Mrp Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 #50I agree with JV my 2017 factory built 400D has the bulkhead fully lined with heat reduction material which as far as I know was factory fitted and find I use the heater in the spring and autumn. It's also handy if you get caught in a downpour to dry out when you put the half hood on.Mrp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Piers300 Posted February 8, 2021 Area Representative Share Posted February 8, 2021 Alan. I had the same impression about lowered floors as you, until I had my R300K (Rover powered) serviced at Caterham. (it was some time ago). To get me home, they lent me an R300D (Duratec powered) for a week. This had lowered floors and it was quite a shock to find the driving position being so much better, even though it probably only lowered me by 2”. You looked out of the centre of the windscreen and I have to say, it was a huge improvement over my car. Returning to Caterham after a week and picking up my car, again was a shock, as I was sitting so much higher than the R300D. I was looking out through the top of the screen and felt very high in the car. It felt really weird for a day or too, till I got used to it. I did consider having the car modified to lowered floors, but in the end did not. It is worth trying one out when you get the opportunity.Piers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel B Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 Strangely enough I've never found the footwell of my 420R overly warm. I was fully expecting to find it excessively warm during the summer, having read various comments on Blatchat, but it doesn't seem any worse than my previous 1.8 VX. Admittedly it does have the heat shielding on the outside of the footwells & in the tunnel. Perhaps if I ever get as far as France again I'll change my opinion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AristoCat Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 AlanO - if it helps I'm in Stevenage and have a new 420R - SV body. I'm 5'11" & under 13 stone and my wife is a lot smaller - and we love the SV. We primarily tour, with the occasional track day, and wanted the less 'snug' version for the little bit of extra space around us - especially elbow room, for when we're touring.You're welcome to come and try it for size etc. when allowed.Cheers.....Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 Re #53:Perhaps if I ever get as far as France again I'll change my opinion!You might indeed. Mid-2019, I travelled up from the Gers to Brittany over two days. It was 35+C most of the way and I was getting so hot I had to put up the half-hood for shade. I don't have any heat shielding but I do have wrapped primaries. I removed the front rad cowl years ago. JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Geoff Brown Posted February 8, 2021 Area Representative Share Posted February 8, 2021 JV & Mel - every one to their own & we can agree to disagree. I have the full heat reflective fit applied to the chassis prior to kit delivery. It probably does make a difference. I would not want to experience the footwell BBQ without it.Who needs a heater in an R400D - not me & time has shown it was the right choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 I wouldn’t be without the heater, I use it a lot in spring and autumn and it’s handy, shut off, to keep feeding air through in the summer. As others have said I don’t find the cabin heat too bad except in the height of summer but my car has the reflective stuff fitted in the tunnel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 #56:...every one to their own & we can agree to disagree. Absolutely, Geoff. Horses for courses. Maybe I should investigate the shielding kit.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team andy_harries Posted February 8, 2021 Support Team Share Posted February 8, 2021 AlanO - if it helps I'm in Stevenage and have a new 420R - SV body. Maybe we could sync up and do a back to back test between an SV and S3 for Alan ?(and selfishly I can drool over a your 420R ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AristoCat Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 Andy (#59) - sounds a good idea to me! If we PM each other it should be something we could arrange in the near future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcgoodie Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 I'm in Letchworth and happy to pop over post-lockdown too... SV, Lowered Floors, Leather seats, 5spd Ford box, Quaife ATB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.mole1 Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 The one piece of advice I can offer is, test drive it first. I bought mine without a test drive. I had to drive it nearly 300 miles home. It was one of the worst handling cars I have ever driven!I assumed because it had rafts of service history including a suspension alignment,it would be fine. Suspension set up is critical with these cars, that said it is a problem that can solved. My car had bump steer that made it almost un-drivable at anything over about 45mph on a bumpy road. It cost me quite a bit of time and money to rectify all the suspension issues with the the car. The difference between a well set up car and one that has just been bolted together is night and day. That said if you buy one new from caterham it should be ok.Also I would go for more of a track based car, I didn't intended to do tracks days until I did one and was hooked. It can cost a lot of money to make a road based car into a track based car. A track based car is just as good on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Piers300 Posted February 13, 2021 Area Representative Share Posted February 13, 2021 Alan does say in his #1 message that it will be used exclusively for road use. So why would he want a track based car. Most road going 7’s will be OK on a track day. It’s only when you get really keen that modifications are needed. I suggest staying with a road going spec. Going for an R300/400 or Superlight would be the way to go.Piers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanO Posted February 14, 2021 Author Share Posted February 14, 2021 Thanks for the info p.mole1My inclination is to stay more road use focussed. I'm hoping my days racing a Mini7 back in the day have gotton rid of a desire for track days. But..Anyway, I'm interested in your comments regard set up, which I get. I guess even a short test drive won't identify some set up issues and perhaps I should factor in a proper post purchase set up session?? Or am I going entirely in the wrong direction (excuse the pun).? