Faster Than A Lotus 7 Replica?

[sciff5]

A little bit off topic but I was curious if you guys knew of any cars faster than the lotus 7 replicas available today that provide the same sort of value.

 

When it comes to a car you can drive to the track, go faster than most of the trailer queens and then drive home I don't think there's a more efficient car on the planet. If there is a better car it usually costs at least twice as much if not many times more expensive.

 

So my question is, do you guys know of any vehicle that can run faster at the track while still being street legal, and costs Lotus 7 type of money, and finally if there is a better car (say ultima GTR for example which is debatable) how much more money do you have to spend?

 

This goes for all cars but realistically tube frame cars will be the only ones that can compete.

 

 

I can't think of one that even comes close

[Croc]

Interesting question. I can only think of motorbikes that provide the same thrills for money equation. Although they have the added bonus of coming with a free donor program sign up for the inevitable accident.

 

However, like most things in life (money, beer, women, shrimp, wheels, etc) I prefer 4 over 2.

 

If you start thinking modified then you get things like:

- V8 Miatas from Flying Miata

- 300hp Honda engined Minis from that crazy mini place in VA

[Kitcat]

Corvette: new and used prices are close to new and used Caterhams.

 

On the other hand, the new v-8 Stalkers shd own the track and likely cost considerably less than a new, high spec Caterham. So it depends on which Lotus replica is being discussed.

 

I think folks who drive se7ens are motivated to do so by more than pure track performance. So even tho I occassionally get waxed at the track by well driven 'Vettes, I am not even slightly tempted to own one. Not saying it's a bad car: it's awesome, just not my cup of tea.

Edited July 7, 2013 by Kitcat

[seafarer]

I have both a corvette and a seven. Thrill factor goes to the seven. Even after a long line of vettes and pony cars the one car I always enjoyed driving on the street was a lowly Tiumph Spitfire. That quirky raw no frills driving experience that only a British sports car can provide.

[Taber10]

Like Seafarer, I now own both, and I won't give up the thrills of the Seven (2007 Caterham SV.) However, driving the Corvette (2013 GS Couple) is also a great experience, in a different way. My commonality is that in both cases, I wish I had bought both of them years before I finally pulled the trigger. I also drove a 1969 Spitfire that my buddy brought back from the UK in 1974, which led me into a couple of TR6s.

[HOTTTCAR]

I also have a Vette and a Stalker, both with LS7 power. The Vett is a daily driver and fun to drive always. The Stalker on the other hand, is so powerful and handles so well that it is hard to describe. Most people that I have taken for a "ride" return somewhat stunned, I believe from the violence and noise of the experience. It even took Lana a while to get acclimated to this car. We had to add more padding to her head rest. This car is not for most people. It is violent, loud, windy, and totally addictive...........well unless you drive it like my grandma. I also have great memories of my TR 6......fun car ....but it broke alot.

Gale

[powderbrake]

I have both a corvette and a seven. Thrill factor goes to the seven. Even after a long line of vettes and pony cars the one car I always enjoyed driving on the street was a lowly Tiumph Spitfire. That quirky raw no frills driving experience that only a British sports car can provide.

 

I also own a Corvette ( 2010 convertible) and a Seven ( Ultralite), and I have tracked the Ultralite and a vette at Spring Mountain school, and the Seven is more fun on the track. However, the feel of that big V8 continuing to pull harder and harder until you run out of track is something you don't get in a Seven.

Edited July 7, 2013 by powderbrake

[xcarguy]

First of all, let me humbly say this; on any given day, no matter how quick / fast one’s car is, there is always one with a quicker/ faster (although, probably not cheaper) car. Having said that, I have owned a handful of American-bred performance cars; a few Z-28 and SS Camaros, Cobra replicas, and the infamous Mustang 5.0; all great cars in their own right. As for Vette’s, I have never owned one, but I probably hold the record for having driven/test driven the greatest number of these cars (C1-current) without the privilege of ownership or having any affiliation with GM. However, nothing I’ve owned, or have personally driven to date, has produced (for me) the unadulterated excitement of driving as has my Stalker. The car’s close-to-the-ground stance, open cockpit and LS6 V8, combined with no nannies (no antilock or power brakes, no traction control, no power steering, no magnetic ride control . . . no nothing) makes for one adrenaline-producing, seat-of-the-pants thrill ride.

