RE: Ginetta G4
Discussion
Actually, I read the article (Borders Books in the USA) and have to say that it was a good article, better than EVO without a doubt, but didn't offer any thoughts as to how the G4 compares to a Morgan 4/4, Caterham, Lotus Elise for example. All 4 cars have 4 cylinder engines (the Morgan would lose in the performance category, but it is stylish...), 3 of the cars are available in the USA (sorry Lotus), too.
I hope Autocar, EVO or any self respecting mag will do a real comparison test of these cars. I really like the Dare, though...
I hope Autocar, EVO or any self respecting mag will do a real comparison test of these cars. I really like the Dare, though...
The G4 is a great car. I saw the coupe and convertable at the sports car show at the NEC a few months ago.
At the time I was looking at buying a car, or a house; I went looking for a Toyota MR2, or similar. However, I fell in love with the G4, and spent close to 4 hours talking to the people at Dare, and the man kind enough to take his own G4 to show.
I then went and test drove the G4, with www.paul-stephens.com I contacted Sheffield Ginetta, and drove the G27 too. After the drives, I think the G4 is the better feeling, and better sounding of the 2.
I heard somebody would only buy a G4 if they could have a stero installed - WHY?? The sound of the G4 driving along a curvy B B road is one of the best sounds in the world!
Anyway, back to the reason I started writing this post: Does anybody have a copy of the video Mark made of his race? Also, does anybody know who owns the copyright on this video?
I want to get hold of a copy (any format will do), and add it to the "I love the G4" site I'm setting up, as there seem to be too few sites comparing the G4 to other cars, and not enough pictures or videos out there.
Oh, and I have heard that the G4 *IS* road leagal in some states in the USA. The best guys to ask are www.goginetta.com as they are responsible for getting the cars into the US.
>> Edited by ninjadave on Wednesday 18th December 17:14
At the time I was looking at buying a car, or a house; I went looking for a Toyota MR2, or similar. However, I fell in love with the G4, and spent close to 4 hours talking to the people at Dare, and the man kind enough to take his own G4 to show.
I then went and test drove the G4, with www.paul-stephens.com I contacted Sheffield Ginetta, and drove the G27 too. After the drives, I think the G4 is the better feeling, and better sounding of the 2.
I heard somebody would only buy a G4 if they could have a stero installed - WHY?? The sound of the G4 driving along a curvy B B road is one of the best sounds in the world!
Anyway, back to the reason I started writing this post: Does anybody have a copy of the video Mark made of his race? Also, does anybody know who owns the copyright on this video?
I want to get hold of a copy (any format will do), and add it to the "I love the G4" site I'm setting up, as there seem to be too few sites comparing the G4 to other cars, and not enough pictures or videos out there.
Oh, and I have heard that the G4 *IS* road leagal in some states in the USA. The best guys to ask are www.goginetta.com as they are responsible for getting the cars into the US.
>> Edited by ninjadave on Wednesday 18th December 17:14
Went to the www.goginetta.com website and saw their cars. Wow!
I think the removable hardtop version of the G4 will render the convertible obsolete, though.
I agree--there is a complete dearth of material comparing the G4 to other cars. I hope that someone out in pistonheads has driven the Elise and G4 and can tell us their thoughts regarding the 2 cars.
If you find the video from Mark, let us know how to a get a copy, too!
I think the removable hardtop version of the G4 will render the convertible obsolete, though.
I agree--there is a complete dearth of material comparing the G4 to other cars. I hope that someone out in pistonheads has driven the Elise and G4 and can tell us their thoughts regarding the 2 cars.
If you find the video from Mark, let us know how to a get a copy, too!
Hi Harley,
While I have tested both the G4 and the original Elise 111S, the tests were so far apart in both time and distance that it would be impossible to make anything like an accurate comparison.
Both were certainly an entertaining drive though - the G4 on slippery winter roads and the Elise through a torrential cloudburst. No doubt that British sports cars are a damn sight more fun than British weather!
While I have tested both the G4 and the original Elise 111S, the tests were so far apart in both time and distance that it would be impossible to make anything like an accurate comparison.
Both were certainly an entertaining drive though - the G4 on slippery winter roads and the Elise through a torrential cloudburst. No doubt that British sports cars are a damn sight more fun than British weather!
It IS a classic looking car!
Hi kip,
Yes, we can see the interest, but as mentioned earlier, Dare only make G12s to order, most of which I think end up in Japan. Add to that the other point about it not being road legal and being able to arrange a test becomes extremely unlikely.
Of course if anyone knows of any G12 owners in the UK that would volunteer their car...
Yes, we can see the interest, but as mentioned earlier, Dare only make G12s to order, most of which I think end up in Japan. Add to that the other point about it not being road legal and being able to arrange a test becomes extremely unlikely.
