Saudio Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 (edited) I'm getting very close to ordering a 420R with an SV chassis, but I just can't pull the trigger without at least sitting in one. I'm in Harrisonburg VA and was wondering if I might talk an owner in my area into letting me look around your Caterham. Doesn't need to be a 420 as long as it has the same SV chassis/cockpit as a new 420. Richmond or Roanoke, or Charlottesville would also work. I have lots of other questions to ask if I get to the point of ordering but I'll save them until I see one in person and know I fit. Former Lotus Elise owner. Thanks, Mike Edited January 10, 2023 by Saudio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlB Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 I can answer questions, but I do not have an SV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vovchandr Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, Saudio said: I'm getting very close to ordering a 420R with an SV chassis, but I just can't pull the trigger without at least sitting in one. I'm in Harrisonburg VA and was wondering if I might talk an owner in my area into letting me look around your Caterham. Doesn't need to be a 420 as long as it has the same SV chassis/cockpit as a new 420. Richmond or Roanoke, or Charlottesville would also work. I have lots of other questions to ask if I get to the point of ordering but I'll save them until I see one in person and know I fit. Former Lotus Elise owner. Thanks, Mike Are you worried that SV might be too large or too small? I don't have personal experience but SV seems to be a one-size-fits-all solution. Barring extreme cases I don't think there are many that can't fit into one, width or height. S3 is a different argument. I'm small and I fit snugly. Edited January 8, 2023 by Vovchandr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saudio Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, CarlB said: I can answer questions, but I do not have an SV. Thank you! What do you have, and where are you located? I want to see an SV but honestly I have only seen one Seven in the wild and it was a much older one. Even seeing an S3 will help me decide if it is the right purchase. If I fit comfortably in an S3 that might be a better choice. I had decided a few years ago to buy an Ariel Atom, but once I got in one and drove it I just knew it wasn't the right car for me. So I'm being careful. Edited January 8, 2023 by Saudio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saudio Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 1 hour ago, Vovchandr said: Are you worried that SV might be too large or too small? I don't have personal experience but SV seems to be a one-size-fits-all solution. Barring extreme cases I don't think there are many that can't fit into one, width or height. S3 is a different argument. I'm small and I fit snugly. My size is just on the cusp but I have rather big feet. I'm 6'2" and 185. So the SV seems a safe bet but I would like to see how they look in person and sit in one. I'm getting older and don't have time for too many big buying mistakes. ;-) If I can't find one I can drive to I'll widen my net and fly somewhere to see one. And hopefully drive one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlB Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 I have a 2000 S3. It does not have lowered floors, but my guess is your height will not be a problem. What is your shoe size? The foot box is small, and the pedals take some getting used to. I ware size 11 D and do not have a problem, but I had to get used to it and ware specific shoes. I live in Fairfax and am about 2 miles from 66 and The Fairfax County Parkway. My car is not home now. It is getting a new roll cage, but I expect it shortly. It has carbon fiber race seats in it, but I have the normal seats and can put one in for you to try. The race seats are not real comfortable, but the regular seats are actually very comfortable. I weigh more than you and it is snug, but I look at that as good. You do not want to be moving around. Consider getting in a Caterham like putting on a shoe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saudio Posted January 9, 2023 Author Share Posted January 9, 2023 2 hours ago, CarlB said: I have a 2000 S3. It does not have lowered floors, but my guess is your height will not be a problem. What is your shoe size? The foot box is small, and the pedals take some getting used to. I ware size 11 D and do not have a problem, but I had to get used to it and ware specific shoes. I live in Fairfax and am about 2 miles from 66 and The Fairfax County Parkway. My car is not home now. It is getting a new roll cage, but I expect it shortly. It has carbon fiber race seats in it, but I have the normal seats and can put one in for you to try. The race seats are not real comfortable, but the regular seats are actually very comfortable. I weigh more than you and it is snug, but I look at that as good. You do not want to be moving around. Consider getting in a Caterham like putting on a shoe. I'm also about size 11 so it would be close. I wouldn't ask you to change seats for me but that is a very kind offer. When you get it back, maybe PM me and let me see if it would suit for me to swing by. thanks much! PS Would a 2000 s3 have the same cabin as a new S3? Are all S3s the same? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted January 17, 2023 Share Posted January 17, 2023 (edited) I have a 2003 SV currently in storage in Farmingdale, NJ. You're welcome to try it on if you're ever up this way. I'm 6'3 225 with size 12 shoes. I fit fine in it, Plenty of leg room. I don't even put the seat back all the way. Headroom is unlimited : ). The hardest part is the shoes. For street I found some Italian driving loafers that work pretty well. For the track I use the smallest race shoes I can squeeze my feet into (9.5's). Edited January 17, 2023 by John B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 Its not VA but I have an SV sized Caterham to try on in Millville, in southern NJ if that is an option. I have taken a 6'7" chap of 300lbs out on track in my car as a passenger. It dented performance but he fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted January 18, 2023 Share Posted January 18, 2023 IF you decide to take a trip to Florida to escape the weather, I'm in the panhandle with my SV and you would be welcome to try it out. Other than that, I am 218 lbs, 6ft 3in with Size 12 shoes. The SV has plenty of room. I don't worry about headroom because here in