New To Sevens - Odd Request?

[Terry]

Hi all. 

I've wanted to own a Caterham for a long, long time now. I've owned a Alfa Romeo Spider, Triumph TR3, and now have a '93 Miata. I'm lucky that my wife (we're both 72) enjoys just going for top-down rides all day. I will say that she enjoys the Miata much more than the TR3 -- more reliable and easier to get in and out of. I'm seriously considering buying a Caterham, but I'm concerned about how challenging it might be for the two of us (especially my wife) to get in and out. We're in Lambertville, NJ (on the NJ/PA border) -- any chance there's someone in the area with a Caterham who would allow us to try getting in and out?

[Vovchandr]

Hello. I do not think you will find struggle to find somebody to meet up with but just in case you do you can join the gathering of 7's at NJMP in the fall where many will be available along with a good crowd of people.

 

You will want a model with a removable steering wheel for ease of egress and they do require upper body strength to get yourself elevated but otherwise it should work.

 

There was even a member with a medical condition (can't recall the name) that created a "butt extractor" to help with the lifting and he had a seat pad of sorts rigged up to the roll cage that would help him get the initial lift going. 

[Croc]

3 hours ago, Terry said:

We're in Lambertville, NJ (on the NJ/PA border) -- any chance there's someone in the area with a Caterham who would allow us to try getting in and out?

 

Welcome to USA7s!

 

Its not an odd request to ask to try sevens on for size.  I think is a smart idea to help you think through what you want in car spec.  

 

Reasonably close.  I was at Odette's in New Hope last night for dinner.  Nice part of the world there.  

 

There are 3 Caterham SVs in Millville NJ that you are welcome to try on for size.  One S3 in Marlton NJ area.  Another S3 just south of Philly.   

 

in October we have the annual HPDE scheduled and there are all shapes and sizes of sevens that will be present but I understand you may not want to wait that long.

[The Stig]

@Terry

 

I’m in Monroe NJ with an S3. If you’re in the area, happy for you to try for size. 
 

Martin

[Terry]

19 hours ago, Vovchandr said:

Hello. I do not think you will find struggle to find somebody to meet up with but just in case you do you can join the gathering of 7's at NJMP in the fall where many will be available along with a good crowd of people.

 

You will want a model with a removable steering wheel for ease of egress and they do require upper body strength to get yourself elevated but otherwise it should work.

 

There was even a member with a medical condition (can't recall the name) that created a "butt extractor" to help with the lifting and he had a seat pad of sorts rigged up to the roll cage that would help him get the initial lift going. 

 

Thanks so much for the response and the advice. Fortunately, I don't think I'll need a "butt extractor". I'll make a point of hitting NJMP if I don't acquire one before then.

[Terry]

 

15 hours ago, Croc said:

 

Welcome to USA7s!

 

Its not an odd request to ask to try sevens on for size.  I think is a smart idea to help you think through what you want in car spec.  

 

Reasonably close.  I was at Odette's in New Hope last night for dinner.  Nice part of the world there.  

 

There are 3 Caterham SVs in Millville NJ that you are welcome to try on for size.  One S3 in Marlton NJ area.  Another S3 just south of Philly.   

 

in October we have the annual HPDE scheduled and there are all shapes and sizes of sevens that will be present but I understand you may not want to wait that long.

 I hope you enjoyed Odette's -- nice place. And yes, we love it here, and plenty of great driving roads in the area on both sides of the river.

 

Thanks so much for the recommendations. 

[Terry]

14 hours ago, The Stig said:

@Terry

 

I’m in Monroe NJ with an S3. If you’re in the area, happy for you to try for size. 
 

Martin

Thanks so much, Martin. That's really gracious of you. I definitely don't want to impose on you, but it would be great if we could check it out one day. We're retired, so plenty of free time, so let me know what's best for you. No rush, believe me. Whatever is most convenient.

 

Thanks again.

[pethier]

In my own experience, most Seven people love showing off and talking about our oddball cars.  MN to NJ is too much of a stretch, though.

 

I'm 76.  Nobody in their right mind would describe me as "athletic".  I'm 5'8" and am now back to my teenage weight of around 150.  I can get into and out of my Caterham S3 with its top on and steering wheel in-place. 

 

I have also acquired a Birkin.  I have not gotten the top on it yet.  I find it is more work for me to get in and out of it, mainly because it lacks the square frame tube that I use in the Caterham to stop my heel from sliding forward during the process.  The Birkin is also more-annoying since the seat is fixed in place and I need tools to move the pedal assembly.