Advice - hobby car blues

[twobone]

After decades of searching I finally own my dream car - Caterham Super Seven

The reality of ownership is mixed

The upside:

-One of a kind car
-Handles like a go kart
-Its easy to work on
-Car people go nuts for it
-If I let it go, I will never find one again


The downsides:

-Car makes me deaf even with ear plugs. My ears ring for days after a few hours of driving
-Not a great long distance tourer (wind, vibration and low gearing)
-Car is a major headache to deal with in terms of emissions testing ever 2 years forever unless they change my local laws (don't ask)

So the reality is I don't drive it that much.

I have huge pride of ownership but the reality of owning it severely limits my use of it.

Anyone share my experience (perhaps with a motorcycle they don't use or another classic car) and have any advice?

I just feel I will regret selling it and I don't have room to keep more than one garaged classic sports car.

[GH85Carrera]

Can't you put mufflers on it to make it a lot quieter?

[Les Paul]

Not sure what type of earplugs you have but I could stand next to a 1500lb steam vent and not hear it. Feel it for sure but you have to really pinch and roll them then push them in your ear.

[recycled sixtie]

Do you have the garage space to put it in?
Would you miss it if you sold it?
Do you need to sell it for financial reasons?
Is it your daily driver? I am guessing no!

Pretty car but if it was me I would sell it as it is not being used enough. Only you can decide whether to keep it or not....

Oh yes will it appreciate in the future?

Guy

[masraum]

did you see the thread last week from one of the posters who was advertising tht his father or FIL is selling a Lotus 7?

[VincentVega]

Been there. The hunt is sometimes the best part, sad as that sounds to some. I have a boat I rarely use and think about selling sometimes.

Sometimes it makes sense to check it off the list and move on to something different.

[Nickshu]

I have a '64 Corvair Spyder. I will have over $25K into my restoration before the end of the year and only be halfway done.

Most people think Caterhams are awesome.
Most people think Corvairs are garbage.

Feel better?

[KNS]

If I couldn't enjoy it in the way I was hoping I'd sell it.

[Embraer]

when I bought my F355...it was my child hood hero. They say you shouldn't ever meet "him" but I'm glad I did. I drive the Ferrari about once a week. The car is registered in Indiana, so I was able to skirt around the emissions testing. No mufflers, completely straight exhaust. It's probably 107db at WOT with the 11.5:1 compression ratio. I can't drive it long distances, it's expensive to fuel, and completely impractical.

BUT....the once or twice a week I take her to stretch her legs, there's nothing like it. Think about the memories you have when you're in the moment with your 7. you said yourself: it's a hobby car. keep her.

[Scott Douglas]

I'd suggest looking at addressing the downsides before selling it.
Noise, vibration, wind - sounds like a motorcycle description not a car. A good set of ear plugs should address the noise unless you're running open pipes. What kind of ear plugs are you using? My ears ring all the time now so I know what you're going thru.
Vibration - is it engine vibes or road vibes from a stiff suspension? Can you isolate the engine or soften the suspension?
Wind - well, ya kind of have to put up with it, but maybe some wind wings would lesson the buffeting.
Can you change the top gear so it's a little more relaxed at speed? My old 912 used to be that way. My brother changed the top gear and says it cured most of the problem.
Just trying to be helpful as a dream car usually only comes along once in a lifetime.

[1990C4S]

Moulded ear plugs...

I had a car I thought I would like but found it too loud and too rough. I sold it. No regrets.

[DanielDudley]

Figure out a way to get another car in the garage, because you aren't ready to sell that yet.

Make sure you drive it once a week.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Moulded ear plugs...

Amazon.com : Radians Custom Molded Earplugs, Blue : Molded Ear Plugs : Sports & Outdoors

These will definitely help the problem. Comfortable to wear and majorly cut down on noise.


Hope you find a way to keep it. Thats an awesome car!

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by twobone

Anyone share my experience (perhaps with a motorcycle they don't use or another classic car) and have any advice?

I just feel I will regret selling it and I don't have room to keep more than one garaged classic sports car.

I've been through that many times. I had 3 Ferraris, a Ducati, and a couple of non-daily driver type Porsches over the years that I just found myself not driving much, or at all.

I never regretted selling any of them, not even for a second. In fact, I felt nothing but relief. (And I've finally learned my lesson - no more garage queens or cars I'm not willing to daily drive).

Reading your post, IMO you won't regret selling that car.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Can't you put mufflers on it to make it a lot quieter?

First thing I thought of... if your ears are ringing that is nerve damage... I would think lowering the DB on the car would make it more enjoyable FOR YOU!

[jyl]

Better earplugs, full face helmet, five point belts, then get thee to an A-X.

I mean, there's no crime in selling the car and yes, you would be able to find another one, but first enjoy it in its element.

[scottmandue]

And just sayin... sometimes a engine makes less horse power running straight pipes... a muffler/silencer could be an improvement in more ways than one!

For the emissions thing... I had a co-worker that hot rodded his four banger Japanese car with a pair of webber side drafts... come emissions time he would take a weekend and swap the stock manifold and whatever (I never saw the stock configuration) to pass, then next weekend slap the webbers back on.

[Rinty]

Originally Posted by McLovin

I had 3 Ferraris, a Ducati, and a couple of non-daily driver type Porsches...I never regretted selling any of them, not even for a second....

+1. The major issue for me, is worrying about somebody running into my Porsche, or keying it.

I'm almost to the point where I'm going to sell.

Owning a special interest car does teach you where your worry threshold is.

[Jrboulder]

If it wasn't such a hassle to sell my hobby Porsche I wouldn't even own it. Heck, I even have a 1000-word ad all written up.

[porsche930dude]

a cat converter should take care of the noise and emmisions. and a top even if it just covers the top and leaves the sides open also makes it much more tollerable noise and wind. you just need to soften it up a bit. thats not a bad thing