Coupe vs. GTM - Decision Requires a Ride-Along

[chrisw]

SoCal members,

Thinking practically, I've had to move away from the roadster as a build option given my need to park and lock the car for days at a time. I've been considering both the GTM and the Coupe for some time. I have a list of pros/cons for each after stalking the forum and talking to folks like Dave Borden and Jeff Miller, but at this point I need to take a closer in-person look at and ride in both to make a final decision.

I'm in Ventura County. Any GTM or Coupe owners within reasonable distance that are open to showing their cars?

Here are some points relevant to my choice:

I am from an automotive family and have wrenched and done mechanical engineering, but this is my first car build
Need this to be able to be a daily driver; must be able to lock the thing at the airport
Want to use either a Coyote or LSX engine
Not an unlimited budget like some of the folks on the forums
35 years old; not looking for a retro build at all
Not liking the woe that folks seem to be suffering via Mendeola on the GTM
Planning to sub the bodywork to Jeff Miller


Thanks,
Chris

[Ultimate Track Car]

I think you have a lot of guts just thinking about leaving your potential GTM or Coupe baby unattended at the airport for days. More than me anyway. LOL

[chrisw]

It's not like I'm going to leave it in the outdoor public lot at LAX, but I don't want it to be a garage queen. I plan to install enough electrical security that they'd have to flatbed it to steal it.

[vnmsss]

I think you have a lot of guts just thinking about leaving your potential GTM or Coupe baby unattended at the airport for days. More than me anyway. LOL

I'll second that about the airport.....

It sounds like the issue of security outweighs even the complexity of the build....Even the Coupe, while having a fixed roof, doors and windows, would be hardly considered "secure." I'd never leave mine parked overnight even on the street in front of my house, let alone in a public parking area....Securing the hood to prevent theft of engine parts alone would be difficult....Maybe not impossible, but definately challenging.

IMHO, the GTM would probably offer the most security between the two, but even that would be in a very limited way....The GTM is also the hardest one to build, and I think after you put in all of the effort and came to appreciate the labor of love it becomes to get it finished, you wouldn't then leave it in a parking lot either. In regards to the Coupe, you'd have to come up with roll up windows for the Coupe at the very least, and even then, for even the most challenged criminal, it would be fairly easy to jack the door open and drive away.

I guess if you can get by the idea of loosing it or having it pilfered, then just plan to have great insurance....Good luck in your decision, as having either of those cars will certainly be lots of fun!!

[chrisw]

I appreciate the input, and I get your point. My rationale is that the car is no fun if I can only drive it on Sundays to and from a restaurant where I have to grab a window seat so I can glance over every 30 seconds to make sure nobody parks near it. I've done that before - no good.

I'm not worried about engine parts being stolen on an LSX motor. A thief could get into my truck window with a hammer, and they could do the same with a GTM or Coupe. You can easily wire up some trickery that disables the LSX motor, however. They might be able to tow the car if they were determined, but not drive it away.

I'm sure that I'll be using a car cover, and I'm determined to not go crazy making the thing a show car. Performance and durability are most important to me.