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.mole1 Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 Hi Alan, I don't know if I was particularly unlucky with my car. Mine was an older vehicle but with a very low mileage. Having never driven a 7 before, I really didn't know what to expect. I don't think you should experience any real problems with a new Caterham, that said I doubt the suspension is set up is done with any real accuracy.If possible I would try and get a car with the adjustable spring seats this allows some adjustment. If you take the car for a test drive find a bumpy road and if darts all over the road you'll notice it! it's bump steer and it really spoils the car. In my case it was really hard to eliminate due to the steering rack needing to be lowered! If you are purchasing from Caterham, get them so throw in a set up as part of the deal. One of the reasons I mentioned a more track focused car is it costs a fortune to add all of the bits you need. In my case I did £2000 pounds of damage when I put the conrod through the block due to not having an Apollo tank for the oil. I think the more modern Sigma and Durratec cars are much better in this respect, but it's nice to have the right bits if you ever decide to do a track day. When I say track focused, I am talking about a track day roll bar, adjustable spring seats, 13 inch wheels. You can still have a windscreen and heater.I ran without an LSD for a few years and I never found it an issue even on track days. If you go for the "R" version these come with all the relevant bits, but often have a hood, windscreen and heater,Just a thought.If you go via the second route, have a look on Piston heads there are loads of cars to choose from, I'm sure it's buyers market. Lots of the cars have been up for sale for a very long time and I think the prices are very optimistic, try putting in offers. Take someone with you who knows the cars well and I don't think you can go wrong. There are lots of cars out there so take your time. I don't think I will be able help as I'm in Whitley Bay and there aren't many Caterham dealers or sellers up here! in fact in the 5 years I've had mine I've never seen another one on road up here yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 #65 A buyer's market? There are 140 cars on PH, most of them dealer stock; eg Oakmere have 15 of those. To put it into perspective, there are 5 times as many Astons and 7 times as many Ferraris. No harm in making a bid though but a decent car will cost far more than one would think. They always do!As for darting all over the road, which isn't unheard of to say the least, there are more reasons than bumpsteer for that. I understood that bumpsteer had been largely eradicated on more recent cars but stand to be corrected. IME, camber and castor can have a similar effect. But you're certainly right in advising to car set up properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Piers300 Posted February 23, 2021 Area Representative Share Posted February 23, 2021 Alan. Now you have had the chance to study all the details in "The Magnificent 7", have you come to any decision on a suitable model ?Piers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanO Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 Piers. Haha, still going round in circles! And waiting for lockdown to unwind so I can give one or two a try. I'm thinking 2nd hand mainly to avoid the wait. Will be 270 or 310, road, no LSD, most likely SV as like the idea of footwell and general extra space. But then there are several nice SuperSeven 1600s around but more £££. Decisions decisions!! (I've made garage space though!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Piers300 Posted February 25, 2021 Area Representative Share Posted February 25, 2021 We are now not to far away from lock down ending. Then you can start really searching. Problem is, so will lots of others !I am sure you have visited the main 7 specialist web sites. Have you been in telephone contact with them to give a idea of the specifications you are looking for. I think that would be a good idea, so if they are getting a 7 in that meets your spec, they will call you. Good luck with your search.Piers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted February 25, 2021 Area Representative Share Posted February 25, 2021 Alan, during March I will be in Hemel once a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanO Posted April 21, 2021 Author Share Posted April 21, 2021 So I've taken the plunge and bought a 270 which should be on the road next month depending on those nice people at DVLC (hope you win your strike and get back to work asap)Just wanted to say thank you for all the help and advice which (mainly) I've taken on board. Special thanks to Stephen (Golf Juliet Tango) who convinced my wife of the virtues of Seven ownership. Feeling just a tad smug!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted April 21, 2021 Area Representative Share Posted April 21, 2021 Congratulations Alan & Ann. I have every confidence you will enjoy ownership. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Toughie Posted April 22, 2021 Leadership Team Share Posted April 22, 2021 Congratulations. Enjoy.Do post us a piccie when you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanO Posted May 24, 2021 Author Share Posted May 24, 2021 Not the best weather today to pick it up, but having received my V5 on Friday it seemed rude not to get it asap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Toughie Posted May 24, 2021 Leadership Team Share Posted May 24, 2021 Nice. Always liked the traditional Lotus colour scheme. Always thought it looked really good on an approaching 7 in the rear view mirror Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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