Anyone own or drive a Caterham/Lotus Super 7?

twobone · twobone's Garage

I have a huge itch to get a Caterham.

Driving or ownership feedback contrasted to a 911 greatly appreciated.

Mark Morrissey · Mark Morrissey's Garage

Try exploring the lotus forum. It's a pretty cool site:

LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community

JerryL · 06-03-2010, 05:51 AM

Always liked them, about 6 -8 yrs ago a local guy brought one to the shop (we are a fabrication shop, not automotive in the usual sense) to repair rusted tubes and brackets in the frame. There were a lot of suspect joints and rusted tube sections. we did a nice job for the guy laser cut sime replacement brackets, he loved it and we saw the car about a yr after and it looked great.

USE CARE in inspecting the frame, it is an amazing piece with the strength it has and when all is unbolted from it 1 man can lift and move / carry it around. Very light for what it does, there is no room for rusted sections or joints in the design.

Not about driving or owning but take a close look if you go down that road.

Regards

racer_X · racer_X's Garage

I have worked and driven Lotus 6s and 7 S1s to S4 cars and Caterhams when I was a college student in the late 80s early 90s at a place called New England Classics in Stratford CT. The best cars are the S3 and the Caterhams. None of these cars are known for their build quality, they are raw and rough, but that said, raw and rough gives you an experience that leaves you smiling. These cars handle very very well, and on the track there is not much that can keep up with them. Their biggest flaw is the lack of down force at high speeds. Those fenders shown want to lift the front end up, but that is really once you are over 100 or 110mph. I have driven these cars at Lime Rock in CT and you can go flat out every where except at the end of the straight into Big Bend (and I always chickened out on the down hill onto the straight and lifted at the top of the hill). Great track cars.
On the street they are lots of fun, you can reach out at a stop light and touch the road with your palm. We used to drive with dealer plates and no windshield on the Marrit Parkway with the center of the wheels of the cars we were passing at eye level.
I have never driven the later Caterhams with the Ford twin cams, they must be over the top quick.
This is the only car I would consider trading my 911 for (don't for get that my 911 is probably worth 10-12K). Just keep in mind the 911, is much more usable, and wife friendly and the most modified racing 911 is as comfortable as a stock Lotus 7. You need to get into these cars by stepping on the seat that is mounted to the 1/2 inch off of the floor, then lock your knees and slide your feet into the smallest foot wheel. If you have shoes bigger than a size 10 it is going to be really tight. You wear these cars more than you sit in them. Getting out is a matter of pulling yourself out and I heard someone say it's easier to fall on the ground than to get into these cars.
Once you are in the controls and steering are world class. The shifter is tight as a cats ass and every thing is instantaneous. You will scare the crap out of yourself and any passenger, and want to do it again and again. I would say the experience is like that of Jeremy Clarkson and the Ariel Atom. YouTube - Top Gear - Ariel Atom - BBC

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

I was taken for a ride around an auto-x track during the fun runs at the end of the cross and all I can say is wow! I could not believe how well this car handled, plus how quick they are.
I had the pleasure of getting in and out of a lowered viper for two years and that was fun when you are 6-4 and the exhaust pipe runs down the side rocker and it's about a foot wide, but getting in and out this thing was almost comical for me. When you stand next to one you kind of think "really, I'm supposed fit in that thing, but once you are in its all worth it?"
Are those old a008 tires?
I have not owned one, but I would think it's a tad extreme to have one of these cars and expect to drive all that often. My 911 has a roof, is easier to get in and out of, but it's also a hassle to drive at times. Owning one of those cars would be fun as hell if you lived on a mountain where you could drive the piss out of it. I can drive my 911 to work, but I would not feel confortable driving that car and parking it for 8 hours.

twobone · twobone's Garage

Alot of this feedback is really ringing true for me. With a busy family life, I only get out for 60-120 minute blasts every week or so during our short summer. In a Super 7 I think I would amplify the experience a lot more.

My 911 is of course a thing of unquestionable beauty, but some days I think the grins per minute would be higher in a super 7.

Also, I'm part british so the heritage think pulls at my heart strings.

Foregive me.....

