Avery,
I'm very new as well, so take anything I say with a grain of salt. First...enjoy your date. Women, due to their good fuel economy, are probably soon going to be cheaper and more fun than a sports car soon anyway...that didn't sound quite right...but you know what I mean.
I seems to me based off of the generally friendly, sociable, and obsessed people that are on this forum that there will be more gathering to go to in the future...so no worries.
Now I'm 6'2"-3" ish, I went to the local Caterham dealer just to see if I fit. he had an old 72' that was his personal racer...couldn't get into that...no way. Then he had me jump into a newer Caterham classic. I could get it, but my knees were on the steering wheel, and I had to take off my shoes to actually be able to work the pedals (size 13 Tevas...not good shoes to test fit a Seven in). But he said with a thinner style seat I'd probably be able to fit in a classic. Then I got to get in to a Caterham SV...fit perfectly...even with my sandles...I really didn't want to get out on the car.
Point being, you actually do need to see what you physically can fit into before you make a decision. Several guys pointed that out, and they are bang on. I'm luck t have local examples around me. I have a Caterham Dealer, The US Westfield importer and a dealer, And a third place that speciallizes in Caterhams and Birkins (with a Birkin in stock). I still need to go to the Westfield and Birkin guys to see how I like the fit of those before I figure out what I want.
I would Really suggest you take some of these guys up on their offers to see what their cars are like in person so you can see what you need. Caterham classics got longer cockpits sometime in the early 80's I think, and some newer Cats have seats, narrower transmission tunnels, lowered floors (that might be westfield...its late and I'm not thinking strait) that all change the room you have to fit into. And getting a ride in someone else's car when they know what its limits are, how much power they have, convience options (tail pipe in the back to reduce noise, roof, diffrent rims/tires etc.), it will help you figure out what you want in yours.
Its more fun to play with toys with others, than by yourself...I'm sure it wouldn't be to hard to get someone here to take you for a spin. :7fume:
Oh...and anyone in the DFW area who wants to show me a Seven... :nopity: ...I'll pay for ga$$$