Advice needed: is a Seven a good idea for me?

[Klasik-69]

Maybe you've never worked on cars before but that doesn't mean you can't learn, and for the most part, it's not very difficult. The other big plus is that you have a whole forum full of very knowledgeable guys who can give you very expert advice on fixing most anything. I know I've benefited from them quite often.

 

You should ask questions directly to Xcarguy about the size of the Stalker since he owns one. He should be able to give you a pretty good idea of the size difference and any advantages or disadvantages. Personally, I'm going to go over to the Brunton factory in a couple of weeks to see exactly what they have. I love my Caterham but the idea of 450 HP or more is slightly intoxicating.

 

My advice to you on the windshield and attaching top cover, side curtains, etc. is forget it. I know I'm going to catch some Hell over this but this car is really a fair weather car. Yes, some guys do go on long trips and don't mind wearing the same pair of underwear for 3 days (wear, flip, flip, burn) :rofl:. Some people ride bicycles cross country too. Not me, and you've got the Cayman for those trips as well.

[speedwagon]

Maybe you've never worked on cars before but that doesn't mean you can't learn, and for the most part, it's not very difficult. The other big plus is that you have a whole forum full of very knowledgeable guys who can give you very expert advice on fixing most anything. I know I've benefited from them quite often.

 

You should ask questions directly to Xcarguy about the size of the Stalker since he owns one. He should be able to give you a pretty good idea of the size difference and any advantages or disadvantages. Personally, I'm going to go over to the Brunton factory in a couple of weeks to see exactly what they have. I love my Caterham but the idea of 450 HP or more is slightly intoxicating.

 

My advice to you on the windshield and attaching top cover, side curtains, etc. is forget it. I know I'm going to catch some Hell over this but this car is really a fair weather car. Yes, some guys do go on long trips and don't mind wearing the same pair of underwear for 3 days (wear, flip, flip, burn) :rofl:. Some people ride bicycles cross country too. Not me, and you've got the Cayman for those trips as well.

Here is your flack; would rather drive the S1 than the Miata it is much easier on the back, and have been in the cold, rain and snow with it, it will also carry more luggage. If it only had a hard top.

[jeffs]

I won't try to talk you out of it, but I've owned a Boxster, and Elise and a Caterham, and the Elise is a nice happy medium of the 3. Significantly more exciting and with more character than the Porsche while being loads more practical than the 7. Unless you will never _need_ to drive the car, and can only drive it when you want to I think I'd recommend the Elise.

 

You need to be seriously concerned about the insurance. Hagerty will not insure everyone, and even with a clean record they informed me a week before my Caterham arrived that they would not cover me. The other two insurance companies I found that would required a second car. Not saying this is an insurmountable hurdle...just one that is bigger than you'd think it would be.

[Aardappel]

xcarguy: yeah, parking the cayman already costs a lot, and having the 7 for sunday drives would mean I only use the cayman for... getting to the 7 (and shopping maybe), so that's not practical. It's gotta be a 1 car solution. I happen to live very central in SF so getting a private storage space or garage within reasonable distance is problematic (I looked yesterday on craigslist). If insurance requires that, that might be a dealbreaker.

 

Rikker: SF Bay Area... climate here is good, little rain, if anything SF itself can be a bit cold for an open car, but generally great once you drive out of it.

 

scannon: well, those valets have had my cayman for almost a year now, and they will have whatever else I buy next, e.g. an elise if not a 7.

 

rnr: so the list of requirements increases: besides finding someone who can help me work on it, I will need my own private garage (for unsurance and to not have others touch it), and I'll need to keep a regular car (I guess I'd swap the cayman for a mazda 2 or whatever, since it be purely a grocery getter at that point). Hmm, that's going to be quite the commitment.

 

centerfireman: thanks for the tip! That'll be very useful. Yes, certainly not looking at this too rationally, I know a 7 will give me more joy than anything else I could practically afford (a BAC Mono is way out of my range!

 

blubarisax: I've already had that first drive, which is why I am so seriously considering overcoming these obstacles at all Oh, are you the person with the lowered floor? Do you have any post anywhere explaining some details of that?

 

danilo: eek.. no rain driving then. The birkin I drove for 2hrs or so, and at no point did I feel noise was an issue, I guess it had a well sorted exhaust. The only thing I remember was engine heat in the footwell wasn't ideal for driving in 90f texas weather I will look at caterhams if I go for it.. if I can cover the initial outlay I am sure depreciation is low.

 

kitkat: yes, be fun to see how different rnr's car feels from the Birkin I drove. While bikes are of course awesome, the 7 is about as crazy as I want to go from a safety perspective. Definitely looking to buy used, yes.

[Aardappel]

Klasik-69: I'd actually be down to learn about mechanicals, especially if learning would start with putting a kit together. But this requires lots of time and a private garage with space for tools & parts etc, which may be too much to ask at this point in life. Definitely a dream I have for the future. Thanks, I'll ask him. Yup, not too worried about the weather aspect.

