Intro, need advise

[rag1998]

I'd also suggest that you try driving an Elise/Exige. Its not as raw as a Seven but is infinitely more practical and can be your only car (as long as parallel parking is not required). Plus you can easily get a used Elise for $25k.

 

I did consider an Elise, before getting the Vette. Driving it, felt like the car was on rails, lots of fun, but finally settled on the vette for the high HP and gorgeous V8 rumble.

 

One reason why I am looking at a 7, is its stunning looks, cool and fun factors, I am pretty much set on the 7 unless something changes during my test drives. Not disregarding your suggestion though as an Elise is still on my list for my fiancée, along with Miata and Mini, if she gets it, its still mine

[jimrankin]

Check out the MINI as the "second/wife" car as having had one for several years and having experienced RNR's Lotus and another friends Miata I can conclude this for you:

Most fun; Elise, hands down. Practical "second" car, no.

Cheapest: Good used Miata. Fun, yes, practical "second" car, no, but closer.

All around; MINI. Ordered an '04 in '03 and started tracking it as soon as I got it past break-in. Have beat the living crap out of it for 80K miles, still keeps on taking it with a smile and I still smile almost as much as in the 7 when I twist it through the early morning on ramps. Two person total comfort no matter how big you are, gobs of room if you just fold down the rear seats because they really aren't anywhere you want to put people for more than a quick trip anyway.

As an aside, my wife was hit in a crosswalk and is in a large full leg cast. Between the BMW wagon, my trucks, other cars and the MINI, the MINI wins hands down as a patient hauler. The whole side of the car is one big door, the seats slide so far back she can sit down and swing her leg in without touching the front of the opening and it's low enough I can lean down and pull her out to standing on one leg without her having to "drop" from a taller seat. Wheel chair fits in back with room for another one if I needed it.

[rag1998]

Thanks for the input Jim! Sorry to hear about your wife, hope she is starting to feel better.

 

Does anyone know of a SS owner with full weather gear?

Edited April 20, 2011 by rag1998

[rag1998]

Had a wonderful day today!

 

Today I went over to Texas Motor Works @ Arlington, TX to meet Dick Brink, dealer for Birkin, which is a 3hr 30min drive from Austin. Spent 5 hrs with him and the 7's, wow what a wonderful gentleman and what a cars. He very patiently explained me, history of the cars, every feature, various packages, all my questions and handed me over the keys to a Berkin for a test drive. My impressions: I was shit scared in that car, had a hard time finding pedals, used narrow shoes still had a hard time, felt very vulnerable, brakes felt soft, after driving around for 20 mins/so got more used to it and felt better driving the car, but boy its a different experience. You all were right, there is no way I could drive that car daily, not without considerable amount of time in the seat.

 

The one I drove had 118 HP with 1700c Ford Crossflow Super Sprint engine, felt that was more than enough for me. Dick Brink took me for a ride in his 280 HP Birkin race car with a sequential shift and full roll cage, that thing was screaming, he did 360's and what not with it!!! Felt like I was at a theme park going on roller-coasters and joy rides!! I still smell like rubber and gasoline!

 

Here is one thing he mentioned that amazed me, his car is a 2001 and still has the same brake pads after considerable amount of track time and street time in it!!!

 

The whole experience made me get even closer to the seven world and the fun that can be had in a seven.

 

What are your thoughts on the 1700c Ford Crossflow Super Sprint engine?

[JohnCh]

I’ve had a 1700 crossflow powered se7en with about 120hp and a Duratec powered version with about 210hp. For me, more power = more fun, but the crossflow has its advantages. First, it sounds absolutely fantastic. Second, it doesn’t have enough power to get in the way of learning the chassis – kind of like the concept of getting into track driving with a momentum car that doesn’t allow you to compensate for cornering mistakes with a simple push of the throttle down the straights. And third, it sounds absolutely fantastic

 

Don’t get me wrong, I would never go back to 120hp (actually plotting an upgrade to 235hp+ now), but I don’t regret having owned a crossflow and would never hesitate recommending that path to anyone.

 

As for not driving the car daily without a considerable amount of seat time, don't overestimate the length of that adjustment period. When I bought my car, I thought I would only use it on back roads and would avoid traffic and freeways, but after a couple of weeks I found myself using it as a daily driver. Not to say it is my daily driver, but during dry months, I use it that way a couple of times a week.

 

-John

[Kitcat]

As a XFlow owner I can say I am very happy after 4+ years. As noted above, its sounds great. It is easy to drive because the power is so modest that you don't have to be especially careful with the throttle. And it still is pretty speedy. At track days I am as fast as the typical Mustangs & Cameros, much faster than Miatas, a tad slower than Elises. I can out corner anyone, I fall back on the straights.