Edited July 7, 2013 by xcarguy

[jimrankin]

We tend to forget that our 7 clones are pretty much "gutted" cars with nothing that isn't needed for making it just run and meet legal requirements added. You can get as fast, or even faster, by buying a really beat Mustang/Camaro or other "performance" car and without spending gobs of cash make a 300-400 cubic inch American V8 into a gutted out well handling track monster. Having said that, I still prefer my S2K over a friends modified Z06 I have driven in the past. (REALLY good friend, told me quit driving it like a puss and go out and beat it, it can take it). Nice having the power keep coming on and almost no aero drag or lift at 100++ but it just doesn't have the 7's thrill of sitting where you can touch the track surface and feel like your part of the machine. But unless your 7 clone is really powerful it's hard to make up in the corners what you will lose to the V8's on the straights.

It might be a problem with "correctly" remembering fun from my youth but some of the most fun I ever had in a car (including the 7) was racing friends late at night on hilly twisty back roads with my modified MGA 1600 in the late 60's/early 70's. Such a forgiving plain fun car for a young dumb driver.

[lucky dawg]

Only thing close would be a V8 Ariel Atom. Same basic theory as a 7, taken to a different level. Drivable to the track, especially if your track if close by.

[Mondo]

I wanted a Noble M400 ( A/C for the trip to and from the track) but a bit out of my range.

Had a Lotus Europa in the 80s & a nice TR6 but got tired of working on them.

[HOTTTCAR]

A Noble 400 is a great car. I have pushed one to its limits a couple of times....this is a great car....but it looks like it was designed by a committee...didn't buy it.

[Kitcat]

Noble M400 was on my list for a long time. Even bid (a lot) on one on E-bay but not enuf. Later got an e-mail from an owner who said they are great, but fall apart with great regularity, need many upgrades to be trackworthy, etc. So I ultimately passed.

 

The one track comparison I saw with a Caterham, the Caterham was much quicker (4 seconds a lap?).

 

Noble was replaced by Rossion and it apparently was recently purchased by someone who also bought the Mosler "plant" where both will be assembled? Its tough selling "kit cars".

[Klasik-69]

I also own both a Corvette, well actually three of them, and a Caterham R300, both cars are a lot of fun in their own way. My 07 Z06 is a blast on the track, especially the ones with long straights like Roebling, Road Atlanta and Sebring. At Daytona, I had it up to 175 mph on the front straight. It's a thrill. However, running the Vette at the track is very costly. Hoosier R6 tires are $1700 and last about 3 track days, sometimes 4. The CarboTech pads cost $542 and last two days at Sebring. 50 to 60 gallons of fuel per day isn't cheap either. With my 7, I run all year on the same Hoosiers. I burn about 10 to 12 gallons of fuel per day, and brake pads are almost unused. However, a top speed of 132 or so is a little disappointing but that will wane off as you go ripping through the turns. If I had to pick another car to race, with a best bang for the buck as this thread is concerned with, I would choose the Stalker with an LS3 engine and Tremec 6 speed. I do think the Stalker will burn up tires and brake pads a lot faster than the 7, and fuel again will likely be between the 7 and the Z06. I'm not sure if the Stalker has the same wonderful character as the 7, and certainly more weight/mass is another issue.

 

I'm greedy and I really want it all so I'm looking to add the Stalker later this year or early next year, and I don't plan on getting rid of anything. I'm fortunate in having a 3000 sq ft building to house and work on the cars. I also have another 1200 sq foot air conditioned detached garage to keep a few more. Cars are a lot of fun.