Vovchandr Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 This could be an interesting discussion This screenshot is pulled from one of the Town Halls that Caterham has had and the polls they run Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pethier Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 Just in the last month of the 1940s. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panamericano Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 I am in the 35%group. The very early end. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayentaskier Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 (edited) The current age is interesting but should be weighed against year the car was purchased, some of us are into 3 decades of ownership Edited January 23 by kayentaskier spelling 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MV8 Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 Based on recent events, I though it might be 60 going on 12. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodnok Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 The Seven is not yet in my possession although I've technically owned it for a couple of years. The paneled chassis arrived at Chris T's shop just last week and I expect to be driving the car at some point this year. I'm also in the early weeks of the 35% group, got my first sports car (a 55 Speedster) 57 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anduril3019 Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 6 hours ago, MV8 said: Based on recent events, I though it might be 60 going on 12. COD (Comment of the day) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBuff Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 It’s nice to see I am not alone in my adolescence. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 I just made damn sure I got a 7 before I got married. @38 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 Whoa! Little surprised at that demographic chart. Does make you wonder where the next cohort of owners will come from since the costs of these cars are not as cheap (relatively) as they once were. I made the 1970s....just.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 As they say: Youth is fleeting but immaturity can last forever:). A perspective that helps when you have mid ‘40’s birth year. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedwagon Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 Being in the very early 40s group, I can say that ageing is mandatory, maturity is optional. at 12 i had a 1936 harley 61 ci. (1000 cc ) and a 36 ford coupe with a 324 ci flat-head. close to 20 yr with the superformance + a yard (40a) full of toys. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vovchandr Posted January 24 Author Share Posted January 24 2 hours ago, Croc said: Whoa! Little surprised at that demographic chart. Does make you wonder where the next cohort of owners will come from since the costs of these cars are not as cheap (relatively) as they once were. That is true. This price is much easier to swallow for a multi use performance vehicle than an extra toy. Not to mention the complications of a limited run, limited support, Lucas filled British roadster. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silber Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 (edited) 1 hour ago, Vovchandr said: That is true. This price is much easier to swallow for a multi use performance vehicle than an extra toy. Not to mention the complications of a limited run, limited support, Lucas filled British roadster. I barely made it into the 80's (born in '89). With the performance capabilities of modern cars, plus all the luxury, convenience, and weatherproofing, I'm not surprised that more people of my generation and younger aren't purchasing 7's. That and the cost of entry is pretty steep unless one buys a non-Caterham 7 (like I did). Why buy an expensive car with little more practicality than a motorcycle when I can get a car that is faster, quieter, easier to drive, more comfortable in every way, and decently practical?? My answer is because I was specifically looking to get away from all the comforts and conveniences that make modern cars so large and heavy, looking for something that was fast because of its inherent lightness rather than having 600 hp, and looking for a raw and undiluted driving experience. Oh, and I have always thought modern 7s are awesome since I found out about them as a kid. Edited January 24 by Silber 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vovchandr Posted January 24 Author Share Posted January 24 (edited) 50 minutes ago, Silber said: I barely made it into the 80's (born in '89). With the performance capabilities of modern cars, plus all the luxury, convenience, and weatherproofing, I'm not surprised that more people of my generation and younger aren't purchasing 7's. That and the cost of entry is pretty steep unless one buys a non-Caterham 7 (like did). Why buy an expensive car with little more practicality than a motorcycle when I can get a car that is faster, quieter, easier to drive, more comfortable in every way, and decently practical?? My answer is because I was specifically looking to get away from all the comforts and conveniences that make modern cars so large and heavy, looking for something that was fast because of its inherent lightness rather than having 600 hp, and looking for a raw and undiluted driving experience. Oh, and I have always thought modern 7s are awesome since I found out about them as a kid. I wouldn't be in a Caterham if not for good fortune in a few areas, but I knew I wanted a 7 type car for so long that I started with a Locost build over 15 years ago when I certainly was in no position to buy a Caterham. Most of the Z generation and millennials non car people, one of biggest factors for car purchase is how big screen is and whether it has Android Auto/carplay. Out of the enthusiast spectrum most don't want such a bare bones car with no safety or can't justify a spare toy car even if desire is there. Out of bikers like myself, it's a downgrade in many factors: slower, harder to store, can't lean, more expensive etc. For me, the car is a perfect match for my ethos of driving. My first car was a CRX and I love my NA Miatas, so a light weight bare bones car is right up my alley. @Croc who knows who will be picking up the mantle for all the relic cars that are supported now by older generations. Pre war cars, carburated muscle cars, early 90s cars etc. There will be far more survivor cars being passed down than there is interest and skill set to keep them going. Not to mention millennials and gen Zs in general would struggle to afford keeping a relic going even if they have interest. With house buying being lower even less people can maintain them on the cheap themselves and labor rates are insane to do work on an "extra" car. Edited January 24 by Vovchandr 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stang70Fastback Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 (edited) 1 hour ago, Vovchandr said: Most of the Z generation and millennials non car people, one of biggest factors for car purchase is how big screen is and whether it has Android Auto/carplay. As a member of the younger generation, I can assure you a lot of us are car people, but we just can't afford any of the interesting vehicles we've always wanted because everything is so goddamned expensive these days. I acquired this Caterham by making a rather financially irresponsible decision on the basis that I could always turn around and sell it again if push came to shove. When people can barely afford one car, they tend to buy something practical and useful, and so all of the cool cars go out the window at that point, and you're left with all of the boomers still holding the keys to things that are out of reach of anyone except other, retired boomers, lol. Yes, I'm making some generalizations. Edited January 24 by Stang70Fastback 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost7018 Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 Over 72 and bought my Locost in 1997. Midlife crisis???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vovchandr Posted January 24 Author Share Posted January 24 I don't expect a single person here to dedicate time to watch these videos (also available in a podcast) but the The Carmudgeon Show touches on these keen points of what the new/next generations phase as car enthusiasts I enjoy listening to Jason (long time esteemed journalist) and Derek (long time certified older car expert) discuss such matters 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirkinBernie Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 Yeah, I'm old - 69 years worth. Built the Birkin when I was 46. My boys will be selling it after I'm dead and gone if I have any say in the matter. Neither of them fit, or have even the faintest interest in cars. I tend to move from one thing to another slowly. I worked for the same company for 43 years, have been married to the same (wonderful) woman for 40 years, still have an '86 MR2 that my wife and I bought new in May of '86, lived in the same house for 27 years prior to retiring. Still drive the Birkin regularly, and it still puts a stupid grin on my face. Second childhood? Nope - still working on the first one... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowdude Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 33 here, turning 34. Decided to do the mid life crisis early + fortunate to have sacrificed a lot to cut down on student loan debt to be able to afford a 7. <rant> Don't listen to auto journos (have dealt with them a lot on the OEM side), they all have ego's, very, very few are genuine and reflect / understand the younger generation. Their livelihood is based on getting attention. They're all divas who treat press / fleet cars like garbage and get bent out of shape if the car doesn't have xxx options. I'm getting served with a lot of gen z car content on IG/Tik Tok. The car people are out there, they're driving instead of podcasts etc. OEMs are looking for authenticity now with their partnerships. The younger generation are much more gracious and honest about the vehicles they drive, for better and worse.</rant> Best thing we can do is drive the crap out of them, show people they're not that impractical, and be welcoming to all 7s. I constantly tell people to check out westfields/rhd ham's/ indys/gbs zero or the locust forums. Looking forward to spreading the joy of analog autos. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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