Any advice on Opel Mantas

[Bernstone87]

1st post on here

With Insurance company wanting to smash my insurance cost's right out the park this year I'm toying with the idea of leaving the JDM turbo thing behind don't know why the cost's have gone up any points I have had have been removed from my license so really should be cheaper right? plus im older now (so I must obviously be a better driver :s)

I thought about some nice euro sport car like something with the 1.8t in it, Leon,golf. then thought not paying what there worth when in few years time they'll be in the bargain bucket. then thought another Calibra nice cheap car good looking with performance thats value for money ... then thought sod it first car I ever sat in the driver seat of was a Manta b GTE. So thats the Plan. I want a Manta ... or I'm gunna bite the bullet pay the insurance and keep the GT4.

Was wondering if any of you guys could give me a little insider knowledge into them as I don't know loads about them apart from the average stuff and the specs, and that they are one of the best looking cars ever built. But what are the key things to look out for beside's welding and rust issues which seem pretty obvious in any car of age?

Would there be any advantages to a Manta over a GT4 (st205 around 300bhp) not expecting anything in the performance or handling side of things mind my dad's had a few back in his youth and has told me they're very tail happy.

any inside info would be nice just so i have a better idea of what I'm looking for

cheers

[Richie Howard]

I've never driven one, but there must be a club you can join if you are serious. There will be someone that will know everything and be happy to talk you to death about them. Probably know of most cars for sale, too

[VinceFox]

By modern standards theyre not that fast and they feel quite heavy. Theyre quite a big step back in time for a daily driver.

[PoshTwit]

I used to Co-Drive in one in the BTRDA Clubman Championships many moons ago and I can confirm that they are big heavy old beasts but can be loads of fun.

The 1800 version accepts the ubiquitous 16v lump readily and tuning options are endless. Parts are available but starting to become scarce as the cars become rarer and the RallyBoys snap-up the useful bits.

Manta 400 is still one of the meanest looking cars out there in my opinion.

[Geoffers]

I owned a couple of Manta GTE`s some years back, never had any real issues with them, were good fun, at the time, price wise, they were not silly money (about 15 yrs back) not sure about todays prices.

[davepoth]

They won't be anywhere near as fast as your GT4, and it's effectively a mid 1970s sales rep saloon underneath (mk1 Cavalier); although that was considered a good steer at the time it's a live rear axle so the ride is quite primitive.

However it's a light RWD coupé with skinny tyres, so you'll be able to have bags of fun at sensible speeds.

[Hooli]

davepoth said:

They won't be anywhere near as fast as your GT4, and it's effectively a mid 1970s sales rep saloon underneath (mk1 Cavalier); although that was considered a good steer at the time it's a live rear axle so the ride is quite primitive.

However it's a light RWD coupé with skinny tyres, so you'll be able to have bags of fun at sensible speeds.

This.

I had a 1.8GT & it drove pretty much the same (but slower) than the 2.0Gli Carlton my dad had at the time.

[Upatdawn]

I had a Coupe as opposed to the hatch, chap sold it cos it was running on three cylinders, when i took the rocker off one of the tappet/rocker nuts had come loose = no valve movement, i think it was 1900cc (?) and was orange....with a body "kit" (cough) but wasnt bad, for then...., all bonnet+bulge to drive, like a capri, but better looking, badged as a cavalier i think

theres the early Manta


or the later Coupe

Edited by Upatdawn on Monday 25th June 14:27

[TISPKJ]

Stick "Bertie Fisher" I think it was into you tube and have a look at the circuit of Irland or manx tour if that does not get you motivated nothing will !

[TISPKJ]

I know its not a Manta but i keep looking at this for some reason.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vauxhall-viva-2300-sl-/1...

[VinceFox]

It's weird, this has just made me realise i cant remember the last time i saw a manta on the road. Or a capri for that matter.

[TISPKJ]

I had capris back in the day and even then a Manta was a rare car god knows what they are like to find nowadays ...... in one peice

[VinceFox]

TISPKJ said:

I had capris back in the day and even then a Manta was a rare car god knows what they are like to find nowadays ...... in one peice

Theres one hibernating in my garage under dust covers and cardboard boxes.

[stuarte]

VinceFox said:

TISPKJ said:

I had capris back in the day and even then a Manta was a rare car god knows what they are like to find nowadays ...... in one peice

Theres one hibernating in my garage under dust covers and cardboard boxes.

I pass one every day in north London complete with massive wheels and boxed arches. Sadly gradually rotting away on someones drive....

[wessbee]

All you need to know -

http://www.mantaclub.org/

and then buy this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Opel-Manta-i200-1984-rar...

[Getragdogleg]

I have 6 and an Ascona.

PM me and i am more than happy to have a big chat with you about Mantas, buying, selling, what to watch out for.

Too much info in my head to type here !

Paul.

Look in my profile to see one of mine.

[Upatdawn]

TISPKJ said:

I know its not a Manta but i keep looking at this for some reason.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vauxhall-viva-2300-sl-/1...

i had one, a pukka VIVA 2300cc, not the later single carb magnum 2.3, mine was metallic red, 4 speed, rostyles, like s**t off a shovel, would pull away in 2nd, or smoke the tyres using 1st (had timing slips off Santapod).....lol

take the badges off the boot and leave 3ltrs capris, MGB's and (almost) triumph stags standing

not that i ever drive like that, nooooooooooooooooooo

it was a complete Victor VX 4/90 set of running gear squeezed into the viva shell, the bellhousing-block bolts are really hard to get at, they must have used vaseline to get that in, really need an O/D or 5 speed box, hard to find tho

Edited by Upatdawn on Monday 25th June 18:50

[lowdrag]

Had one of the first Manta hatches in 1979 and it wasn't much fun but with two young children we could get all the luggage in. It ran faultlessly in the three years I had it and according to the DVLA it still exists! Not a sports car, more a tourer and not that economical either.

[Bernstone87]

wessbee said:

and then buy this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Opel-Manta-i200-1984-rar...

I've actually had serious thought's over that i200 haha it's a beauty isn't it

Cheers for the replies guys nice to get peoples perspective on things. first car I ever go into was a GTE and i remember when i was about 5 or 6 my dad sitting me on his knee and having a go at ''trying'' to steer it. good times!

there's a white Capri I see everyday on my way to work but apart from that there nothing else round here ... apart from a old green Scirocco rotting on someones drive

[interloper]

A few years ago, okay a lot of years ago I went from an MGBGT, to an Alfa 164 V6 (for a few months before I crashed it!), then replaced the Alfa with a Manta GTE hatch picked up from the classifieds for pennies. I really liked it, felt lighter and more chuckable than the MG and more predictable than the Alfa (if some what slower).

The manta has/had pretty honest steering, not stupidly heavy etc and thankfully a predictable rear end. My only real gripe would have been aimed at were the gear lever sprouted, just a bit awkwardly positioned but I cant remember if it was too far forward or back!

It will feel totally different to your GT4!