Thinking of buying a can am

[simonjrwinter]

For some reason, Pistonheads keeps removing my posts. I’m looking for advice on buying an ultima can am.
Can any can am owners give me advice on what to look for and what I should avoid.
Hopefully this post asking for advice doesn’t upset the moderator Nazi’s, but you never know!
Simon

[deadscoob]

Unfortunately most activity is now on a closed FB group so this area is very slow.

Firstly, what is your budget? That’ll give a good idea of what you’re likely to be able to get. What will your intended usage be?
Whereabouts in uk are you? There may be a can an owner local to you.


Generally speaking you want AC and car with the “normal” options, ap brakes etc. Nowadays it’s difficult to get good tyres in 18” ultima size s as nd impossible to get current tech tyres in 18” rear size so a 19” wheel car would be desirable.
LS engined cars will always be easier to live with than traditional SBC engined cars, although some people prefer the older engines still and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Perhaps post a few things you expect out of the car and then hopefully a few can am owners can chip in

[JoulesCanAm]

The list may be different in the UK, but as a US (Nevada) based owner since 2007 mine is fairly bare bones. No A/C, despite the summer heat here, but it's an open top so plenty of air flow when moving, especially if you are opting for the aero screen. When I got mine I went and ordered the full height windows, soft top etc. and they are all still in the box shipped from the factory!

Much of my use has been biased toward track, I have rose jointed suspension and track spring rates which I find fine for street driving as well. I think the factory has modified the clam catches now, but that was my biggest concern as I had no clam open warning light. Tires I can get pretty easily (Hoosier for track and Pirelli's on the street), I have the early short wishbones (a-arms) and would imagine the longer ones to be a nice upgrade opening up opportunity for different front tire widths.

Julian

[dodgepot]

Hi Simon

another newcomer to the Ultima world here

just wondered if you'd managed to make any progress towards a Canam

I've managed to find one and agreed a price, just waiting for my Tuscan to sell so I can conclude the deal and get my mitts on it.

The only other one I've seen is the yellow one on autotrader which I'm sure you'll have seen

cheers

mark

[simonjrwinter]

Hi Mark,

I've put my plans on hold for the time being. I've spoken to a couple of people who say the driving experience is quite poor (one person said "they're all the same...drive like s**t"). I'm not sure what they are comparing it to, but I've had several GT40 replicas so am quite used to noisy, cramped cockpits and maybe they're not!
Will wait until the pandemic has passed and talk to some owners at meets and maybe a factory visit. It's not the speed so much I'm looking for (you can get that much cheaper elsewhere) rather having a quick/quirky car that rides and handles well that I would take anywhere.
I managed to turn my GT40's from replica race cars into comfortable touring machines and I'd want to do the same with an Ultima.
Good luck with your new car, please let me know your experiences.
Best

Simon

[confusionhunter]

Here, read through my blog.
Sadly FB have disable notes now so my articles have lost comments and their presentation but you can still read them, If you go back to the beginning you can read my journey. There one on set up and set up really does make a big difference and I think many builders sell before putting the time and effort needed to set the car up properly. Now I'm at a point that car is very well set up and its ruined me for a lot of other cars. No they realty don't all drive the same, that comment just confirms the level of credibility that person has..... Set up makes a big difference.

https://www.facebook.com/Ultima-Can-Am-Scotland-96...

first installment here:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/ultima-can-am-scotl...

Edited by confusionhunter on Thursday 26th November 09:11

Edited by confusionhunter on Thursday 26th November 09:12

[dodgepot]

Read your blog, thanks for writing it.

Once you got the windscreen off and got it all cleaned up etc how easy was it to switch between the aeroscreen and full screen in terms of time amd process

cheers

[ROWDYRENAULT]

They all drive like st........... Simon go read the article in the last EVO somehow they seemed pretty happy with the car overall. That article is several years old and I think it might be of a pre EVO car. I may be wrong on that, but it's not a R.S.

[TR3B]

confusionhunter said:

Here, read through my blog.
Sadly FB have disable notes now so my articles have lost comments and their presentation but you can still read them, If you go back to the beginning you can read my journey. There one on set up and set up really does make a big difference and I think many builders sell before putting the time and effort needed to set the car up properly. Now I'm at a point that car is very well set up and its ruined me for a lot of other cars. No they realty don't all drive the same, that comment just confirms the level of credibility that person has..... Set up makes a big difference.

https://www.facebook.com/Ultima-Can-Am-Scotland-96...

first installment here:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/ultima-can-am-scotl...

