Dare G4's Advice Please

[Snapper7]

Thinking about getting a Long cockpit Dare G4 Coupe or possibly waiting for the new version of the G12.

I know that no one can comment on the new G12 yet, so my questions are about the G4.

Anyone here own a G4? If so,

What has owning one been like?

What problems have you had?

What are the weak points/What brakes?

How well are they put together?

How weather proof are they?

Are they any good as a Road car for touring with? (It would be a second car and not used as an every day car)

I would perfer the 2lt engine with about 175/190bhp, but is the 1.8lt engine any good?

What do I need to look out for if I get a second hand one?

What are the must have bits (Spec) that I should consider?

Any other advice?

[geeeman]

Hi, ive owned 2 Dare G4s, one from new and the other ive acquired in the last few months second hand; both SWB and im 6 foot tall.
Long-cockpit would be excellent for touring. As long as you have seats with a bit of padding, some of the earlier seats fitted had very little of it.
The one i bought second hand needed a new rad and new dampers as the spax were knackered and rusted. Have new lightweight rad and aluminium protech dampers now from DARE
Other thing to look out for if the car is running weber-alpha system with webers is that they have been properly setup/maintained. Mine needed a rolling road set up.
The 1800 zetec on weber 45s i find is pretty good, i have piper cams also (BHP appprox 155). A 2 litre would be nice on throttle bodies. but the power difference is not huge (ie 150 vs 175, although i believe 190 can be obtained)
The car does leak, and mine is a coupe.. Only in very heavy rain though: boot and at doors. But id feel ok leaving it out in light rain

Brakes are excellent as standard, but recommend good tyres, eg yoko a048.
Build quality is very good, i regularly have people thinking mines aluminium and they complement the paint although its 10 yrs old.
Heater not great but usually not needed
I dont like the SVA approved dash, much prefer the Jap-spec one, that looks very 60s (mine has this as it was pre-SVA).
Would have to have dry-sump system, as improves clearance also
Uprated springs if gonna race it much and possibly closer ratio box
LSD i hear not too beneficial unless have large power (eg 175+)
Mine is a litte too noisy on motorway cos not much silencing

Altogether a very enjoyable car to own, no major problems.. and u always have the full support of DARE who can help in any aspect of setup, mods etc...

[geeeman]

forgot to mention have had high brake light fitted (LED)
and headrest (seen in pic drivers side only)
by Dare

[dandarez]

Neat touch getting Ivor to sign the dash!

Re leaks, when I drove the R reg demo car through heavy storms there were no leaks
except one at bottom n/s screen where rubber wasn't fitted well. None through doors themselves.

[Snapper7]

Thanks Geeman

I have sent you an email.

Would be nice to see some more pictures of the car. Looks great from what I can see.... Like the Ivor Walkletts signature..

Any other advice would be welcome.

[geeeman]

the only time it has leaked is when i left it out all night in heavy rain.
next day some water in boot and in sill area, near where the door hinges. I think in 'normal' rain this would not happen.. no leaks at all around screen in this one, but they can occasionally leak here.
Another thing u may find akward if you're tall is the gear lever position is set a little too far back, so i am always elbowing the passenger. easily rectified with longer lever angled away from driver
ventilation for dimisting screen can be a little weak

[dandarez]

geeman - r u going to enter your 4 for the PH show at the NEC? PH looking for the best 100 PH cars.
Go on... worst they can say is no.

I'm searching everywhere for a 4 with no luck - Paul Stephens one is too dear. WISH I'd got the white black stripe one (I mustn't be so fussy about a double hump bonnet.)
Anyone know who got the white/black stripe convertible?

Could get a DZ but gone off them a little.

Edited by dandarez on Thursday 4th October 23:54

[Snapper7]

Not sure who got the White and Black one.

I have been talking to Paul Stephens about his long cockpit G4 with a view to making it into the car I would want and when I rang the other day I was told they had both been sold.

