Kitcat

The tires that Box ID's are wonderful, as long as it doesn't rain. They are basically slicks with 2 token grooves posing as tread. If you want a grippy street tire with tread, look at the Toyo RA1 or R888. Both are excellent track tires and rain tires and street tires. They are about 2 seconds a lap slower than the Hoosiers or Kumos, but will last 10x longer (maybe 10K miles) and offer decent driveability should it rain. I think the Toyos' wear rating is 40-most street tires start at 140 and go up. I have run all the above on my Miata and liked the Toyos best as an all around tire. I have them on my Seven now and they are great. If I were towing my Seven to a track, and using it mostly for track days, I'd go for Hoosiers

The issue before the Supreme Court isn't whether its a wise law, or not, it's whether its constitutional or not. The citizens of DC, thru their elected representatives have concluded, rightly or wrongly, that it is a wise law. As the Conservative members of the Court like to remind everyone, their job is not to act as a "super-legislature", by overruling the informed opinions of elected officials. Instead, their role is more limited-regardless of the law's merits and demerits, is it barred by the language of the Constitution? Unfortunately, the Constitution is ambiguous. Tho they wont admit it, the conservatives (just like those hated liberals) will fill in the blanks with their own biased opinions on the issues. No guns here either, tho my nice middle class area is right next to the "Hood". We have had 14 break-ins in the last 2 months, most while the owners were home. One of our neighbors and good friends was murdered on his front porch when he scared a would-be burglar late one nite last year. Our friend was returning from a memorial for a another friend's son who had been murdered in a holdup. Three of our neighbors walked with us to our friend's memorial, held in the neighborhood. On the way back we split up and they were robbed at gun point a few minutes later. Its like Baghdad at times.

I just listened to some snippets of the argument in Court today. Justice Kennedy, by his questions, strongly hinted that he thought that the right to bear arms was independent of the militia language. Since J Kennedy is the closest thing to a "swing vote" on the Court, if he's in favor of endorsing a right to bear arms, then the four staunchly conservative members can be expected to line up behind him. Hence the DC law will be struck down by at least a 5-4 vote. This wouldn't mean all gun control laws are banned, just that all will now be given a new look. How the Court frames its opinion is critical to future developments here.

Slngshot: When was the last time a state mustered a well-regulated militia? And if that's the predicate for gun-totin rights, maybe the gun rights evaporated with the militia? Mostly I am OK with this whole deal-for reasons I cant explain, but believe, a lot of people who I respect feel incredibly (irrationally?) passionate about their right to bear arms. As long as people don't point their guns (or bibles) at me, its cool.

SW25: Get the new tires now! You will never wear out tires on a 1200 lb Seven. And if they are rock hard, not only will they last even longer, you will miss about 50% of the Seven experience. The biggest single improvement I have made to my Seven was ditchin the 12 year old Michelin's-which looked like new-for a set of ToyoRA1's. It transformed the car's handling and it became the awesome, road hugging machine it was advertised as being-instead of the twitchy, tail happy car that had to be driven ever so carefully. Tell Mary it's a critically important safety item (which it actually is).

Fearless prediction: Gun law is going down-this is now a group of God fearing, government-hating, anti-regulating folks who think a person's right to carry a gun is right up there with their right to carry a bible. (Whoops, that sounds a lot like a rant). Better to say, we now have a group of wise and learned jurists who are not afraid to restore to the people the gun rights that our Founding Fathers intended (There, that's better).

Would love to go for many reasons, but.... Our middle son graduates from college that weekend and we will be there for that, of course. I love that some people are camping, it's true to the Sevens minimalist approach to life. I hope to do some track days again at Nelsons Ledges this year. Maybe I can connect with some of you Ohio Seveners there? Check out their website at the "Fundays" section. If there is a better deal in all of auto-dom, I haven't heard about it ($120 for all day, with 3 run groups). I will post on that once my plans firm up. Mike

I'd settle for a rough estimate. In true Caterham tradition, one of the many non-working parts in my car for a while last year was the speedo (first the drive gear broke, then the gauge itself fell partway out of the dash) . But I had a pretty good idea as to how far had I traveled during that time. Let's face it, its a big deal if your Seven can actually travel, knowing how far it went almost seems like an unnecessary luxury in comparison:).

My "skills" are limited to finding a problem and paying someone else to fix it. I am amazed at the level of self-help talent here. I guess if you build your own car, you have to be pretty handy. Which is why I bought a car that was already built.

Just noticed that Alan Greenspan has described this as the worst financial crisis since WWII. He must have discovered the skyrocketing increase in the cost of Caterhams: a financial bellwether for economic health if there ever was one!

