Dream cars

quote:

Originally posted by Marc Newman:
Richard-
There was a tab on the reply page that allowed attachments... What happened to it?
Thanks,
Marc

It was taking too much bandwidth, so as an alternative you can post a link to an image as per my instructions.

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Dane:
Marc,

find a pic of your dream car on the 'net, copy the URL, then click on the "Display Image" icon. Then paste the URL into the box provided. Once you Post, hey presto, it should link to the image you selected.

Richard,

I used this process to post photos of a BMW850csi, but I can't see the images, only the following:


[IMG:left] [/IMG]

[IMG:left] [/IMG]

Can you shed any light?

KR

Brad

Brad, the photos show up fine here.

Now that is weird Richard. At home (right now) I can see the pitures, but at work I can't - yet I am able to see other's photos. Maybe there is a security block on the system at work that is preventing the pictures from certain sources from being displayed.

Cheers

Brad

I always fancied knocking about in one of these during my Top Trumps days...

This will do me nicely:

quote:

I always fancied knocking about in one of these during my Top Trumps days...

Jamie
One of my all time fav looking rally cars - here a few snaps taken at the recent Goodwood Festival. The Stratos looks a bit battle weary after 'giving it some' flat out round the rally circuit.







Peter

quote:

Originally posted by Paper Plane:
This will do me nicely:

I sold mine last night.

I nearly pulled out at the last minute-we'd become very close! Seven years of huge entertainment.

Bruce

In Holland they make a car like the Lotus as well. Donkervoort, with Audi engines.

quote:

Originally posted by Paper Plane:
This will do me nicely:

Some years back, I wanted one of these so badly, particularly in "Prisoner" spec. I had arranged to visit the Caterham factory for the day, which culminated in a test drive of a couple of engine variants. That's where the big problem hit; I couldn't fit behind the steering wheel! Basically it necessesitated the fitting of a removable steering wheel so I could get in. Even then, the pedals and footwell really weren't designed for size 13 shoes. So, if you're over 6'2" and have big feet, don't even think about one of these!

Richard, are you aware they now do an SV spec that is for the more generously proportioned person? It's basically a widebody version, so your dream could still become a reality!

quote:

Originally posted by Jagster:
Richard, are you aware they now do an SV spec that is for the more generously proportioned person? It's basically a widebody version, so your dream could still become a reality!

I've just sold my SV. I'm a smidge under 6 foot and did not have the seat fully back. The footwell is a bit bigger but size 13's....maybe not!

Bruce

Bruce,
Have you replaced it with anything else? You sold it just as summer (ahem) has started too!
I've never been in a Seven, it's something I've always wanted to do to see what all the fuss is about.
Ian

quote:

Originally posted by musfed:
In Holland they make a car like the Lotus as well. Donkervoort, with Audi engines.

*Sexy Cars*

Wow, those are really quite stunning!

I always dreamed about getting one of these as a kid.

I've had one for the last couple of years and loved every minute, and it will embarrass much of the exotic machinery above on a track.

Simon

quote:

Originally posted by Jagster:
Bruce,
Have you replaced it with anything else? You sold it just as summer (ahem) has started too!
I've never been in a Seven, it's something I've always wanted to do to see what all the fuss is about.
Ian

I built the car and have had it 7 years. Never regretted it, pure and exhilarating motoring but also great fun just pootling-it gets attention in a nice positive way.

If you really want the thrill of stripped back-to-basics driving I doubt anything can beat a Caterham, even one with 'modest' performance such as mine. Passengers tend to get out of it amazed by the cornering and the agility. Never taken mine on a track though.

Caterham cars do hire days if you ever want to try one.

Decided to sell it because some major rennovation at home means the alternative is putting it into storage for up to 6/12 which I didn't really want to do. My wife has also never really enjoyed it, although she has put up with the noise (and the fear) I think I've put her through enough.

We still want a fun car and I drove a new Elise yesterday. I wanted to see if it could be practical enough to be my regular daily car-and the answer was definitely yes. Still mulling it over but watch this space!

Bruce

Bruce,
It must have been extremely satisfying building the car yourself - the best way to get to know a car and it's foibles too.

Funnily enough, when you said you'd sold the Seven, the first car I thought of as a replacement was an Elise....An SC by chance? You know you want to!

Ian

quote:

Originally posted by Jagster:
Bruce,
It must have been extremely satisfying building the car yourself - the best way to get to know a car and it's foibles too.

Funnily enough, when you said you'd sold the Seven, the first car I thought of as a replacement was an Elise....An SC by chance? You know you want to!

Ian

Building it was a big part of the fun, very satisfying. It had only one mechanical fault of note in 17,000 miles-the wipers broke after 13 days of continous Scottish rain one 'summer'.

Elise will probably be an 'S' actually. Less is more philosophy. Sweet as pie to drive and enough performance without being crazy.

Bruce

Bruce,

Which is easier to get into and out of? I found getting into an Elise Mk1 rather tortuous.

I've always lusted after a 7, but even more so after my cousin took me for a drive in London in 1987 - just never had the cash - and now at 5'11 and 8.5 feet (and 40" girth) I don't think I'll fit...and the wife has put the kaibosh on the whole idea...

I used to have an Elise S1 which was a lot more practical than the 7. My wife refuses to go anywhere in the 7, partly because it has an aero screen and bare carbon/ kevlar tillet seats but was happy to take the Elise on a tour around France for 2-3 weeks.

The main problem with the narrow-bodied (standard) 7 is the pedal box, I have size 8 feet and find that anything other than thin trainers or raceboots can cause problems as you can hit multiple pedals at once.

I think an SV solves many of these problems though and may be a better choice for these who find a 7 too much of a squeeze. The cars hold their value fantastically well and so even as an experience a years ownership will not cost much. Insurance is dirt cheap in the UK with a specialist company such as CCI, who also include trackdays.

I still think the S1 elise is probably the best all round performer, the later models have more refinement, comfort, and in many cases outright performance, but lotus have piled on the pounds since the first generation.

My car weighed about 720kg all in, the current base model weighs 860kg, my 7 weighs just under 500kg.

Having had an S1 and 7,the next step is to buy an Exige S1 with a Supercharged and chargecooled Honda engine (300+ hp)

They are all great fun and strongly recommended

Simon

quote:

Originally posted by Frank Abela:
Bruce,

Which is easier to get into and out of? I found getting into an Elise Mk1 rather tortuous.

I've always lusted after a 7, but even more so after my cousin took me for a drive in London in 1987 - just never had the cash - and now at 5'11 and 8.5 feet (and 40" girth) I don't think I'll fit...and the wife has put the kaibosh on the whole idea...

Climbing into the Elise with the roof in place requires a certain technique but is not that difficult. Getting into a 7 with the roof on is far harder, and very amuisng if two of you try to get in at the same time!

Roof off both are a cinch, although you do not risk 3rd degree burns from the exhaust pipe getting into the Elise.

I can also vouch for good 7 re-sale values.

Bruce

Simon,

Sounds like your 7 is a Superlight or possibly a CSR...lucky you!

From what you've said I think an SV is the only way to go, which is a pain since there are so few of them around and all enjoying that high resale value...

The BRM V16 will do for me. I can't imagine how much the local Barry Boys would poo their pants if I overtook them in one on full song!

And green will do just fine.

Tony

my favourite pair





and for a soundtrack:

aston at bruntingthorpe

Jon

Do you own a petrol station?

Bruce