Discussion
so it seems the single garage idea is a goer, i will be up to the factory in a few weeks to place the order, but what shall i order, a GTR or a CanAm
I like the shape of the GTR (especially without the rear spoiler)
I like to open top CanAm (i guess u dont need the air con too which is a cost bonus)
i wont drive it in the rain so this poses no problem, the thing i dont like about the CanAm is the mirrors (a small point i know) but they look ridiculous in my opinion, is there any alternative such as attaching them or different ones to the windscreen surround?
so what attracted u guys to the shape you went for?
I like the shape of the GTR (especially without the rear spoiler)
I like to open top CanAm (i guess u dont need the air con too which is a cost bonus)
i wont drive it in the rain so this poses no problem, the thing i dont like about the CanAm is the mirrors (a small point i know) but they look ridiculous in my opinion, is there any alternative such as attaching them or different ones to the windscreen surround?
so what attracted u guys to the shape you went for?
I too like both derivatives but if you are going to travel really fast, a roof is a must in my opinion 
I have a Mercedes 500SL for roof of motoring and it is an auto. I enjoy cruising around on a sunny day and the smoothness of the auto change is a dream, but if I want to drive fast, the GTW comes out. I am not saying the CanAm is the soft option as there are some out there that are fairly quick but for me, a roof, and as above has said, a roll bar are what a proper race car has. Only my opinion but then you did ask.
I have a Mercedes 500SL for roof of motoring and it is an auto. I enjoy cruising around on a sunny day and the smoothness of the auto change is a dream, but if I want to drive fast, the GTW comes out. I am not saying the CanAm is the soft option as there are some out there that are fairly quick but for me, a roof, and as above has said, a roll bar are what a proper race car has. Only my opinion but then you did ask.
Me too - I went looking for a CanAm, but after test driving both (in those days you could drive them yourself, which was fantastic!), it was an easy decision for the GTR. I've owned kits before, but the GTR was the only time I had driven one and not felt like I was in a plastic toy. Not that the CanAm was bad, its just the GTR was in a different league. I also intended to do lots of European trips (got a Dutch wife, so drive there almost every month), so the ability to drive all weathers in comfort sealed the deal 
Jason, if you do decide to build a Canam (and you will not be disappointed) I would spend the extra and fit Aircon. Ultima's like most low volume production cars or Kitcars suffer from heat soak and being sat in traffic on a hot day with 6.3 litres of Chevy doing it's best to gas and cook you at the same time is not a lot of fun especially as without a roof the sun beams down on you to add to the warmth!
You do need air con in a Can-Am - probably more so if only to take the edge of the heat on the long trip down to 'Le Mans'.
With the Can-Am I have felt more aware of my surroundings as there is obviously a lot less restriction on all round vision and hearing. If you want to pose it's definitely the best option as people can see who is in it.
I believe the GTR has more presence on the road but you can’t absorb the atmosphere driving through town as you are pretty much oblivious too anything behind you. Having said that once inside the GTR I am in my own little world with a silly grin on my face and don’t really care what’s behind or around me. I feel that the GTR is a little more focused to drive on the road.
There is nothing to choose in performance so if you want too cruise down the Boulevard then it’s a CanAm – if you want to cruise down the autobahn it’s a GTR
With the Can-Am I have felt more aware of my surroundings as there is obviously a lot less restriction on all round vision and hearing. If you want to pose it's definitely the best option as people can see who is in it.
I believe the GTR has more presence on the road but you can’t absorb the atmosphere driving through town as you are pretty much oblivious too anything behind you. Having said that once inside the GTR I am in my own little world with a silly grin on my face and don’t really care what’s behind or around me. I feel that the GTR is a little more focused to drive on the road.
There is nothing to choose in performance so if you want too cruise down the Boulevard then it’s a CanAm – if you want to cruise down the autobahn it’s a GTR
It's down to personal preference, but having had both I'd say:
GTR 'feels' more like a track refugee - but that's not always necessarily a good thing. Depends what you're after. Door design will mean trickier egress in a single garage. Air-con is a must.
Can-Am is a better road car, but more expensive to build (cost of roof & screens). Easier to jump in and go BUT only with roof off. With the roof on, you need to 'post' yourself into it Vertical doors much better in a single garage. Air-con is a must.
Both get equal attention on the road. Can-Am feels faster, because you can hear it.
GTR 'feels' more like a track refugee - but that's not always necessarily a good thing. Depends what you're after. Door design will mean trickier egress in a single garage. Air-con is a must.
