interested in an Ultima
Discussion
Hello all,
I am going to own an Ultima at some point, but that point depends on a few variables.
I currently have two cars. My everyday car, that doesnt get used everyday as I dont use it to get to work and there is my fun car which is a cerbera. This tends only to get used at sparrows fart on a saturday morning purely for driving pleasure where I will probably do about 100-150 miles of B roads. It never gets used in the winter and never in bad weather.
My main question is; Is an ultima suitable for B-road driving? or is it too wide to be ragged around country lanes? If it is then I will have to wait until I can afford to keep both the cerbera AND get an ultima.
I am probably going to have a budget of about 35-40k. Is this enough to get a reasonable GTR? There seem to be next to nowt cars for sale at the moment.
Many Thanks.
Mark
I am going to own an Ultima at some point, but that point depends on a few variables.
I currently have two cars. My everyday car, that doesnt get used everyday as I dont use it to get to work and there is my fun car which is a cerbera. This tends only to get used at sparrows fart on a saturday morning purely for driving pleasure where I will probably do about 100-150 miles of B roads. It never gets used in the winter and never in bad weather.
My main question is; Is an ultima suitable for B-road driving? or is it too wide to be ragged around country lanes? If it is then I will have to wait until I can afford to keep both the cerbera AND get an ultima.
I am probably going to have a budget of about 35-40k. Is this enough to get a reasonable GTR? There seem to be next to nowt cars for sale at the moment.
Many Thanks.
Mark
Cerbera AND an Ultima deffo, that's what I am doing 
They are so different that I just couldn't see replacing the Cerb with an Ult so it has to be one of each. Means the Ultima can be more hardcore as well as not trying to fill a variety of roles, Cerb for GT and touring, Ult for pure blatt and track is the way I am looking at it.
They are so different that I just couldn't see replacing the Cerb with an Ult so it has to be one of each. Means the Ultima can be more hardcore as well as not trying to fill a variety of roles, Cerb for GT and touring, Ult for pure blatt and track is the way I am looking at it. 
You havnt said what it is about the Ultima that you dont currently get from the Cerbie.
The Ultima is wider than the Cerb, and totally hard core
. Its not the car to potter around in for a Sunday drive with the wife.
One thing I will say is that the Cerb is a beautiful car, its stylish, fast, comfortable and great for weekends away.
The Ultima will stop a crowd anywhere. Its uncomfortable, cramped by comparison, and not well appointed, but every time you press that loud pedal you realise just why you bought it, and for the sheer mindblowing acceleration, even the Cerbera feels like a bicycle.
Just make sure the one your looking for has at least most of the following fitted as it does affect the desirability when buying or selling one.
This is a personal list, and may not be the same for others.
Factory wheels
AP brakes
Air con
Dry sump (all Ultimas should have at least an Accusump)
At least 500bhp
Rear spoiler can add to overall value.
Factory instruments or a Stax.
Getrag box is higher cost, but G50 box is super & far more commonplace.
Chevy LS7 is the new kid on the block ,but you wont find any near your budget -SBC engines are great though so dont be too concerned.
Chevy engined cars have a wider apeal as they are the engines the factory recommend, doesnt follow that other options shoulod be ignored or dissmissed as some builders have done truly outstanding jobs on building their cars with everything from twin turbo Lexus engines, to Audi RS4 and BMW M5 engines.
One more point, if you ever rebuild your engine its around 500 quid as opposed to 5K for the Cerbera!
Dead easy to service also.
Love the Cerb, but the Ultimas performance is on another planet. Have fun!
The Ultima is wider than the Cerb, and totally hard core
. Its not the car to potter around in for a Sunday drive with the wife.One thing I will say is that the Cerb is a beautiful car, its stylish, fast, comfortable and great for weekends away.
The Ultima will stop a crowd anywhere. Its uncomfortable, cramped by comparison, and not well appointed, but every time you press that loud pedal you realise just why you bought it, and for the sheer mindblowing acceleration, even the Cerbera feels like a bicycle.
Just make sure the one your looking for has at least most of the following fitted as it does affect the desirability when buying or selling one.
This is a personal list, and may not be the same for others.
Factory wheels
AP brakes
Air con
Dry sump (all Ultimas should have at least an Accusump)
At least 500bhp
Rear spoiler can add to overall value.
Factory instruments or a Stax.
Getrag box is higher cost, but G50 box is super & far more commonplace.
Chevy LS7 is the new kid on the block ,but you wont find any near your budget -SBC engines are great though so dont be too concerned.