 

I had it tuned on a chassis dyno 3 years ago and it has run great since. It gets mediocre/lousy gas mileage: 20 mpg at 70-75 mph, 13 mpg around town (tho I am usually hammering it). I have 27K miles on mine, and it uses very little oil. I'd love to have another 10-15 hp but except for those long straights at track days, it is irrelevant. It does effect resale: an identical car with a Zetec will cost $3-5K more, typically.

 

Mike

[rag1998]

Thanks for the info!! I have two options now, one is a crossflow and the other a Zetec, will have to see which will work out in the end.

[rnr]

Thanks for the info!! I have two options now, one is a crossflow and the other a Zetec, will have to see which will work out in the end.

 

I'd recommend the more modern engine for reliability and ease of repair. Its probably easier to find a mechanic for a Zetec than it is for a Crossflow. Also while the 118 hp feels like a lot now you will get used to it very quickly and the crossflow will run into its hp limit quicker than a Zetec.

[rag1998]

I'd recommend the more modern engine for reliability and ease of repair. Its probably easier to find a mechanic for a Zetec than it is for a Crossflow. Also while the 118 hp feels like a lot now you will get used to it very quickly and the crossflow will run into its hp limit quicker than a Zetec.

 

I wanted a Zetec / a more newer engine, but the Zetec Birkin I was looking at is sold, so I dont have a choice now, either get the crossflow now and upgrade later to a duratec / wait for a zetec Birkin to go on sale..

 

Hopefully something turns up..

[pksurveyor]

Be patience. Winter time is a good time to buy.

[rag1998]

Right, I am hoping to find one sooner though...;-)

[lowflyer]

I'd like to throw my 2 cents into the discussion.

 

For background, I built a Brunton Stalker in 2005 and drove/enjoyed it for about 5 years.

 

I sold it and bought a Corvette C5 convertible.

 

Neither one is my "daily driver", but if I had to make that decision, it would be the Corvette. The Stalker was a fun toy, but that's about it. The car handled like nothing else. It was "quick" up to about 70 mph, where the aerodynamics (or lack of) kicked in.

 

On the downside, they are cramped, hot in the summer, cold in the winter, wet in the rain, and windy all the time. I installed an intercom system so I could talk to my passengers, that's how loud they are at any speed.

 

Daily driver... I think it would be nuts!!!

 

Ken Edney

Chandler, AZ

[Sevnn]

To second what Jim said earlier, the Mini Cooper is a great all-weather drivers car that is a blast to own and can handle anything you throw at it (as long as it isn't more than 4 people...). I own both an Ultralite S2KR and an '05 Mini Cooper S and they make a great combination. I've driven my Ultralite 20+ miles to work during hot and cold weather but I would only do so once or twice a week as I didn't have a good place to park it and was always having to check on it. If you have a good place at work to park it and your weather isn't going to turn wet, daily driving a 7 for 10 miles to/from work is easily doable. Your time to get in/out of the car is a little more than a "normal" car and you should expect lots of questions any and everywhere you drive, but that is all worth it. I drive mine to get ice cream, a big coke from Sonic with my daughter, grocery shopping (for small items), trips to Lowes, going to rent movies, or just when I have time to kill.

 

I've never owned a Corvette or an Elise and I'm sure they are both incredible cars and would both be on a short list of cars if I was going to have just one and didn't need a back seat (with 2 kids that isn't going to be a list I'll be writing). That said, the 7 is on a completely different level. They are infinitely more fun to drive, infinitely cooler, and they produce their performance by adding extreme levels of lightness. Like you mentioned in your previous post, the 7 owner has never replaced his brake pads. He's probably not replaced tires or clutch very often either.

 

With an Ultralite, you can get to a sub 4 second 0-60 on a STOCK Honda motor that will start and run every time you sit in it. I've owned my S2KR for almost 3 years now and the only time it hasn't started was due to a low battery caused by me leaving the lights on for an extended period of time. I'll probably never put new brake pads on it and will only replace the tires due to age, not wear. Maintenance is easier than the donor cars because you can get to everything on the motor very easily. The wear on the drivetrain is much less than the donor car due to the reduction in weight. In the case of the Ultralite, the drivetrain is pushing around 60% less weight than the S2000 it came out of.

 

If you don't feel the need for rain gear, I would suggest looking at the Ultralite as an option. The Honda drivetrain is very solid, capable of making very impressive power for its size, is rock solid reliable, well engineered, and capable of performing extremely well on the track. Kevin and Loren have both competed in the 1-Lap of America with their Ultralites and placed extremely well considering their competition. A couple years ago, Kevin's car placed 3rd overall and 1st in his class at the 1-Lap. If you aren't familiar with that race, it was something like 11 different races at 9 race tracks in as many days. You race during the day, drive at night, race during the day, drive at night, ... with a total drive distance of something like 3500+ miles. To do that in a 7 (in the cold, rain, etc) and place better than cars that had 250k+ invested in them with full race team support is simply amazing.

[HOTTTCAR]

It was "quick" up to about 70 mph, where the aerodynamics (or lack of) kicked in.

