Ginetta 27 queries for newbie.

[SiOsbon]

Thinking of a Ginetta 27 with a hard top and have a few queries:

1) How are they to live with as an only car?

2) Is it as reliable as something newer like an MX5 or is it something that requires constant attention like a TVR Wedge or S series?

3) Why do so few people seem to keep them in storage for so long, for example only doing a few thousand miles even though they have owned it for several years, is it the case that they have it as a weekend car or so don't use it much or is it as in query 2.

4) What are they like to use during the wetter months and in winter, is it just gonna leak or are they quite waterproof?

I have been looking therough the owners club, etc but haven't found sufficent answers to the above queries, any help would be much appreciated.

Si

[ginettag27]

SiOsbon said:

Thinking of a Ginetta 27 with a hard top and have a few queries: 1) How are they to live with as an only car? 2) Is it as reliable as something newer like an MX5 or is it something that requires constant attention like a TVR Wedge or S series? 3) Why do so few people seem to keep them in storage for so long, for example only doing a few thousand miles even though they have owned it for several years, is it the case that they have it as a weekend car or so don't use it much or is it as in query 2. 4) What are they like to use during the wetter months and in winter, is it just gonna leak or are they quite waterproof? I have been looking therough the owners club, etc but haven't found sufficent answers to the above queries, any help would be much appreciated. Si

1) Only car, depends on what you want to do with it, shopping no problem! Going on holiday, no real problem, but you'll struggle to get any sizeable luggage in there!!

2) Reliability, it really depends on who built it.. I had teething problems with mine, but once those were sorted out it was entirely reliable, no problems, started well. Watch for the engine and diff... You need to check it out really.

3) I've put a few miles on mine, but they do seem to not attract too many miles... They're mainly seen as 2nd cars. They need a bit of TLC, ideally a garage...

4) Wetter months - you need good rubber. It needs to be well set up, to give grip. Vis. is a bit of a problem - spray and the tiniest amount of rain will give you problems, tbh.. The wipers, usually a bit pants... Side view, can be difficult and rear view, esp. if it's plastic... You're low down, so this also presents problems. As long as the heating is sorted then hopefully you won't have too many problems with the windscreen steaming on the inside... Then there's water!! I had a bit of a leaking roof, nothing too bad, but a bit of a drip, fixed those with some extra rubber washers and some light use of clear sealant.. It depends how your roof is located - mine had two 'prongs' which basically allowed a small amount of water in - the rubber washers sorted that out You may well need to work on the dryness of the car, but it can certainly be sorted out. I'd check the doors, sometimes they don't quite fit so well and need extra waterproofing... i.e. plugging up!!

Have you joined the owners club? If you're interested in Ginetta's then I strongly suggest that you do. You would then be able to ask questions on the forums on the site and in the Newsmag...

hth

Phil

[richburley]

Another question or two:

How cheap is it to insure one of these as a road car when:

1 Your yearly mileage is high

2 You're coming back from a Drink Driving conviction

Not for me, but for a friend. Really. See I have a friend who is interested in one of these, but the above issues apply and I think it probably a very silly idea for him to even consider, and I am trying to persuade him to not buy one. I think he should buy a 323i Coupe like me, then also buy a race spec kart for fun!