Klasik-69

I don't know how the European and USA models differ in specs but here in the US, the VW brand has had some pretty poor results and their sales reflect it. While most other car manufacturers have posted significant gains, VW has had a drop in sales. Electrical issues are the number one problem with almost all models, and many here in Florida have had the lemon law invoked with dealers buying back their cars. German cars fare well here as evidenced by BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Porsche sales gains. The ironic thing is Audi and Porsche are under the VW umbrella and yet don't share the same problems. The Toureg SUV is very expensive and continues to get very poor revues while the similar Porsche Cayenne is highly acclaimed and extremely popular. Don't forget that towing is a tow fold issue. 1. pulling 2. stopping If you can pull it but can't stop it safely, what is the point of having it ? I use to pull my car trailer with an F-250 with twin turbo diesel engine. It could pull a house off it's foundation and was clearly more engine than I needed. I went down to an F-150 not so much for economy but rather for comfort in ride and have not lost much in pulling power although I did give up some fuel economy vs. the diesel. However, in this country, diesel is priced higher than high test gasoline so it's a wash. Smaller diesels are the way to go since I don't think we need 390 hp and 625 lb/ft of torque to pull a car trailer. Smaller diesels like the ones in the VW are very good at pulling with a good bit of torque but if the car weighs 3000 lbs and you're pulling a 3000 lb trailer, how good are the brakes going to be if you don't have electric brakes on that trailer ? The brakes on that car were designed to stop at most 4000 lbs combined. They don't make cars to stop double their weight, nobody does. I think you're making the right move to get into the Mercedes. You will be safer with a heavier vehicle and you won't be having the electrical issues VW has been experiencing. My son-in-law and my secretary both had VW cars (Jetta and Beetle) and both had to get rid of them due to non-stop electrical issues. Maybe they're better in Germany.

Could be fun. However, I already have a gas powered helicopter and the Traxxas truck. I have crashed the helicopter into the garage door bad enough to make the wife run outside and wonder if a full size jet liner had crashed into the house, and I took out her St. Francis statue with the Traxxas truck doing about 50 mph. Maybe I better not get involved with this one while I still have a wife. However, it does look like a fun car. I don't think lift is an issue at 40 mph, or even 50 for that matter. My Traxxas truck has the upgraded engine and does over 65 mph, has the aerodynamics of a cinder block and never lifts unless I have jumped something (like when I was trying to jump over the wife St. Francis statue in the front yard.............bad idea).

Not sure. I have a buddy who races lawn tractors. What do you think about racing lawn tractors ? I have an uncle who like to grow his own olive trees and make olive oil. Personally, I don't think it worth all the trouble when I can go into a store and buy olive oil. I really don't know what this has to do with your question, but then again I don't understand what your thread has to do with the Lotus 7 cars.

My experience with Jon at Caterham USA has always bee a pleasant one. He goes out of his way to quickly answer questions and ship parts needed. I have to agree that Superformance is a quality company but I don't see the advantage of Caterham and Superformance joining efforts when Superformance has a very limited dealer network and not always the best reputation of service. I'm sure they felt that going with Superformance would lead to increased sales. Time will tell. However, my support of Jon at Caterham USA will not be diminished in any way. I only hope he can hang on and continue to conduct business.

Their number is 1-877-GOBORLA

I always like the tilt trailer that Brunton sells for its Stalker. However, I often wondered why it wasn't made of aluminum to make it even better by being lighter. Having said that, I'm not sure how much weight would be saved. If it could be built to be lighter than 600 lbs, it would put the total trailered weight well under 2000 lbs which would allow almost any car to pull it safely. Bigdog would get his wish of a lightweight trailered 7 and to boot, one that is easy to load and unload the car. Some trailers are light and handy but not that easy to load and unload. My open trailer is great for the track events and suits me fine but most people would call it a PIA to tie down the car.

