GTM Spyder - Suitable daily driver?

[paulpsz008]

Simple really, I keep looking at this on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-GTM-SPYDER-RED-GTI-...

Keep wondering if it would make a good daily commuter?
Are they water tight?
How fiddly is the roof to take down?
How big is the boot?

[Sam_68]

I'm sure that this precise topic has been discussed before, so a serach on this forum might throw up the previous thread.

Basically, they're as good a kit car as you'll get for a daily driver, but do bear in mind that since they're no longer available, if any model-specific components need replacing, it's not always a quick and straightforward process.

For this reason, the S1 Elise (which is very similar in terms of performance, handling and practicality) is probably a better bet, as you can get any component next-day delivery from one of the specialists.

[paulpsz008]

Cheers Sam,
I thought it would have been discussed before but struggled to find much in the search.

Fair point regarding the elise. It was the £4.5k price and 44mpg from the 1.4 engine, which I know well that had attracted me.

Are they as raw as and elise?

[Sam_68]

paulpsz008 said:

Are they as raw as and elise?

Perhaps note quite as raw as the S1 (they have a bit more trim and carpet to soak up the internal noise, bigger doors so slightly easier to get in and out of with the roof on, etc., comfier seats, generally a little bit 'softer'), but on the other hand the ones I've driven have had more clonks, bangs and rattles than a well cared-for Elise.

They're really remarkably similiar in terms of overall capability, though (at least when the GTM is fitted with a 1.8 engine), which is a real acheivement when you think about GTM's design and development resources compared to those of Lotus.