Help..... Thinking of buying a 7
Discussion
Thanks Smollet,
In fact I don't mind wind or cold weather - I enjoy driving my SLK in winter with roof down, however when it rains I just press the button. With a 7 things may be different, as it takes longer to put the hood up... Questions:
A) Would the rain affect the dashboard buttons?
B) Would the new design dashboard with the white flat button more water resistant
C) The 7 I tried had useless side mirrors. Was difficult to use them when the roof is up. Was it a problem with just that particular car or better forget about using side mirrors when driving Caterham?
D) Any advantage of wheel size 13 compared to 15 in wet weather?
E) Would the upgraded brakes with ventilated bigger disc work better in wet weather?
F) What about care of chassis/body? Do i need to make sure chrome parts are dry before putting her in bed each night?
G) any special care needed for the salt/grit after motorway driving?
Oops, looks like I wrote a long list……. Sorry.. ;-)
A
In fact I don't mind wind or cold weather - I enjoy driving my SLK in winter with roof down, however when it rains I just press the button. With a 7 things may be different, as it takes longer to put the hood up... Questions:
A) Would the rain affect the dashboard buttons?
B) Would the new design dashboard with the white flat button more water resistant
C) The 7 I tried had useless side mirrors. Was difficult to use them when the roof is up. Was it a problem with just that particular car or better forget about using side mirrors when driving Caterham?
D) Any advantage of wheel size 13 compared to 15 in wet weather?
E) Would the upgraded brakes with ventilated bigger disc work better in wet weather?
F) What about care of chassis/body? Do i need to make sure chrome parts are dry before putting her in bed each night?
G) any special care needed for the salt/grit after motorway driving?
Oops, looks like I wrote a long list……. Sorry.. ;-)
A
In answer to your questions
A) Never had a problem in the rain vis a vis the dashboard.
B) Can't answer that one.
C)I use mirrors that are fitted to the windscreen stanchions and they are very good as opposed to the ones on the doors. No Shake.
D) 15" CR 500s are considered to be the best all round tyre. Far more forgiving for road use imo.
E) I have bigger 4 pot brakes. One thing that I have found is that brakes are paramount for your survival along with steering and seeing where you are going.
F) I don't really bother as I seldom go out when the weather is inclement. However should I find myself wet I tend to let the car dry naturally in my garage.
G) Avoid salt like the plague. Wash it off soonest.
I'm surprised that no one else has offered their advice.
BlatChat has its faults but you will always get a helpful response in my experience.
A) Never had a problem in the rain vis a vis the dashboard.
B) Can't answer that one.
C)I use mirrors that are fitted to the windscreen stanchions and they are very good as opposed to the ones on the doors. No Shake.
D) 15" CR 500s are considered to be the best all round tyre. Far more forgiving for road use imo.
E) I have bigger 4 pot brakes. One thing that I have found is that brakes are paramount for your survival along with steering and seeing where you are going.
F) I don't really bother as I seldom go out when the weather is inclement. However should I find myself wet I tend to let the car dry naturally in my garage.
G) Avoid salt like the plague. Wash it off soonest.
I'm surprised that no one else has offered their advice.
BlatChat has its faults but you will always get a helpful response in my experience.
A Seven with 180bhp is starting to become a seriously rapid car and (maybe?) a high-ish output for a K-Series in regular use on the road. It's also going to be quite lively on the rear end at 180+hp, which may or may not be an issue depending on what you've owned before. The standard(ish) 138bhp Super Sport engine will punt you along quite addequately for road use - obviously more is good, but I wouldn't say you need more than that for it to seem quick.
First thing that springs to mind with the great Scottish weather is the fact the weather gear is a bit compromised. The full hood isn't 100% watertight, takes a while to put and then promptly mists up. You can get a half hood which is a lot quicker and easier but compromises further on the actually weather protection. There are people who use Sevens all year round, but the level of commitment required to do that is similar to motorcycling I'd say, it's not an all-weather car really.
But, for the sunny days and providing you don't want to carry to much luggage etc. then I struggle to think of a car I'd rather drive around the fantastic roads of Scotland. I'm very jealous.
First thing that springs to mind with the great Scottish weather is the fact the weather gear is a bit compromised. The full hood isn't 100% watertight, takes a while to put and then promptly mists up. You can get a half hood which is a lot quicker and easier but compromises further on the actually weather protection. There are people who use Sevens all year round, but the level of commitment required to do that is similar to motorcycling I'd say, it's not an all-weather car really.
But, for the sunny days and providing you don't want to carry to much luggage etc. then I struggle to think of a car I'd rather drive around the fantastic roads of Scotland. I'm very jealous.