Can-Am is a better road car, but more expensive to build (cost of roof & screens). Easier to jump in and go BUT only with roof off. With the roof on, you need to 'post' yourself into it
Vertical doors much better in a single garage. Air-con is a must.Both get equal attention on the road. Can-Am feels faster, because you can hear it.
having seen both cars at Stoneleigh 06, i prefer the GTR, but never haven driven either its purely down to looks, those mirors on the canam i dont like and may put me off in favour of the GTR, i think if someone could advise me the minimum width required for a GTR with a drivers door open i could make that decision right now and ill be up the factory next week
jasongtr said:
as i mentioned in my other post i am concerned over the extra width needed to open the gtr doors in a single garage that measures 8 foot 2 inches, is this a problem or will i be ok, as i stated before i love the loom of the gtr without the spoiler
Just taken a stick of inches to the GTR and with both doors open I have 8 foot 2 1/2 inches. 16" less with one closed.Steve
cheers steve, GTR it will be then, 8'2" garage = lots of room to open a door then
BTW the guys on SELOC (lotus forum) are talking about how difficult they are to build, they handle badly, factory prices are a rip off, and these cars are a one trick pony to which i replied one more than an elise then
BTW the guys on SELOC (lotus forum) are talking about how difficult they are to build, they handle badly, factory prices are a rip off, and these cars are a one trick pony to which i replied one more than an elise then
Sorry guys, but CANAM every time, as for the mirrors thats why its a Canam, all the old Canam racers had mirrors like that, its the style ? easier to get in and out of ( until the hoods on then you have to be double jointed ) of course 2nd choice would be a GTR. Suggest before you make a decision try them both out.
Ha.... sounds like a familiar story.
I went to the factory to buy a Canam.
I went for a test ride in a Canam.
Then I searched all the "GTR vs Canam" threads and went for a GTR because I was worried about heat soak. Its bloody hot in Hong Kong at the best of times and I was worried that would have taken some of the enjoyment out of the car.
I went to the factory to buy a Canam.
I went for a test ride in a Canam.
Then I searched all the "GTR vs Canam" threads and went for a GTR because I was worried about heat soak. Its bloody hot in Hong Kong at the best of times and I was worried that would have taken some of the enjoyment out of the car.
Chewy said:
YWith the Can-Am I have felt more aware of my surroundings as there is obviously a lot less restriction on all round vision and hearing.
.... removable windows in the GTR goes part of the way to fixing that. I still havent fitted my windows as I still plan on making a hinged system. At present I carry the side screens and a roll of black duct tape.jasongtr said:
BTW the guys on SELOC (lotus forum) are talking about how difficult they are to build, they handle badly, factory prices are a rip off, and these cars are a one trick pony to which i replied one more than an elise then
Can you send us a link? Not one of those daft 'must register to read forums' is it?You aren't gay are you? - didn't think so. GTR it is then.
Whilst cooking fajitas last night I got looking at the aluminium foil on the roll and with the assitance of a tupperware tub, made my vey own Can-Am wing mirror!
One mod I would consider for Can-Am and GTR would be a decent set of Porsche GT1 style wing (well just back from the wing on the centre pod) mounted mirrors.
I might 'wok' one up to see how it cooks!
Hmmm.....I feel one of those days coming on.
Lucky
PS. Can-Am owners aren't really gay....are they?
Edited by LuckyP on Thursday 24th May 07:38
SELOC slating the GTR link, it got to a point where i didnt bother answering
http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=121088&...
http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=121088&...
I raced my factory standard Ultima with a de-tuned engine (to comply with the power to weight ratio) putting out 310bhp at the wheels in the midenginedsportscar series last year. Having never raced before I bimbled round and was happy to come 5th in the first race. The next race I knew what I was doing and came 1st. I was told to put 100kg of ballast in which I did for the 3rd race which I again won. I was then told to carry a further 200kg of weight and reduce my tyre size - none of these penalties where included in the regs. I refused to carry more weight on the grounds it would potentially be unsafe so I was banned from the remaining races. I missed the next race but then fate intervened and two of the races were cancelled which at the end of the season left me the Winner after only 3 races.
My point here is that some of the cars I was up against were highly tuned supercharged Honda and Audi powered Lotus with allegedly 350bhp and they were prepared for track and weighed less than 700kg. Some were slightly quicker at the end of the straight but I was able to out-brake, corner quicker and thanks to the low down torque of the V8 pull better out of the corners – basically I whooped them. As for the standard Lotus – I lapped a few of those. So if a novice like me can jump in a relatively low powered Ultima and thrash the Lotus chaps (some of them very experienced) just think what you can do with a higher spec car – It has to be an Ultima.
My point here is that some of the cars I was up against were highly tuned supercharged Honda and Audi powered Lotus with allegedly 350bhp and they were prepared for track and weighed less than 700kg. Some were slightly quicker at the end of the straight but I was able to out-brake, corner quicker and thanks to the low down torque of the V8 pull better out of the corners – basically I whooped them. As for the standard Lotus – I lapped a few of those. So if a novice like me can jump in a relatively low powered Ultima and thrash the Lotus chaps (some of them very experienced) just think what you can do with a higher spec car – It has to be an Ultima.
Edited by Chewy on Thursday 24th May 09:50
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