jlumba81 Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Planning on getting a Caterham SV but haven't ridden in one yet. How does the SV seat compare to a 2004 Subaru WRX, 2006 Mitsubishi EVO 9, 2005 & 2006 Subaru WRX STi and a 2008 Mitsubishi EVO X. I can fit in the seats listed but the EVO X is a tight fit for me. Anyone know of a car that has similar feeling seat compared to an SV? I just want a heads up before flying somewhere to ride in an SV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 It depends on what seat the SV has. The Tillett carbon/kevlar seat is going to be tight for you even in the SV, if the Evo seat is tight. The Tillett has its own side bolsters (actually, stiff, unpadded bucket panels). I assume it is the competition-style side bolsters of the Evo seat that constrict you. The standard Caterham leather seat in an SV is roomier by comparison to the Tillett, because the standard leather seat has no real side bolsters, but relies on the tunnel and the side panel to act as its bolsters. (See, Colin was saving weight and complication everywhere he could...) Thus the cockpit of an SV with standard seats is roomier because the car is 4 inches wider than the Series 3. On the other hand, an SV with Tillets (or a CSR which usually came standard with Tilletts, I recall) is going to seem as tight as an S3, just due to those seats. Now that spring is around the corner (it snowed 3 inches here yesterday, but I have hopes), if you fly to Anchorage for any reason, I could put you in touch with Dr. Jim O'Malley here in town. Jim has a bright yellow SV of recent vintage, with the standard seats. I'm sure that in a few weeks, he'll have his car out. Alaskossie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlumba81 Posted April 15, 2009 Author Share Posted April 15, 2009 You guys are still getting snow? Its been sunny days here in Juneau for a few days now. I switched over to my summer tires since I didn't want to wear out my winter studless tires w/ too much dry pavement driving. When is your Seven going to be finished? Dang now that makes me really tempted to go to Anchorage. Wish I had more air mileage. Do you have any specs on O'Malley's SV? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 I've still got my Vredestein studless snow tires on the Audi S4, since my uphill driveway is partly covered in packed ice yet. I'm going to wear these tires out, and get a new set for next winter -- I've had them since 2005. Jim O'Malley's SV has the Zetec engine with about 205 hp, the Caterham 6-speed, and the large 16-inch "wagon wheels." Attached are photos. Driving his car with the 6-spd convinced me that it was the transmission I wanted in my car -- it is really slick! I haven't been down to Colorado to build my Seven since the second week in February -- I'm to swamped with deadlines at work to get away. Attached are photos of Jim's Anchorage SV -- the only Seven-type car in town, so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Planning on getting a Caterham SV but haven't ridden in one yet. How does the SV seat compare to a 2004 Subaru WRX, 2006 Mitsubishi EVO 9, 2005 & 2006 Subaru WRX STi and a 2008 Mitsubishi EVO X. I can fit in the seats listed but the EVO X is a tight fit for me. Anyone know of a car that has similar feeling seat compared to an SV? I just want a heads up before flying somewhere to ride in an SV. It depends on what seat the SV has. The Tillett carbon/kevlar seat is going to be tight for you even in the SV, if the Evo seat is tight. The Tillett has its own side bolsters (actually, stiff, unpadded bucket panels). I assume it is the competition-style side bolsters of the Evo seat that constrict you. The standard Caterham leather seat in an SV is roomier by comparison to the Tillett, because the standard leather seat has no real side bolsters, but relies on the tunnel and the side panel to act as its bolsters. (See, Colin was saving weight and complication everywhere he could...) Thus the cockpit of an SV with standard seats is roomier because the car is 4 inches wider than the Series 3. On the other hand, an SV with Tillets (or a CSR which usually came standard with Tilletts, I recall) is going to seem as tight as an S3, just due to those seats. Now that spring is around the corner (it snowed 3 inches here yesterday, but I have hopes), if you fly to Anchorage for any reason, I could put you in touch with Dr. Jim O'Malley here in town. Jim has a bright yellow SV of recent vintage, with the standard seats. I'm sure that in a few weeks, he'll have his car out. Alaskossie the standard caterham seats have no side bolstering. the outside out the car and the transmission tunnel. you would not like them by themselves compared to the STi v8/9 usdm and EVO seats. Find a 7 that has and be driven in them so u can see the space and feel the need that most use harnesses as well. The Tillets are on par with a narrow waist Sparco or Recaro fixec back. Though they are remarkably comfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlumba81 Posted April 16, 2009 Author Share Posted April 16, 2009 I don't mind the lack of thigh bolsters, I plan on getting the 4pt road harness and if needed upgrade to a 5 or 6pt. Alaskaossie, can you let me know when O'Malley gets his SV on the road? Hopefully I'll be able to drop a few pounds by then. If I can get a ride in it, I might be able to fly in on a day off. I'm off on Sundays and Mondays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlumba81 Posted April 16, 2009 Author Share Posted April 16, 2009 Well looks like I might do a roadtrip w/ friends up to Fairbanks then Anchorage during the Memorial weekend next month. 1760 miles roundtrip hope the gas prices don't go up too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I'll try to keep an eye on things. Spring is very slow in coming up here. The state just extended the mandatory studded-tire removal date (today) by 15 more days. When the weather warms and the autocross season starts, Jim is sure to have his SV out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 jlumba81, please contact me by e-mail at tmeachamatgcidotnet. I have been in touch with Jim O'Malley in Anchor-town, and his SV is on the road now and he would be glad to give you an intro into Seven Life. It all depends on when you might be up this way. I'd like to meet you face to face also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlumba81 Posted April 25, 2009 Author Share Posted April 25, 2009 God. This sucks. I just found out a few days ago that my boss is going on vacation in May-June, so I can't go anywhere until July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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