Se7en4me

Nice one. Email sent...

I have looked at the Stalker, but for some reason it just dosen't work for me. I don't "feel" it. I'm sure they are great, but the look is to far from the classic. Just my opinion. Something about them seems...different? Large wheels that all seem to sport may have something to do with it.. The 90% is a no go for me as well. I would prefer buy and drive if possible. Thanks for looking though. Appreciate it.

No rush. Yes, the IRS has me thinking, I have the assembly skills (minus welding), but what I do not have is a lot of time. Work keeps me pretty busy and I prefer to use what free time I do have behind the wheel. Still have about a decade till retirement (sounds longer with that word, dang). Thanks!

Thanks. I sent then an email inquiring about availability and more pics...Now I have to look up what a superformance is...LOL

Appreciate the feedback. It's been a few days now and I'm over it (the dissapointment with the test) somewhat. I feel the car is capable and has potential with proper setup and getting used to driving it. That said, I'm still shopping, but the pickings seem scarce. Either I stink at ebay and CL searches or there in fact is not to much right now.. Would it be possible to ask for ya'll to keep an eye out? Not against any forum rules I hope. Thanks for the help! :seeya:

Interesting. I asked Dick how long the SVT had been with him and he said 6-8 months. I then asked why did he think it had not sold? He replied that a few folks that came to specifically look at it, ending up going for a new one. I guess that would be you. Dang it! I tried to stay as far away from that red 43k one, but now that's on my mind. Then there's those new ones under construction with the IRS...Ok, must stop and stay with my orginal 25k budget (or sell both miatas,,,hmmm,, one has to go anyway to make room) Someone please STOP ME!

We managed to get back to Dick's place uneventfully. He was nice enogh to spend a little over 4 hours with me. Answering all of my questions about pricing, tax, title concerns, insurance concerns, racing, and on and on. Zero pressure and truly honest and without worry. We discussed the plowing, and he said in all his years he had never seen a 7 perform so poorly, and that while he had driven it, it was just on the street and had not pushed it hard. No pun intended.. He said all was easialy fixed, and I believe him. It had new Toyos on the rear and pretty worn ones, of a different tread pattern on the front, which no doubt contributed to the plow. But I'm still undecided. Going in, my expectations were high. I expected a nimble, light, tossable car and I drove a plowing, stumbling, less than expected experience. Yes, it's a used car, but still. I know it's on consignment (not Dick's car), there was lots of documentation with it, and some fairly large bills from the previous (current) owner. It had plugs, wires, coil, o2, intake leak, clutch replacement, trans seal and full paint work done at the Lotus Dealership 1 or 2 years ago (can't remember which). There was more, but memory is fading fast. The thing is, why does it still need work? Dick said it was all an easy fix, and that he would work with the owner on it and the asking price. There is very little room on the price. Obviously, it's a great car with huge potential. The test drive was a major dissapointment. Now I'm torn...I have two miatas. Both were turned over to a professional for a complete freshen up, fluids, plugs,wires, brakes, t-belt, etc. And after 2-3 years of autocross and hpde, are still perfect. This 7 has had similar work and is in this state? It has me wondering... It's been 6 hours since I drove it. I'm thinking of calling Dick and seeing if the owner will give him the go ahead and correct some of the issues and then trying it again. I can take some of my tires and rims (I have 13-14 and 15" sets in varying offsets) , we can find a safe place and try it out again. I really don't want it in it's current state (unless you guys can convince me otherwise) :-) Or any other suggestions would be welcome. Sorry for the long winded spiel. Thanks for listening.

Back again. Visited Dick and checked out the 3 cars (his red one is a bit too much for me, well not the car, just the $$$). The 20k one was not considerd, because of a few things. It really did not fit my needs as an ax and track toy (plus I'm not a big fan of clamshells, sorry). The Cat. I sat in it and did not "Feel" it, the green SVT caught my eye the most, had the gear needed (trans and rear end, engine, nice carbon trim bits). Sat in it and it "fit" me well. Time for a test drive... Dick (who is super nice!) pushed it out and we buckeled in. It had been driven before my arrival (engine was warm to touch, Dick said he ran to the post office). Car started right up. Dick mentioned that during his run he noticed it bogging on the low end and that the tach was "lazy".... As I was getting ready to pull out onto the street I immediatly noticed the brakes went way down toward the floor and required a lot of pressure to stop. Dick reminded me that they were not power brakes (like the steering). OK, makes sense. Both of my miatas have power brakes and steering, with track pads. High firm pedals. The pedals in the 7 were very close together, which I expected, but wow.. I'm 5'6 and wear size 91/2 and with the low brake pedal I thought to myself "how am I going to heel toe?". We pulled out and the stumble showed. It would clear, then pull strong..Drove a bit, caught some lights, and Dick directed me to a lot where I could wring it out a bit. We got to the lot and first thing I notice was the size (small) and curbs, and more curbs, and medians with..curbs..The lot was empty save for one maroon Altima parked out of the way. There was room for a small oval with a median in the middle, so I set out slowly winding it up in first and taking the turns. Major on power push was evident. Actually, push is saying it nicely, plow was more like it. The car plowed and would not rotate at all. Ok, compensate, less speed, same results, both directions. After a few minutes of this, on one lefthand turn, I tried to break the end loose a bit to see if it would help rotate. I goosed it and it started plowing harder and then it happened. There was the Altima sitting happily and I was heading for it. I went for the brakes and both the gas and brake pedal went together and my foot was sort of jammed kittywompus. Wheel cranked full left,the car lurched and plowed directly toward the serene Nissan. Imagine a 20 mph rolling powerbrake manuever. Somehow, I managed to stop the car a few feet from the Altima. Smoke and burning rubber waifted around us as we sat there. Scary. Dick was unfazed LOL. I backed it up and drove to the other end of the lot to let the car settle down and check the stumble (and my shorts). As we sat there idling, we saw the Altima start up and move (we did not notice it was occupied due to the tinted windows). We had a chuckle as it drove to another adjacent lot and re-parked. Next up was a quick romp on the interstate to check it's manners there. It was fine on the open road. Not sure how much I can post in one post, so I'll start another just in case>>see part 2

Thanks for the advice. I agree about driving them to see what "fits" me. Appreciate the advice on the safety gear and consumables/wear items. Never thought about the arm restraints. I can also see "upgradeitis" is possible here as well as the miatas. Great rides, just need some tweaking and personalization. I'll try and stop by there this Sat. and report back with my impressions. Thanks again.

Hi all, new member here. :seeya: Joined and paid to solicit some advice. Not an owner yet, but interested. So here goes: http://www.texasmotorworks7.com/Inventory.aspx Of the three reasonably priced specimens in the 20-25k range, which would you recommend and why? Are the prices ok? I'm in Texas, so this shop would be close (sort of, Texas is kinda big...) My intended usage would be fun day driving, ax and track day (couple a year). I currently own 2 miatas and ax and HPDE with them... Been lurking and reading for a while now. I'm not much of a mechanic, prefer to have the competent guys do the work and I write the check and have fun... What say ye?