Potential Newbie

[barriejames]

Hi

Just seeking some honest advice. Been considering an Ultima for some while but cannot afford a turnkey project so will need to get involved a bit in the build. My only concern is are they veiwed as kit cars or something a bit more. I have just sold my 911 and am no stranger to fast quality cars, but want something like the Ultima which looks great and that hopefully will not drop in price like a lead balloon!!! I have a few options at present, one would be another 911, or a stretch low end 360 but both cost a fortune to service and people will not buy them without main dealer history.

I would welcome any thoughts for a potential new buyer/builder. It would only be needed as a dry weather weekend car.

Thanks

Barrie

[Paul.B]

Coming from Porsche 911's and looking at 360 Ferrari's would suggest you need to look long and hard at the Ultima "thing" before you commit. They are very different beasts. No commfy warranty, no ABS ESP ABC XYZ!

Being only a sunny weekend car would suggest you want something a little extreme?

One the positive side. Very easy to maintain and service. Little depriciation after the initial hit if kept in good nick and you don't see too many others on the road coming the other way. You get the full on raw experience and only positive reactions from other road users.

Not trying to put you off but get to know the cars, the owners as well and visit the factory. It ain't no chrome & plate glass palace! Oh, and the coffee is not great but you will get a feel for what they stand for and a warm welcome.

Try and contact Bluesatin (Guy) He has had an Ultima for years and also drives a Porsche 997/Audi R8(V10)/Whatever as a daily driver so is well placed to highlight the real differences.


Good luck

Paul.B

Edited by Paul.B on Tuesday 5th January 20:12

[Steve_D]

As Paul said you need to understand that an Ultima is very basic but extremely high performance.
This means that you have the drive experience without the high maintenance costs. Any independent garage will be more than capable of looking after it although you could easily do it yourself.

If you wanted to see what they are about then you could contact Ditto or GTRMikie who both have cars down in your area.

Steve

[ditto]

Steve_D said:

As Paul said you need to understand that an Ultima is very basic but extremely high performance.
This means that you have the drive experience without the high maintenance costs. Any independent garage will be more than capable of looking after it although you could easily do it yourself.

If you wanted to see what they are about then you could contact Ditto or GTRMikie who both have cars down in your area.

Steve

Where in Kent are you?
You are welcome to come and have a nose around

[barriejames]

Hi

Thanks for the info. It would be worth looking at some in the flesh. I am not really needing all the comforts from a car as I have an every day car for that. But the advice so far has been great so thanks I want to spend time making the right decision as it is a considerable undertaking not like buying an off the peg car.

[barriejames]

Hi Thanks for the offer. I live in Dover but work in Maidstone and often travel to most Kent areas. I have sent you an email and would really like to view a GTR in the flesh and talk to an owner as after the initial grin wears off you will give a more accurate account of owning one.

Thanks

Barrie

[Steve_D]

barriejames said:

........after the initial grin wears off......

Mines been on the road 5 years now and the grins not worn off yet.

Steve

[GTRMikie]

Steve_D said:

If you wanted to see what they are about then you could contact Ditto or GTRMikie who both have cars down in your area.

Steve

Ditto is probably your first port of call to view a car, because he has a "palacial" garage (it is compared to mine) with plenty of room to look over his car. But if I know when you are visiting, and providing the weather is OK, I can pop over to ditto's so you will have two to compare.

[barriejames]

That is a very kind offer. I am not in a rush to view especially with the poor weather and it would be even better seeing two cars and getting two views etc. I would be able to fit in with you both and would make sure I am available to suit. I will call with my details and hopefully we could meet up at the first mutual opportunity. I would say my real maxish budget is around 35-40k Would it be likely I could build a sensible version GTR for this,or is that a tad optomistic?

[738 driver]

You will have to do considerable research, bargain hunting and reconditioning to get near a 40K self build, unless you find an abandoned project steal somewhere!
Always best to have a chunk of ready cash to get a real serious bargain........people still love the folding stuff.

[Gulf -LS2]

barriejames said:

That is a very kind offer. I am not in a rush to view especially with the poor weather and it would be even better seeing two cars and getting two views etc. I would be able to fit in with you both and would make sure I am available to suit. I will call with my details and hopefully we could meet up at the first mutual opportunity. I would say my real maxish budget is around 35-40k Would it be likely I could build a sensible version GTR for this,or is that a tad optomistic?

i dont think you will be able to build a decent spec car for less than 55k!!

[barriejames]

738 driver said:

You will have to do considerable research, bargain hunting and reconditioning to get near a 40K self build, unless you find an abandoned project steal somewhere!
Always best to have a chunk of ready cash to get a real serious bargain........people still love the folding stuff.