Edited by Snapper7 on Saturday 6th October 00:53

[geeeman]

keep looking- they do come up for sale.
I found mine on this websites classifieds few months ago!!! and i wasnt really looking to buy a G4- as i had decided on a new G12/16
Best bet is just to get one (SWB or LWB)at reasonable price and then do to it what u want to make it yours

[Snapper7]

geeeman said:

keep looking- they do come up for sale.
I found mine on this websites classifieds few months ago!!! and i wasnt really looking to buy a G4- as i had decided on a new G12/16
Best bet is just to get one (SWB or LWB)at reasonable price and then do to it what u want to make it yours

I guess that would be the option. But it would have to be a LWB version...... Any more pictures of that stunning car of yours.

[geeeman]

took the car out today,, took the camera too

[geeeman]

[Snapper7]

Geeeman

Your G4 looks absolutely stunning and that engine bay is something else.

Have you got any more pictures I could see?

I have just sold my Series 2 Lotus Exige in the hope of finding the right G4 Coupe, but this new G12/16 sounds very interesting as well.

Out of interest how long have you had the G4 and have you done much to it to get it how you wanted?

How do you fine the 1800cc engine? What BHP is yours? 150bhp? Do you think that is enough or do you think the car really needs a 2lt? I would like to think that the G4 I end up with would be as quick as my old Exige.

I got the Exige out of frustration of not finding a G4 the last time around. It has be a fantastic car and has been faultless. But for some reason I still keep looking at the classic lines of the G4 Coupe and G12.

I just hope the right car comes along at the right time.

This was the Exige that I sold in the hope of finding the right G4

On the Stelvio Pass (Before having the splitter and spoiler colourcoded)




In the Scottish Highlands

Edited by Snapper7 on Sunday 7th October 10:48

[geeeman]

have had the car 5 months now, but had another one a few yrs ago.
Recent one didnt need much doing except new dampers, new rad and rolling road tune and have put fast road piper cams in..

Im afraid the BHP per tonne of the standard series 2 exige is only 207/tonne, compared to the 1800 G4 of 223/tonne!
(exige weighs 914 kg, bhp is 190-- --G4 670kg, BHP 150)

Even the exige S only gives 233 bhp/tonne

So u can see how the G4 really is quick even with the 150 bhp 1800.....
Anyway if u get a 1800, u can drop a 2ltr in it quite cheaply these days if u really want 175+

Having said all that, if you're used to an exige i think you'll find the G12 to be the ultimate mid-engined car.. With a 250 bhp duratec (2.3) and approx weight of 670kg that equates to 373 bhp per tonne!!!

[Snapper7]

Thanks for that Geeeman


Out of interest could a duratec be dropped into a G4 to replace a 1.8 Zetec? or is it to different and costly to do?

[Snapper7]

i would agree with the comments on the G12, but I am concerned about the ground clearance for touring in that car.

[geeeman]

duratec not possible in G4 as exhaust exits on other side compared to zetec.
Dont think there would be any less ground clearance in a G12/16 compared to the G4. Suspension is height adjustable anyway

[Snapper7]

I think my exige was about 860-880kg and its the Exige S that is 914kg

[Snapper7]

geeeman said:

duratec not possible in G4 as exhaust exits on other side compared to zetec.
Dont think there would be any less ground clearance in a G12/16 compared to the G4. Suspension is height adjustable anyway

Is your suspension two adjustable? and what brand? I cant remember if you said Spax some where.

[dandarez]

Just thinking, for an R reg, heading for 10 years old, you really ought to enter your G4 in the PH Show.

Is that you in first pic? If so, your G4 is spotless more than can be said for your T-shirt and jeans(lol).

The stripe to the nose is very subtle - what colour is it? pale green?

Now I have seen yours again, I have gone off the convertible - what did you pay for it (no need to answer if you don't want to, you obviously got a good buy regardless, looking at the condition).

Re above comment about the 15 grand (well, just under) LC G4 at Paul Stephens, saying it is sold, well they are still advertising it.