rag1998

Randall, Thanks for the wonderful posts, visiting the site every day just to see the updates on this tour. Looks like you guys had a wonderful time.. Keep the posts and pictures coming...

Here is a video of Heikki Kovalainen having some fun in the special edition 7: Jalopnik

After much discussions with my better half, we decided to part ways with Vette and go with a economical 4 door car that can serve the family for a good 5 yrs/so and help us save money for the 7, decided to go with the new 2011 Hyundai Elantra, the 5yr 60K warranty and 30/40 MPG sealed the deal for us. Waiting for the vehicle, and started saving up nickels and dimes to finance the 7, cant wait for the pot to fill-up now!!

Thanks for the words of encouragement & comfort! I feel really bad, that I wasn't able to follow through on a deal that I committed to buying and that I am not getting a 7. Was all because of my stupid bank where the representative thought I was just getting normal car loan and pre-approved me, even though I mentioned several times that I am getting a kit car and not a normal car, now their VP decided not to follow through and throw me under the bus even when its not my mistake and I was going to put down more than half value of the car. I guess like someone said Shit Happens!! You are very patient, and definitely did the right thing. Since, being 25 and having my head in my right foot, I am not that patient, and am looking to get into a 7 by end of this year/early next year, without any financing!! Thanks again for the encouraging words!! I need a :chillpill:

Due to unforeseen expenses and finance issues, I am not looking at getting a 7 for quite sometime.. I guess I will have to patiently wait until I have cash back in hand!

Quote from an article: The first fruits of the tie-up with Team Lotus is a new range of limited-run Team Lotus Special Edition Sevens. Just 50 of the Team Lotus kits will ever be offered, with 25 destined for the UK. For £3000 you can upgrade any new Seven with the famous green and yellow colours, while also included is a cockpit-mounted plaque carrying the signatures of Team Lotus F1 drivers Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen, a Seven history book signed by Team Lotus chief designer Mike Gascoyne and a tour of the F1 factory in Norfolk. http://jalopnik.com/#!5795695/wednesday-april-27th-2011 http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/Industry-News/Team-Lotus-buys-Caterham-Cars/

Right, I am hoping to find one sooner though...;-)

Looks awesome!

I am trying to purchase a built one, sadly wont be able to attend the event as I am getting married around the same time!! Brink is looking out for me too!

I wanted a Zetec / a more newer engine, but the Zetec Birkin I was looking at is sold, so I dont have a choice now, either get the crossflow now and upgrade later to a duratec / wait for a zetec Birkin to go on sale.. Hopefully something turns up..

:drool: Wow Wonderful! More pics of the instrument cluster please

Thanks Mike, your ride is awesome and very inspiring

I think I have finally decided on a Birkin, let me know if anyone has info on Birkin's for sale. Thanks :cheers:

Just spoke with the owner, this is SOLD!!

No affiliation! Looks wonderful! http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/lotus/super_seven/1082359.html Offered for sale is what may be the ultimate example of a Caterham Super 7. Built as a ‘cost-no-object’ project based upon a Caterham long-cockpit DeDion chassis over the course of 15+ years with over 4000 hours invested, the attention to detail and specification of the car are unmatched. The equipment list is extensive and impressive, and includes things like a nickle plated chassis, Cosworth BDP inline-4, Quaife 6-speed sequential gearbox, 3-zone fire-supression system, stainless steel braided lines, mil-spec wiring, Fuel Safe fuel cell, and AN or ARP hardware throughout. Carbon fiber and polished aluminum panels make up the floor, firewall, body, and fenders, with no painted surfaces on the entire car. Everything is either Nickel plated, chrome plated, polished aluminum, anodized aluminum, or carbon fiber. It has covered only 183 miles since completion, is well-sorted, and ready to drive. The engine is a 2-liter Cosworth BDP with 12.5:1 compression utilizing a Cosworth dry sump oiling system and Patterson sump tank. A Motec M4 Pro injection handles fuel and direct fire ignition, with maps for both being fully configurable. The engine dyno’d at 290 hp at the time of assembly. The power to weight ratio, figuring an 1150 lbs weight, is astounding - each horsepower is responsible for moving less than 4 pounds (3.79). To put that into perspective, the 1,001 hp Bugatti Veyron uses each horsepower to move 4.5 pounds. Other custom/special touches abound and are too numerous to list. Contact us for more information. 616-774-2640 $69,900

Thanks for the info!! I have two options now, one is a crossflow and the other a Zetec, will have to see which will work out in the end.

Had a wonderful day today! Today I went over to Texas Motor Works @ Arlington, TX to meet Dick Brink, dealer for Birkin, which is a 3hr 30min drive from Austin. Spent 5 hrs with him and the 7's, wow what a wonderful gentleman and what a cars. He very patiently explained me, history of the cars, every feature, various packages, all my questions and handed me over the keys to a Berkin for a test drive. My impressions: I was shit scared in that car, had a hard time finding pedals, used narrow shoes still had a hard time, felt very vulnerable, brakes felt soft, after driving around for 20 mins/so got more used to it and felt better driving the car, but boy its a different experience. You all were right, there is no way I could drive that car daily, not without considerable amount of time in the seat. The one I drove had 118 HP with 1700c Ford Crossflow Super Sprint engine, felt that was more than enough for me. Dick Brink took me for a ride in his 280 HP Birkin race car with a sequential shift and full roll cage, that thing was screaming, he did 360's and what not with it!!! Felt like I was at a theme park going on roller-coasters and joy rides!! I still smell like rubber and gasoline! Here is one thing he mentioned that amazed me, his car is a 2001 and still has the same brake pads after considerable amount of track time and street time in it!!! The whole experience made me get even closer to the seven world and the fun that can be had in a seven. What are your thoughts on the 1700c Ford Crossflow Super Sprint engine?

Definitely agree that a low band torque producing V8 engine would be a blast in these cars. My comment was a compliment, have an LS3 vette, though it took me a couple of days to get used to high torque and HP, now its quite fun. I am looking forward to checking out some Stalkers at Sugar Groove Custom Cars in Des Moines next month

That is interesting!!! Cant imagine what this little car with a V8 feels like!

Congrats to the new owner on the car!! He must be having a blast

Thanks for the input Jim! Sorry to hear about your wife, hope she is starting to feel better. Does anyone know of a SS owner with full weather gear?

I did consider an Elise, before getting the Vette. Driving it, felt like the car was on rails, lots of fun, but finally settled on the vette for the high HP and gorgeous V8 rumble. One reason why I am looking at a 7, is its stunning looks, cool and fun factors, I am pretty much set on the 7 unless something changes during my test drives. Not disregarding your suggestion though as an Elise is still on my list for my fiancée, along with Miata and Mini, if she gets it, its still mine

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, after hearing the views of several members, I am now seriously considering getting the 7 along with another car that can be used for extreme weather conditions. Heard from Dick Brink @ Texas Motor Works, that there are couple of shop's in Austin that will be able to work on 7's, will have to get that info and inquire about those. I have experience with most of the basic stuff like changing oils, filters, rotors, pads, brake bleeding and other routine maintenance, not much more than that. To and fro from work is less than 9 miles and mostly on freeway with not much traffic hence I am not that worried about that. Rain, cold and summer heat are the only buggers, and like most have said I will have to see, feel and drive a few to get a better picture, I might be totally off by thinking I can drive this to work daily.

Will call you tomorrow, thanks for the info.

California is a great place to be with a 7, perfect weather all the time. Will try looking up Mondo's profile. Thanks for the info.