Yeah thats kinda what I thought. I suppose spread over a couple of years a few more k wont hurt to spend. Just that if it all seems a bit difficult I may just back off for a 360. Would still like an Ultima though. Nearing the big 50 now so really just want a final car I can keep period and I tink and Ultima would fit the bill, but I am concerned spending the sort of cash that could buy me other super cars?

[Steve_D]

barriejames said:

........Nearing the big 50 now so really just want a final car I can keep period and I think a Ultima would fit the bill, but I am concerned spending the sort of cash that could buy me other super cars?

Have to say, from the tone of your voice (so to speak), if you are undecided between an Ultima and 360 then go for the 360.
For most the Ultima is one of those cars where you say 'I have to have one of those'. If it doesn't do this for you then you can't justify the expense.

Steve

[Storer]

A 360 would be a more practical car (if you can call any 2 seater practical).

Also, if you have a wife/partner the Ferrari would be less likely to be referred to as "that blo*dy car!" as, for most non-car-mad women, an Ultima is a bit of a trial.

[Gulf -LS2]

the reaction you get from the Ultima will always be a lot more favourable than the fezza....

i parked at silverstone in my GTR next to a 360 and everyone ignored the fezza and took pics of the Ultima to the extent that the 360 owner moved his car

[DHGTR]

Why not buy a pre-loved GTR. For 40k- 50k you can get everything that you would have put into a newly built car.

There may not be a lot of choice in classifieds at the moment but if you were considering building then you're probaly not in the 'want it now' category anyway.


Dave

[V8Dom]

Gulf -LS2 said:

barriejames said:

That is a very kind offer. I am not in a rush to view especially with the poor weather and it would be even better seeing two cars and getting two views etc. I would be able to fit in with you both and would make sure I am available to suit. I will call with my details and hopefully we could meet up at the first mutual opportunity. I would say my real maxish budget is around 35-40k Would it be likely I could build a sensible version GTR for this,or is that a tad optomistic?

i dont think you will be able to build a decent spec car for less than 55k!!

Kyle is right(and he will remember the amount of phone calls I made to him!!!!!!!!Thankyou Kyle) I spent months calculating a build up to my spec and one I felt i wanted for life, but ended up buying a secondhand one...

Appartently im told you can build one for 35k, but it will have sierra brakes, no wing, no aircon,standard shock, and is based on getting a secondhand chevy 300hp engine for 1k... but 1k does not cover, carb, inlet, dizzy etc etc etc and all the extras so the figures dont add up.(there are plenty of threds already about a 35k car)

You could build a fairly good one for 40-43k if you price arround but you wont have a wing,or many options, and certainly not an LS engine ...BUT if you can find a part built one 10k under what it would have been to build so far you are back on track.

I must agree with the other guys here if you are comparing a 360 to an ultima, I think you need to go with the 360.

We are talking different classes here... The ultima is a car quicker than an enzo, not a 360, so if you want a grin factor and are not a millionare , then an Ultima is the car for you.

The 360 is more plush inside and you have room for your luggage. It depends is it a toy for you to get a buzz out of, or a car you want to take your girlfiend away for the weekend in??? You can do that with an Ultima, dont get me wrong, but you wont be turning up at the hotel with a suitcase, but a small holdall and some tescos bags full of cloths..........I always compare it to a hotel weekend or a camping weekend....hahaha

Also to warn you in the long run, the 360 will cost you more to insure, more to service(10x more),rusts,is unrealiable and you cant fix it and you see loads on the road.
Owning a 360 wont let you enjoy a great bunch of people here who are always here to give a lending hand, or even better turning upto a kitcar show and being presented with a bottle of Champers from the factory(bet Ferrari dont do that!!)

Me I waited and longed for an Ultima for ten years and now Ive got it.....Wow I love it and will only sell it so I can build one when I have the extra money.

You need to think long and hard...An Ultima is a life not just a Christmas....

Dom

[Stig]

V8Dom said:

Appartently im told you can build one for 35k, but it will have sierra brakes, no wing, no aircon,standard shock, and is based on getting a secondhand chevy 300hp engine for 1k... but 1k does not cover, carb, inlet, dizzy etc etc etc and all the extras so the figures dont add up.(there are plenty of threds already about a 35k car)

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1365898.htm

Well, there's your engine for a grand with change!

[barriejames]

Good responses. The option of a pre used Ultima GTR does appeal. as does a part built one!!!

The idea between the 360 or Ultima is only because they are my two fav cars and taste is an individual thing I guess. I am put off the 360 by giving a gaage 2-k a year to put new fluids in it and stamp the book!!!

You are right no rush, need to get my decison spot on, still leaning towards Ultima but the acid est will be a visual and perhaps a sit in and if someone was kind enough to run me round the block even better!!! I do not need a car for luggage etc so that does not concern me.Got to say though I am impressed with Ultima group.

[Spid]

I'm in Crawley in Sussex with a 75% built CanAm if you fancy a look and chat
Adam