Kitcat

Tom-Sounds good. If the sevens group thing doesn't materialize we can always sign up individually. My experience from organizing track days out here is that there is the "talk" and then there is the "walk". And they are 2 different things. So I wld be very impressed if 10 se7ens of whatever stripe showed up (including me:)). Nothing wrong for shooting for more tho. Yes, cousin John is a keeper. At 6'3", 260 (estimate) he'd only fit in a Cat SV, and even then, barely. Maybe someone will have a Stalker? Mike M.

Tom: Ditto both days for me. If I am going to drive that far, I want to get my money's worth. I have the days blocked off the calendar and my wife has blessed it so it looks like the real deal. If if I read your prior posts, it is all theoretical at this point tho-no actual booking of the track has occurred for us that day exclusively ($$$$), or for us in tandem with another group to bring down costs, correct? Mike M.

Skip-what a tale! Maybe you should write a book? Jon, the switch from 1600cc to 1800 cc engine was in '94. I know because in 1994 I sold my white '93 for a white '94 R package, mostly to get the bigger engine, but also for the Torsen LSD. I was an auto-x guy back then and the R-pkg was classified the same as the earlier model Miatas with the 1.6 motor. It was the only time I ever had the coveted motorsports "unfair advantage". It lasted 2 events and then the fastest 2 Miata drivers showed up w/their own R-packages and my brief moment of auto-x glory was over.

Karl: When are you replacing/selling your car's frame:)!

I have a beater Prius, gets 40-50 mpg depending on temperature, tire pressure, etc. Excellent in snow IF on snow tires. Unbreakable after 90K miles. Battery packs are going 200K+ miles w/o replacement. Very comfortable, quiet, lots of interior room. Zero fun to drive but fine for boring commutes. I know there is a lurking hatred for Priuses out there, they somehow push some people's buttons in a big way(Owners are imagined to be elitists, effete, snooty, haughty, self-important, etc.). But judged on their merits as transportation appliances, they are pretty cool. Unlike Skip, I have only had 2 Miata's (I am hoping he starts a separate thread called something like:"The Miata's I have loved, hated, gone broke with..." and explains why so many). Anyhow both of mine were daily drivers and I totaled 10 years of driving with them. No problem w/snow as long as the Blizzaks were mounted. However rust from too many winters on salted roads chewed them up. MPG was around 30 overall. Fun to drive factor is way high and, since it's a "chick car", chicks like them (and their drivers). Mike M.

I have a stock Caterham S3, with heater and full weather package. It seems perfect for both touring and track (I drive it to all track events). Suspension is not harsh but performs well at the track. Seats are very comfortable. As others have noted, the bane of se7en owners, especially on long trips, are heat and noise. Do a search for those items and you will find many ideas for making things better, tho there is no total solution. Mike M.

Every track day had different rules on passengers. It seems to be a function of the insurance provided. Most will allow other registered drivers to ride along. Some will allow anyone who signs a release and has a helmet to ride. I have had many fun cars at the track: Miata, Evo VIII, M3, Caterham, etc. By far, the most fun I ever had was in,my '05 Honda Accord, 4 door, 4cyl, auto. It had terrific balance, decent acceleration/braking, lateral grip etc. It was so easy to drive and had no stability management to overcome. And it was the ultimate sleeper. My fellow drivers could not help openly sneering when I showed up. I recall one guy in a super-charged Miata having a good laugh-until I rode his bumper around the track. So don't write off the Volvo, ya just never know.

Welcome! First, it's nice to have a new member who isnt named Mike:)! I am already devouring your website: Ahh, so that's where the fuel filter is:). Many of our members were born with their brains pre-wired and loaded with automobile info. Others of us are pretty clueless mechanically, so all of your site's photos and explanations are most helpful. Mike M.

Most Forums have a rule that says the for-sale section is not a place to offer opinions on the car, the seller, the car's price, etc. Seems like a good rule. Regardless of what any of us think, this car will sell based on its perceived value to the buyer/seller.

"Carrying costs" can be huge: principal, interest, property taxes, property insurance, liability ins, contents ins, condo fees, appliances that break down, etc. Then there is the hassle factor-one more thing to worry about, tenants that trash the place, rental agents who screw things up. And that is where you have to go for vacations from now on. OTOH-if it makes your wife happy: priceless.

Can you say dry sump? The engine looks huge. What is the point of this arrangement? Doesn't it put the heavy part of the engine up high, to the disadvantage of handling? I suspect there are many reasons this is not the customary engine arrangement.

I think the exchange rate is a huge barrier to Caterham sales here. The Birkin prices-out much better for a relatively similar se7en, in part due to the decent $-rand exchange rate. Sevens and Elans site says they have delivered more se7ens than any one else in the U.S. I think they are including resale of used se7ens tho. And there hasnt been a new posting on their site in about a year.

Google says a SV is: 11', 11'7" w/spare, long. 45" tall 66" wide Will be interesting to see Croc's real world #. Not sure if above width incl mirrors. The above sound like my S3. Mike M.

Put me down as a definite maybe for the June dates. It's so far off it's easy to be unrealistic:). It wld be "fun" to match my 95 hp wonder against all of your overpowered monsters (for the 1 st 1/2 lap or so:)). Yes, definitely let Jon's Miata in so I have someone I can run with! Mike M.

Since age 15-16, thanks to R&T, bought at 61, am now 64. My advice to you "youngsters" lurking: Don't wait that long, tho for me it was worth the wait:). Mike

Wow! Death defying idiocy! I have a headache and my stomach is doing flip-flops. Folks who don't have 8 minutes to squander shd scroll to abt the 5-6 minute mark when it gets even more interesting.

Looks great! It is skid plate so sheer beauty isn't essential tho I'd say your workmanship was stellar. Show us another picture in a year and well see if it has acquired any "patina". FWIW, my se7en has abt 3 1/2" clearance too. Never had a problem running w/o a skid plate in 26K miles, tho do have a haunting vision of Martin's badly damaged oil pan in the back of my mind.

Russ: Ditto the Kent love. The Kent is not pretty to look at but makes a glorious sound. Also, while not hi-reving (mine redlines at 6500) they are real stump-pullers, lots of easy to use torque in a nice wide rev range. Compared to a Zetec, they make tons of pollution, get much worse gas mileage, and are rougher running. But they are easy to love and mine has, at 26K been totally reliable. Powering a 1200 lb car certainly doesn't over-stress it, even when driven by a maniac, as mine is:). Mike

My very brief Google search shows the Kent weighs 20 lbs less than the Zetec and has a lower center of gravity. But it makes less power. All of which conforms w/my fragile memory of previous posts on the subjet. BTW, I like the Quaife idea.

Hey, it was 64 in Cincy yesterday, back to normal tonite tho (23 degrees). Streets are still loaded w/salt, so no se7en ride possible.

As a car guy,that's what I always have assumed heaven would be like:)!

Alakossie: "Scorn", never. "Envy" is more like it. I will look into ordering the seat padding from Tillett. The headrest and lumbar tweaks are also nicely done and the whole look is quite professional. Mike M.

But, cars are good, esp if lots of $ is involved. So I think the formula is backwards. Since cars are good and =$, girls are good too, for the same reason (and several more that come to mind:)).

Karl: I like the way you roll! (I have a hunch Ben at Caterham USA does too:)). Is the new engine the same spec as that planned for Croc's new Caterham? Mike M.

Alaskossie: Where did you buy the seat pad and lumbar support? I replaced my stock driver's seat with the CF Tillett (so I cld use the 5 point harness at track days) and it is reasonably comfortable but could be better. Mike M.