Florida, we don't have to put the top up that often! But I would recommend that you try entering/exiting the car with full weather equipment. That may influence you purchase decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saudio Posted January 18, 2023 Author Share Posted January 18, 2023 On 1/17/2023 at 4:53 PM, John B said: I have a 2003 SV currently in storage in Farmingdale, NJ. You're welcome to try it on if you're ever up this way. I'm 6'3 225 with size 12 shoes. I fit fine in it, Plenty of leg room. I don't even put the seat back all the way. Headroom is unlimited : ). The hardest part is the shoes. For street I found some Italian driving loafers that work pretty well. For the track I use the smallest race shoes I can squeeze my feet into (9.5's). Thank you VERY MUCH for this offer! For the moment I'm trying to find something a little closer but if I need to go further I may take you up. Interesting that even in an SV you have to wear very small racing shoes. I was hoping that the larger foot box might allow street shoes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saudio Posted January 18, 2023 Author Share Posted January 18, 2023 13 hours ago, Croc said: Its not VA but I have an SV sized Caterham to try on in Millville, in southern NJ if that is an option. I have taken a 6'7" chap of 300lbs out on track in my car as a passenger. It dented performance but he fit. Well that is 2 in NJ, so this might be an option. I'm headed out for vacation this Saturday but when I return I'm going to try to pin something down. Thank you VERY MUCH for this offer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saudio Posted January 18, 2023 Author Share Posted January 18, 2023 9 hours ago, Taber10 said: IF you decide to take a trip to Florida to escape the weather, I'm in the panhandle with my SV and you would be welcome to try it out. Other than that, I am 218 lbs, 6ft 3in with Size 12 shoes. The SV has plenty of room. I don't worry about headroom because here in Florida, we don't have to put the top up that often! But I would recommend that you try entering/exiting the car with full weather equipment. That may influence you purchase decision. Thank you very much! Probably won't make it the far south but I do appreciate the offer! Can you wear street shoes in you SV? And I agree I should test fit myself into a Cat with the roof on. Fortunately, I owned an Elise for 5 years, and it also requires contortions to get in and our with the roof on. So I have an idea what it may be like. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayentaskier Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Saudio, I owned an Exige between two Caterhams, the Elise/Exige entry is a walk in the park compared to entry to a 7 with full weather gear. The solution is to not even order the weather gear 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Yes, street shoes, although I have a pair of driving shoes, I rarely use them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnifeySpoony Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 I'm 6' 1", 34" inseam, 185lbs, , fit perfectly in s3 with lowered floors and carbon tilletts. Cozy but comfy, wearing the car as it should be imo. Size 12 feet. Definitely need full on race shoes though. Even then, right foot barely barely fits to operate the throttle on its own. Left foot spacing is not as tight. Try an s3 on for size as well. Make sure it has lowered floors though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Saudio, I have both an S3 and a SV. But it will need to be a warm dry day for me to get all the crap I have piled up behind them out of the way so that I can pull the SV out and lower the S3. The SV has lowered floors the S3 does not. Weather doesn’t look good for the next couple of weeks. How soon do you need to try one? Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLynn Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Was in London last week and took a morning train down to Gatwick Caterham as I am in a similar situation to you. Thank you to James Wilson for entertaining my questions. My take... My dad had a 62 Super 7 (pic attached) when I was growing up. In high school, I drove it more than he did and I never noticed the things I noticed at Gatwick. I haven't been in it for a number of years, so some of this is memories. My dimensions now... 6'1", ~200lb, 35" waist, Size 11 shoes. I'm not sure of the exact dimensions, but the original 7 you had the hip room all the way to the aluminum. The S3 that I sat in (LegoCat) felt like the Tillets took up quite a bit of room in terms of hip space. It was very snug, but not unlivable. The 2 bigger issues I noticed with the S3... Pedals; I had my Puma Super Ligas on (smaller soccer shoe) and my right foot kept getting hooked on the brake pedal as I took my foot off the gas pedal. I don't have super big feet, but there just wasn't adequate room for my comfort. The other thing I really noticed was shoulder room. It really felt like one arm was outside of the car and the other was in the passenger space. For track, probably not an issue. My thought on the SV... The snugness of the Carbon Tillets, with pads was just right. As someone else posted, I didn't even have the seat all the way back (maybe 3" of space behind the seat). The pedal box and spacing was just right. The SV is still relatively narrow, but I didn't feel like I was hanging out of the car. Third pic is me sitting in the car, so you can see that it's still small. The reason I was paying attention to this is that I am looking for a fun car, not a track car. Consequently, there would be a spouse involved and I would want a little more shoulder room. Two people in a S3 for more than a brief period would be tight. Also, the SV I sat in had lowered floors. I thought I could go either way on that, but it does provide a little more room between the legs and the steering wheel. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnifeySpoony Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Keep in mind the pedalbox and pedals are very different between RHD and LHD modern Caterhams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saudio Posted January 30, 2023 Author Share Posted January 30, 2023 On 1/19/2023 at 5:28 PM, KnifeySpoony said: Keep in mind the pedalbox and pedals are very different between RHD and LHD modern Caterhams. Apologies for this late reply. Can you expand on that a bit? Is the LHD pedal box smaller or larger? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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