jeffs

Yeah, that was likely me, I was out playing in the sun yesterday afternoon.

I signed up with Grundy a couple of months ago after Hagerty left me high and dry. Their site was advertising a deal to move all your vehicles over to them. I haven't done it yet as I've had such a great experience with State Farm, but you might want to check it out. Mike is correct BTW, it is a NJ specific thing that State Farm will not cover a seven here.

Well, I guess I feel like a real seven owner now as I'm having my first mechanical problem, the engine (intermittently) doesn't want to go above 4800rpm. My plan was originally to just take the car down the Lotus dealership in Hopewell for routine stuff as I've been really happy with them in the past, but I'm wondering if for something like this a mechanic with some Caterham experience might not be a better place to go. Anyone have recommendations for the northern NJ area?

I won't try to talk you out of it, but I've owned a Boxster, and Elise and a Caterham, and the Elise is a nice happy medium of the 3. Significantly more exciting and with more character than the Porsche while being loads more practical than the 7. Unless you will never _need_ to drive the car, and can only drive it when you want to I think I'd recommend the Elise. You need to be seriously concerned about the insurance. Hagerty will not insure everyone, and even with a clean record they informed me a week before my Caterham arrived that they would not cover me. The other two insurance companies I found that would required a second car. Not saying this is an insurmountable hurdle...just one that is bigger than you'd think it would be.

Sorry I can't make it due to a prior commitment, but I hope to make your September event once you schedule it.

Thanks Karl! I think I'm looking at the right mall, but I'd hate to miss this drive parked at the wrong spot. She was being a bit difficult yesterday and hard to start, but barring any mechanical problems I'll be there.

This sounds like fun, I may try to make it as well. Is the panther valley mall the one with the fit happens and post office in it? (near the old alamunchy and 517 intersection?) Google maps doesn't seem to know where the Panther Valley Mall is...

Thanks guys. I think that answered my question (though I have to admit I don't like the answer). The r500 appears to be like an 8130 with parental controls on it. It seems odd that Caterham doesn't have a way of hiding the gear indicator in their display, especially when it really only displays the mood of the dash. Mine usually feels like a 5, but not always.

Does anyone here have any experience with the r500 stack dash? I called Stack and they said that it was a custom kit and they have no information on it, and nothing was included with the car. I'm trying to set the alarms for the oil/water temp, and oil pressure as well as turn off the gear indicator since its not connected to anything (and is just a random number generator at this point). Has anyone programmed these settings, or hooked up the data logger?

I'd be in for the private track day... sounds like a nice way to get accustomed to the new car (which gets here on Wed... yay!)

I'm already scheduled to be at NJMP with SCDA on 6/24-6/25, so I'll probably pass on the Trackdaze event the prior two daze. I'd like to break her in gently and 4 days in a row is more than I'm comfortable with (yet ) Though I'll stop by to hang out on that Sunday. I'd be interested in either an LTW event or a different Trackdaze event if either work out.

The only thing I have scheduled at this point is with SCDA at the end of June. Are there any planned track gatherings this summer? One isn't enough for me

Yeah, the test drives went really well outside of the cold weather. I would have liked to put more miles on it, but the freezing cold, drifting snow and gravel covered streets limited the seat time. Counting the days until she gets out here now...

Having just gone through this process, I'm going to 2nd (or is it 4th, 5th or 6th?) the recommendation to sit in and ride in as many cars as you can. If it wasn't for Croc's willingness to show me his car, I probably never would have gotten my r500. Maiden voyage was yesterday BTW, and other than the sub-freezing temperatures went really well. Figured out the wind chill was -10 with the aeroscreen, but was worth it nonetheless. My car isn't going to make it back to NJ for a couple of weeks, but happy to give you a ride if you are interested.

Hahaha, yes. I'll consider myself lucky if both of these cars are as reliable as my former Elise.

LOL. My mini is supposed to be 'born' on 7/6 and will then be heading towards a ship. I guess the race is a no contest, but maybe my cars will share a boat ride before they share a garage.

Hahaha, no I can't do that. I convinced a friend to sign up for that event too...he's made it very clear that I cannot back out. My worst case scenario is to end up in one of SCDA's miatas. Just noticed that the 9/10 sign-up day has a picture from one of the 7s days at the track. There is still room if you want to come play. It'd be nice to have at least one caterham there

LOL, that's certainly true. I'm just hoping one of them shows up before my Sept track day.

I'm pretty sure he's used both the Diamondback and the Bandit

Wont your handle be revoked if you go with anything other than a Simpson Bandit?