Stratos suitability for every day usage???

[Swamprat33]

Hi again, I did see a thread like this in the archive from some time ago, but there was no reply from anyone who used their Stratos every day.
I plan to buy a Corse i with a 3.0 Alfa V6 and use it as my main transport, and would be driving roughly 35 miles a day during the week plus jollies at the weekend.
I guess the average would be around 250 miles per week.

What I am concerned about is the long term reliability and what level of maintenance / downtime would be required.

Your comments would be greatly appreciated.

Tim

[CorseChris]

Hi Tim,

Well, here's one of those annoying 'I don't know but I think' replies :)

I'm building a Corse S and can see no reason whatsoever why it wouldn't be perfectly capable of being a daily drive....the I should have a similar ride quality.....

...assuming you aren't expecting modern production car levels of noise & comfort (and weatherproofing).

Having had a few odd cars over the years, I would make the observation that driving something a bit unusual can tend to take the shine off it a bit if you do it too often - personal opinion only of course. Your particular journey will have some bearing on how much pleasure or pain each day brings of course...

Make sure you install aircon if you plan on it being a daily drive though - these things get warm inside....

Mechanically, there's nothing at all about the cars that should cause concern as long as it's nailed together properly. All tried and tested components. Maintenance & service no more complex than the donor vehicle really. Engine access on the Corse is better than on the donor car for a start! Electrics are as simple or complex as you choose to make them.

Ultimately, only you will be able to decide if using one as a daily drive is for you or not, but one thing I would very strongly recommend would be to leave the engine alone - don't 'tune' it unless you can absolutely guarantee not to upset the V6's well-mannered nature. Nothing worse than a temperamental highly strung engine in a daily drive IMHO.

FWIW, I will probably tend to use mine on nicer days, but at present, reckon on it being an all-year car. Time will tell if this works out to be the case though. Ask me again when it's finished :)

[guy mayers]

Graham Dresch used his Hawk as an everyday car for a number of years, colocking up in excess of 100,000 miles relatively trouble free on a Beta engine. There is no reason why they shouldn't be reliable as long as they are properly put together. Electrics tend to be the weak point of any kit car but care when building to avoid the possibility of chafing, stretching, failed earths and waterproofing should see excellent results.
I think Graham has now taken his car off the road to convert to Alfa V6 and to replace the worn wheel bearing. I'm not even sure if he isn't planning to have it painted....
Guy

[Swamprat33]

many thanks for your 'wise' words. I feel quite a bit more relaxed about buying one now.
Cheers
Tim

[guy mayers]

Hi Tim - don't forget to tick the "eyes in the back of your head" option on the order form! Blind spots in the rear are something you have to get used to although very areful alignment of the mirrors usually sorts them out bikers have a habit of sitting on you rear quarters admiing the car and they can get hidden!
Guy

[Swamprat33]

Hi Guy, Just had my first outing in a Stratos (Corse i) today. Decided to buy it. Weather was lousy and the roads were wet and greasy, but still had to do it. Expect to get the car in 2 - 3 weeks.

See what you mean by the bad rear visabillity.

Many thanks for you advice. Posted my SEC membership this evening when I got home.

Tim

[chris.richard]

Originally posted by guy mayers
colocking up

How do you do that then? Is it legal?

[PANOS]

HAPPY EASTER TO EVERY ONE, PEACE ON EARTH AND ALL THAT...

I HAVE BEEN USING MY STRATO'S FOR 3 YEARS NOW AS A DAILY DRIVER, BOTH IN LONDON (SHOCK, HORROR:eek: ) AND NOW CYPRUS, WITH NO PROBLEMS WHAT-SO-EVER, AS LONG AS I REMEMBER (HOW CAN I FORGET) THAT IS A STRATO'S I AM DRIVING AND NOT YOUR COMMON GARDEN VARIETY TIN-BOX...

I TELL A LIE, I HAVE A RECURING PROBLEM, TRYING TO DRIVE SLOWLY AND WITHIN THE SPEED LIMITS... THE BOYS IN BLUE CAN TESTIFY TO THIS!!!:(
BUT WITH A SOUND TRACK LIKE THAT (I DELIBERATELY HAVE NO STEREO IN IT), HOW CAN I RESIST... INVEST IN THE BEST RADAR DEDECTOR YOU CAN AFFORD, I KNOW I HAVE.:D

OFCOURSE YOU HAVE TO MODIFY YOUR DRIVING STYLE FOR PARKING, EMERGING FROM T-JUNCTIONS ETC. AND SLIDING IN AND OUT (NOTICE I DIDN'T SAY GETTING IN AND OUT) OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, ESPECIALY IF YOU FIT BUCKET SEATS WITH HIGH SIDES LIKE ME. INVEST IN A REMOVABLE STEARING WHEEL LIKE ME, IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

ONE MORE THING, CARRY A WET LEATHER CLOTH IN THE STRATO'S
AT ALL TIMES TO WIPE THE DIRTY FINGERPRINTS FROM THE WINDSCREEN EVERY TIME YOU COME BACK TO THE CAR...!!!
THIS IS NOT A MODE OF DAILY TRANSPORT FOR SHY, RETIRING PEOPLE.
IT HELPS IF YOU ARE AN EXTROVERT...:cool:

HAVE FUN.

PANOS

[shaun]

Your new daily transport wouldn't just happen to be Rover Metallic Burgundy in colour would it?

[Swamprat33]

Hi Shaun, Yes - you guessed right.

I know it is not a traditional colour for a Stratos, but it has been done well and looks good for a road car.

Cheers

Tim

[shaun]

From the photos I'd say it looks fantastic.