Funco....Funco....Funco....

My last car was had an LS motor, liked the fuel cost. The Turbo Subie I know have is bad (_|_) and the fuel is not that big a deal, mine actually has more in it when I am done its so efficient!!
Nothing dunes like a Turbo Subie Funco!

i think your talking about the one that went of a dropff at high speed by pad 4. even though that car cracked and broke in 2 peices all 4 people walked away from it unhurt

i am still building my car, 2 seat mid desertdynamics, but i am already thinking baout building the funco i have always wanted

^^^^^^^^^^^^ Thats my next car...2.5 subie or if I can afford it the 3.0 from John at Outfront. Would be sick fast with the 3.0!

Is there any handling difference between a Big 5 and a Hustler? Are they the same car from the mid rail up?

Meaning.....what about a highside big 5? Is the ONLY difference between a big 5 and Hustler the easy access to get in of the big 5??

Same from the seat down as far as I know.

Ok, cool.

Are they building this model now? That's a dunin' mofo right there!

The only bad thing about a Funco is those of us who don't have one trying to keep up with one.

I have a Funco story that is probably unique. Years ago when I was an Editor at Sand Sports Magazine we arranged with Grant to do a photo shoot on the then-new Hustler 4. Grant took me for a great/fast ride in it and then when we got back to camp he told me to get in the driver's seat and... his words...

"Drive it as hard and fast as you want for as long as you want. You can't hurt it unless you crash."

And Grant didn't even ride with me, he let me take it alone.

In my six years of photographing and evaluating buggies for the magazine Funco was the ONLY company to ever have that level of confidence in their product. Most companies would offer me a ride as a passenger, some would let me "drive" the car, but none except for Funco said "Drive it as hard as you want."

I was impressed.

Aside from that day though, I have driven or ridden in almost every generation and model of Funco since the Gen 5 came about around 1995 (my parents own one of the first Big 5s made). I've been impressed by all of them.

It's been said many times but I will say it again, the George family that are the LIFE of Funco are the best people you could ever hope to meet.

I just asked my wife, she said no

well that there was your problem pat, you asked

What,s the coast of this two setter.

I had to dump the dont ask policy around here when the economy went south, seems I need to replace the flooring in the house and have the pool replastered before Pat can make any large purchases.

Awesome video. Would love to get up there someday. What kinds of speeds in that video?

Are Funco's bouncy when crossing the "chopp" or smooth?

I am a newb owner, but it depends on the amount of air in the bags (A little bouncy, just a little). The more ait the more you feel the chop. The perfect amount of air and you do not really feel the chop. I have never riden it with under inflated bags, so I do not know that scenario.

oh my ive walked into a funco support group

HI MY NAME IS GRANT !!

ANd I AM ADDICTED TO SAND !!

I imagine this is a damping issue vice air. If you adjust your bypass for the increased air pressure would it not ride better though the rough stuff?

Fortunately, there is NO CURE!! You have quite a bit of 'support' it appears, Grant. It looks like once I sell my car, I will be checking into your 'rehab' program!!
12 STEPS:
1) sell current car
2) borrow more money
3) empty trailer and drive to Rialto
4) give the money to Grant
5) load car
6) get time off
7) drive to dunes
8) unload car
9) gas it up
10) start it up
11) goggles on
12) GAS IT!!

You Funco guys crack me up. They are a great car, well built, really fun, great support. I had one and really liked it, but as the thread starter asked about, here's what I didn't care for.

First was the low sides. Not so much the appearance, although kinda ugly(note new ones look a lot better) I didn't like the exposure to the occupants. I felt safer with the standard higher side car. Particularly if you roll over, which I had the pleasure(or not) of doing. Hence the helmets and wrist restraints are a good idea for all, and especially with these. My opinion is easy to get into, easy to come out of.

Another is the air bags. Although easy to adjust for weight, passengers, etc, I think they are the limiting factor of the suspension. I think it's pretty much a given they just don't run the big bumps like those "other" cars you talk about, and don't ride as plush. But, this is the sacrifice to keep the car low and stable, and a good slider. But that's what they do. Lots of fun there.

The other thing is the Subi. I really liked mine, BUT I REALLY like the drivability of the V-8. Low torque is my game, regular old cheap gas, no race gas, no mixing of race gas. You miss a shift or what ever, just roll on the throttle. 4 people in the car cruising, no problem. The V-8 is on it's game and user friendly. I did the revving, going on boost, zipping around, and while fun, just not the same. Nothing like the rumble of the V-8s. And I think it's also a given that the Funco's are a better duner with the Subie.

So IF those are negatives, that was my issues about the cars, and I moved into the bigger, plush V-8 car and love it. All in all, it's been said many times, what do you like to do? No way a bigger V-8 car is gonna stay with one of your short wheel base, light, Funco's. I give you that. But on the flip side, I think there is duning we "big shiney", just sit at the hill, or the drags cars, can do that may not be to the Funco liking. So there is give and take on both ends.

So now don't all you Funco owners get all riled up and start plotting your attack, I'm just saying. So as you drink your cool aid, thinking the bigger cars don't dune fast, or fast enough, I think there may be a couple of groups that may dis-agree with you.

I appreciate the input. Those are things that are simply a matter of taste and preference, and not so much negatives. Thanks for sharing.
Now, would you like to buy my V8 so I can get a Funco?

The blue car that I saw had some serious injuries involved.