I have a summer home not too far from where you are. It's in Murphy, NC or about 38 miles from the Tennessee border and just north of Georgia. Yes, there are a lot of great twisty roads around here to run the car. I ran the Chasing the Dragon SCCA run earlier this year for the first time. It's fun but it sure trashes up a car with the rocks and loose gravel, and if you're unlucky and run it into the mountain, probably more serious damage to both driver and car. We only had two wrecks during that weekend and neither one was serious in any way. And again, Heiki took top honors. I am getting closer to this times however but will never catch him, even if I had the same HP. He is just a better driver. Try driving over to the Highlands in North Carolina from your location and take the back roads for a very fun day. Stop in at the Dillard House (Dillard Georgia on route 441) for the largest lunch you have ever seen. Take route 64 back from Franklin to Murphy, then 74 back to your location.

I think if I were paying $14 million dollars per gallon of gas like the lucky europeans get to do daily, I would push my 7 to and from the track, and likely push it around the track as well. How much fun is it when you're shelling out all that money and it turns into exhaust gas ? Since fuel is so expensive, isn't it better to just drive the 7 to the track or other events and maybe pull a little lightweight trailer behind it ?

You are absolutely correct. To tow their trailers, you must have the correct vehicle. But when you get right down to it, does it not make sense ? Do you want to two a car trailer with a Ford Focus ? No, but where do they draw the line ? Truth of the matter is the lawyers are doing all the talking, and like DeanG pointed out, a Ford Ranger doesn't qualify. I may argue that point.

When choosing a trailer, keep in mind you may want to haul a car other than a 7 at some time in the future so pick something a little more flexible. I bought both an enclosed (24') and open (16') trailer. Either will haul the 7, or the Vettes, or any other sports car. The enclosed will haul the GTO but the open isn't long enough. I prefer pulling the open trailer with my F150 but like the security of the enclosed. As Scannon pointed out, security issues at a motel can keep you from getting any sleep. When I use the open trailer, I drop off the trailer/car at the track for the night whenever possible. Gas mileage is 8.3 mpg on the enclosed, 14.7 mpg on the open while towing at 75 mph on flat land, less in hilly country. Some guys (as some have already stated) use U-Hauls with great success. Drop it off when you're done, & nothing to insure, store, or maintain.

timax and Bruce, you're both right. The new Porsche and the old Porsche are totally different cars, even though they're basically the same. Pleasure of driving is like beauty, it depends on the person and the experience. I like old stuff and realize it's shortcomings, and even though inferior to the new high tech stuff, enjoyment isn't reduced. The new high tech cars like the current Porsche 911, or the new Corvette Sting Ray, are a blast and do everything so much better. My track buddy bought a new GT-R, and it rips. However, some of the new stuff like the GT-R are a little more disconnected, more like playing a video game. Yes, they go much faster and will out-corner anything from the past. Oh sure, launch control, ABS braking, active handling, traction control..........can you beat all the electronic nannies in today's cars ? No, but who's driving the car, you or the computer. Faster ....yes...........more fun..........maybe, maybe not.

Yes, that is creative. Are you finding the brakes inadequate or are you more intrigued by redesigning the brakes ? I'm a little scared to mess around with the brakes, I always think engineers with all the right tools and testing facilities have worked it out better than I can. More power to you, have fun but be safe. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

I think a lot depends on the style and design of the wheel, as in the offset and the position of the caliper vs. the centerline of the wheel. In the case of my 07 Z06, the only way to go bigger on the rotors is to go to a bigger diameter wheel. However, since its brakes are more than adequate, why bother. And again, in the case of the 7, my braking has never been an issue. Now perhaps I don't push the car as fast as I should, and perhaps I don't brake as deep as I could and that makes the brakes adequate. Perhaps a better driver, one with bigger kahunas, would need more braking force since he'd be going deeper and maybe faster as well. The other downside to bigger rotors, bigger wheels, and bigger anything is greater unsprung weight and that may hamper performance more than the improved braking provides. Not sure on the trade-off. The Porsche that I just bought doesn't look like it has seen much track activity, too clean and pristine for that. So I think its list of attributes are more like a list of bragging points than purpose minded. Not to say this car couldn't be a track killer, but I'd be willing to bet it would need some sorting out to be functional. Power is definitely there...........handling is unknown !