Chevy engined cars have a wider apeal as they are the engines the factory recommend, doesnt follow that other options shoulod be ignored or dissmissed as some builders have done truly outstanding jobs on building their cars with everything from twin turbo Lexus engines, to Audi RS4 and BMW M5 engines.
One more point, if you ever rebuild your engine its around 500 quid as opposed to 5K for the Cerbera!
Dead easy to service also.
Love the Cerb, but the Ultimas performance is on another planet. Have fun!
Well put...
I would not say that an Ultima is uncomfortable!! i suppose it is all relative but i would and i am going to jump in mine and do a tour in France this summer with some of my Ultima buddies(1000 miles in 4 days).
The attention they grab whenever you stop is simply amazing!! The cars do need respect on the road and you certainly have to limit your use of the load pedal.
I would not say that an Ultima is uncomfortable!! i suppose it is all relative but i would and i am going to jump in mine and do a tour in France this summer with some of my Ultima buddies(1000 miles in 4 days).
The attention they grab whenever you stop is simply amazing!! The cars do need respect on the road and you certainly have to limit your use of the load pedal.
Hi Kyle,
How is the engine coming along ? You on the road yet ? And where in France are you guys off to ?
I am contemplating a 2008 Euro tour myself with some car buddies. Will post details when things get finalised. Trying to incorporate the Stelvio Pass which would be amazing. Long wait for the AA though if any major car problems ....
Tony
How is the engine coming along ? You on the road yet ? And where in France are you guys off to ?
I am contemplating a 2008 Euro tour myself with some car buddies. Will post details when things get finalised. Trying to incorporate the Stelvio Pass which would be amazing. Long wait for the AA though if any major car problems ....
Tony
actuary said:
Hi Kyle,
How is the engine coming along ? You on the road yet ? And where in France are you guys off to ?
I am contemplating a 2008 Euro tour myself with some car buddies. Will post details when things get finalised. Trying to incorporate the Stelvio Pass which would be amazing. Long wait for the AA though if any major car problems ....
Tony
HI TonyHow is the engine coming along ? You on the road yet ? And where in France are you guys off to ?
I am contemplating a 2008 Euro tour myself with some car buddies. Will post details when things get finalised. Trying to incorporate the Stelvio Pass which would be amazing. Long wait for the AA though if any major car problems ....
Tony
It has been hard work to be honest and i hope to be running in the next couple of weeks, shall we say a steep learning curve!! Waiting for bits and pieces is the biggest headache.
Myself, Dave, Russ, Simon and Graham are off to the circuite de historique in Laon May 30th for a long weekend if you fancy coming?? Lots of nice cheap wine and fuel i hope!!!
Take care, Kyle
ps give me a bell when you get a chance to let me know how things are going on the other front.
kylemrushall said:
Well put...
I would not say that an Ultima is uncomfortable!! i suppose it is all relative but i would and i am going to jump in mine and do a tour in France this summer with some of my Ultima buddies(1000 miles in 4 days).
The attention they grab whenever you stop is simply amazing!! The cars do need respect on the road and you certainly have to limit your use of the load pedal.
As you quite rightly say - not uncomfortable in itself, but it is when compared to the Cerbera which is really a very fast GT . It can go for 300 miles & you feel fresh as a daisy at the end of it. The Ultima is totally focused and as much as I love it, over a distance Id take the Cerbera -especially if you didnt want the trip to end in divorce I would not say that an Ultima is uncomfortable!! i suppose it is all relative but i would and i am going to jump in mine and do a tour in France this summer with some of my Ultima buddies(1000 miles in 4 days).
The attention they grab whenever you stop is simply amazing!! The cars do need respect on the road and you certainly have to limit your use of the load pedal.
One thing I forgot to add on the check list for the Ultima was the fully adjustable Intrax suspension.
Thanks for the help guys, dont need to worry about divorce quite yet...im only 24. Having said that my girlfriends favourite car is an ultima, so if anything she said she will be pissed at me getting one before her!!
Comfort is not a bother, I want it for thrills!
One thing that does concern me is the lack of rear visibility and the width. Roughly how wide are they? Also what about speed bumps? I presume you can adjust the suspension to give enough clearance?
There seems to be hardly any for sale, next to no choice! hopefully there will be more available in the summer.
Edited to add: I want one because I feel its almost the best a sports car can get. I like zero compromise when it comes to cars, i.e. things that are dedicated for single purpose, my volvo is for wafting, my jeep is a no compromise 4x4 and the cerb (possibly to become ultima) is a no compromise high speed thrill machine.
I also love the looks, noise, road presence and sense of occasion.
Comfort is not a bother, I want it for thrills!
