SV or Standard Chassis

[sbhornby]

Hi all,

 

I'm new to the group, and in the process of finalizing my order for my car, but I'm torn on the Chassis size. I'm a 5'11, 200lb, 53 year old guy (why does that sound like a dating profile ) and the dealer says I should be good with their the standard chassis with a dropped floor or the SV. I'll largely be using the car for back road runs and the occasional commute to work (when we can start doing that again).

 

Are there any MD/Northern VA/Southern PA members who might be willing to let me squeeze into their Caterhams to get a sense of what would work. Happy to hear any other advice members may be able to provide.

 

Cheers,

 

Simon

 

P.S. Has anybody successfully registered their car in Maryland?

[Croc]

I have a CSR/SV and an S3 in a workshop for you to try on back to back. The CSR has the lowered floors so you can see what that does. Location is Millville NJ at NJMP. Its the other side of the DE Memorial Bridge in southern NJ. I am here until Saturday morning but should be back again early Monday morning and into first half of next week.

 

Cheers

Mike

Edited June 18, 2020 by Croc

[Mark IV]

We have customers who have registered in MD. I have some owners in the Philadelphia area who can show you a car, contact us to arrange. Here is the "S3" vs. "SV" dimension chart: https://www.timemachineauto.com/caterham.html

 

We have secured additional build slots for fourth quarter 2020 so can deliver early in the new year.

 

Here is a recent 310R in Ferrari Blu Pozzi, a special order color. https://www.facebook.com/TimeMachinesMotorsportsLlc/?__tn__=kC-R&eid=ARCbDwJz6O9wRb-Eny9p2GhjSZnRLfErNns7lisDywixoh9CcYEtnlssSi9Yy2BxZ8CjV34-9FIklDwE&hc_ref=ARRMPHVYnuWe_Q944qkUolGFmVVdZcUp8P68yB9AHalRljlEckw2WvhvTljBIFylw_s&fref=nf&__xts__[0]=68.ARAwvXGKdeNiJWo6PioGEqFUFFeNz1FY5VCjGZ7OKWiOEaGH55ERiomNsi4eAE-YRTC66c0f2Qex5J7tSXOWJ7mxJtNPIiVYa_rnpN1Eh8QH-4136scgKGBubZOEzzKTPbQr4enGInuuQxXBefOfzUoFDPRwFgBsJz4ZQxkmynA_-lCPEcHEY2DzaRBf-n4X8y4Ip18tQRqeLhmECxK3zG2s7UnbNZW37iWR2j-PPAwoM7MSduETV5LXmjLGiF4LDvdU1g1l7L8FbCr0ZTfhfxFZQzkAQzoc7f2XPrqahwrWPj7cQH-W6QUuZ4KwY2R8IcVfNiyKxzxYgiLazJZWikJFzA

[FE07]

Simon,

I'm in Maryland- Owings Mills.

 

Your welcome to sit in my S3 anytime. Mike has the ultimate size check with his grouping.

 

The lowered floors help with height. the SV with width.

 

Let me know if you want to pop by.

 

Jim

[yellowss7]

I have an S3 and an SV with lowered floors. I'm Just over the Delaware state line in Pa. You will fit in either car. Biggest difference is in the footwell size. The S3 requires pixie boots to drive. The SV you can get away with a normal shoe or running shoe Assuming you don't have size 15 feet.

 

The S3 will be snugger but you won't slide around at all. The SV, depending on the seat choice you will have a lot more room. IMO.

[Black Hole]

If it is a road car I would probably go with the SV. I have an SV but I have driven S3s and I am a nice tight fit. I am shorter and a little lighter than you so I expect you will fit in the S3 similar to the way i fit.

 

For autocross or on the track I would prefer the S3 because I would be locked in place. But on the road the ability to move around a bit is a big plus for comfort. I have driven my car the 4.5 hrs from CT to NJMP fairly comfortably. I don't think I would say the same thing in the S3.The downside of the SV is I do slide around in the seats a bit.

 

And looks are subjective, I prefer the look of the S3 because it is what you expect a 7 to look like, but the differences are pretty subtle if they aren't side by side.

 

And one more thing - I can actually get into my car with the roof on. I don't think it would be possible for me in a S3 as the doors are much smaller. Not that anyone actually drives their 7 with the top on.

[Kitcat]

If mostly street use, be aware that the only place to put your left foot in the extremely tight S3 foot well is under the clutch pedal. And it doesn't pop back out all that easily. I put 10K combined street/track miles on my first Caterham with this arrangement so it's not a deal breaker, just something to be aware of.

[I B Sevener]

With all due respect to each of us with an opinion...Our opinion doesn't really matter. The fact that I crossed the country from coast to coast and border to border and took numerous trips of over 1,000 miles at a time in my 1968 S3 Seven with the original short cabin, narrow footbox and no dropped floor (all of which are now modified or available on a new S3) and that I am six feet and 220 pounds is of no consequence to how you will feel in a Seven.

 

Croc has made you a generous and meaningful offer. Take him up on it and choose what works best for you!

[Croc]

With all due respect to each of us with an opinion...Our opinion doesn't really matter.

 

Hi Ross! Hope you are doing well?

 

Its good to see everyone chime in with enthusiasm but you are right, there is no substitute for seeing and trying in person. It does not matter how many of these I have owned, I still find things I want to change from original. The fun in ordering a Caterham is deciding from the incredible array of options to personalize it just for you. There are no identical Caterhams (or any seven for that matter). In an ideal world there would be a nice big dealership close by with a bunch of cars to explore but due to our small market we make up with an enthusiastic owner group pitching in to assist new owners - a good thing to see.