Caterham 7

diable

Anyone on here had one, was thinking of saving up for one as I am nearly past middle age and need a hobby and have come to the conclusion that I will never own a 1969 Dodge Charger as a decent one is far too expensive.

Was thinking about the Classic but the Super Light seems a lot more fun...... any help or advice appreciated and yes I know in the rain its a cross between a tent and a motorbike ;o)))

Apples2

I went to a race meet a Brands Hatch for Caterham 7's.
Perfectly dry day but I don't think I have ever seen so many cars spinning around in circles. Every corner was taking 2/3 cars out

Looked great fun though

s_b

i would have one if i had room to park it safely
only as a blast machine on a sunday afternoon though
was talking about one only last week
silly money for what they are though
reckon its like an alfa
have one, move on, mind:)

Strider590

Ok, I own a Westfield....

I feel I have to warn you that due the cars small size, people (especially 4x4 drivers) think they can push you around (or even off the road).
You get people trying to overtake you just to prove some stupid point.
You get abuse, flashing of lights and horn blasting when you overtake sleepy drivers.
They're so loud that people assume your driving like a nutter even when your driving well below the limit.
Kids gravitate towards them, which is never a good thing.
Be careful where you park, leave nothing in the car, some scum will even steal your car parking ticket and tax disk given half a chance.

Brilliant cars to drive, great fun, but the attitude of other drivers toward you just stinks!

mikey72

It's got to be you.

I have an open topped kit car.
Had it for years.

No problem with other drivers at all.

People wave if they overtake you.

People wave when you overtake them.

They are loud, people still wave to you though.

Kids love them.

No -one has ever touched anything in it.

Brilliant cars to drive, great fun,everyone loves you.

s_b

to be fair
i see both striders and mikeys posts as being relevant

MX5huggy

What's your possible budget?

How about a Morgan 3 wheeler?

http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=47&i=23884

Or an Ariel Atom.

http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/

davemorton

Also a previous Westfield owner, and if you want 'that buzz', then yes go for it, you only live once!

Strider590

mikey72 wrote: »

It's got to be you.

I have an open topped kit car.
Had it for years.

No problem with other drivers at all.

People wave if they overtake you.

People wave when you overtake them.

They are loud, people still wave to you though.

Kids love them.

No -one has ever touched anything in it.

Brilliant cars to drive, great fun,everyone loves you.

Strange isn't it, locally to me i've experienced such problems...... Yet drive up beyond Stafford, up nearer to Chesterfield and I have experience the same things you describe, even had people sit next to me on dual carriageways just to look at the car, same goes for Lincolnshire. But get near any major city and it turns to !!!!!! again.

cyclonebri1

I've had kitcars all my life, Beachbuggies, Duttons a couple of Westfields and finally the Cyclone.

(Lets try to leave the caterham westfield argument out please for anyone thats tempted).

The westfield is probably best described as a 4 wheel motor bike, they really are that manic, if a decent engine is used. You will end up slowing down behind big sports bikes round the twisties.

But they are so slightly built that they are easily missed by other roadusers who simply don't see you or cannot comprehend how quickly you can be travelling.

You are also so low that bikes and other stuff get a much better view over humps and hollows that you can be late seeing the road ahead is clear.

They are at there best on track, if that is the intention then 100% yes otherwise treat with care.

Finally they take a very good driver to drive them both quickly and safely, later life loses in reaction time don't help.

My advice take a look at what is actually available in the kitcar/ specialist car market, a trip the the National kitcar event at Stoneliegh in early May would be my 1st post of call.

But go for it, just get the right car.

rodenal

Don't know if this helps but I have driven an atom - HUUUUUGE fun on track and what feels like world bending acceleration, doubt I got anywhere near its limits though I was still travelling much, much quicker than I could have done in my own or nearly any other car through the corners.

The flip side of this is that whilst on track with decent run-offs it's easy to be brave I don't think I could have driven it every day on the road. Part of the issue is the lack of wind protection in an atom (this one had a little deflector at the front that unsuprisingly didn't work, fine for track - but on the road?) but also the visibility issue would kill it for me, climbing even slight inclines on track I couldn't see over the 'crest' - knowing how far away the next corner is and what is or should be on it is ok here, but again on the road I don't think I'd be very brave in the car.

Of course this might not apply to 7's/westfields but from reading the above it sounds like they have the same issues