TrevS Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Hi all This is my first post on here for quite a while so I thought I'd give you guys an update on life after my last Supra. After selling the car earlier this year I put the money aside for a deposit on a house which has now been put on hold, due to the current housing market slump and so I have had plenty of time to contemplate what to put in the garage when I finally get one. Initially I wanted a Porsche 911, either a 996 C4S or a 996 Turbo. They are still on the list but recently I have been looking into the possiblity of building an Ultima GTR. I absolutely love these things, so quick and look like nothing else on the road (except maybe a pagani Zonda). However if I choose an Ultima Ill probably need another car for more 'normal' driving, which would mean I would look for another Supra. So what do you guys think to the Ultima and Supra idea? Should I return to the Supra fold? I would really like a proper project to get my teeth into and the Ultima seems to tick all the right boxes and I know the Supra would keep me entertained while I was building the car. Also does anyone on here have any experience with the Ultima GTR, either driving or building the car and what are your thoughts? Finally for those who haven't seen an ultima here is what I would be looking to build: Trev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 That's a fantastic photo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolarbag Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Absolutely love those cars, depends on the build, but your looking at about 50K+ for a decent one and a lot of your own time The rewards will be an awesome track car, and fun elise/exige type driving experience on ecstasy! Depreciations pretty bad, nowhere near as good as your porka's, but even their slumping pretty badly just now too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Speak to "scooby_doo_do" - he bought an Ultima Spyder recently. http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/member.php?u=405 2008-Current: Ultima Spyder 5.7 v8 1998: it has no roof=you get wet (only under 25mph, prooved). Fantastic looking car, and awsome handling. Brakes not as good as previous cars, and power doesn't seem as refined as the supra/evo. Gear changes aren't as quick due to the sometimes glitchy gearbox selector. This car though would out handle the others i'm sure, but it is very wide, and personnaly i don't think it's as quick as the supra/evo, but i'm still only getting use to it.... Very easy to work on, even for a novice, and parts fairly cheap. And: http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?t=152118 (Amongst others) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevS Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 Absolutely love those cars, depends on the build, but your looking at about 50K+ for a decent one and a lot of your own time The rewards will be an awesome track car, and fun elise/exige type driving experience on ecstasy! Depreciations pretty bad, nowhere near as good as your porka's, but even their slumping pretty badly just now too I have been told that the average build varys between £30k-40k. Like anything though I guess its how much you want to spend. Things like the engine are around £10k for a new V8 but you can spend less to buy a reconditioned one etc. I guess most owners tend to want everything new though. The other option I had was to look for a used one, and then give it my own personal makeover. The problem is though, as builds vary wildly between cars buying used can be a bit of a gamble and takes away the fun of actually building your own car from scratch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daston Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 it depends on the spec you are after. When I looked into doing it and priced it all up came to around £70k and that was with an LS7 with all the extras. If you plan to build it over a few years then A) you can make sure it is 100% perfect and B) spread the cost. However the down side is you wife/girlfriend may kill you. I have decided that I will wait a few years before tackling one as we need a bigger garage lol. If you do decide to go for it we want to see the build from start to finish!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevS Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 Well I am off to the factory soon to have a look round and see some cars at various build stages to see if its something I can do, both mechanically and financially. I am sure as soon as they take me for a spin in the demo car Ill be hooked and want one there and then. As for spec I want to go for a BMW V10 with the Porsche g50 gearbox. I have been told that its doable by a couple of owners and am waiting to hear back from a few companies on how easy the engine will be to fit, the cost and expected power. In standard form the v10 produces 500bhp so it should be pretty amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveR Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Boss at work used to drive a ready-built Ulitima, it brought him nothing but problems (mostly engine related; he was continually stripping it down to rebuild bits EVERY MONTH), he got rid and bought a 911. Make sure you carry out the mod to put a sensor with dash warning LED on the flip-back rear part of the shell, his wasn't fastened properly one day when he set off and it flipped open at 70mph, crashing into the road and writing off that body panel as a result. Also, ask if they have any paint issues; his was red but had hundreds of tiny black cracks all over it after 6 months, possibly due to the sun but I wonder if they were flex-induced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Having just spent some money on my Supe back in April/May, (BPU, body work etc) - I took it to Le Mans with my friend Dan. Pictures in this thread- http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?t=153820&highlight=mans+ultima&page=2 I would say that the ratio of people stairing (in delight & wonderment blah blah blah) at the Ultima to Supra was- 20:1 at least. B*gger! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daston Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 the body work is gel coated from factory so should be pretty bendy. A V10 would make things quite interesting. Try to go up for their open day had a great time last year and there were some quite interesting builds. One guy was pushing over 1000 bhp with nos and a supercharger........