Edited by confusionhunter on Thursday 26th November 09:11

Edited by confusionhunter on Thursday 26th November 09:12

Would love to check that out but FB won't let me see it without an account - and that ain't ever happening.

[Ult-Jim]

They are a dream to drive, if built properly, and set up by a pro, not just wheel alignment but also bump steer. Both my Ultima & Caterham are the best analogue driver's cars out there.

[deadscoob]

Agreed with confusion Hunter. The people that have told you that have no clue / had a badly setup car and you should treat those comments appropriately lol.

I’ll caveat that by saying you can’t expect a car like this to match a modern supercar down a bumpy B road.

I’d be interested to know the last experience of the people who have you their advice and whether they have actually owned one. There are quite a few people on PH for example who can be very quick to comment without any actual knowledge, just a bit of heresy. They still try and sound knowledgable lol.

[simonjrwinter]

Thank you all for the input. It would be silly of me to base my purchase on a couple of negative comments. The Ultima is a well established vehicle with a strong following so they must be doing something right!
Once things get better I’ll see if there’s someone in my part of the world with a can am I can speak to.
Simon

[JoulesCanAm]

I am not sure what those 'couple' people with negative comments were driving, but being fortunate enough to own the CanAm and an ERA GT40, I can assure you my Ultima is head and shoulders above the GT40 in driving comfort, responsiveness and visceral experience and the build was geared toward track use. It's personal taste but the GT40 might win out on shear looks!

[confusionhunter]

Dodgepot, Its a bit of a pain TBH but doesnt take that long to actually swap the screen. Because I keep my screen in a big wooden framed box in the loft of my garage, theres some faffing about there, but 30 mins will see it done, A drill, extention and small socket zips the easy bolts out but a 10mm ratchet spanner is a must for the edge ones and being upside down in the seat under the dash is unavoidable!

As for FB theyve disabled notes and pretty much ruined the page..... im still pissed off about that so happy to copy content to a non FB platform if anyone has recommendations.

[dodgepot]

Thanks for the info Mark

[simonjrwinter]

I’ve tried to join the Ultima FB group, but unless you already own a car or have placed an order (and they warn of a “vetting” process) you’re not allowed in!
I think maybe they have ideas above their station.
Any group of owners that aren’t willing to offer advice and help to potential owners, isn’t worth being involved with. The Cobra/GT40 replica communities are open/honest and nothing but helpful (as are the vast majority of “kit” groups/websites) apart from the chaps posting on here, who have been very helpful, it's not a nice vibe.....

Edited by simonjrwinter on Saturday 5th December 12:33

Edited by simonjrwinter on Saturday 5th December 12:34

[deadscoob]

Or alternatively....

It was once more open and attracted a few people who had no intention of buying, building or owning an ultima and all they did was troll...

It’s a shame for potential owners, but as usual, things are done for the lowest common denominator

[simonjrwinter]

Yes that’s quite possibly true, but those people can be weeded out surely? Banning joining until you’ve bought a car denies useful information from potential owners. It’s a huge amount of money to spend so if looking to buy, any information is useful especially from owners how have been there and done it.
Sadly it currently just smacks of a “closed club”
Such a shame.
Simon

[UltimaCH]

simonjrwinter said:

Yes that’s quite possibly true, but those people can be weeded out surely? Banning joining until you’ve bought a car denies useful information from potential owners. It’s a huge amount of money to spend so if looking to buy, any information is useful especially from owners how have been there and done it.
Sadly it currently just smacks of a “closed club”
Such a shame.
Simon

Simon, I can't send you a PM via PH as you seem to have blocked the option, so send one to me and I'll see what I can do for you.
You need to have a Facebook account of course, otherwise no way you can get to join

Daniel

Edited by UltimaCH on Monday 7th December 11:35

[TR3B]

I have an RS that I'm nearly finished with. Would have loved to been able to participate in the group (or at least peruse the info) but there is no way I'm joining Facebook to do it.