310 vs 360 Please help me decide :-)

[Dave_H34]

I'd agree 1st in the ford 5 speed is a bit useless but I can't imagine being limited to the highest ratio in the 6 speed with all those ratios inbetween, the rate the duratec (admittedly at 220bhp) eats up 2nd and 3rd gear with the 5 speed must make the 6 speeder super frantic, and probably slower.

[coppice]

Not really - I just pretend I'm driving a March 752 F2 car. It may be slower in absolute terms but I really am not remotely bothered if it is . The pace of acceleration is what makes me smile , even if I may 'waste' the odd half second doing gratuitously unnecessary heel and toe downchanges. It's silly quick regardless and ten years on still prompts giggling from its driver - who is even older than the Seven design is ..

[BertBert]

Yes indeed But what has 5k in an elan got to do with it? We are comparing 5sp and 6sp boxes in a 7!

downsman said:

We'll have to disagree on that then

Having driven from the South East to Scotland in a day in both my 5 speed Seven and in a 4 speed Lotus Elan I found cruising at well under 4000 rpm in the Seven far more relaxing than nearly 5000 in the Elan.

[BertBert]

and to add, driving to Barcelona in a 6 speeder with ear protection (which you need anyway) was fine!

[bcr5784]

A 7 eggs you on like no road car I've driven, but I have to say having used one as a daily driver, commuting 50 miles to work and back it was actually quite nice to relax a bit on the dual carriageway bits sometimes at relatively low revs in an overdrive 5th. I'd be all for the 6 speeder if 6th could be an overdrive, but it's too close to 5th for that.

[anonymous-user]

Having a 6 in my R400 and having driven an older 5 speed car I wouldn't change. No 7 is a good high speed cruiser IMO. Where a 7 works for me is on A/B roads and tracks, where the 6 is fine.

[Boult]

Had the same problem/decision myself 3 years ago .... In my experience, key decisions are .....

(1) S3 or SV - Chassis cannot be changed so get this decision right - size yourself in the Caterham before buying.
(2) Engine - tuned Sigma or Standard Duratec - I went for standard Duratec, and then upgraded to 220bhp with roller barrels etc ......Caterhams are all about putting a smile on your face, and 220bhp puts a much bigger smile on your face than 150bhp from a sigma.
(3) 5 or 6 speed box ......... I went for 5 which is fine on the road but the 6 speed is better on track.
(4) LSD - yes yes yes
(5) Uprated brakes - these are fantastic !!
(6) Colour of beanie hat - essential on cold winter mornings :-)

Everything else can be added/amended at a later date with not too much effort cost ....