SEVEN 160 REVIEW FROM A NON MECHANICAL GUY (one)
Discussion
I wouldn't say the 160 is an A road or motorway sort of car, it and myself are far happier on B roads especially twisty ones, up and down hills, round fast corners, it's not that the car can't or won't handle the straight carriageways, it's perfectly capable of 100mph, not that I've ever done that (of course), but it all just seems a bit hard work. I think the main reason for this is that the engine, a small Suzuki 660 cc 3 cylinder turbo, is noisy, BUT, it's not a 'orrible or irritating noise, it's a LOVELY noise, but the car doesn't and cannot waft along like more conventional cars, I've got a Skoda Fabia, getting on a bit now, but in that high speeds are just so easy, 'you' hardly notice them, in the 160 'you' do, and, as I say, I think that to me anyway, that's because of the loud rather raucous noise of the engine, but, and all this is a bit hard to explain, the car WILL do high speeds quite easily, but you are much more aware of obtaining them in the 160; and perhaps there is less sound deadening between the engine and the driver than say in the Skoda, I really don't know. I do emphasise though, once on a B road, country lane, certainly a shortish dual carriageway etc. the car is a hoot to drive. Either way I always have a couple of bits of tissue handy to use as ear plugs especially on uphill gradients...
The car holds the road like glue, I've never been very conscious of under or over steer, (quite honestly, I've never been THAT conscious of it in any vechile I've ever driven), and that's quite a few, from bikes, cars, vans and a shortish drive in a 32 tonner, I sort of get used to what the vehcile does, the 160 just goes immediately where you want it to with a slight adjustment of the wheel.
I'll start at the front of the car - lights are good, better than the Skoda, (SO reliable by the way), a good spread of beam, bright, and quite adequate dipped or main, and, I should think, easily adjustable with the securing nuts being loosened and the lights position changed slightly if ever necessary.
I've done about 5000 miles in a year in the car, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, mainly, as far as I can on B roads, and tyre wear so far is minimal though I haven't measured the tread depth but looking at them, front, there seems to be a great deal of tread left. Perhaps this is due to the low weight of the car, little weight strain to the front wheels and tyres, as I say, I'm not particularly mechanically minded.
Front suspension capability mean that the car rides over bumps and pot holes quite easily, I hardly notice these, the car, with it's comfortable seats offers a very smooth ride.
Well I'll try to make the paragraphs more easily noticeable by starting as here with a space from the edge though I would say that in the above, first report there are three paragraphs.
The engine, though small is very willing, and with a passenger is still fast, but of course this depends on ones interpretation of 'fast', a passenger in the car doesn't seem to make much difference to the acceleration though I've not measured this, I've read where the reviewer has said the car ''coudn't take the skin off a rice pudding'' well, it'a b¥€%÷y fast pudding! And the engine/exhaust always gives a lovely 'hiss' and a sort of snort on changing gear especially up. No problems with the engine so far though because of it's high revving and lovely though rather raucous sound I do find myself occasionally looking at the speedo dial to see if any warning lights have come on. The engine is an excellent starter firing up instantly without or with very little turning over hot or stone cold - having been left for say a week, and first time every time, incidentally the cam chain looks like it was made by Swiss watchmakers it is so precisely constructed.
The gear box is good too, at 5000 miles it does seem now to be getting a bit freer, (as does the engine), with the gears going in a lot easier than say at 1000 miles ago, no need now to double de clutch, (well never any need but just was easier to do this to get say 2nd to 3rd in).
Brakes are adequate, they never really pull up sharply, but they do stop you sooner than later! No, their not bad, I normally go down through the gears anyway to help stop the car and this helps to keep the 160 in a straight line without skidding, (a lot of my comments might well apply to any Caterham or any car of course).
Instruments are clear and concise, all needles very steady, only thing being on the dash panel one of the bulbs on the fuel gauge must have gone out as that dial is a bit dim, though still illuminated.
When I first had the car I couldn't for a while reattach the steering wheel, rang up Caterham for some advice and had to leave a message, NO ONE got back to me, Caterham isn't in my opinion the best for communication -- I succeeded in putting the wheel on in the end and it now goes on every time quite easily though I don't know what I'm doing differently, and I did on that first occasion line up the teeth correctly. Just more confident now I suppose.
The heater is terrific, very hot especially when the car is at a standstill or going slow in traffic, quite adequate though it would be nice if the warmth started a bit more at the feet, otherwise good with two fan speeds, two vents and an adjustment lever.