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonB Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 There's a fantastic build diary here: http://www.ultima-gtr.info The guy has built a supercharged Ultima GTR as a track day sort of car and a Can-Am with a much more mild road-car spec, proper interior etc. Loads of info on his site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul mac Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 As for spec I want to go for a BMW V10 with the Porsche g50 gearbox. I have been told that its doable by a couple of owners and am waiting to hear back from a few companies on how easy the engine will be to fit, the cost and expected power. In standard form the v10 produces 500bhp so it should be pretty amazing. That is a good choice of engine, i am actively looking at building something very similar to the Ultima and keep feeling uneasy about going from a modern 4 valve engine to an (ancient - in technology terms) single cam 2 valve pushrod, however i'm sure the running/maintenance costs of a LS series chevy would be considerably cheaper than the BMW motor and a bone stock LS7 runs 500 hp as well and is probably far easier to tune so i would'nt discount one, that said though the V10 BMW motor in the back of the Ultima would look amazing. Whichever motor you went with 500hp in a 1000 kg car would be blindingly fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevS Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 I really like the sound of the v10 rather than the old school v8's. I think a modern high pitched engine sound would suit the look of the car rather than an burbling v8. Guess its just down to personal preference. If a v10 can sound this good in a m5 imagine it in the ultima with a custom exhuast: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul mac Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 If a v10 can sound this good in a m5 imagine it in the ultima with a custom exhuast: have to agree that that sound probably suits the Ultima more but a chevy V8 is an awesome noise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_doo_do Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 i have a spyder, if you want me to take you for a spin.. I love it. So much fun and attention.... ok, i'm a tart... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Absolutely love those cars, depends on the build, but your looking at about 50K+ for a decent one and a lot of your own time The rewards will be an awesome track car, and fun elise/exige type driving experience on ecstasy! Depreciations pretty bad, nowhere near as good as your porka's, but even their slumping pretty badly just now too Before you get the Ultima, ensure it's the car for you, I always wanted one, but after trying getting in & out of a Elise I couldn't imagine living day to day with an Ultima, even at weekends, just my 2p (have you driven an Ultima?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_doo_do Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 i'm 6"3 but becuase i opted for the spyder - no roof, it's not a problem. But i'd definatly agree with javansio and say you have to drive one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevS Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 Before you get the Ultima, ensure it's the car for you, I always wanted one, but after trying getting in & out of a Elise I couldn't imagine living day to day with an Ultima, even at weekends, just my 2p (have you driven an Ultima?) Not yet but due for a factory visit over the next couple of weeks. Talking to some owners the getting in/out thing doesn't seem that bad. Basically you just have to climb over the side sill and the lower yourself in, Sounds harder than I think it really is as the doors are like butterfly wings so theres plenty of room. As far as head room goes I understand there is quite a lot. If you are taller (over 6ft 2") you can also lower the floor for extra headroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul mac Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Not yet but due for a factory visit over the next couple of weeks. Talking to some owners the getting in/out thing doesn't seem that bad. Basically you just have to climb over the side sill and the lower yourself in, Sounds harder than I think it really is as the doors are like butterfly wings so theres plenty of room. As far as head room goes I understand there is quite a lot. If you are taller (over 6ft 2") you can also lower the floor for extra headroom. the thing that eventually put me off the Ultima was and i know this may seem a minor thing but it was the lack of an opening window, i do like to cruise in the summer with it down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Trev if you can get in & out OK just go for it, it's going to be a mint car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tannhauser Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 the thing that eventually put me off the Ultima was and i know this may seem a minor thing but it was the lack of an opening window, i do like to cruise in the summer with it down Can Am? I love the looks of it as much as the GTR. The video of it on that build site Simon posted is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Know you want an Ultima, but just to inject my 2 pence worth, why not get a Radical and save yourself alot of money? Same idea, similar performance... still road legal and just as savage. Hovever the V10 powerplant idea sounds awesome and will also sound awesone in the aural department! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Just 1 more 2p from me, you mentioned 911 Turbos, if you're after something that you'll be able able to chuck round corners quicker than a Ultima on UK roads look what 996 Turbos's are going for now, they require no maintenance, comfort & options are superb, and if you want something extra get a "proper" tuning house to drop an engine in, RUF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zky Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 I have been told that the average build varys between £30k-40k. Like anything though I guess its how much you want to spend. Things like the engine are around £10k for a new V8 but you can spend less to buy a reconditioned one etc. I guess most owners tend to want everything new though. The other option I had was to look for a used one, and then give it my own personal makeover. The problem is though, as builds vary wildly between cars buying used can be a bit of a gamble and takes away the fun of actually building your own car from scratch. Not with that price from scatch man, unless you cheap out on parts but hey it your gonna build this sort of car, dont cheap out or itll bite you in the butt later. For my last rebuilt/swap project took me nearly double the amount that I was aiming for...so yes little things will add up and before you know it ur pockets are empty and ur just halfway there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevS Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 Just 1 more 2p from me, you mentioned 911 Turbos, if you're after something that you'll be able able to chuck round corners quicker than a Ultima on UK roads look what 996 Turbos's are going for now, they require no maintenance, comfort & options are superb, and if you want something extra get a "proper" tuning house to drop an engine in, RUF. What I want is a project car that I can build up over a couple of years as a long term project (Ultima) to keep me going over the winter months and something to tinker with in the garage. Then to have a cheaper sports car while I am building it (another supra). That way I get a hypercar(ultima) for the weekends and a supercar (supra) for the week. I think thats the point some of you are missing. The ultima would be a one off, made to my specification, using materials I want, powerplant i want etc (budget allowing). Then what I am left with is a hypercar that I made with my own hands that is purpose built for me. That's something that no 911 or radical can offer, the satisfaction of knowing that you put every nut and bolt together on that car and its just the way you want. Also the 996 turbo's are not even in the same league in terms of speed both in a straight line or round corners. As for radicals, yes they are quick but even less impractical than the ultima (if thats possible) and more for track work than road use too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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