the true cost of building an Ultima....
Discussion
As i am abou to embark on this journey can i please have ou thoughts and more importantly your experience on the true cost of building either a GTR or CanAM.
The factory state one price yet there have been many posts that claim a different figure.
So can you tell me what you have built, i.e. options( brakes spoiler air-con etc) and engine spec and the cost
The factory state one price yet there have been many posts that claim a different figure.
So can you tell me what you have built, i.e. options( brakes spoiler air-con etc) and engine spec and the cost
Look at the thread entitled- Why are people selling their Ultimas? There are a few thoughts towards the end or try a search, many perspective builders like yourself have asked this question before you.
I looked at the factory price list, chose my options, deleted half of them, had my engine built first, ordered the main parts from the factory, sourced many parts myself, modified a whole lot of things and changed the look of the car by altering the body work. I had roughly worked out a figure and a basic strategy, no time scale though. The car has cost nearly 3 times more than anticipated, taken over 5 years to get on the road and has ended up being the single biggest and most adventurous project that I have been involved with in my life so far ( on a personal level at least ) and yet I feel that this is just the beginning. When doing something like this it is a distinct advantage to be aware of your limitations before you begin, I didn't, but I do now
I looked at the factory price list, chose my options, deleted half of them, had my engine built first, ordered the main parts from the factory, sourced many parts myself, modified a whole lot of things and changed the look of the car by altering the body work. I had roughly worked out a figure and a basic strategy, no time scale though. The car has cost nearly 3 times more than anticipated, taken over 5 years to get on the road and has ended up being the single biggest and most adventurous project that I have been involved with in my life so far ( on a personal level at least ) and yet I feel that this is just the beginning. When doing something like this it is a distinct advantage to be aware of your limitations before you begin, I didn't, but I do now
OK, I admit that I am probably not a standard type of example but there is not one builder that I have met that has been able to build a car for under 35K, AND THAT WAS 5 YEARS AGO! ( the lowest cost of a built car I mean ).
You are obviously a particular type of person wanting to build something like this anyway and I think that you will find the same as most do, the proposed cost and the eventual cost are two very different animals. Good luck.
You are obviously a particular type of person wanting to build something like this anyway and I think that you will find the same as most do, the proposed cost and the eventual cost are two very different animals. Good luck.
see this topic for more re prices " why are people selling Ultimas"
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
i think you can build the car for about 35k BUT you must follow the factory standard and have one of the more reasonably priced engines. as soon as you start 'personalising' your car, the costs will rise. you will not get an ls7 can-am for 35k. be very specific with ted and he will tell you a fairly accurate price. it isn a lot different to the pricing of the main car producers. if you want a mini, you can buy one for 11k, if you want a mini coopers 's' with john cooper mods then you pay 23k double the original price. if you want a 350hp can am =35K ....... 720hp ls7 with mag wheels and body mods = 50-60-70k. its your choice all the way through.
i know what i want
GTR with Gel coat finish
No spoiler
AP brakes
LS7 550/650 engine
Air Con
Std Rims
twin tanks
intrax shocks
uprated bushes
the only thing i havent considered is the detail to the interior,
i think i can build this for £55-£60k, HOW CLOSE AM I TO THIS ESTIMATION, obviously i will speak to the factory when i go up there v. soon
GTR with Gel coat finish
No spoiler
AP brakes
LS7 550/650 engine
Air Con
Std Rims
twin tanks
intrax shocks
uprated bushes
the only thing i havent considered is the detail to the interior,
i think i can build this for £55-£60k, HOW CLOSE AM I TO THIS ESTIMATION, obviously i will speak to the factory when i go up there v. soon
jasongtr said:
i know what i want
GTR with Gel coat finish
No spoiler
AP brakes
LS7 550/650 engine
Air Con
Std Rims
twin tanks
intrax shocks
uprated bushes
the only thing i havent considered is the detail to the interior,
i think i can build this for £55-£60k, HOW CLOSE AM I TO THIS ESTIMATION, obviously i will speak to the factory when i go up there v. soon
If you stick to 'just' that, I reckon you'll be there with £60K. Like any project, you should also consider the 'what if' with at least a 10% contingency. So I'm going with £60K + 6K safety should you need it.GTR with Gel coat finish
No spoiler
AP brakes
LS7 550/650 engine
Air Con
Std Rims
twin tanks
intrax shocks
uprated bushes
the only thing i havent considered is the detail to the interior,
i think i can build this for £55-£60k, HOW CLOSE AM I TO THIS ESTIMATION, obviously i will speak to the factory when i go up there v. soon
andygtt said:
If your careful with your cash (ie shop around a bit) a good spec LS7 engined car is realistic for £55-60k.... and it will be an absolutelly fantastic car at that.
I think Jason wants to go with Factory support. Didn't we debate that that is £30K in the engine bay alone?jasongtr said:
i am confused, i thought the factory support meant they recognise the engine and give technical advice etc...
why then would it be much more expensive to 'LS7 it' with factory support?
remember you are talking to and idiot/novice/numpty* here
Just with talk here that LS7 can be purchased at a lower cost than the Factory/AS route. But if you do that, as if you could do with a SBC, you probably wouldn't get Factory support.why then would it be much more expensive to 'LS7 it' with factory support?
remember you are talking to and idiot/novice/numpty* here
- delete the non applicable...
I went the Factory recommended route as I needed Factory backing during the build and I needed the reasurance that what I was buying would fit/be compatible.
Bearings are a different story.
You have two basic choices either of which will depend on the depth of your pocket, what you know and who you know.
For a sure thing, pay the money and go the factory route.
If you have the confidence, enjoy the challenge and know the right people and are capable of getting down and dirty yourself do what the majority on here have done.
For a sure thing, pay the money and go the factory route.
If you have the confidence, enjoy the challenge and know the right people and are capable of getting down and dirty yourself do what the majority on here have done.
I have to admit that I don't have enough tech knowledge to be able to deviate from the Ultima bits, so it's factory standard parts for that vital support. For me its not the extra cost - I've looked and its marginal, but I just would not have even started the build if I did not have the likes of Andy, Richard, etc. on the other end of the phone: and of course PH has also been a great souce of info thanks guys 
Edited by dutchess on Sunday 27th May 21:26
oh and one small but fairly important point! Do you fit in one? Try and sit in with a crash hat on.... you will need that for track days. I Know some people who dont fit (like me!) with a crash hat on..... might be a bit upsetting to get your car but you cant use it on a track day.. Fortunately my car has a bit more head room.... 93 million miles to be exact.
LuckyP said:
andygtt said:
If your careful with your cash (ie shop around a bit) a good spec LS7 engined car is realistic for £55-60k.... and it will be an absolutelly fantastic car at that.
I think Jason wants to go with Factory support. Didn't we debate that that is £30K in the engine bay alone?Edited by andygtt on Monday 28th May 13:02
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