Wipers in my view (sorry about that) are good, I bought a spare pair when picking up the car but no need to put them on as yet.
Pedals are a bit close together in the small footwell but I've never had to resort to socks only as I have read others having to do so no problem for me with size 9 slimmish shoes.
Getting in the car I still find difficult especially with the full roof on, getting out too, when I first had to get out after a run and coming back to the drive I sort of fell out of the car, having caught my left foot still in, don't think any neighbours saw it, though I swear I heard amused barks from my recent late loved and missed little Westie from the house window! I quite like the roof on but have had it off and have also used the half hood, really nice on a warm day, the centre goes over your head so not so drafty as no roof on at all, I think generally though I like a roof on. Both types of roof go on easily but a bit of a struggle when new for obvious reasons, anyway, all the buttons connect with all of their homes. ''No Roof'' goes on particularly easily, (dear oh dear).
Seats are quite comfortable, I opted for cloth ones and carpeting, though the floors aren't carpeted as I had requested just the sides of the gear box tunnel.. Rear tyre wear negligent as yet but admit have not measured.
Fuel filling has to be watched as 'you' don't know when the petrol is going to spill out of the tank onto the paintwork of the rear of the car, I wipe off immediately if it does spill onto, but you get used to knowing more or less how much to put in where the fuel might overspill, the thing is of course to fill slowly, I like to fill up every time as calling into a station is a bit of a pain with getting out of the car, getting back and hoisting yourself in and up, trying to find the seat belt attachment which I can't hardly see and just have to feel.
That's about it really, to sum up, I love the car, driving isn't a chore anymore especially on long journeys in fact I'm always sorry to finish the 'run' and have even got home then decided to go for another spin just to enjoy the 160 a bit more. It's a car, probably like any other Cat where you have to 'getused toit' and it's quirks, but once you do, once you're in the cockpit of this little 'fighter plane' it's all well worth it. Cheers, Tony. (Any questions will be answered on here at the reasonable sum of £10 per answer. 'oosaidthat.!!
The car holds the road like glue, I've never been very conscious of under or over steer, (quite honestly, I've never been THAT conscious of it in any vechile I've ever driven), and that's quite a few, from bikes, cars, vans and a shortish drive in a 32 tonner, I sort of get used to what the vehcile does, the 160 just goes immediately where you want it to with a slight adjustment of the wheel.
I'll start at the front of the car - lights are good, better than the Skoda, (SO reliable by the way), a good spread of beam, bright, and quite adequate dipped or main, and, I should think, easily adjustable with the securing nuts being loosened and the lights position changed slightly if ever necessary.
I've done about 5000 miles in a year in the car, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, mainly, as far as I can on B roads, and tyre wear so far is minimal though I haven't measured the tread depth but looking at them, front, there seems to be a great deal of tread left. Perhaps this is due to the low weight of the car, little weight strain to the front wheels and tyres, as I say, I'm not particularly mechanically minded.
Front suspension capability mean that the car rides over bumps and pot holes quite easily, I hardly notice these, the car, with it's comfortable seats offers a very smooth ride.
Well I'll try to make the paragraphs more easily noticeable by starting as here with a space from the edge though I would say that in the above, first report there are three paragraphs.
The engine, though small is very willing, and with a passenger is still fast, but of course this depends on ones interpretation of 'fast', a passenger in the car doesn't seem to make much difference to the acceleration though I've not measured this, I've read where the reviewer has said the car ''coudn't take the skin off a rice pudding'' well, it'a b¥€%÷y fast pudding! And the engine/exhaust always gives a lovely 'hiss' and a sort of snort on changing gear especially up. No problems with the engine so far though because of it's high revving and lovely though rather raucous sound I do find myself occasionally looking at the speedo dial to see if any warning lights have come on. The engine is an excellent starter firing up instantly without or with very little turning over hot or stone cold - having been left for say a week, and first time every time, incidentally the cam chain looks like it was made by Swiss watchmakers it is so precisely constructed.
The gear box is good too, at 5000 miles it does seem now to be getting a bit freer, (as does the engine), with the gears going in a lot easier than say at 1000 miles ago, no need now to double de clutch, (well never any need but just was easier to do this to get say 2nd to 3rd in).
