G20 and rivals
Discussion
Hi guys, I've been a Ginetta fan for a few years now, but this is my first post on the forum.
I was just wondering, whether any of you have driven both the G20 and other cars such as the Elise and Caterham 7 and are able to compare the levels of feedback, general handling and grip these cars give. IMHO the ginetta wins hands down looks wise, but which did you find the most fun to drive?
Oh, I know it might be hard, but could you try to be as honest as possible!!
I was just wondering, whether any of you have driven both the G20 and other cars such as the Elise and Caterham 7 and are able to compare the levels of feedback, general handling and grip these cars give. IMHO the ginetta wins hands down looks wise, but which did you find the most fun to drive?
Oh, I know it might be hard, but could you try to be as honest as possible!!
ok here goes,
I sold my westfiled (live axle) and built a g20 after considering the following;
zetec westfield
ST phoenix
Fury
SSc stylus
Elise (the wildcard wanted build somehting in the end, completely differsnt thing to owning a g20 practical(ish etc))
Ginetta G27
second hand G33
In the end i chose the g20.
The handling when set up correctly is sublime.
It is (or was when i built) cheaper than most of its rivals, allowing me to afford a higher spec engine than say in a westfiled. Its a bit different, ie ive only ever seen one other on the road, westfileds are relatively ten-a-penny, and above all, its the best looking kit-car on the market bar none. I know this will be contraversial but you cannot argue with the truth.
well done Mr Phaff!
I sold my westfiled (live axle) and built a g20 after considering the following;
zetec westfield
ST phoenix
Fury
SSc stylus
Elise (the wildcard wanted build somehting in the end, completely differsnt thing to owning a g20 practical(ish etc))
Ginetta G27
second hand G33
In the end i chose the g20.
The handling when set up correctly is sublime.
It is (or was when i built) cheaper than most of its rivals, allowing me to afford a higher spec engine than say in a westfiled. Its a bit different, ie ive only ever seen one other on the road, westfileds are relatively ten-a-penny, and above all, its the best looking kit-car on the market bar none. I know this will be contraversial but you cannot argue with the truth.
well done Mr Phaff!
In track and race cars a couple of months ago a zetec engined G20 was driven in anger for their `beat the radical` challenge.
They designed a course at Bruntingthorpe and took a whole series of cars around it. The radical was fastest (hence the title) but the G20 ended up about about 6th or 7th fastest, soundly beating 963`s, busa engined/Vx engined westys/cateringvans, trevors and all sorts of exotica etc etc.
Its success was primarily in its handling. I now own a G27 having owned a VX engined westy. Its only downside is that its a bit cramped for me (6'1") but the handling on (unfortunately at the moment A509`s) is so confidence inspiring, lotusesque soft springing good damping whereas I found the westy to be more skittish IFYKWIM
I am thinking of a G20 as my next car cos I love the aeroscreen principle but I`ve never seen one in the flesh
They designed a course at Bruntingthorpe and took a whole series of cars around it. The radical was fastest (hence the title) but the G20 ended up about about 6th or 7th fastest, soundly beating 963`s, busa engined/Vx engined westys/cateringvans, trevors and all sorts of exotica etc etc.
Its success was primarily in its handling. I now own a G27 having owned a VX engined westy. Its only downside is that its a bit cramped for me (6'1") but the handling on (unfortunately at the moment A509`s) is so confidence inspiring, lotusesque soft springing good damping whereas I found the westy to be more skittish IFYKWIM
I am thinking of a G20 as my next car cos I love the aeroscreen principle but I`ve never seen one in the flesh
I'd agree that the G20 looks nicer than every other non-replica kitcar, and having been a passenger around Brands Hatch this weekend in the company (road car) demonstrator I can confirm the handling and performance seems to be first rate.
The major downside to a G20, though, is the lack of a boot. If you wanted to go to Le Mans or somewhere you'd definitely need a support vehicle.
The major downside to a G20, though, is the lack of a boot. If you wanted to go to Le Mans or somewhere you'd definitely need a support vehicle.
well, in terms of luggage space there is a space behind the seats over the diff which is panelled out and can be used to stuff coats etc (or a spare wheel) and i have one of the first chassis which had the battery at the back which means i have a very long passenger footwell where i can get a good size bag in even with the girlfriend in. The drive to monte carlo without any mates following in a practical car was maybe pushing it, but we managed...... 
Oh and if anyone fancies a look at a G20 (cant offer rides at the moment as winter mods are in the process of being slowly contemplated...) 2ltr zetec 45mm jenvey tbs dta ecu im around in west yorks area now and again drop me a line....
Oh and if anyone fancies a look at a G20 (cant offer rides at the moment as winter mods are in the process of being slowly contemplated...) 2ltr zetec 45mm jenvey tbs dta ecu im around in west yorks area now and again drop me a line....
Also, the G20 race cars are almost identical to the road versions. The only changes are the roll cage, firmer suspension and better tyres.
The racers love them (see full grids last year and this), so for an extreme road car you won't do much better, especially for the money.
The panelled area over the diff is not massive, but would give a few of the competitors that you are considering a run for their money when it comes to storage space.
If it was me looking for a road car, I'd probably go for the G27, but with G20 suspension (not sure how many bits were new for the G20, but I think that the uprights were a big improvement). Best of both worlds - still stiff light chassis, with the added creature comforts of doors and a boot!
Rich
The racers love them (see full grids last year and this), so for an extreme road car you won't do much better, especially for the money.
The panelled area over the diff is not massive, but would give a few of the competitors that you are considering a run for their money when it comes to storage space.
If it was me looking for a road car, I'd probably go for the G27, but with G20 suspension (not sure how many bits were new for the G20, but I think that the uprights were a big improvement). Best of both worlds - still stiff light chassis, with the added creature comforts of doors and a boot!
Rich
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