It's a matter of opinnion, but a lot of people say the 13" CR500's are much more progressive on the limit, and give a better ride. I would agree that they are progressive, and give a good ride, but personally can't compare with the 15's, becuause the 13's are all I've ever used. But I wouldn't change.
My R300 was fantastic with that combination. I guess you don't need a low profile tyre with such a light car. (Look at the profile on a F1 car.)
I never found the hood dificult to put up, and it took only a couple of minutes. I've never understood why people find it difficult.
Mine never leaked, and I can tell you, here in Mallorca, the rain is like nothing you'll ever experience in U.K.! However, my car leaked like a sieve around the steering column/pedal box area. (Soon cured with some 3M adheisive sealant.)
I always liked the car with the roof up, found it very snug, and cosey. The heated windscreen took care of any misting.
The R300 has plenty of power for the road, but I can tell you, you'll soon get used to it, and want more.
I'm building an SV now, with 400hp, just to make sure that doesn't happen again.
You may want to consider an SV as a road car? You'd struggle to tell the difference in apearance, unless it was parked next to an S3 (or you count the poppers along the top of the screen
) and you get more cockpit space, more luggage space, and more fuel. Yes it's a bit heavier, (about 575kg) but it's still lighter than a vuaxhall engined S3. With a 260 cosworth Duratec, it's the perfect GT car in my opinion. 
My R300 was fantastic with that combination. I guess you don't need a low profile tyre with such a light car. (Look at the profile on a F1 car.)
I never found the hood dificult to put up, and it took only a couple of minutes. I've never understood why people find it difficult.
Mine never leaked, and I can tell you, here in Mallorca, the rain is like nothing you'll ever experience in U.K.! However, my car leaked like a sieve around the steering column/pedal box area. (Soon cured with some 3M adheisive sealant.)
I always liked the car with the roof up, found it very snug, and cosey. The heated windscreen took care of any misting.
The R300 has plenty of power for the road, but I can tell you, you'll soon get used to it, and want more.
I'm building an SV now, with 400hp, just to make sure that doesn't happen again.
You may want to consider an SV as a road car? You'd struggle to tell the difference in apearance, unless it was parked next to an S3 (or you count the poppers along the top of the screen
) and you get more cockpit space, more luggage space, and more fuel. Yes it's a bit heavier, (about 575kg) but it's still lighter than a vuaxhall engined S3. With a 260 cosworth Duratec, it's the perfect GT car in my opinion. Thank you all for advice and information....
Saw online video about the half hood. looks easy and quick. However, it says it is only for covering the car and not for driving!
As for the salt and grit bit, it is unavoidable for good few months. If i decided to take the risk, any advice about how to protect the car?
A
Saw online video about the half hood. looks easy and quick. However, it says it is only for covering the car and not for driving!
As for the salt and grit bit, it is unavoidable for good few months. If i decided to take the risk, any advice about how to protect the car?
A
I've driven 7's since early 70's, IMO 160BHP is all you'll ever need, especially if you intend to use it in a Scottish winter, when the roads are wet/greasy/salty, less power is your friend
SInce you intend to use it during the winter I suggest not buying a 'minter' you'll have no chance of keeping the car 'Mint' if you use it during the wet season
Buying a car that ain't mint will also cost less too
160bhp will mean you're never left too far behind the 'Aces' with their R500's, though from my experience the owners of the powerful 7's are rarely good enough drivers to use the cars performance advantage to leave me behind [Dave J/Wacko jacko
] being the exception to this rule of course
I'd certainly buy an injected car instead of one fitted with carbs [better on MPG and easier to maintain/better starting IMO]
Eiher way you'll get more smiles/mile than any tintop convertible will ever give you
Hope you enjoy any 7 you buy
Mal
SInce you intend to use it during the winter I suggest not buying a 'minter' you'll have no chance of keeping the car 'Mint' if you use it during the wet season
Buying a car that ain't mint will also cost less too
160bhp will mean you're never left too far behind the 'Aces' with their R500's, though from my experience the owners of the powerful 7's are rarely good enough drivers to use the cars performance advantage to leave me behind [Dave J/Wacko jacko
] being the exception to this rule of courseI'd certainly buy an injected car instead of one fitted with carbs [better on MPG and easier to maintain/better starting IMO]
Eiher way you'll get more smiles/mile than any tintop convertible will ever give you
Hope you enjoy any 7 you buy
Mal
Glasgow2 said:
Thank you all for advice and information....
Saw online video about the half hood. looks easy and quick. However, it says it is only for covering the car and not for driving!
A
That's the Half-Hood Plus, which has a removable skirt for use when parked, to keep the boot and cockpit dry. Without that fitted it can be used for driving as normal.Saw online video about the half hood. looks easy and quick. However, it says it is only for covering the car and not for driving!
A
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