Oscar, I'll verify the front rotors when I put the car on the lift. I was stating what was on the Mecum Auction poster that went with the car in 2011. Brembos 6 pot is for sure, squeal louder than a wounded eagle is again a fact, & they have very little clearance to the inside of the wheel. Rears seem a little more clearanced but not sure of actual dia until I measure myself. Just got off the cruise ship about 6 hours ago. Advice for all those thinking of going on a cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale, avoid off site parking unless you love stress. Pay the price at the port, avoid hassles, save on your blood pressure meds. Also, avoid Jamaicans at all cost.

Just got on the Coral Princess cruise ship in Ft Liquordale, going to Panama Canal & surrounding areas, so I'll be out of touch for about 11 days. Too bad I can't drive the 7 down there instead........happy wife, happy life !

Now, see that, you guys are egging me on. If I do it, it will be only ONCE,.....maybe. The problem being that HP & speed are intoxicating, and addictive. But who am I to bring this up here on the 7 forum, you're all suffering from the same disease. It sure isn't the smooth comfy ride of a 7 that compels us to want it.

Thanks for the kind words. As to fuel, $108 later, I put in 10 gallons of 110 octane. No gauge on the fuel cell so I didn't know how much was in it. It filled it to the point of a little overflow. When I ran it a little hard, I spun the rear tires upon 1st to 2nd shift a about 55 mph. Rear tires are 315-30ZR 18 Perelli P-Zero, not much grip but brand new so they're staying on. I hope I don't get stupid & put it on the track.

This car belonged to a man who recently passed away. He bought it at the Indianapolis Mecum auction. I'm trying to track down the history. I found out who owned it before the last owner and have sent him an email asking what he knows of its origin. The man who passed away lived in Umatilla, Florida. He had a 200 acre ranch and had started to collect cars (in a big way) a few years ago. My brother-in-law works for him (now his estate) so he invited my wife and I last October of 2012 to see "Bob's" collection. He was there and was an absolutely delightful person. He showed his Corvette collection which now ran from 1955 to 1972 with not one bad car in the lot. In the one museum building were about 35 to 40 cars, a few of which weren't Vettes. Then we moved to another building nearer his house and there were the odd ball cars, one of which was the Porsche I just bought. He had a Hennessee Viper with over 1100 HP, several other Vipers, a Jaguar XK-RS race car, several resto-converted Corvettes, some AMG Mercs and one lonely Alfa-Romeo spyder. When I saw the Porsche, I offered to take him out on the race track with me and let him have some real and safe fun. "Don't need to do that" he told me. "I race up and down my driveway". His driveway is a 12' wide concrete driveway, about a 1/4 mile long and lined with live oaks every 20 feet or so. I looked over the driveway and then said to him "Bob, don't do that, you're going to kill yourself". I should have kept my big mouth shut. Just 2 months later, he killed himself running into one of the oaks. Freak accident, his car spun out and he hit the tree with his head and died on impact. So I felt like Sh&^t. Some prohecy. He actually had two Porsches. This one that I bought and another that was a 2000 Carrera with a designation of being a "Gembala GT". It wasn't a souped up version, it simply had carbon fiber everything, like the hood, trunk lid, rear fascia, front fascia, etc. I figured the Gembala GT would not appreciate much, and likely depreciate. So I put more effort to buy the 87 turbo 930. Funny thing, my wife said if I can't make up my mind between the two cars, get both of them. I almost did. I can't take her shopping with me anymore, she's supposed to throttle me down, not up. According to the display board that came with this car as shown at the Indy auction, the car got about $200K of options and upgrades. I know the engine was built by Ed Pink Race Engines out of California, and I know I can't afford to blow it up since I can't afford to replace it. So I doubt this car will see much track time. Nor do I think this car ever did since it is so impeccably pristine, showroom new and clean. I think it's more show car than track car. However, it is incredibly fast. I know, I drove it pretty hard before buying it, and it is about 30% faster than my Z06 and the boost is now set at 4 psi, capable of 22 psi of boost. No, I'm not going to crank it up.