One thing that does concern me is the lack of rear visibility and the width. Roughly how wide are they? Also what about speed bumps? I presume you can adjust the suspension to give enough clearance?
There seems to be hardly any for sale, next to no choice! hopefully there will be more available in the summer.
Edited to add: I want one because I feel its almost the best a sports car can get. I like zero compromise when it comes to cars, i.e. things that are dedicated for single purpose, my volvo is for wafting, my jeep is a no compromise 4x4 and the cerb (possibly to become ultima) is a no compromise high speed thrill machine.
I also love the looks, noise, road presence and sense of occasion.
Edited by markh1 on Friday 1st February 14:22
TuxMan said:
Hi markh1 , speed bumps no problem and if you are worried about rear visability get a Can-am !!!!!
Bias Simon of course forgets to mention that rear vis in a GTR is also not a problem. Once you get the hang of not having the interior mirror. Because the body shape tapers in behind the cockpit to a flat deck at the wing each mirror can see across the back to an extent. You would have far less vis in a van.Steve
markh1 said:
Thanks for the help guys, dont need to worry about divorce quite yet...im only 24. Having said that my girlfriends favourite car is an ultima, so if anything she said she will be pissed at me getting one before her!!
Comfort is not a bother, I want it for thrills!
One thing that does concern me is the lack of rear visibility and the width. Roughly how wide are they? Also what about speed bumps? I presume you can adjust the suspension to give enough clearance?
There seems to be hardly any for sale, next to no choice! hopefully there will be more available in the summer.
Edited to add: I want one because I feel its almost the best a sports car can get. I like zero compromise when it comes to cars, i.e. things that are dedicated for single purpose, my volvo is for wafting, my jeep is a no compromise 4x4 and the cerb (possibly to become ultima) is a no compromise high speed thrill machine.
I also love the looks, noise, road presence and sense of occasion.
Hi Mark,Comfort is not a bother, I want it for thrills!
One thing that does concern me is the lack of rear visibility and the width. Roughly how wide are they? Also what about speed bumps? I presume you can adjust the suspension to give enough clearance?
There seems to be hardly any for sale, next to no choice! hopefully there will be more available in the summer.
Edited to add: I want one because I feel its almost the best a sports car can get. I like zero compromise when it comes to cars, i.e. things that are dedicated for single purpose, my volvo is for wafting, my jeep is a no compromise 4x4 and the cerb (possibly to become ultima) is a no compromise high speed thrill machine.
I also love the looks, noise, road presence and sense of occasion.
Edited by markh1 on Friday 1st February 14:22
I owned a 4.5 Cerb for 5 years before selling to buy an Ultima Kit. I loved the Cerb and it was the best car I had ever had. It was bloody quick, but I always thought it was let down by the handling. I uprated it to Nitron shocks, 18" wheels etc, but it never gave you the confidence to really throw it around.
After a trip with Ted in the factory Ultima I was blown away. I just wanted to hand the keys over for the house in order to have one! Not only was it twice as fast as the Cerb, it handled like my mates Dax Rush. Absolutely Amazing.
That alone was enough to convince me, but coupled with the thrill of building your own car and then having the ability to fix it yourself was the icing on the cake so to speak. I have always wanted to build a car and I have loved every minute (except the panel riveting perhaps...) of my build. I am an aircraft engineer by trade, so it's great to put your skills into practice on a project of your own...
At the end of the day, a sports car is a toy. If you want bigger and better toys (but don't have 1/4 million in the bank), then the Ultima is the Ultimate Toy!
Cheers,
Mart
BTW, it's 6'6" wide as my trailer is 6'7" and a very tight fit!!!
Edited by Davrianman on Friday 1st February 19:04
Davrianman is right, I have owned every variant of Cerbera TVR made, and they were all truly great cars - without a doubt.
Trouble is, prepare yourself for something truly pant-wetting fearful.
If you havnt driven an Ultima in anger I suggest you do so asap.
Trouble is when you do that -everything else will seem oh so tame.
To give you some idea I have a friend with a very good TVR Tuscan S -its a quick one all right, but on a 1/2 mile straight driving home the other day we cleared the bend onto the straight and I simply left him like he was going backwards. Thats the difference between damned fast and unbelievebly fast.
Trouble is, prepare yourself for something truly pant-wetting fearful.
If you havnt driven an Ultima in anger I suggest you do so asap.
Trouble is when you do that -everything else will seem oh so tame.
To give you some idea I have a friend with a very good TVR Tuscan S -its a quick one all right, but on a 1/2 mile straight driving home the other day we cleared the bend onto the straight and I simply left him like he was going backwards. Thats the difference between damned fast and unbelievebly fast.
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