How much do you drive your Seven?

[McDougal]

I am new to this website and the world of Sevens, so please excuse the newbie question. I realize that a Seven isn't the most practical car, but they sure do look like fun. Right now I own an Evo IX which is a fun car to drive. I love my Evo but it gets bad gas mileage and I have a hard time driving it hard because it is a nice car. Just yesterday I read a thread on an Evo website about a member who recently bought a Seven. In my less than 24 hours of researching Sevens, I have determined that they seem to be an incredible "bang for the buck" as far as sports cars go.

 

All rambling aside, I am curious as to how much most of you actually drive your cars. Do you drive them to work in traffic, or is it strictly a weekend and good weather car? Just trying to get a feel for how streetable they are.

 

Your comments are appreciated!

[xflow7]

Usage patterns vary a lot. I typically average ~2000mi a year on mine. I drive it to work occasionally, but not regularly due to the terms of my insurance.

 

Streetability also varies a lot depending on engine spec, gearbox, etc. My car has a modestly tuned Ford Crossflow and a conventional 5spd. It's tractable and while traffic certainly isn't fun, it's not a big problem.

 

Mostly I drive mine for fun touring drives, or to shows, races, etc.

[Ian7]

Admittedly not typical... I put 3000 miles on my previous 7 in one weekend trip to LOG18, but have only 2000 miles on my current car that I've had for 5 years..... Sigh!

[nleroux7]

I do around 4000 miles every summer with my Birkin S3. It's just too fun to drive!

 

I have a 2.0L Zetec with dual 45 DCOE Weber carbs.

 

I do avoid traffic as much as possible since the car is getting VERY hot. But I'm not affraid to take my car for a 8 hours drive. The car is really reliable.

 

I also tuned my suspension for touring.. I do not race my car. It helps a lot over long road trips.

 

And if you're driving a lot on the highway: side curtains are a must.

[scannon]

I'm getting close to 10,000 miles in three years with my Caterham. I can't drive it to work because I'm retired and don't work but if I did have a job, it would get used for that.

 

I use it for everyday chores like shopping, visits to the doctor, dentist and most anything. You should see the looks I get when I load up the passenger seat and the boot with groceries.

 

But the most fun I have with the car is carving the canyons, doing track events and scaring the piss out of people I take for rides. I can't take it on long trips unless I tow it in the trailer as I have to take along my oxygen supply. I get some funny looks when I strap the portable O2 tank in the passenger seat and head out on the track. So far, no sanctioning body has refused to let me run with the O2. I've also been accused of plumbing the O2 into the motor, but hey, LOx is better than NOx.

 

The car has a turbocharged Miata engine with a little over 300 RWHP but is very easy to drive in traffic, not at all finicky. People are always asking me if I worry about driving it on the interstate or other freeways. I tell them if something big hits me I'm dead, squashed like a bug but I don't think about it, I just drive defensively.

 

I don't drive the car when it is raining or snowing although I have been caught out in a number of sudden rain storms. I tend to avoid cold days but not always.

[KiwiBirkin]

Hi I drive mine all the time in the 18 months of ownership of my Birkin I have just passed 12427 miles and it had a 2 month layup while having a engine change otherwise it would have been more.

 

Me and my wife use ours for everything from visiting friends around out town to stopping in shopping malls for shopping its really become our daily driver for anything we don't need the station wagon for. I find it fun in traffic too but then we don't have big state highways like you do in the US but never the less I don't let traffic put me off.

 

I have used it for camping trips and for touring too with other cars which is really good fun, Seven ownership is all about getting what you want from the car and then setting it so it becomes as practical as can be for the purpose you want to use it for which we have done.

[McDougal]

But the most fun I have with the car is carving the canyons, doing track events and scaring the piss out of people I take for rides. I can't take it on long trips unless I tow it in the trailer as I have to take along my oxygen supply. I get some funny looks when I strap the portable O2 tank in the passenger seat and head out on the track.

 

Oh the visuals I got while reading this post...The thought of you needing an O2 tank but taking people out in the car to "scare the piss out of them" is pretty hilarious!!

 

Thanks for all the responses.

 

As of right now I am kind of leaning toward a Brunton Stalker since they seem to be on the more affordable end of the spectrum. Are there any good threads you could direct me to that discuss the pros and cons of the various different manufacturers?

 

One quick question. Are the V6 NA and supercharged motors that the Brunton models use interchangeable? In other words, if I got the NA "Stalker" could I upgrade to the supercharged "Super Stalker" motor by itself, or would I need a brand new chassis/new motor mounts?

[McDougal]

Hi I drive mine all the time in the 18 months of ownership of my Birkin I have just passed 12427 miles and it had a 2 month layup while having a engine change otherwise it would have been more.

 

Me and my wife use ours for everything from visiting friends around out town to stopping in shopping malls for shopping its really become our daily driver for anything we don't need the station wagon for. I find it fun in traffic too but then we don't have big state highways like you do in the US but never the less I don't let traffic put me off.

 

I have used it for camping trips and for touring too with other cars which is really good fun, Seven ownership is all about getting what you want from the car and then setting it so it becomes as practical as can be for the purpose you want to use it for which we have done.

 

Nice mileage. Good to hear they can be driven quite a bit.

[pi7ot]

I have had my Birkin since 10 09 2001.

It has 28,4xx miles on the odometer.

 

Used for track events and treatment for ennui.

All but 500 miles have been on R compound tyres.

I also have a pair of M3s to keep me out of the 7 but that ploy has been a mixed success.

 

m

[Croc]

Just yesterday I read a thread on an Evo website about a member who recently bought a Seven.

