Ginetta - everyday use?

[mdowning]

I'm in the market for a new car.

I really like the look of Ginettas. Just wondering whether they are particularly dependable cars? I work in london during the week and tend to drive back home to Wiltshire at the wknds. I only do about 5k miles a year.

I want something fast and fun, but also reliable and with weather gear. Would a Ginetta fit the bill or are they a lot of work to keep on top of?

i like the look of the g27 and the g20 (But do g20s have weather gear?)

[MTv Dave]

No idea about the 20/27/33 weather gear, but the Dare G4 has holes in the perspex side windows which are filled with a perspex disc but don't seal fully to keep out hard rain.

They may also be a little harsh for every day use, but if you're hardcore, then go for it. I'd say they're the better end of the kitcar market (saw you're post over there earlier) and generally more rare than 7-alikes.

Edited by MTv Dave on Thursday 8th March 09:29

[simonb9]

Don't think the G20's have any wet weather protection but somebody may prove me wrong !!Haven't got much of a windscreen either so it might be a bit breezy for everyday use !! Also no doors. The G27 has a soft roof and some side window inserts, not too sure how good the fit is but it certainly won't be water tight knowing Ginetta !! The G27 would be a better bet than the G20 without a shadow of a doubt. Mechanicals are reliable either with Ford or Vauxhall engines most common. More practical than a lot of kit cars as they have a decent boot and most people don't know what they are , which is nice !!

[minimax]

as the chap above posted....the G33 has much the same roof as the G27 ie shite...for keeping out water that is

if you can get a hardtop for the G27 then this is the way i'd go. that way it'll be watertight and a lot more secure - ideal for commuting too with the good economy you can get out of them

I used my G33 every day for motorway journeys, trips to the shops and country road hoons and although it was a frankly awesome piece of kit the reality of getting soaked in the rain combined with the crap ventilation wore the novelty off after about a year

what a pity you can't get a hardtop for the G33

still, with a G27 i'd say go for it!

Tom

(p.s forget the G20, it's effectively a racing car )

[jpf]

I think the car would be much happier being in regular service. I think of mine as a 4 wheeled motorcyle--great when the weather is right and a even better at cearing out the cobwebs.

When I grow up, I want a G12...

[minimax]

mine was fantastic with frequent use, not one reliability issue at all except general servicing costs (which were, to be fair, exhorbitant...although this may have been due to Macdonald Racing fleecing me, i'm not quite sure )

I did 14,000 miles in a year and most of it involved trickling round town or absolutely ragging it senseless - total reliability but 15mpg

fantastic car

[simonb9]

minimax said:

what a pity you can't get a hardtop for the G33

I've got one

but even better.........I never use it !!

[Rob_the_Sparky]

So how bad is a G27 roof in the rain? Does it leak when stationary? How badly do they leak on the move?

Rob

P.S. I've heard from a few people with hardtops that they never use them. Why? Only drive the car when its dry?

Edited by Rob_the_Sparky on Thursday 8th March 09:37

[blitzracing]

My G33 is seriously noisy with the roof on, as every creak and groan rattles around the cabin. It also steams up really badly as it has no fresh air intake for the heater. Visabillty is almost non existant through the plastic windows when wet and the thought of driving it through London on a wet day makes my hair go white. But with no roof, no problems its wonderfull.

[simonb9]

Rob_the_Sparky said:

So how bad is a G27 roof in the rain? Does it leak when stationary? How badly do they leak on the move?

Rob

P.S. I've heard from a few people with hardtops that they never use them. Why? Only drive the car when its dry?

Edited by Rob_the_Sparky on Thursday 8th March 09:37

I use mine for weekends and sunny days, its a second car. Whats the point of driving it when its p*ssing down ??!!

[Rob_the_Sparky]

simonb9 said:

Rob_the_Sparky said:

So how bad is a G27 roof in the rain? Does it leak when stationary? How badly do they leak on the move?

Rob

P.S. I've heard from a few people with hardtops that they never use them. Why? Only drive the car when its dry?

Edited by Rob_the_Sparky on Thursday 8th March 09:37

I use mine for weekends and sunny days, its a second car. Whats the point of driving it when its p*ssing down ??!!

Power slides of course, but then a G27 is missing 4 cylinders

[mdowning]

I've been doing some research on these cars. I beginning to like the idea of them. From what I've read they seem reliable.

I'm not too worried about creature comforts or the car steaming up (he says having driven a e320cdi elegance for the past 18 months and never actually been in a steamed up car). My only real concern is getting from a to b without breaking down...

Anyone got any thoughts on g27 versus g33?

There looks to be a nice g27 in the classifieds...the yellow one.

[simonb9]

Question is "Do you want the sound track of a nice V8 rumble or not ??!!"

Not much in it really -

G33 - probably going to be a little older than the 27's you'll be looking at, nice V8 though and a 'little' bigger. Think they are supposed to be 3-4 inches wider and longer but don't know if you'd notice the difference. Not many for sale.

G27 - slightly newer, ones with a Zetec/VX 16V engine would be nice and reliable I would think. Not much to them to be honest, less things to go wrong on them than a modern car. Can normally find one or two for sale and cheaper than the 33.

[mdowning]

Right, I'm getting properly keen now.

I've contact Adrian Flux for an insurance quote...if it seems reasonable, I think I might actually get a g27.

Are there any other insurers people recommend trying out?

I did actually run a quote through elephant for a g27 option. But they only had one engine model to select, which was a 2 litre. The quote came through at a very reasonable £350 though.

[gee20]

Could try Footman James. They do Classic and Kit car policies.

[MTv Dave]

Graham Sykes are pretty good too, but their prices seem to swing around wildly.
At the moment (just renewed the Elise and getting the FTO and MGC done soon) A-Plan seem really (really) good.

ETA - Wow, that looks like a very good 27! If I didn't have to shift the FTO to get it, I'd be calling him up now! I was pretty gutted to have only noticed the V8 27 with the cool paint job after it had been sold

Edited by MTv Dave on Friday 9th March 13:20

[blitzracing]

The G33 costs me about £230 fully comp on a classic car policy through Adrian Flux, limited mileage to 5k. You must have a second regular car. If you look at a G33, if nothing else make sure all the rubber suspension bushes have been replaced within the last 3-4 years. The torque of the V8 knackers them, and the handling becomes pretty hairy as the wishbones move under full power. Im sure the same applies to a G27 with a V8.

[minimax]

blitzracing said:

The G33 costs me about £230 fully comp on a classic car policy through Adrian Flux, limited mileage to 5k. You must have a second regular car. If you look at a G33, if nothing else make sure all the rubber suspension bushes have been replaced within the last 3-4 years. The torque of the V8 knackers them, and the handling becomes pretty hairy as the wishbones move under full power. Im sure the same applies to a G27 with a V8.

you might also want to check the diff brackets as the torque simply twists them in to useless lumps of metal. this happened to me about every 5000 miles and even to a pair of heavy duty ones manufactured by MacDonald racing for me, but then again, they may have just told me that as they soon went agin within another 5000 miles

either way, pretty reliable and fooking quick!

[red october]

I use my G27 as much as poss as everyday driver (V8) - off the road at the moment having exhaust work but i have never got wet yet with the standard weather gear (aparet from in the trouser dept. of course)

[mdowning]

How are g27s for leaving outside?

I don't have a garage. Woudl you be comfortable leaving one outside year round? Can electrics get wet etc?