Considering a Caterham or Knockoff for Track Duty

[djoelt1]

I'm new here obviously but have been curious about the Lotus 7 and related cars for years. I currently drive a BMW M3 Lightweight which is primarily a track car that is street driven up to 120 miles to various tracks. I'm an advanced driver and with the suspension mods and track tires on the car I can keep up with some of the Lotus 7's on our local tracks. I'm considering replacing the M3 with a Lotus 7. A few questions:

 

1. How reliable is a Lotus 7 type car going to be compared to the M3?

2. What are the various pluses and minuses of the Lotus 7 cars from the various manufacturers?

3. How difficult would it be to register the car in CA under SB100, if the car comes from another state?

4. Is it inadvisable to street drive such a car 120 miles, as compared to the heated, wind sealed interior of the M3? That is, am I going to end up wanting to tow the car to the the track?

5. For a budget of $25,000, including any track prep including a roll cage, what kind of car should I look for, and what could I afford to build from a kit?

 

Any thoughts or guidance would be appreciated.

[xcarguy]

Here’s a good thread to start with. :rofl:

http://usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8487

[Croc]

1. How reliable is a Lotus 7 type car going to be compared to the M3?

 

They can be very reliable or they can be very unreliable. The difference is in the level of attention and care to maintain. Every seven I have owned has required fettling to get it right and reliable. Two of mine were used when bought and the current one was new. All needed work. Once you methodically work through the car to get it up to scratch then you will find it just as reliable as an M3. However, remember you will be driving a thoroughbred and so it rewards a little more care and attention than a common garden variety shopping cart car.

 

 

2. What are the various pluses and minuses of the Lotus 7 cars from the various manufacturers?

 

This always kicks off a mass debate. I think it really comes down to personal preference. Think of your priorities:

- Pedigree and traditional looks - Caterham

- Traditional looks, cheaper price with only a few sacrifices over a Caterham and US based support - Birkin

- Dirty big throbbing V8, US based parts and support? - Brunton Stalker

- Modern styling and S2000 engine with US based support - WCM Ultralite

- Mix of traditional and modern styling - Westfield

 

All of these options come standard with stunning performance and brilliant handling. All owners will tell you theirs in the best! I suggest you meet up with a few of the owners on here and check the cars out in person. Most owners would love to take you out for a drive to terrorize you.

 

3. How difficult would it be to register the car in CA under SB100, if the car comes from another state?

 

Not difficult at all. Lots of people have done it and there is a strong support group of CA owners to guide you. Sean will be along shortly to chime in on this.

 

4. Is it inadvisable to street drive such a car 120 miles, as compared to the heated, wind sealed interior of the M3? That is, am I going to end up wanting to tow the car to the the track?

 

Well, I used to drive my Caterham to the track from NYC to south Jersey 100 miles. It gets really old pretty soon doing interstate highway runs dicing with feral truckers, Moms breast feeding junior while driving the family SUV with Dad asleep in the passenger seat, elderly couples in the old Mercury doing the Florida trip, harried business men in rent a hacks, etc. Some guys local still do it - but they are hardier than I. My money is on you wanting a trailer eventually.

 

 

5. For a budget of $25,000, including any track prep including a roll cage, what kind of car should I look for, and what could I afford to build from a kit?

 

Well one guy on here bought an old Caterham race car at a very low price (think lower than low teens) and while it needs a new gearbox she will be a great track car. Everything was set up already on it.

 

Birkins go for high teens to low 20s and with some work they could fit your budget. Have not seen a Ultralite get into that price band yet. Stalkers are close though - maybe ever so slightly higher. Best value is in a used car. Kit builds will always be more expensive - I am not aware of a kit build being able to match the budget you have - maybe a Stalker?

[Kitcat]

When I was at Nelsons Ledges 2 weeks ago there were 3 fast cars, a Z06, a track only BMW and my Caterham. The only person who drove there was the ZO6. I drove my first Caterham to tracks everywhere. Some round trips exceeded 1000 miles. But, if you break down, yr stuck. And finding parts and fixxing one of these on the road can be a challenge.

 

I owned and drove an '08 M3 on the track and prefer my Cat. Both are fast, but the Cat just does it differntly. Much more noise, wind, driver involvement, telepathic reflexs, less top speed.

 

Of the numerous se7en varients, nothing is as fast as the V8 Stalker. If you want to beat up 'Vettes and Vipers (and who doesnt:)), that wlld be the shortest path to track dominance.

Edited May 29, 2013 by Kitcat

[JohnCh]

If you're careful with the options, you can *just* get a Miata-based Westfield kit in that price range including a donor pallet from Flyin Miata. One advantage of the Miata-based route is that there are a lot of power upgrades available as you look to increase your investment down the road. For example, Scannon's FM turbo Miata Caterham is putting out north of 300hp. You can play with FM's pricing configurator here.

 

-John

[xcarguy]

Mike Bearden, who lives a two-hour drive north of me just put his Birkin up for sale. It's in your price range; might want to take a look:

 

http://usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8619

 

X :seeya:

[rnr]

Test-fit yourself in one before going much further. There are plenty of us owners in both Nor and SoCal for you to see the cars for yourself.

[WestTexasS2K]

There is an Ultralite s2k available with a 2.2 l Honda. Engine is very low mileage. It was a competive SCCA car for several years. It is street able as well. It has billet rear uprights and a few other accessories. It should fit your price point easily.

 

Like others said go for as many ride and drives as possible.

[ayseven]

I am only scared of other drivers when I drive my 7 alike. It is unlike any other vehicle you will ever drive and cannot be compared to anything else other than a single seater race car. But at it's heart, it is English. I don't think I need to go on.

[twnpipe]

Trailer the car, you don't want to burn up your track tires on the street and you don't have room to carry them and its not relaxing to drive a 7 on the highway.

I haven't tried an M3 but would like to for comparison. a 7 is a four wheel motorcycle with the pluses and minuses, I've done both.

SB100 was not hard in Ca. where are you located? I'm running a turbo Miata in a Kitcar, very easy on tires, Miata parts are cheap the engine was built for durability with 300 hp.

[slomove]

....you don't have room to carry them....

 

Yes you do. This was my quicky solution when the trailer was broken (actually being upgraded to an enclosed trailer). 2 wall shelf brackets, hose clamps, rubber hoses, 2 threaded rods and a few straps. There are more professional tire carriers for Sevens around.

 

Absolutely possible and not too bad for 100-150 miles but I admit, I prefer the trailer

 

 

Edited June 1, 2013 by slomove

[coffee break]

Love it!