jbanker Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 I am lucky enough to have three daily drivers; Stalker, Miata MX-5 and a Dodge Dakota Quad Cab....I check the daily weather report before I head out for the day. :-) or :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancylad Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 I am the magic youthful age of 63 and have no delusions as to the type of car I drive, she is Basic with a capital B. Good sense is the order of the day where weather is concerned and I have a healthy regard for longevity. Having said that,I do take the car out in less than perfect conditions, and you still can't wipe that stupid grin off my wet, wind blown face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 ....But for me at pushing 60..... OK, I'm pretty sure what the OP means, but can I say I'm still "Pushing DOWN on 60...."? Taber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancylad Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 It's just a number......a old as you feel, and that car knocks twenty plus years off me every time I strap into the silly seat..:driving: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenup Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 I'll be shaking hands with 70 in a few months...still enjoy the rush of my Stalker...actually looked at an S1 this afternoon...slow learning curve... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancylad Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 My kinda seven guy......keep on keepin on,comin thru the pearly gates full bore,sideways drift and all movin parts worn out..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 I myself will be shaking hands with 70 in about 45 days. I just wish I had taken the plunge into Seven ownership when I first became fascinated with them in 1961, instead of 46 years later..... that's half a lifetime of fun motoring that can't be regained. As it is, owning a S1 Caterham is incentive enough to keep my weight down (those Tilletts are narrow!), and to remain limber (I can still enter and exit with the half-hood up and the steering wheel in place, but it's not pretty!). However, no question about winter driving where I live -- with enough outer clothes to stay warm, I'd never fit in the seat. And because it's dark here about 19 hours right now, other drivers might not be expecting to see something that small on the road (though they could certainly hear it!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 We sure have a bunch of old farts on this forum! I hit 68 last August. Been a gearhead all my life and always wanted a Seven but until Caterham came out with the SV I couldn't get my big feet to hit only one pedal at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 Older than dirt: Sixty six this weekend, looking forward to still being on the track at 77. Like Alaskossie, I wasted my youth without a se7en. Now have 2 and have owned 3 total in last 5 years (making up for lost time). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilteq Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 If you want to read the two dominant seven in UK -- I think the dominant se7en in the UK must be Robin Hood, based on sales. Things have probably changed with the recession, but they used to sell 700 cars per year. I think Caterham's capacity is 500 cars per year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultraslow Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 I agree with KitCat. The seven is a one-of-a-kind, and for a variety of reasons, not suited for winter driving; regardless os which variant you choose. However, here is a site that gives a basic overview of some of the variations on the theme. http://www.kitcarlist.com/lotus7.html ultraslow S3 Caterham 7 solid axle 4 spd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayseven Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Depends what you mean by winter. Snow? Forget it. Freezing temps, no snow or ice? Sure, I've done it! Top? What's that? Your legs will be warm; hands, neck and head: not so much (even with gloves, hoodie, and the thickest winter coat I have). People already stare, but when it's cold out, you become positively extraterrestial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancylad Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 It's December and I'm still driving mine....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Me too although we are predicted to get our first heavy snow of the winter tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancylad Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Oh, ya, can't drive ya seven in a buffalo herd......but you can be happy if you've a mind to it, all ya gotta do, is knuckle down and buckle up and do it, do it, do it........right skip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rikker Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 (edited) All the tops suck, and unless you are a dwarf or Russian gymnast good luck getting in and out, and they leak if you do get that far. Yes, but not by choice, and it was an experience, I have never squeezed anything as tight as that little MoMo that night. Heater is like a hamster breathing on you. I would forgo the web sights and experience the cars in person, most owners are more than happy to help out a new buyer, particularly in this forum. Background - I currently have an MGB that I have daily driven on and off for the past five years. I'm considering purchasing a seven replica sometime in the next year or so. My questions are the following: Which variants have the best tops? Has anybody here driven theirs in the snow? How are the heaters in these? Is there a link where I can examine the differences between makes? I am looking at paying around 20k. The ultralights look inviting but I assume that they don't have tops? Thanks for any help. Edited December 19, 2012 by rikker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancylad Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Rikker you are quite right as to trying these cars out is the only way to really know which make,model suits you best. As to your point on the soft tops I can agree partially with you, in as much as accommodation is tight once inside. My lovely lady and me are both in our sixties and have used the top on numerous occasions, getting in and out is like many things in this life,a learning process, once learned,a piece of cake...We drive a Westfield and can have the top in place literally in minutes, leakage...minor. The heater keeps our lower body toasty, that will be an upgrade this winter, there are after market ones way more powerful... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedwagon Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Am 71, have a Superformance S1 with a rotary and a super tight LSD. They are considered to be among the most comfortable of the sevens. but they only made about 50 and repairs can be a problem (right now am looking for a windshield glass with no luck) Would suggest buying a popular brand or a well documented locost, workmanship and parts that are easy to find are very important. Now; I put about 5k miles a year on the car and it is usable in all weather (it does have a hot water heater installed under the dash) , it is fairly dry in a downpour and handles hydro-planing well as any car, with 50% of the weight on the drivers there is good traction and with suitable tires handles well on slick roads (ice at 20 is no different than hot asphalt at 100 or gravel at 70) my longest day trip was about 800 miles and hit a cow on the last 20 and limped home. The S1 has more trunk space than my Miata and for me is easier to get in and out of, the top stays on mine year around folded up for shade in the summer and ready to close. Have a high HP glass buggy that is more fun for short trips but the S1 is a better open road car, you just have to remember that your are always in the other drivers "blind spot"and drive accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancylad Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Am 71, have a Superformance S1 with a rotary and a super tight LSD. They are considered to be among the most comfortable of the sevens. but they only made about 50 and repairs can be a problem (right now am looking for a windshield glass with no luck) Would suggest buying a popular brand or a well documented locost, workmanship and parts that are easy to find are very important. Now; I put about 5k miles a year on the car and it is usable in all weather (it does have a hot water heater installed under the dash) , it is fairly dry in a downpour and handles hydro-planing well as any car, with 50% of the weight on the drivers there is good traction and with suitable tires handles well on slick roads (ice at 20 is no different than hot asphalt at 100 or gravel at 70) my longest day trip was about 800 miles and hit a cow on the last 20 and limped home. The S1 has more trunk space than my Miata and for me is easier to get in and out of, the top stays on mine year around folded up for shade in the summer and ready to close. Have a high HP glass buggy that is more fun for short trips but the S1 is a better open road car, you just have to remember that your are always in the other drivers "blind spot"and drive accordingly. :iagree::driving::hurray: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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