Almost, not quite, picked up a CGT

As the title said, I came close to picking up a CGT the past few days. Prices have come way down on some cars. The one I looked at was offered at $260k!! That included a new clutch and service (but not the big 4 year service).

Some impressions during a closer look:

* the clutch is a noop for me. Works fine. If I hadn’t read all the horror stories about people having a tough time with the clutch, I wouldn’t even have noticed.
* use of carbon fiber incredibly well done.
* I still love the looks of the car, with possibly the exception of the front, which looks too much like my 911. I like the 911 looks, but thought the CGT would have branched out a little more.
* Targa top is cool. Works well. Car looks great with and without the top on.
* no luggage space – period. Hey, we do take our cars on overnighters. My F40 has great luggage room.
* engine compartment and suspension looks are to die for. Way cool.
* the sound! Oh, the sound! Nothing like it in a street car that I’ve heard. 5k rpm and above is sweeeet!
* the exhaust is too quite compared to what I’m used to. Straight pipes are definitely a must for me.
* the acceleration is stunning. Feels like my F40 when the turbos kick in. Can be scary fast. The speedo showed I was going way faster than the sensation of speed. Good thing the brakes work well.
* Car rides smoother than any of my Ferraris!!! This was a surprise. My wife said now she knows where the “GT” comes from. Although it cornered very flat, road feel wasn’t as good as my Ferraris.
* Steering not as sharp as my Ferraris. Felt a little vague. Not as precise.
* Interior doors are great with all the CF.
* Interior dash was a let down. The steering wheel and dash seemed to come straight from my 911. I don’t relish looking at that every drive. Wish they would have done something different here.
* Single piece seats are very purposeful. Just okay for comfort. Didn’t fit my 5’2” wife at all. Maybe about 1.5 hours per trip max is all we could take. But, that should be enough!!
* shifter was tolerable. Prefer the Ferrari gated shifter. Yes, I’ve read why they did it that way, but my opinion is still my opinion.

Remember, I’m a harsh judge. The F40 has spoiled me – and I’m very harsh on it as well (in fit and finish)!

Will I pick up a CGT? Yes, no doubt. I agree it’s a good pairing with the F40. For me, it’s definitely not a substitute for my F40, just a great companion.

Thus, I’ll continue my search for the right one at the right price.

Tim

 

Well you are one of the few that got that clutch right away (I stalled twice) but for the most part I agree with everything you said, though I thought the car was not as angle as I thought it would be, and you had to push it to really make it come alive. Good luck in your search.

 

where was the car being offered at 260K?

 

Silicon Valley Auto Group in Los Gatos. Listed for 270k. Offered at $260k. Sold yesterday. - Tim

 

So.....you decided to buy it?

 

I love the CGT. My only annoyance is that the clocks/steering wheel are exactly the same as not only the 911, but also the cayman and boxter. Even though the clocks read very well it would have been nice if the designers used a little more imagination.

However, it wouldn't put me off buying one...In fact it remains one of my favourite supercars.

 

Awesome Tim....Congrats! They've been sitting on that CGT for awhile and I'm sure are glad to have moved it.

Please use extreme care when operating it. I mean that in all sincerity. We've lost quite a few up here in your "old" neighborhood in the last month or two.

 

Same with the Audi R8, which has the cockpit from the TT.

I think it's part of the reason you can't really replace something like an F40, which is basically bespoke other than a few 328/TR bits.

Not sure Tim bought it. I think it sold to someone else (?)

 

I did not buy it. Due to the changeover in the dealership, I could not get the car PPI'd before the turnover. So, I passed. Still looking. - Tim

 

i know of a silver/black coming to market...2004, 5,000 miles, clean, prob around the 300 mark. pls pm me and ill put u in touch.

 

Ricky, has yours "landed"??

 

deal done. prob delivered next week or week after!

 

Awesome! Congrats!

Pics please when you can.

 

Tim,

Good luck with your purchase. The CGT is an incredible car and you won't be disappointed.

If I could make one suggestion about your comment of the exhaust being too quiet, I would drive the car stock for a while before making any changes. Mine is stock and I agree it's quiet while putzing around, but step on the loud pedal and things change very quickly and as you noted, it's the sweetest note in all of car-dom. It's has a Jekyll/Hyde thing going.

The straight pipes are loud.......very loud.......all the time. It's either loud or louder.

If you find you still don't like stock, you might consider something in between like the system GMG or Tubi makes for it. I've considered it but haven't pulled the trigger. I've heard these systems and they definitely add volume, but it's not as loud as the straight pipes.

Just my $0.02.

 

do the CGTs pass emissions with straight pipes?

 

Does anyone make the systems with the remotely controlled baffles/valves to make it normal or 'straight pipe' at the push of a button? That would be the best of both - "Oh, a tunnel, push the button!"

 

Good suggestion. The Jekyll/Hyde thing I'm used to is when my F430 Spider's bypass valves open to scare the local wildlife. Maybe I didn't punch the CGT hard enough. After all, I was trying not to wreck it during the test drive... ;-)

Tim

 

I don't know of a system that does this. There's actually something you can do to the stock system that is supposed to add volume without changing any hardware. Bill S has done it to his, but his report is that it wasn't a significant change. I trust him.

 

Probably very similar to the 430. Kudos on not wrecking on a test drive. Can you imagine????

 

A company makes this for Lambo, I think Kreissieg?

 

http://www.jcwhitney.com/CAST-IRON_EXHAUST_CUTOUT?ID=12;0;0;0;100001;ProductName;0;0;0;0;2006307;0

 

Exactly, except the "wide open exhaust" is really for city areas where there are tall buildings and tunnels to echo.

 

One other comment I forgot: CGTs seems to have a wider range of prices than any "normal" exotic I've ever seen.

There are 2005s that are asking $440k and ones that are $320k - all within a couple k miles difference. They obviously don't (at least I don't think so) sell for those prices. I'm just surprised people ask for >$400k when there are so many of the same year and mileage for over $100k less.

And then, there's the one owner '04 I looked at that sold for $260k with a new clutch and service.

Well, at least with cash, I have a target rich environment with which to work.

I'm looking at another one tomorrow.

Tim

 

good luck on the hunt Tim, you'll love it !

 

It should. The straight pipes (like the ones AWE sells) just take the place of the muffler, they do not affect the cats, o2 sensors or anything else that's emissions related.