Thanks, but got one, and want to build another.......

Nice. Looks like quite the beast! Enjoy the season and thanks for the input.

Does is slide as well with those tires on...?

For those of you that don't like the low sides of the big 5...




I know I've seen a Gen V with the high sides also but this was the quickest pic to find

Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment

So, is that a high side Gen 5 or a Hustler? What are the differences between the two?

Gen V high side. That's the pic I was looking for and the car I want.

These can be done without airbags?

Now that"s a good looking L E B E C grant!

I'm not saying much but if times were differant....I know what I might be dunning in ! High Side Big 5

Very nice......

Wasn't there a full writeup on your car in an older Sand Sports?

Yes, it was on the cover, and a featured car inside with a couple pages of color pix and a page or so write up. It was also shown in SBS adds in the magazine.

not even close to a sand limo in terms of ugliness.

there, i said it....

my favorite funco to date. would love to have this car with a subie flat 6 in it from outfront.

If anyone had anything bad to say about them, this would be the last place on earth to post it.
It would be like going to church and saying there is no god.
Please someone make death threats at me know.
Like every other major brand, they have a loyal and devoted following.

My view from what i have read is that if the Medical/ Emergency Agencies thus BLM Rescue/ Ranger uses Funco sand Cars i think that shows a lot about their choice! (I remember at pismo when i got pulled over by a ranger in a Funco rail, for riding doubles, i asked if he could give me a ride back in his rail, he said no!)

You said it not me ! I will have to agree

Funco's

Seriously? You guys are that naive and petty? The US Air Force has a LOT of bad azz fighter jets that handle great... unless you plow them into the ground. Same thing with a Funco or any other sand car. Judging all Funcos by that one crash is like saying all fighter jets are unsafe because a few have crashed. Just pure BS.

I invite anyone to re-read my post above about negative funco comments, and then consider this my first example. This is why you wont ever read many negative OPINIONS of a funco on this board. A question was asked by the original poster then followed up by a second question and then the attacks start.
Thanks for helping to prove my point Doug. Still love ya though

Sure there are lots of loyal customers of nearly every brand. But here at GD.com we have a little thing we call EPO, something you have been a big part of, and as such I'm sure you are aware that a Funco has won every buggy EPO that has happened. So based on your post if there was an EPO God it's name would be Funco.

I have to say that I have always liked the look of the Gen 3 and Gen 4. Everyone says they look like a minivan, but they are the most unique style of sand car in the dunes. You can spot a them anywhere and know immediatley that its a Funco. Besides, my wife drives a Honda mini van and I thought I would never say this, but I actually enjoy driving it. The V6 has good power, it is a comfortable ride and has tons of room inside.

Back on topic, in a few years when I pay off my debt, I hope to buy a Funco. I spoke to Grant approximately 5 years ago and he answered all my questions openly and honestly. I will not be able to afford the cost of a new build, unless I win the lottery, but will definitely look at buying a pre-owned Funco. I have heard and read nothing but good things about the Funco's, and the George family. I would like to take a ride in one someday. All in due time. Good things come to those who wait!

Dion

Geez! I wasn't trying to be a smart azz. The guy asked if anyone has heard anything negative about Funcos and it reminded me of a incident that I read about here. I personally don't remember the exact details other than there was at least 1 Funco that broke in half. I know alot of you Funco guys know what I'm talking about, and thats the very information the original poster was asking about.

And they will break, they are not perfect.
DON~~~

Did the design change from the gen 3 to the gen 4. I look at my car and there are basically 4 tubes parallel to the ground with all of the vertical tubes radiused and welded in. Still not an excuse but didn't that car crash at high speed, like 70 mph off of a dune? I look at my car and cannot imagine it breaking like this car did.

and that issue has been beat to death. We all give that our own amount of validity. While a great testament to the cars ability, we also have to figure in the quality of the drivers in the cars and their "dog" in the fight. What was their risk vrs reward. Remember, most of the winners have been in some fashion tied directly to the sand rail industry, car builder, engine builder, professional race car driver and such. They do have something to prove where as Joe Q duner has little to prove yet a huge risk if they have parts failures or worse. Who knows.

I give credit where it is due and they performed amazingly well and deserved to win, but winning an EPO with a professional off road racer behind the wheel does not a legend make.

In the opinions of some, winning a magazine shootout two years in a row with the same drivers comparing many different brands says as much about quality and performance. When 3 or 4 drivers each test a dozen cars it could be considered a more fair test of a cars true quality. Yes winning races is great and not to be discounted, but winning magazine shoot outs with equal drivers on an equal course and being named " best over all package" "best handling" Best in the whoops" " best transitioning" "best duning" has an amount of weight in itself.

We cannot simply discount a magazine shootout as irrelevant. Clearly many builders gave it weight or they would not have delivered their best available product and paid money out of pocket to be tested. They gave it value, as such, we MUST give it value.
Yes, the EPO god is Funco and props to them
But in the minds of the folks that tested many cars in the same condition two years in a row, God has some serious competition.
Lets not forget the Buggy races at Del Mar, won by the same car that won back to back shootouts, not to mention a Baja 1000 race.

In the end it is up to the consumer to give what ever weight they wish to what ever "test" they wish. Many will decide that no "test" has any weight at all, and they may not be wrong.

So really, who's to say that any "test" is a better test than the other, they all have their valuable input while they all have a bit of bias and irrelevance to them.