Biff · 06-03-2010, 08:07 AM

Scratch it!

racer · 06-03-2010, 08:09 AM

Think of it as a motorcycle and not a car and then you can live with its shortcomings.

Like most things Lotus, I love them, but I can't fit in them

fotsyr · 06-03-2010, 08:17 AM

go to my web page, Sevens & Elans, Ltd.

A person of 6'7" +250lbs will fit into an SV. The CSR on my web page has just been fitted with a sequential 6 speed dog box, 0-6 should be 3 seconds.
chris

Tareq993 · 06-03-2010, 08:19 AM

Hi, I run a school at the circuit here in Bahrain. We have 9 Caterhams (wider chassis) with the De Dion rear suspension and Duratec 2.3 engine.
They are great cars to have some fun on the circuit but I would never consider driving one on the road with traffic. Also I would not dream of driving one without the full cage. The chassis isnt the strongest thing in the world and I've seen what can happen when you hit something solid.

If you do go for one make sure you get the drysump system. I've seen loads of engines go bang without it.

fbarrett · fbarrett's Garage

Maybe you should buy a Maxton instead. See Maxton Rollerskate Home Page

The maroon car on the title page is mine. The combo of 200+ hp and 1,700 lb is amazing, especially combined with a race-type frame and suspension. It's the most nimble road car I've ever driven. They made about 50, and you can find a good one for about $15K.

Frank

twobone · twobone's Garage

Thanks

I'm going to have to keep an eye out for a local car or a US import of 1995 or older in order to avoid the Canadian govt import car rules.

s_wilwerding · s_wilwerding's Garage

If you're thinking about building one, check out the Flyin Miata Westfield:

Flyin' Miata : The Westfield

ERH · 06-03-2010, 04:03 PM

I think every car enthusiast should have a seven.

I will have one until I can not get into it or more probably out of it. The motorcycle analogy is close. Very, very quick up to the point drag becomes an issue.

The USA7s site if you have not already found it is a great resource. USA7s - Powered by vBulletin

A group is getting together in August in Monterey and driving up the coast. USA7s meet in Monterey? - USA7s

My toy when it was clean:

Ronbo · 05:44 PM

I built my Caterham back in '93. It's a great car and has surpassed all of my expectations. It's still a thrill to drive all these years later. I've actually considered selling because we bought our vacation/retirement home where we spend almost every weekend, leaving no time for the Seven. It's real hard to let go of it though and I can't seem to get serious about selling. Anyway, by all means get yourself a Seven at some time in your life as you certainly won't be disappointed. After a drive in the Caterham my old '88 911 felt unresponsive, heavy, and clumsy. This isn't a knock on the 911, it's just that the Caterham is so light and precise.

johnsjmc · 06-03-2010, 06:10 PM

If you are interested in a budget version check out "Locost super seven" .I built one as a high school shop project several years ago. I would use a Miata doner car if I did it again.

s_morrison57 · 06-04-2010, 03:44 AM

be careful with it in traffic people will look out thier side window and not see you and drive right over top of you

Drisump · Drisump's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by racer

Think of it as a motorcycle and not a car and then you can live with its shortcomings.

Like most things Lotus, I love them, but I can't fit in them

Good quote! Drove a few, definitely a blast but if there is two people going anywhere, you will be hard pressed to find a place for a change of underwear.... never mind finding a place for the beer. I can't remember about the newest one I drove, but the older model didn't have a place for your left foot if it wasn't on the clutch.... a dedicated "twisties" machine for sure.

t951 · t951's Garage

This is a car that I have been mildly obsessed with. I have been looking at these for a long time. Read the stuff on Lo-costs...read the how to build them books....etc.

They are awesome.....from what I have read.
I have never sat in one though. At 6'2" and 250lbs I don't know if I would fit.

Jerome74911S · 06-04-2010, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t951

This is a car that I have been mildly obsessed with. I have been looking at these for a long time. Read the stuff on Lo-costs...read the how to build them books....etc.

They are awesome.....from what I have read.
I have never sat in one though. At 6'2" and 250lbs I don't know if I would fit.

I'm 6'4". I have often thought one of these cars would be fun, but my forehead would be raw from hitting all the bugs with my head sticking up over the windshield. However, I know a guy who loves to drive his bug-eye Sprite and he is 6'8"!