Buying advise/newbie questions
Discussion
Right, I've decided that I'm going to take the plunge and get myself an Ultima this summer, so as a first step I thought I'd come and pick your collective brains to guide the research process and help me find the right car.
Thought process so far:
- Looking to spend £25k (althoguh could stretch a bit for the right car)
- Probably looking at a Mk4 rather than a GTR for cost reasons
- Definately want the Chevy/g50 combo, but not necessarily the absolute top spec American Speed (VFM and reliability more important than massive BHP)
- Looking for a track tool, not a show queen.
Car is the classifieds seem to vary wildly in price, so I'm trying to get a grip on what are the "must have" bits. Clearly some are expensive because they've been factory build with all the bells and whistles, but others, I struggle to identify the important bits which are justifying a price-premium.
Are there particularly cheap and nasty suspension/brake packages on the earlier cars that should be avoided?
I know this is a bit vague, and the budget isn't quite as big as would be ideal, but I'm hoping you guys can help get me pointed in the right direction.
Any hints, tips, links, general buying advise, or random abuse would be most appreciated
Cheers
N
>> Edited by nefarious on Monday 6th March 11:11
Thought process so far:
- Looking to spend £25k (althoguh could stretch a bit for the right car)
- Probably looking at a Mk4 rather than a GTR for cost reasons
- Definately want the Chevy/g50 combo, but not necessarily the absolute top spec American Speed (VFM and reliability more important than massive BHP)
- Looking for a track tool, not a show queen.
Car is the classifieds seem to vary wildly in price, so I'm trying to get a grip on what are the "must have" bits. Clearly some are expensive because they've been factory build with all the bells and whistles, but others, I struggle to identify the important bits which are justifying a price-premium.
Are there particularly cheap and nasty suspension/brake packages on the earlier cars that should be avoided?
I know this is a bit vague, and the budget isn't quite as big as would be ideal, but I'm hoping you guys can help get me pointed in the right direction.
Any hints, tips, links, general buying advise, or random abuse would be most appreciated
Cheers
N
>> Edited by nefarious on Monday 6th March 11:11
Hi Neil,
I bought a mk4 sport end of last year.
Since then I have been going through it in great detail before venturing on a track.
If you are going on a track, the car will need to be very carefully checked over by someone experienced.
Points I looked for are:
Brakes - must have upgraded one AP etc for track use. Not Cosworth or Granada.
Suspension - must have adjustable Intrax
Engine - Chevy 5.7 (mine is fuel injected with 450bhp)
Gearbox - G50 with upgraded internal shafts and upgraded drive shafts.
Stack dash
plumbed in fire extinquisher system
If you are tall and the floor has not been lowered, you will need factory seats otherwise you will not fit in with a helmet on!!
Aircon - it gets very hot in there
Best if windscreen can be demisted
Decent harnesses
check bodywork for stress fractures
carefully check the quality of the build if not done by the factory.
If the car generally doesnot look like it has not been looked after or abused - walk away.
Advise having a rear wing if going on a track.
£22000 - £25000 should get you a nice one.
Generally more power output, higher the price.
Hope this helps.
Martin.
I bought a mk4 sport end of last year.
Since then I have been going through it in great detail before venturing on a track.
If you are going on a track, the car will need to be very carefully checked over by someone experienced.
Points I looked for are:
Brakes - must have upgraded one AP etc for track use. Not Cosworth or Granada.
Suspension - must have adjustable Intrax
Engine - Chevy 5.7 (mine is fuel injected with 450bhp)
Gearbox - G50 with upgraded internal shafts and upgraded drive shafts.
Stack dash
plumbed in fire extinquisher system
If you are tall and the floor has not been lowered, you will need factory seats otherwise you will not fit in with a helmet on!!
Aircon - it gets very hot in there
Best if windscreen can be demisted
Decent harnesses
check bodywork for stress fractures
carefully check the quality of the build if not done by the factory.
If the car generally doesnot look like it has not been looked after or abused - walk away.
Advise having a rear wing if going on a track.
£22000 - £25000 should get you a nice one.
Generally more power output, higher the price.
Hope this helps.
Martin.
Cheers - some very useful bits in there (especially the lowered floor tip - wouldn't have even thought of that!)
On the suspension side of things - I take it that Intrax is the recommended option, but what else might I see out there and what's the hierachy of quality?
Also, when you say look for stress fractures - where are the common places that they appear? Are there any weak points on the spaceframe that need checking too? (Am I right in thinking that all the frames are the same - mk4 and GTR?)
N
On the suspension side of things - I take it that Intrax is the recommended option, but what else might I see out there and what's the hierachy of quality?
Also, when you say look for stress fractures - where are the common places that they appear? Are there any weak points on the spaceframe that need checking too? (Am I right in thinking that all the frames are the same - mk4 and GTR?)
N
Hi,
As these are a kit car all sorts of suspension can be used but the intrax is said to the best for the car.
The stress cracks are in the body work not the chassis. If the chassis is damaged or is cracked - walk away. the chassis is VERY strong and if damaged, the car has been in a accident.
Stress fractures in the body work can be anywhere, just look for cracks in the gel coat. Most cars have some of these, just check they are not so bad as to weaken the fiberglass in that area.
Hope this helps.
As these are a kit car all sorts of suspension can be used but the intrax is said to the best for the car.
The stress cracks are in the body work not the chassis. If the chassis is damaged or is cracked - walk away. the chassis is VERY strong and if damaged, the car has been in a accident.
Stress fractures in the body work can be anywhere, just look for cracks in the gel coat. Most cars have some of these, just check they are not so bad as to weaken the fiberglass in that area.
Hope this helps.
You dont nead ap brakes check my postings re granada cosworth/mk3 mondeo set up. 280mm vented discs all round all new for 500 pounds ish. You dont even need intrax, you will however need the right suspension geometry set up, if you're over 6 ft you may need to drop the floor in a sport. And the right rear wing / front splitter combo is a great help. Also look out for rubbish tyres, mine came with american compound asphalt tyres cost 850pounds to replace.
Get in touch if you want more info
Ed (mk4 sport)
Get in touch if you want more info
Ed (mk4 sport)
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