Any info would be nice

Any info would be nice

Author
Discussion

fuji

Original Poster:

43 posts

218 months

Wednesday 14th March 2007
quotequote all
Im wanting a fun car for summer and a Caterham is on top of my list but i have a few questions and hopefully you lot can help
Ive just read the thread about size but just in case this makes a difference to what car to pick im 6"4 18 stone.
I really have no idea what model to go for, the car will be mainly for road use and i dont really want to spend a fortune (about £15000 max).
I think i would like to buy used to get the best deal but am i better buying one from a reputable dealer ( i live in the west midlands ) and if so who ?
Any thing i should be looking out for as im a complete novice ?

Regards Fuji

lord summerisle

8,148 posts

232 months

Wednesday 14th March 2007
quotequote all
get your butt over to Caterham Midlands nr to Mallory Park, they usually have a SV and narrowboded selection for you to try.

Eric Mc

122,858 posts

272 months

Wednesday 14th March 2007
quotequote all
Find out where your local chapter of the Lotus Seven Club meets regularly. Find out when their monthly get togethers are. Get along to one of these meetings and chat to the car owners. Some might even oblige and take you for a spin.

You should find out where the local area clubs meet by going onto www.lotussevenclub.com

If you want to ask questions on the club forums, you need to become member of the club. However, the information on the main webpages are free to view.

incorrigible

13,668 posts

268 months

Wednesday 14th March 2007
quotequote all
Mechsympathy has an SV for sale, if that's the size you want his will be cheaper than the dealers

Look in the PH classifieds yes

casbar

1,112 posts

222 months

Wednesday 14th March 2007
quotequote all
Probably need an SV. Don't know if you'll get one in your 15k budget, but you may do.

sjmmarsh

551 posts

227 months

Wednesday 14th March 2007
quotequote all
Fuji

I am 6'4" and 18st, so may be able to help. I have an SV and while I can fit in a narrow bodied car, it is not exactly comfortable on my hips and I also look over the screen rather than through it.

My SV has a lowered floor, mainly because I needed to get my helmet well below the roll bar to comply with MSA regs when competing in Sprints.

It really is best if you try several cars for size. Even an SV will seem cramped compared to a normal car, but you will quickly get used to it and like the reassurance of fitting snugly into the car. To get an idea of the impact of a lower floor, take the seat squab out of the car and sit on the bare floor - you'll be surprised how much of a difference it makes.

As you will be aware, not all 6'4"ers are the same - I have a long back, but 'normal' legs. I have a friend with an SV who is 6'6", but sits much more upright in the car than I do with the result that he could hardly reach the pedals in my car.

All cars (except the CSR) have pedals that can be repositioned (there are 3 mounting points), so you should be able to get comfortable. The other benefit of a lowered floor is my knees are not knocking on the dash while driving.

If you have a passenger, they will appreciate the SV more as you get more shoulder/elbow room to drive.

Steve

sjmmarsh

551 posts

227 months

Wednesday 14th March 2007
quotequote all
Fuji

If you are near Lichfield, get over to Curborough on Sunday - I will be there and there should be a few other Caterhams to try for size. Alternatively Caterham Midlands is on the A47 West of Leicester.

Steve

mechsympathy

54,262 posts

262 months

Thursday 15th March 2007
quotequote all
incorrigible said:
Mechsympathy has an SV for sale, if that's the size you want his will be cheaper than the dealers

Look in the PH classifieds yes


yesJust put it back in as it had dropped off the bottomyikes

casbar said:
Don't know if you'll get one in your 15k budget, but you may do.


It's pretty close

fuji

Original Poster:

43 posts

218 months

Thursday 15th March 2007
quotequote all
sjmmarsh said:
Fuji

If you are near Lichfield, get over to Curborough on Sunday - I will be there and there should be a few other Caterhams to try for size. Alternatively Caterham Midlands is on the A47 West of Leicester.

Steve


Thx everyone for all the info , im away this weekend but thx u for the offer sjmmarsh
Going to look at a few next week with a bit of luck