 

jeffs: yup, the more I read y'alls advice, the more I think it is a tall order. Unless I can somehow find a good garage etc etc... so yes, once I decide against it, I'll be looking for a well sorted Elise.

[yellowss7]

As for the build process, it's a great way to learn about your car. I assembled mine in 2000. It took a total of 80 hours to get it up and running. Hardest part for me was sorting thru the bag of bolts, washers and nuts, marked MISCELLENEOUS! It was just like putting a model together as a kid, just follow the instructions. That's the nice thing about the Caterham kit. You don't have to go sourcing parts for the assembly.

Lifting the engine an gearbox into place took all of 10 minutes max. I would still have a mechanic check it over once you finish it though.

 

Still it's much cheaper to buy a used one, you just don't know about the build quality. I'd buy the one from Kitcat. He always fixes them before he sells them. :leaving::seeya:

 

Tom

[timax]

Problem 1 is your height. A friend of mine has a Birkin and he is 6'4". He finds it fine after moulding his own seat which moves him back to the firewall and drops him down so he can see under the windscreen frame. This was a foam in a bag seat and you will find many people who will help you make one. Leg room is fine but check the arm room. For me with long arms its a little tight. Cost no object then a wide body Caterham.

Problem 2 is maintenance . No reason why it shouldnt be reliable. Depends who built it and thats a very important point. 2 cars can look the same but you want the one that was built with care and thought. Not slapped together using second hand parts of untested quality. These cars are though a pleasure to tinker with. Just cleaning them you will learn a lot. Good to have a spanner in your back pocket with a polishing cloth in the other.

3 is parking. I would have a chat to the parking guys. Tell them that you want to be able to park it yourself. Get friendly with them. They may be car guys also and thrilled to have something different to look at.

4 is shopping. My local opens at 6am. I love taking the 7 and see how much i can fit in there . Sometimes drive home with a bulk pack of toilet paper on my lap but still puts a smile on my face. If it dosnt then you know you bought the wrong car.

[IDreamOfChapman]

On the insurance thing: specialty / collector car insurance like Hagerty does require a second "normal" car but it varies from state to state whether or not you can insure a Caterham as if it were a "normal" car with a mainstream insurer like State Farm. I'm not sure about California, as I don't live there. Someone else from California will surely chime in.

 

Where I live in Oregon a mainstream insurer would not touch the car so I ended up with American Collectors which, like Hagerty, required proof of a daily driver which was not the Caterham for every licensed driver in my household. Registration was a breeze however.

[jlumba81]

Also watch where you park. A truck bumped in my 7 and crack the rear left fender on the 2nd day after I got it home.

[slomove]

Come on guys, sometimes I wonder if you really like your cars :willy_nilly:

 

I know a guy who used to own a Birkin in the area to commute 140 miles per day from Pasadena to Oxnard and back through LA Traffic. I guess after 3 or 4 years he has had it and sold the car. But I hope he enjoyed it during the time.

 

My suggestion would be to buy one of the pretty good used Seven deals to be had right now (maybe not the most expensive and crazy one) and try it out (assuming the insurance thing can be sorted out). As mentioned before, once used they don't lose much value and if it turns out not to be a good idea just sell it on. You may or may not make a buck on the sale.

 

Martin K. has a very nice and well built Locost for sale with CA title for a very reasonable price.

Edited April 11, 2013 by slomove

[blubarisax]

I'm nearly 6-7 (218#) and easily fit in an SV. Lowered floors and a tall roll bar work fine. I sat in an S3 and almost fit. You have to try one on for size, everyone is different. Lowered floors don't look too bad to install, Caterham USA did mine with the build.

[Klasik-69]

Here is your flack; would rather drive the S1 than the Miata it is much easier on the back, and have been in the cold, rain and snow with it, it will also carry more luggage. If it only had a hard top.

 

Well, OK, but where did I make a comparison to a Miata ? I mean I agree with you on the Miata. Mine is a full race SM with full cage, race seat, etc and I can't brag about the comfort factor either, especially since I do have a hard top which only makes it more cramped.

 

On the hard top issue for a 7, if I remember right someone had a post with some pictures of 7's in Japan and they had cleverly made fiberglass tops for these cars. I thought they looked a little awkward but they were functional.

[xcarguy]

You should ask questions directly to Xcarguy about the size of the Stalker since he owns one. He should be able to give you a pretty good idea of the size difference and any advantages or disadvantages. Personally, I'm going to go over to the Brunton factory in a couple of weeks to see exactly what they have. I love my Caterham but the idea of 450 HP or more is slightly intoxicating.

 

Klasik,

 

If you go to the Brunton factory, you should hook up with Mario Parker while in the area. Mario has a stalker with an LS V8. Mario is retired, has years of track and race experience, has tracked his Stalker and can give you an honest opinion on these cars. He lives on Longboat Key and keeps his Stalker in Tampa. If you want his contact info, send me a pm. My car has an LS6 with an est. 425hp at the flywheel (370rwhp on the dyno). 'Intoxicating' is a good term for defining the car's acceleration. Being form the South, I just prefer to say it 'goes like stink'. If you can live with the fact that A Stalker doesn't quite look at traditional as a Caterham or Birkin (and is a bit raw in comparison), you can buy ALL parts state-side. :flag:

 

X

 

For what it's worth, here is a not-so-good photo of my somewhat non-traditional Stalker. In the photo, I've removed the 17" rolling stock and replaced them with 15 inchers and Avons for an upcoming HPDE at MSR Cresson.

