Stratos. Compared with?

[Ahutchy]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this forum but have been interested in the Stratos replica's for a very long time.

I have been contemplating buying something more interesting than my current fun car (Alfetta GTV) for a while but I am not fully satisfied with any of the possibilities that I have come up with.

I would like something that is a quick, nimble, looks terrific, makes a great noise (Italian noise preferably), affordable to run and buy and also fun on the track. A tall order but the Stratos seems to do it all.

So to my main questions.

To those who have driven or owned a 308GT4, 308 GTB, 944 turbo or a hotted up GTV6 can you please tell me the differences in the driving experience of these versus the Stratos (I am assuming a Alfa V6 version).

I am also interested in the running costs (I am fairly happily excluding time from my calculations of cost) of the replica versus these other possibilities.

To those members of the forum that are also located where I am (Australia) I am of course interested in the difficulty of dealing with either of the kit suppliers (being on another continent, not implying they are slack) and also difficulty of obtaining approval for rego (in my case QLD).

Also in regard to driving these things, do they rattle a bit or is the chassis race car stiff, feels very chuckable, but doesn't feel like its going to bite back?

I read somewhere about steering vagueness. What is the story and can it be tuned out?

One great thing about building one of these horny Italian creations is this forum. Other seemingly popular kit cars dont have a forum anywhere near this quality (that I can find anyway).

My history in relation to cars and driving is circuit racing a few sedans like Escort, rotary Mazda, VW Golf on and off for 15 years and driving on the road various things like UR Quattro, GTV's of various incantations, 6 series BMW, fast Golfs and about 35 other heaps in the last 20 years.

It is definately time for something genuinely good.

I look forward to your thoughts and suggestions.

Many Thanks, Andrew.

[PANOS]

HI ANDREW,

CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING THREAD UNTIL THE REST OF US COLLECT OUR THOUGHTS AND DECIDE WHAT TO SAY IN LESS THAN 1000 WORDS...:D

http://www.stratossupersite.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1172

THANKS SHOULD GO TO ALL THE FORUM MEMBERS WHO MAKE IT THE GREATEST...

WELCOME.

PANOS:cool:

[Chris J]

Andrew

I'm driving a 308 GT4 at the moment...

...no I'm not, I'm sat in front of the PC? Well, you know what I mean?

I used to have an HF2000, so I can compare those two at least. The Ferrari is more stable at speed, feels more developed and is less twitchy. The Stratos always feels like it's ready to go round the next corner. Or was that just the one I had?

The GT4 is much easier to see out of and less demanding to drive over a long distance. It also has air con. That's something to bear in mind. Because of the windscreen angle (I think) you'll get very hot in a Stratos on sunny days.

The thing about the Stratos is that there are quite a few cars out there that are easier to get hold of and give as good if not better performance, but no car can match it for charisma and pride of ownership. Because the replica cars are all hand built, no two are exactly alike and I think that's another thing that makes them appealing.

How's that?

[x19er]

here is the thread on this topic: http://www.stratossupersite.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1079

[Ahutchy]

Thanks all, for your help.

I particularly appreciate the comments re differences between the ferrari and stratos.

Pretty much what I thought i suppose. i forgot about the heat angle. Does anyone run air con in they're replica?

Does everyone aggree that the stratos is a little nervous on the road?

I'm fairly convinced that this car is the way to nirvana for me, but I will need to find out some info re local registration difficulties before I go any further.

Thanks again, Andrew.

[CorseChris]

Andrew,

I've built A/C into my Corse...

...or should that be I built the Corse around the A/C.

Difficult job to do in terms of squeezing it all in, and as the car is yet to be completed, I don't know for an absolute certainty that it'll be good enough, but any cooling will be worth it.

Gerry Manalo has also installed A/C. He has a Hawk so he took a different route to me and installed the evaporator/heater unit under the bonnet. There is much more room under the Corse dash so I managed to hide mine under there.

Assuming all works as it should I think it will be well worth the hassle & expense. For a comfortable and civilised experience I'd think it almost essential for a hotter climate than the UK (which is almost everywhere...).

No doubt many would question why I want or expect a Stratos to be comfortable and civilised, but it's my car and I'll do what I jolly well please!!

[Bernard]

Hi there...

You need to try and get hold of Stewart Cooke in Brisbane
he has what looks like a very neat replica with air con...

On the handling front of a Stratos... my car was originally a 2000 Lancia Twin cam which always appeared to be a bit twitchy when going down the road however when i converted to Alfa 3000 V6 the car seems to be more sure footed and far less twitchy ... a proper car !

good luck with your quest

Bernard:D

[stewart]

Andrew,

I've been in north Qld this week for work and haven't had time to check out what is happening on here. Drop me a line at stradale74@hotmail. com and I can maybe answer those questions that relate to Qld, Australia and registration etc. Haven't done enough miles yet to really answer some of the other stuff.

cheers,