soareyes

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif thanks, looks good now.

So if you had the money/space/time for a second "enthusiast" car, what would it be? Even though its even more impractical than a Seven, I would get this, an Ariel Atom: http://www.arielatom.com/images/StaticContent/sideshotred.jpg Then for those rainy track days, this would be nice, an M Coupe: http://www.bmwusa.com/NR/rdonlyres/8F2808B0-5ACE-4E69-9FEB-FAF95ACBDA96/0/z4M_C_gallery_08.jpg or maybe a Lotus Elise, keeping it in the Seven's tradition: http://fleur-design.net/lotus/images/CRW_9896.jpg (but probably not that color! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/ack2.gif

Mazda, When I uploaded my avatar picture yesterday it looked fine, but today it looks enlarged and elongated vertically. Something I did wrong or need to change? /------ \------ soareyes2006-09-01 07:03:45

This radar detector might be useful: http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2005/229/h229CRUiSA-o_all_LD.jpeg One of our local Seven drivers recently installed this after "an encounter with the law" http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cuss.gif Its a very clean looking install as the display can be dash mounted (same size as the other round guages), and the radar antenna is hidden. The bright LED gives you visible warning since you probably won't hear the audible warning in a Seven. I'm considering getting one before I regret not doing so! Stan

So far I haven't had any significant problems. Any questions I've had have been answered by fellow owners on the Yahoo Birkin list, or Woody of MSI, who was the official importer a few years ago and still sells parts. I have no idea how hard it would be to retrofit a Birkin with the Duratec. It would be nice having the exhaust on the passenger side though! Less noise and heat. Stan

Sorry to thread-jack, but I went to college (1970's) in Frostburg, MD in the Allegheny Mts. Any good Seven's roads that people have driven up there? I didn't own a car back then so I only drove those roads in a Greyhound bus! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/ack2.gif Stan (California for the last 25 years)

Hi No. 6, I too have a Birkin, and in fact this is my second! I enjoyed my first Birkin for about a year, then started to look into upgrading (it was a very stock car). As luck would have it, another Birkin came up for sale with nearly all the upgrades I was contemplating, and at less cost than to do the upgrades myself (plus I'm no mechanic). I've seen a lot of Caterhams and Birkins, and to me either would be fine to own, so it just comes down what car gives you the most of what you are looking for at a price you are willing to pay. Either way, there is no need to rush into a purchase as it seems to be a buyers market with this type of car, and there are always cars coming onto the market. I looked at the pictures of the Birkin you are considering and noticed a couple things: This car has the newer Birkins seats which are slightly more comfortable that the older style you test drove. There is no heater installed, which is not problem unless you plan to drive in sub-freezing temperatures. All Sevens generate plenty of heat without a heater! It has the spare wheel carrier but no spare wheel/tire. A lot of owners don't bother with the spare anyway, just carry a can of fix-a-flat. I like the classic look of the spare in the back though. If you like the shiny aluminum look, be prepared to polish it several times a year! It is a nice looking car with the carbon fiber and bare aluminum, and definitly mount the carbon fiber dash to go with the fenders if you buy it. Good luck with your decision and feel free to ask more questions. Stan

Yes, Gert (Slomove) and I did about 200 miles through the local mountains! I even had my camera with me but never pulled it out http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/blush5.gif I'll remember next time. No tickets from local authorities, and only a couple SUV's that wouldn't let us by. This was the first high-miles test of my new lowered floor and seat and I was very comfortable. Now I look through the center of the windscreen instead of at the top of the aluminum frame! Besides better visibility, I get much less wind buffeting on my head. I feel like I'm sitting in the car now instead of just on it (I'm 6' 3" tall). Stan

I mainly wanted to be the first to post in the Pacific folder, but at least two of us will be meeting up for a Sunday morning blat from Pasadena to Wrightwood in the San Gabriel mountains. Contact me for details if interested! Stan

Make that four! I was in my early teens when I watched the Prisoner series, and of course fell in love with the car. Through the years I would see the occassional review in one of the car magazines and my interest would be renewed. Finally, a couple years ago, Autoweek Magazine on SpeedVision had a burgundy Caterham SV on the show when it was being introduced in the US. I decided it was now or never on getting a Seven (I was nearing 50 years old!) so I seriously started looking for a car to buy. Strangely, I had never seen a Seven in person up till then! I contacted Magnus Feuer, who runs the California Caterham Club web site here in S. California, and asked for a ride in his new SV. He graciously agreed, and proceeded to scare the crap out of me http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/eek6.gif but of course I enjoyed every second of the drive and soon had my own Seven, a Birkin http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gif Stan (I'm an optometrist in private practice in S. Calif.)soareyes2006-08-24 14:53:14

I wanted either LOWFLYN or FLYNLOW but both were taken here in California. I ended up with BIRKIN 7, not very original but it is descriptive! Stan

Just the rear. It definitely reduced but didn't eliminate the axel hop. Stan

I put these on my Birkin last fall and noticed an improvement in the rear compliance and ride quality immediately. Mine are a kit that Woody Harris puts together, and includes a set of new rear springs (175 lb vs. the stock 150 lb). Definitely less harshness with the upgrade, but I'll have to wait on the durability question (still good after about 3000 miles). Stan

Fronts are turn-signal indicators, rears are reflectors, both are standard on the Birkin.

Car has sold! Stan

And one of the engine: http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/soareyes/2005-08-15_201335_DSCN1788.jpg

It was so easy to add that picture that I will post another! http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/soareyes/2005-08-15_200928_DSCN1779.jpg

Thanks singsht, for posting my Birkin for sale. Here is a picture of the car: http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/soareyes/2005-08-15_200610_DSCN1743.jpg Please feel free to contact me for any more information. Stan