I'm pretty sure it's done less than 1000 miles and has been built with unheard of attention to detail by a very nice bloke. The only down side is that it's got a 1.4 8v engine. Having said that putting a VVC engine with PG1 box wouldn't cost the earth or take more than a couple of weekends.
I think he wants about £11,500 for it though.
Let me know if you want me to check and pass on the details.
Edited by rdodger on Thursday 1st October 21:04
This one looks nice.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GTM-Libra-2-seater-sports-co...
Edited by rdodger on Thursday 1st October 21:07
Will wait and see.
I'll sell you mine for £6250.
I was planning to sell it at next year's Stoneleigh Show.
More pictures in profile link.
P3GTM goes with the car.
Built by me and declared new at first registration Feb 2005
MOT sept 2nd
taxed to end August 2010
13,000 miles.
I went with Roger and Lee to Zolder for a couple of days last month. I changed the oil (for the 6th time!) put new tyres (first replacement set) and green stuff pads in. Drove there, two days on track, and drove back. They will not be surprised to see this post as I was discussing selling the car whilst out there.
It let me down once, there's a multiway connector in the egine compartment. I had fitted a boot over it when I built the car. The boot had split and the fuel pump connection went awol. Resealed the connector before the Zolder trip. Oh, and I also had it towed away one time when it ran out of petrol on my drive!!!
143VVC mems2 engine with larger throttle body. Passat rad mod, Elise shift (the best way to do it)
Close ratio PG1 gear box (important - makes a LOT of difference)
Otherwise a basic Libra.
It isn't a garage Queen, just a nice quick Libra.
I love the car. It does exactly what I want. The reason I'm selling it, is that I just don't get the fun out of tinkering with it that I used to. I'm too old and stiff to play with cars now. I feel quite mixed up writing this, since selling a car you have made is quite a step!
I was planning to sell it at next year's Stoneleigh Show.
More pictures in profile link.
P3GTM goes with the car.
Built by me and declared new at first registration Feb 2005
MOT sept 2nd
taxed to end August 2010
13,000 miles.
I went with Roger and Lee to Zolder for a couple of days last month. I changed the oil (for the 6th time!) put new tyres (first replacement set) and green stuff pads in. Drove there, two days on track, and drove back. They will not be surprised to see this post as I was discussing selling the car whilst out there.
It let me down once, there's a multiway connector in the egine compartment. I had fitted a boot over it when I built the car. The boot had split and the fuel pump connection went awol. Resealed the connector before the Zolder trip. Oh, and I also had it towed away one time when it ran out of petrol on my drive!!!
143VVC mems2 engine with larger throttle body. Passat rad mod, Elise shift (the best way to do it)
Close ratio PG1 gear box (important - makes a LOT of difference)
Otherwise a basic Libra.
It isn't a garage Queen, just a nice quick Libra.
I love the car. It does exactly what I want. The reason I'm selling it, is that I just don't get the fun out of tinkering with it that I used to. I'm too old and stiff to play with cars now. I feel quite mixed up writing this, since selling a car you have made is quite a step!
Edited by Paul Drawmer on Friday 2nd October 08:29
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