Of course if anyone knows of any G12 owners in the UK that would volunteer their car...
So one could also be made to order and shipped to USA? And if so can they be street legal as some US Ginetta website lead me to believe with the G4? That's always been my question with Ginetta in general. I see these sights listing G4 in the US but I never seem them on the street or online with US plates. And finally G12 completely finished are around $60,000 usa?
Hi PiB,
Yes, you could order one and have it shipped to the US. Don't know whether you could make it street legal though.
As I mentioned somewhere earlier in this thread the G12 was designed purely as a race car, and as far as Dare are aware, nobody's tried to put one on the road. However, it has all the lights etc so it might be possible.
Best bet is contact the guys at www.goginetta.com or Dare themselves at www.dareuk.com
Yes, you could order one and have it shipped to the US. Don't know whether you could make it street legal though.
As I mentioned somewhere earlier in this thread the G12 was designed purely as a race car, and as far as Dare are aware, nobody's tried to put one on the road. However, it has all the lights etc so it might be possible.
Best bet is contact the guys at www.goginetta.com or Dare themselves at www.dareuk.com
I have just acquired a 1972 Ginetta G4 which was remanufactured by DARE in 2001. I live in New Jersey, USA. When I get a chance, I will write up my driving experience, but so far, it is a blast to drive and just a pleasure to look at. Biggest problem so far: fitting a front license plate for NJ so that it does not block the air flow to the rad and so I can still open the bonnet ... I have this conquered now and can remove it in a flash via two wing nuts.
As far as Graham's review: I agree with most of Graham's review although my car has a turn signal "stalk" like any other modern car (so Graham, maybe Ivor listened to you). Also, I think that Graham's test car was probably not set up quite right for the road ... it would take an awful lot to get the back end to slide out on my car. The effort to get into the car (easy once you've done it a few times) is rewarded by a near perfect driving position. As for noise ... it isn't that loud until you put your foot down then it's a joy to listen to. My car has the Weber Alpha injection which my have less induction noise than the carb set up. I'll tell you more later.
You can see pictures of my car at www.goginetta.com under G4 Convertible (strange since I thought a car where you have to install the roof via frame/side screens etc. was a "roadster" versus a pull-shut or electric roof which would be a "convertible" ... this is certainly true in the Austin Healey world).
Seasons Greetings everyone,
Andy
P.S. I'm from Essex, just like my G4!
>> Edited by SilverG4 on Monday 23 December 14:35
>> Edited by SilverG4 on Monday 23 December 14:36
As far as Graham's review: I agree with most of Graham's review although my car has a turn signal "stalk" like any other modern car (so Graham, maybe Ivor listened to you). Also, I think that Graham's test car was probably not set up quite right for the road ... it would take an awful lot to get the back end to slide out on my car. The effort to get into the car (easy once you've done it a few times) is rewarded by a near perfect driving position. As for noise ... it isn't that loud until you put your foot down then it's a joy to listen to. My car has the Weber Alpha injection which my have less induction noise than the carb set up. I'll tell you more later.
You can see pictures of my car at www.goginetta.com under G4 Convertible (strange since I thought a car where you have to install the roof via frame/side screens etc. was a "roadster" versus a pull-shut or electric roof which would be a "convertible" ... this is certainly true in the Austin Healey world).
Seasons Greetings everyone,
Andy
P.S. I'm from Essex, just like my G4!
>> Edited by SilverG4 on Monday 23 December 14:35
>> Edited by SilverG4 on Monday 23 December 14:36
Kip,
I think the removable hardtop version is good looking and practical for New Jersey. If it proves to be water-tight and eliminates draft then I think it certainly broadens the appeal of the car ... I imagine that it helps with racing too as it cleans up the airflow. My car has the original type screen so no chance of getting a hard top for it. The curved screen/windshield was the right modification for DARE but I like the classic look of the original. If you live in Florida or California, then it probably doesn't matter a whole lot to you!
Andy
I think the removable hardtop version is good looking and practical for New Jersey. If it proves to be water-tight and eliminates draft then I think it certainly broadens the appeal of the car ... I imagine that it helps with racing too as it cleans up the airflow. My car has the original type screen so no chance of getting a hard top for it. The curved screen/windshield was the right modification for DARE but I like the classic look of the original. If you live in Florida or California, then it probably doesn't matter a whole lot to you!
Andy
How was GOGINETTA to work with? Did you pick up your car or did they ship to you? Any reliability problems? How many miles have you done? Any pointers for those of us in the USA thinking about getting a G4?
How's the ingress/egress? What about RHD in a LHD country? Sorry for all the questions, but I got's to know!
How's the ingress/egress? What about RHD in a LHD country? Sorry for all the questions, but I got's to know!
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