I hope I'm not repeating myself here, tried to do this a minute ago and everything went blank. I found a new playmate for my R300 since it was the only real track car I'm using now, thought they'd have something in common. Here it is; Almost forgot the description: 1987 Porsche 930 Turbo slant nose with a Porsche IMSA 962 race engine with a "claimed" HP of around 800 (probably like the size of fish someone caught, a tad bit of stretching). It has a Fuel Safe 17 gallon fuel cell, a 20 quart dry sump, 3 fuel pumps, 2 front mounted oil coolers with fans integrated in the front air dam, a transmission/transaxle oil pump/cooler for the race spec 6 speed transmission, Recaro race seats, 5 point race harness, full roll bar with side bars, Brembo 6 pot front brakes on 15" rotors, 14.5" on the back with 4 pot Brembos, and one of the largest turbos I have ever seen. Power doesn't come on until about 3800 rpm, then you better be holding on. A little bit over the top maybe ?????

You need to give more info since different years provide different technologies. Oil pressure comes from the oil pressure sender which is a variable resistor on most engines. 12 CDC is applied to the sender via the gauge. Same goes for the temp gauge & fuel gauge. The tach signal originates from the coil or the flywheel sender on some cars, tach sender on others. Speedometer comes from the tranny cable hookup while many modern cars today get the signal from the ECU after a signal is provided from driveshaft, wheel rotation or transmission output shaft. The 0-5vdc signal you're referring to is likely only used for the TPS or MAF, or other electronic type of signal output. Best thing to do is look at you wiring schematic to see what is going where.

TomF, you're correct about the VAT. They just increased it from 17.5% to 20%. Not sure how they get a Honda CRV EX up to $49,000 with jut 20% tax. Recent BBC Top Gear quoted the vehicle between 17,000 & 30,000 BP. In any case, off the subject, Caterham is king of the hill, above & beyond the Ariel Atom, which really surprised me. However, it was the top of the line R600. I happen to agree with their conclusion

Well our friends on the other side of the pond have socialism to pay for, and for that privilige they add on a VAT of around 40%. A Honda CRV-EX which sells in the US for around $30,000 sell over there for around $47,000. Some goods have a smaller VAT, some have more. In almost all cases, it's burried into the final cost so it's difficult to know how much they're adding. A Porsche TT sells for $200,00 base price in the UK vs. $131,000 here. However, their medical care is nearly free. Trade off ?

Yep, stick together we will. Show them how to drive......................I'll hold off on that one until we meet. I'm usually good at letting my mouth (keyboard in this case) overload my ass. In 2005, we flew to JFK to go to Kerbecks and pick up our brand new C6 Corvette. Paid $140 for a one way out-of-state car rental from Hertz (ouch) then drove to Atlantic City (a few wrong turns here and there, a few illegal U-turns too). Got our car, drove straight over to the Atlantic City airport to drop off the rental car. Stayed at the Hilton casino hotel in Atlantic City for a mere $70/nite and celebrated with a nice dinner in their restaurant at a cost of $200. Got up the next morning (with a hangover of course) and the fob wouldn't open the C6, and the key wouldn't go into the emergency trunk release..........discovered I had dropped off the Corvette key to Hertz. Oh Crap, drove like an idiot back to the airport after using our second set of keys to get the car running. Got to the airport and the Hertz counter was all smiles when they saw me (actually laughing). They said they never rented out a Malibu and got a Vette in return. Yeah, yeah, real funny. I had already purchased online a ticket on the Cape May ferry for a 10 am run. All of this started at 8:30 am. I may have broken a couple of speed limits along the way but we came screaming into the port at 10:01 am and actually drove clean through the ticket taker since I couldn't stop in time. Now had to back up, kind of looking like a idiot again, and begged the ticket guy to let us on the ferry even though they had closed the gates. You see, I'm not about to say I'm going to show anybody up when I pull stuff like that. Mike

Sounds like a plan to me. I like the idea of mixing things up so everyone has equal enjoyment. I'm setting aside about 10 days in June for this, assuming you allow rednecks from Florida to join in. If we could get 3 days of track time, I'd be one happy camper.

Dave, there is a separate section for selling cars in this forum. It doesn't bother me at all that you're on this one but perhaps the moderators prefer the cars that are for sale (or trade) go in the other section, and you'll get more attention. Nice looking Jag by the way. I really like that flying buttress rear window styling. Mike