[stevengines]

I also have and love the Stalker. Just a 280hp scV6 for me though. I can break the tires free easily up to about 50mph though so it's still pretty quick.

 

I'm 6' 220# but have the torso of a 6'5 or so person with really short legs. Fit is snug and enveloping with the ultrashield race seats I put it. I have the seats directly on the firewall and floor to maximize room. My taller siblings that are 6'5" can drive it as well...

I'm have a very long torso and found the classic seven windshield to be right in my sight line. I built and used the chopped version of a window as well for a few months, loved the visibility, hated the chaff. I have since added a much taller cage with t-top style roll bar that slopes back much more than a classic seven that doesn't require the acrobatics to get in, in addition this gives a great place to mount a full size windshield. I added some side windows that make the car less turbulent then my regular cars with the windows down.

 

As far as being your only car? I've had at least 2 cars since I was 18 and love to have a beater/commuter style car, for the salty UT roads in the winter I wouldn't ever drive the 7 on.

I have gone shopping and made plenty of trips to the hardware store in the 7, get lots of funny looks and questions but I've found with some rope and ingenuity I haven't had to leave anything at the store for a second trip.

 

I did not enjoy long drives before I put the current windshield/side windows on. If you like motorcycles with no shield the ride will be the same. I find it taxing. I have a miata as well if I feel I need a little extra storage space and better climate control. As well as a couple cars for my family to roll around in.

 

I'd like to add a bikini style top so I don't have to worry about being parked in the rain and there are lots of ways to do it. But I think there's only one stalker owner with a homebuilt hardtop out there.

 

Good luck with whatever you pick, I'm sure you'll love the driving. I would be surprised if you didn't want to start tinkering with the car though, it's kind of an addicting hobby... Then through in some track days, drag, or autocross and you'll be completely hooked.

 

Here's some pics of how I laid out the windscreen...

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=19904

[Aardappel]

Wow, impressed by the warm welcome I am getting on this forum, the feedback has been awesome to help make up my mind... thanks everyone!

 

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yellowss7: yup, I know I would enjoy that, and 80hrs is not bad. All depends on a garage, and also from a reliability pov having it done by a pro might be preferable.

 

timax: yes, seems the height problem can be solved depending on how much I want to spend (SV with lowered floor would probably be best but isn't cheap). Asking if I can park it myself would be a step forward, but sounds like I might realistic need a garage anyway for other reasons (insurance, and being able to work on it), so that now becomes the #1 problem first and foremost.

 

IDreamOfChapman: yes, the insurance I will need to call around before pulling the trigger. Having a second car is not going to work for me.

 

slomove: yup, I can always try it, and sell it if I don't like it. Thing is, I already know I'll like it. First need to figure out the garage/maintenance angle on it.

 

blubarisax: thanks, thats good to hear. I'm sure an SV with lowered floor would be the awesome, just not cheap.

 

stevengines: wow, your stalker looks very suitable for a tall person with that windshield!

 

---

 

so, my current plan: figure out if I can find a private garage to rent, reasonably close & cheap. Figure out if I can insure one of these things as a single car in CA. If any of that fails, it's looking for Elises for me. choose which one to get (all the way from getting something cheap and worry about the height problem later, to getting an SV made for me with lowered floor).

[snookwheel]

I did add a top / sunroof to our stalker, it really makes a nice difference for road trips as far as reducing buffeting and getting out of the sun, and we can carry on a conversation at highway speeds. It mounts or removes in about a minute. Not for everyone, but works for us! I am just under 6' and around 190 lbs., with room to expand.... Width wise, I think my height potential has already been passed. Hope it's OK to post a link, remove and my apologies if not.

 

http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=14472

[stevengines]

Aardappel: You going to jump in the crowd?

 

Snookwheel: I love the hardtop you made... That is exactly what I'm trying to do with mine. I will likely shamelessly rip off your idea. I don't have a friend with a golf cart though so my material will probably be different. I really like the speaker mounts on there too. I've been eyeing wakeboard tower speaker mounts to consider adding a radio back to the car.

Edited April 15, 2013 by stevengines

[snookwheel]

Hey Stevengines,

Thanks! You can pick up used or take-off golf cart tops from any golf cart shop that does customizing, only around $40 - $50 in our area.

[Aardappel]

steveengines: Delaying my decision at least until I meet rnr this thursday to experience his Ultralite. So far, my search for garages around here is not looking good, the ones that are truely private are few, and the only suitable one I have found so far is 700$/month, which may be a bit much for a hobby. I'll keep looking and for sure report back here

[ayseven]

One thing you might think about is that these things attract more attention than Dolly Parton's chest. You get tired of it, actually. I've never actually met Dolly Parton, although she sings well, I hear.