 

I suspect you probably came across Bster13 (name on USA7s) as he has an Evo and recently bought a Stalker. He originated a few postings in the last 6-9 months where he was debating the merits of various cars. A lot is personal preference re styling, drivetrain preference, sizing, price. All of them are stunningly good bang for buck.

 

I put about 8000 miles a year on my car last year however this year is only about 2000 miles since I have been spending 100,000 miles on a plane. I sometimes drive mine to work - it is practical as a comute car provided you drive defensively against the average commuter muppet driver. They are not practical when it rains as you generally will get wet in some place. They are a little more highly strung than say a Toyota Corolla although some judicious maintenance and monitoring can see it be a very reliable car. This year all I have had to do is hop in and it starts first time every time - regular servicing has seen it well.

 

I suggest you make the effort to get out and see/feel/sit in every type of Seven to understand them better. Until you see one in the flesh then it starts to be real. Taking a first drive is an eye opener

[Kitcat]

I sold my Evo VIII and bought a Caterham. I have put 13K miles on in just over 3 years. I use it as my daily driver in good weather/daylight.

 

I liked both cars a lot, but as a daily driver, the Evo is much better. It has a locking trunk, all weather protection, is quiet, has a radio, a back seat, etc. It is apples and oranges because the visceral thrill of driving a se7en, to me offsets all of its short comings.

 

It wldnt work if I didn't also have several more practical cars to drive as needed (T-Bird, M3, Prius).

 

The Stalkers are amazing and a great LISS option.

 

Mike

[jimrankin]

I drive mine on the street whenever possible as an easy way to add just plain fun to what would be a daily chore and then take it to the track as often as possible because, well, that's even more FUN!! I have a basic "stock" honda S2000 2.2L motor and six speed and other than no air conditioning or rain protection it's just as easy to drive in traffic as any other "stick" car would be. I live in the SF Bay Area so we get lots of sunny but cool days so the car actually is "practical" most of the year. I have driven it in pretty heavy rain and other than me getting soaked the car ran and handled fine with no electrical or other issues.

[TonyI]

First fifteen years that I owned it drove it to work and play, now with all the road constuction around here= stike one, first grandchild we went everywhere now he has a sister that goes with me also...so I take the 67'Jeepster Commando that we bought new, it has the extra seat. So usage has been slowing down the last five years, last two she kinda sat:( thats also why I just put it up on C/L. Can't stand to see her not getting exercised. BTW they both love the little car but taking one at a time just don't get it...

When I drove it to work everyone used to stop and watch me get in and out, it was even better when I kept the top on. 6'2" and at the time 230lbs LOL now i'm up 10:( and yes I still fit LOL

 

have fun in your search they are great fun i've had mine for 20yrs...

 

Tony

[jimrankin]

I seem to have a problem attaching photos to this site but (if it's here)thought this was kind of funny and in the same nature as the passenger & air tank load. I keep my boat in storage about 135 miles from my house (but only a mile from my houseboat, LOL) and went up in April to do my "spring cleaning". I packed a 50' garden hose, small floor jack, wheel bearing grease and rags, electric buffer, polishing compounds and wax, spare clothes and tennis shoes, wash bucket and other goodies in the passenger seat and a 2.5 Gal. gas can in the "boot". Luckily I keep the small generator in the storage unit because otherwise I would have had to bungie it to the roll bar! LOL.

[McDougal]

^^

 

jimrankin - That is the best looking interior I have seen yet. Love all the carbon!

 

One thing I forgot to mention is that I am 6'5". I don't know about the other brands, but from what I have heard the Brunton seems to be better for taller people.

 

I have found one person who lives local to me and I am hoping he'll let me come take a gander at his car.

 

If I sell me Evo to get one of these I will definitely be getting a commuter. However, I would try to drive the 7 as much as possible.

[jimrankin]

I'm only about 6' but was having to bend my knees with the original pedal set up. I did the fopllowing mods and now one of my 6'4" 200++Lbs friends can fit comfortably. When the pedals are moved forward it did get "tight" but I shaved the break pedal lower inboard edge and took 1/2" off the gas pedal width and moved it slightly inboard. There is still more adjustment when set for 6'4" driver.

Pictures aren't in order and I did a bunch of related changes to the slide mount and mounting brackets for the whole mess but this gives you an idea of how much room an S2k actually has.

[11Budlite]

I drive my Birkin every chance I get. The only time I won't drive it is when the snow comes and there's crap on the roads. Ok, it's not much fun to drive in steady rain either so I typically won't drive it when there's much rain predicted. Cold weather is no longer an issue since I picked up a heated motorcycle jacket. It does get tiring driving on the highway but if I slow it down to 65mph (or below) or use the side curtains I find it's much more tolerable. I also use it for runs to Home Depot! http://www.usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4237&highlight=birkin

[MHKflyer52]

jimrankin,

 

That is one nice simple setup for adjustable pedals you have come up with.

 

I like it.

[nleroux7]

We should specify where we live. I you live in Florida you'll get higher mileages.. I live in Quebec and I can only take my Birkin 8 months/year.

 

"Every winter always seems to last forever when you're waiting after the sun to melt that ice and snow.."

[jimrankin]

Hi Quebec,

I feel for you buddy, lived in Maine as a kid and will never live in snow again. To paraphrase the county sone "happiness is any part of a Maine winter in the rear view mirror". It's crowded and expensive here, probably because it's soo nice. I can be at the ocean in minutes, the valley in an hour, the foothill lakes in two hours and the snow in four(if I had any desire to do that, NOT). Makes being a "7er" here easy. It's you hardcore types from the far frozen north and the 30 minute weather change areas who really prove what these cars mean to us, putting up with the worst because these cars are the best. Have a great eight months!