That's a problem w/my 3rd brake lite: when the top's up (wh/it rarely is) the light is totally covered as it's on the middle of the top hoop of the roll-over bar.

The problem is, if everyone decides it's a good time to cash out, then the market doesnt just drop, it collapses. Then there is the challenge of deciding when to get back in. I am not disagreeing with you, just noting that this could be an historic few weeks and that it has the potential to lead to a very different world. I am not predicting that will happen, but it's maybe the only time I have ever thought it could happen.

When considering a Superlight last year I asked the owner how it compared to the current version of the Lotus Elise at the track. He said it was about 4 seconds a lap faster. In an environment where .2 of a second is considered a lot, 4 seconds is huge . JBH: How does it compare to high end Porsches and 'Vettes-the cars that typically dominate track days? My modestly powered Caterham is about midpoint between the Miatas and Vette's at the track. I finally have a decent engine tune and some good tires so we'll see how it does this season.

I have seen a Seven on the road exactly two times in my life: for a while in the late 60's there was one parked near where I attended law school, and last year at the Sevens meet at the Dragon. No wonder eveyone stares and smiles.

One of the more amazing little tidbits abt the state of our economy that I read in the NY Times recently is this: There is a device called a credit swap (I probably have the details all screwed up) that companies issued to prevent huge losses. A mammoth market developed for these things with them being sold and resold, to the point that the money invested is 7x the value of the underlying obligation. These are now so over capitalized that they are 2x the value of the entire US stock market! That can't be good.

I must say that anyplace called Kerville (curve-ville?) sounds like an ideal destination for a Seven! Is this also known as Kerrville? If so it's just 1250 miles from Cincy, then 800 miles on tour there, and another 1250 back. Too far for me, probably, but wouldn't mind knowing the exact location, just as a point of idle interest.

It's starting to thaw out in Cincy and, after a few more good rains, the salt that's everywhere will hopefully be gone. So it seems like a good time to see who does the most driving around here. I propose that we jot down our mileage now and compare notes next November 1 (the useful driving season in this part of the world). No prizes, but maybe braggin rights. I know a car from west Texas will probably chalk up 7K miles by the end of May alone. Then there is the fanatic in Wisconsin who apparently uses his Seven to plow his driveway in the winter, so he will be a factor too. Tow mileage doesn't count so I propose a second category-those who towed their Sevens the farthest. Of course its all honorary and besides, its the quality of the driving, not the distance, that counts. But, why not? I am at 18, 097, and counting!

Last I heard, my son's AirTran stop-over thru Atlanta airport yesterday was delayed til 2:30am today:(.

Think of it as a backup vehicle for those not so rare occasions when your Seven dies at a track day. Just hop in this little baby and head back out onto the track and never miss a beat. No cussin out the Seven or developing a bad vibe toward it . Plus no issue as to how to get the Seven home either! I know it is an impure thought and I would never do such a thing. Still....

Driver skill is a huge factor. But you can always challenge them with your "straight line driving skill":). My Caterham has a top speed of 105 mph which, between the noise, wind, proximity of the asphalt, etc., I find to be pretty exciting. I can not imagine 130 mph!

As you noted in the for-sale section, it's a $65K car. Assuming you let it go for $40K, the depreciation hit has occurred. So the buyer can anticipate years of (exhilarating) driving and then selling it for not much less (or possibly more???) than the purchase price. Are you listening prospective buyers?

How did your car compare to Flyin Miata's Westie? Their site says they were top dog. They are also running turbo Miata power and both Bill and Keith are experienced drivers.

I frequently do-with ear plugs!

Al: What would yours cost if purchased, assembled, new? My guess is $55-60K. Your price range seems very reasonable. The car is like new, barely broken in, all the gremlins have been exorcised, it's registered, available now, not in 6 months, etc. As I have mentioned elsewhere, I bought my Crossflow for $22.5K but due to a serious case of "up-graditis" am now closing in on the $30K range, and I am not done. And when I am done, I still wont have a car that compares with yours. Just some thoughts for any prospective buyers out there.

I checked Ohio traffic law and you are right. Either headphones or ear plugs are illegal & I do both. So far no problems with the law tho. Ditto my practice of not using the mandatory front license plate. I will continue to flaunt the law as preserving what's left of my already age-diminished hearing is important. I have not noticed any problems hearing sirens etc. The system I use cuts the outside noise down to a level probably equivalent to the reduction caused in a normal sedan with the windows up, and air conditioning & radio on.