sevenseeker Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Hi guys. Wondering if someone can fill me in the best way to go about picking up one these sevens. There are only a prescious few in Ontario and from what I gather, importing is an issue. I'm interested in a street legal (Ontario) Birkin or Caterham. What's the consensus on how to acquire. Thanks in advance guys, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian 7 Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Takes lots of patience! Not many for sale up here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihckb2 Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Depends on what you want. Turnkey, build your own? Are you stuck on just 2 makes. Do you just want to drive and have fun, race? Buy one and make it yours? Maybe this is still available http://burnaby.allcarsincanada.com/lotus/lotus-caterham-7-8000_499400.html There have been a couple of Canadian Sevens (Fejer) for sale out here in the last year. Originally built in Ontario and there are a few owners on this site. I have one and love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenseeker Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 Thanks guys, I'd prefer a Cat or a Birkin if I had the choice but I'd consider others. Apparently, we can import if older than 15 yrs so I'm also exploring this option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian 7 Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Importing from the States is a great option - I search the listings all the time. Problem is that cars 15 years and older are usually not the higher performance models - if that matters to you. It is getting closer though. I will probably buy a Superlight R soon as the are getting old enough now. I searched for just the right Caterham for around 5 years and then 2 years ago bought my Wesfield as I got tired of waiting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 http://lotusclubcanada.ca/Public/For_Sale/For_Sale.html Keep an eye out on our club site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 sometimes they pop up here in Florida as well. http://www.wirewheel.com/NEW-INVENTORY-LATEST-ARRIVALS.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenseeker Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 wow great resources. Thanks a bunch guys and I honestly cannot wait to become a 7 owner. Thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenseeker Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 Hi Guys, So, I've managed to find a few options for some prospects however one of the standouts is a live rear axle car that I'm not 100% comfortable with. Perhaps you guys can let me know your thoughts on these vs. IRS etc. One of the goals for this car would be track days and without IRS or LSD, I'm frankly a bit concerned. Would love to hear your thoughts... Thanks in advance, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaNostra Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Hi Guys, So, I've managed to find a few options for some prospects however one of the standouts is a live rear axle car that I'm not 100% comfortable with. Perhaps you guys can let me know your thoughts on these vs. IRS etc. One of the goals for this car would be track days and without IRS or LSD, I'm frankly a bit concerned. Would love to hear your thoughts... Thanks in advance, Then you have to look for WESTFIELD. 4 WHEELS INDEPENDENT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenseeker Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 Thanks, Funny thing is I haven't yet come across any Westfields in my searches. Some say that the live axle isn't really an issue per se but I guess to each their own. I'm on the fence about the issue myself as I haven't experienced either as of yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 Bingo - in Toronto http://www.gentrylane.com/s/import-inventory/1989-caterham-super-7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenseeker Posted June 19, 2014 Author Share Posted June 19, 2014 Thanks for that twobone. Unfortunately RHD and no price has been provided. Have heard funny things about Gentry Lane and a few years back when I was interested in one of their Exige's, I wasn't very well recieved so I'm hesitant to pursue their cars. I'm thinking more and more that I will take advantage of the 15 yrs rule and import one from the US. Preferably one with either a Dedion or IRS, lsd and LHD etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toyotus 7 Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 Seems like there's always at least one nice seven for sale in BC. Check "kijiji" or "used victoria" or the "old English car club" classifieds for long enough and the one you want is bound to appear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 When I was looking for my Seven I attended meetings at both the Toronto and Eastern Ontario Lotus Clubs in October and by mid April the following year one was sitting in my garage. Guys tend to sit on a car with the intention of maybe selling it but never really advertise it. Mine was only advertised in the club mag and I found another one that the guy was willing to sell if an offer came in. As for the live rear axle I have one and have mixed feelings. From a handling perspective I don't see DeDion cars getting away from me on corners but then there's the A frame bushings that require replacing every year. If you are going for mega HP then you probably don't want a 50 year old rear axle that was designed to go in a 50 hp saloon car. But unless you have specific reasons for wanting a DeDion rear end or a 5 over a 4 speed gearbox probably the more important point is the overall condition of a particular car. Mine has a live axle, a 4 speed gearbox and a Lotus twin cam engine none of which are necessarily everyones first choice but the deciding factor for me was the cars overall condition and the care that had been lavished on it by the previous owner for the last 20 odd years. Having said that they all have problems eventually and/or regularly but the one constant and guaranteed fact is the smile they put on your face every time you climb aboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toyotus 7 Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 Well said, AndyB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 RHD has not bothered me and in fact it adds to the uniqueness of the ownership experience (something else folks ask about). On the 4 speed vs 5 speed, I would check to make sure the final gearing is higher on a 5 speed. If its not then you are not gaining much in my mind. In terms of live axle vs Dedion. I can't tell you which is better. I only know live axle. The one think to consider is depending on the axle your wheel choices are limited. My Ital axle has a strange PCD so its tough to upgrade my wheels if I wanted to. In terms of LSD, I think that only becomes really important when you have more than 165 HP. Lastly, finding a local car helps you avoid the registration nightmare that can happen if you are not careful. I hear the car at Gentry Lane is ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCBirk Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 If you're looking for turn-key and have the $$$ available, there's the option to go new... http://super7cars.com/ . They occationally have used 7's available as well. If you're interested in building it; new Caterham and Birkin kits can be legally imported into Canada but the RIV process is a PITA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 If you're looking for turn-key and have the $$$ available, there's the option to go new... http://super7cars.com/ . They occationally have used 7's available as well. If you're interested in building it; new Caterham and Birkin kits can be legally imported into Canada but the RIV process is a PITA. The GBB made a stop at that dealer last summer and David treated us to a BBQ. He took me for a ride in his supercharged Hayabusa powered Caterham I won't soon forget. He holds some kind of world record for fastest speed going backwards in that car, well over 100 mph IIRC. There were a number of Sevens, new and used for sale at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 I should mention too that my Seven gets driven hard at the odd autoX/slalom like the one last weekend where I probably did 20 hard runs. Still that live axle and Escort 4 speed gearbox performed well. Should also be mentioned that those 4 speed gb's provide a very fast and positive shift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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