Help with a Se7ens buyer's guide...

[Al N.]

Folks-

 

David Travers Adolphus of Hemmings (he was at 7-7-7 and did that piece on driving to and from the event from NYC with Boxologist) has been charged with putting together a Se7ens buyers guide for the mag.

 

Anyone feel like putting their 2¢ in should chime in on this thread, and I'll direct him to it.

Perhaps we can use this as a springboard for that "newbie FAQ" section of the site I've bandied about for a few years now.

 

-Al

[ghoge]

My daughter and I are in the midst of building a CDX (Roadsport SV) Caterham 7. Completed the front and rear suspension, working on the interior trim, wheel wells, etc. Great experience especially with my kid (graduated with an ME degree a few years ago). We could lend a different perspective (female?) than possibly the regular build folks.

 

George Hoge

Jenny Hoge

[pierats]

* Know that buying a used car is always cheaper than buying a new car/kit - unless you get a ragged out lemon that needs a total rebuild.

 

* Know that there are an amazing amount of options/accessories - some that the dealer will not tell you about or possibly even know about. Note that many of these options will not come from the factory.

 

* You need to decide what you want to use the car for - a purely race se7en may not be a great touring vehicle (however tastes vary!).

 

* Each state has different registration requirements. It is easiest if you have someone local who has already gone through the registration process with a se7en.

 

* Sit in/drive as many as you can. Each se7en is unique.

 

Also see this thread: http://www.californiacaterhamclub.com/chat/showthread.php?t=996

[yellowss7]

Having built my Caterham almost 9 1/2 years ago and still enjoy it everytime I walk by it or drive it, I'll add my 2 cents.

 

1) Read everything you can get your hands on about the different types

of 7s available. I spent 5 years collecting every article I could before

I pulled the trigger.

 

2) Sit in and if possible drive as many of the cars you can to see how you

fit and make sure you understand what the driving experience will be

like. It's not like driving a normal sports car.

 

3) Don't get caught up in the power to weight ratio game. Yeah,

everyone likes the high HP cars, but what these cars are about

is Handling. Other than needing to overcome aerodynamics on

tracks with long straightaways, high HP does not equal better.

 

4) These are fairly simple cars and other than tight clearences, pretty

easy to work on, don't be afraid to do some of your own work.

 

5) These cars are for the most part not everyday type cars. Althought

a few people do use them as primary vehicles, most won't, so they

tend not to get a lot of mileage on them. When looking a a used

one, check the basics. Has it had routine, annual, maintenace?

Has it been abused? Oil Leaks, Noisy mechanicals? Does it start,

Idle, rev freely?

 

6) If you decide you want to build your own to your own specification,

be aware that you will pay significantly more than buying a used one

of the exact same specs. You could always buy a nice use one and

Upgrade it you your desired specs at a significant savings.

 

7) The nice thing about these cars is that no two are exactly alike.

You can make your car, YOUR CAR.

 

8) Building your own Caterham is not that hard. If you stick with the

factory specs, it's more like assembling than building. Yeah, you have

to drill a few holes, figure out bolt sizes and occassionally use a

hammer to make something fit, but for the most part it's like putting

together a big model kit. Really. Mine went together in exactly 80

Hours of time spent turning wrenches. That doesn't count having to

run out to the store to find a few more bolts, nuts, tools, etc.

 

9) Engine choices are varied. From Vauxhalls, RoverK's, Ford Crossflows,

Ford Zetecs, Ford Duratec, Chevy 6 cylinders, LS1's to LS7's. Some

Have Toyota, Mazda or Honda power. It really doesn't make a

a whole lot of difference if it done right and matches the particular

car. Oh yeah, some even have Motorcycle motors, they have their

own upsides and downsides too. Light weight, cheaper, and nice high

Revs. Downside may be a bit more difficult in day to day driving,

some have no reverse, etc.

 

10) Finally, a small point, but check your ground clearance. If you have

a steep drive you may or may not have an issue that is not easily

resolved.

 

Tom

Edited January 19, 2010 by yellowss7

[Al N.]

Thanks guys...I think DTA may also be looking for some specific history/benefits for the various marques as well. No bashing allowed, but feel free to sing the praises of your preferred brand.

[proscriptus]

Thanks Al, and may I say I'm glad to hear you're back in the 7 game.

 

I would definitely appreciate any personal insights into the pros and cons of a particular 7. Please include your full name, or if you're not comfortable leaving that here on the board, feel free to email me at dadolphus@hemmings.com.

 

Tangentially, I noticed the Bulgogi Brothers blog recently ran pics of Boxologist's car from 7-7-7:

http://bulgogibrothers.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/deserted-nyc/

[drew...]

2) Sit in and if possible drive as many of the cars you can to see how you

fit and make sure you understand what the driving experience will be

like. It's not like driving a normal sports car.

 

OR.... decide at 14 years old it's the coolest thing you've ever seen and build one 34 years later - after only sitting in a completed SV (in a trailer) and an S tub in a shipping container!

[DeanG]

Think, think, think, why do you want a Se7en and how will you use it? There are many reasons for acquiring a Se7en: vintage racing, racing, building a car with your own hands, hot roding a classic design, autocross, driving a sporting throwback to another era, owing a piece of history… The main considerations should be history (vintage eligibility is part of this), grip, weight, power and cost.

 

Do you remember the old TV ad for the Triumph Spitfire? “You not only get a car and a girl you get a piece of history.” For the history part you probably want a Lotus built car. Unfortunately to my mind; the noble history of Caterham doesn’t seem to excite many people. Both Caterham and Birkin have romantic histories of their own.

 

If you want a car built by Lotus do your homework to insure that it is as advertised. There are a great many reasons for calling a car that was not built by Lotus a Lotus 7. Some are simple dodges to get around draconian registration laws, others are simple fraud. Check things out with the Historic Lotus Register.

 

Do you want to slide around every corner? The narrow section tiers of the older cars let you do that at sane speeds. If you want a trick suspension with fat gumball tires look at the newer cars.

 

The desire for a very light weight pushes you to the original Lotus 7, more modern cars with basic specifications or the new and exotic carbon fiber and titanium wonders.

 

Want raw power? Maybe a Stalker with a V6 provides the torque you want. Does the wail of a high reving motorcycle engine turn you on? How about paddle shifting? Motorcycle engine Se7ens are a recent invention.

 

Do you want to keep costs down? Buy a well cared for used car. Is the sky the limit? You can option a new Se7en into 6 figures if you really try.

 

My problem is after writing this stuff down I want one for track days, one for touring in the primitive manner and a bike engine car for the sound and paddle shifting. Oh woe is me.