 

On the downside, they are cramped, hot in the summer, cold in the winter, wet in the rain, and windy all the time. I installed an intercom system so I could talk to my passengers, that's how loud they are at any speed.

 

Daily driver... I think it would be nuts!!!

 

Ken Edney

Chandler, AZ

 

 

Stalker as a daily driver? A Stalker is race car.

How do you make the fastest/ best handling car you have ever driven into a daily driver without losing the qualities that you love about it . Or how do you turn your favorite TOY into your daily driver and still b comfortable in all weather.

This may b the way.. at least it’s my idea of a good time.

Buy a Stalker kit … Reliable… Simple… Proven fast… uses Cheap easy to find American Parts

Now to satisfy daily driver requirements

EASE OF ENTRY/ EGRES Change the full roll bar setup so you don’t have to climb thru the bars…but without doors you will still have to step over the side to get in.

OVER 80 PERFORMANCE ------ Install an LS7/TKO600 ( fits easily)

AERODYNAMIC IMPROVEMENT---- Build a removable hard top/ T top with windows

NOISE------ Buy or build a muffler system to quiet the exhaust down…add sound dampening on the back of all aluminum panels.

WEATHER COMFORT---- Install heat and AC

STORAGE SPACE------ Build a trunk and a glove box

LONG DISTANCE DRIVING ---- Install very comfortable padded seats

THAT SHOULD GET YOU MOST OF THE WAY THERE.

Jeez the weight went up by 200 lbs. Now I won’t be able to bring a passenger or maybe it will still handle like it did with a passenger which is definitely ok.

Gale

[lowflyer]

Stalker as a daily driver? A Stalker is race car.

How do you make the fastest/ best handling car you have ever driven into a daily driver without losing the qualities that you love about it . Or how do you turn your favorite TOY into your daily driver and still b comfortable in all weather.

This may b the way.. at least it’s my idea of a good time.

Buy a Stalker kit … Reliable… Simple… Proven fast… uses Cheap easy to find American Parts

Now to satisfy daily driver requirements

EASE OF ENTRY/ EGRES Change the full roll bar setup so you don’t have to climb thru the bars…but without doors you will still have to step over the side to get in.

OVER 80 PERFORMANCE ------ Install an LS7/TKO600 ( fits easily)

AERODYNAMIC IMPROVEMENT---- Build a removable hard top/ T top with windows

NOISE------ Buy or build a muffler system to quiet the exhaust down…add sound dampening on the back of all aluminum panels.

WEATHER COMFORT---- Install heat and AC

STORAGE SPACE------ Build a trunk and a glove box

LONG DISTANCE DRIVING ---- Install very comfortable padded seats

THAT SHOULD GET YOU MOST OF THE WAY THERE.

Jeez the weight went up by 200 lbs. Now I won’t be able to bring a passenger or maybe it will still handle like it did with a passenger which is definitely ok.

Gale

 

Not sure where you got your info, but...

 

I suspect that most Stalkers were never raced, maybe an occasional autocross. At least in my case. They are built as a street toy, back road plaything, and canyon carver.

 

Mine didn't have the rollcage, just a simple rollbar.

 

Install an LS1-7, possible but beyond the abilities of most of us (John Meyer excepted)

 

Build a removable hardtop... you are kidding, right. Same answer for "add air conditioning"

 

 

Mufflers - had 'em. But the wind noise is the real problem.

 

Build a trunk/glove box. Possible, but the end result still wouldn't hold more than a couple of 6 packs. My car had different seats than "standard" with space under them and behind them. Still wouldn't call it "practical". I had a tonneau cover made for mine and it took up all the space behind the driver's seat, when not in place.

 

Don't get me wrong, I loved the Stalker. I built it because I remember my first drive in real Lotus 7, Series 3, but could never afford one of those now. But the whole idea of one of these "7's" is a light, quick, minimal vehicle which give up just about everything to accomplish its goal of going fast, stopping short and handling beautifully. My Corvette gives up some of the sharpness of the Stalker in favor of practicality.

 

Just one guy's opinion.

 

Ken Edney

Chandler, Az

[rag1998]

After much discussions with my better half, we decided to part ways with Vette and go with a economical 4 door car that can serve the family for a good 5 yrs/so and help us save money for the 7, decided to go with the new 2011 Hyundai Elantra, the 5yr 60K warranty and 30/40 MPG sealed the deal for us. Waiting for the vehicle, and started saving up nickels and dimes to finance the 7, cant wait for the pot to fill-up now!!

[HOTTTCAR]

Ken, Ken

 

I am on your side. I was agreeing with you. A Stalker is not a good daily driver for me either. I was listing the things that we are doing to our car to make it an acceptable daily driver just for us. Like you my daily driver is a Vett but would prefer to drive a Stalker more often when the weather is not perfect. I love the violent acceleration and handling of a race car but don't like getting drenched on a blat....Must b getting old.

O you can now buy a factory kit that accepts LS engine. Thanks to customer requests.

Gale