Brakes are adequate, they never really pull up sharply, but they do stop you sooner than later! No, their not bad, I normally go down through the gears anyway to help stop the car and this helps to keep the 160 in a straight line without skidding, (a lot of my comments might well apply to any Caterham or any car of course).
Instruments are clear and concise, all needles very steady, only thing being on the dash panel one of the bulbs on the fuel gauge must have gone out as that dial is a bit dim, though still illuminated.
When I first had the car I couldn't for a while reattach the steering wheel, rang up Caterham for some advice and had to leave a message, NO ONE got back to me, Caterham isn't in my opinion the best for communication -- I succeeded in putting the wheel on in the end and it now goes on every time quite easily though I don't know what I'm doing differently, and I did on that first occasion line up the teeth correctly. Just more confident now I suppose.
The heater is terrific, very hot especially when the car is at a standstill or going slow in traffic, quite adequate though it would be nice if the warmth started a bit more at the feet, otherwise good with two fan speeds, two vents and an adjustment lever.
Wipers in my view (sorry about that) are good, I bought a spare pair when picking up the car but no need to put them on as yet.
Pedals are a bit close together in the small footwell but I've never had to resort to socks only as I have read others having to do so no problem for me with size 9 slimmish shoes.
Getting in the car I still find difficult especially with the full roof on, getting out too, when I first had to get out after a run and coming back to the drive I sort of fell out of the car, having caught my left foot still in, don't think any neighbours saw it, though I swear I heard amused barks from my recent late loved and missed little Westie from the house window! I quite like the roof on but have had it off and have also used the half hood, really nice on a warm day, the centre goes over your head so not so drafty as no roof on at all, I think generally though I like a roof on. Both types of roof go on easily but a bit of a struggle when new for obvious reasons, anyway, all the buttons connect with all of their homes. ''No Roof'' goes on particularly easily, (dear oh dear).
Seats are quite comfortable, I opted for cloth ones and carpeting, though the floors aren't carpeted as I had requested just the sides of the gear box tunnel.. Rear tyre wear negligent as yet but admit have not measured.
Fuel filling has to be watched as 'you' don't know when the petrol is going to spill out of the tank onto the paintwork of the rear of the car, I wipe off immediately if it does spill onto, but you get used to knowing more or less how much to put in where the fuel might overspill, the thing is of course to fill slowly, I like to fill up every time as calling into a station is a bit of a pain with getting out of the car, getting back and hoisting yourself in and up, trying to find the seat belt attachment which I can't hardly see and just have to feel.
That's about it really, to sum up, I love the car, driving isn't a chore anymore especially on long journeys in fact I'm always sorry to finish the 'run' and have even got home then decided to go for another spin just to enjoy the 160 a bit more. It's a car, probably like any other Cat where you have to 'getused toit' and it's quirks, but once you do, once you're in the cockpit of this little 'fighter plane' it's all well worth it. Cheers, Tony. (Any questions will be answered on here at the reasonable sum of £10 per answer. 'oosaidthat.!!
Edited by Tonythesalesman on Friday 5th February 12:30
Edited by Tonythesalesman on Friday 5th February 12:32
Edited by Tonythesalesman on Friday 5th February 12:36
Edited by Tonythesalesman on Sunday 7th February 21:12
Edited by Tonythesalesman on Sunday 7th February 21:19
Edited by Tonythesalesman on Thursday 11th February 10:07
Thanks for the review, it sounds a real hoot to drive 
No Seven is very good on dual carriage ways and they are all very noisy at high speed. I would recommend always wearing earplugs or fitting an intercom with headsets so you can chat to your passenger.
I'd be interested to know if yours can hit 100, as my Roadsport 125 only just reaches an indicated 110 at the end of the straight at Goodwood and that is probably only just over a true 100mph
No Seven is very good on dual carriage ways and they are all very noisy at high speed. I would recommend always wearing earplugs or fitting an intercom with headsets so you can chat to your passenger.
I'd be interested to know if yours can hit 100, as my Roadsport 125 only just reaches an indicated 110 at the end of the straight at Goodwood and that is probably only just over a true 100mph
help a great deal, better than tissue.Tonythesalesman said:
The car holds the road like glue, I've never been very conscious of under or over steer, (quite honestly, I've never been THAT conscious of it in any vechile I've ever driven), and that's quite a few, from bikes, cars, vans and a shortish drive in a 32 tonner
You just need to go round corners quicker -toooooooo slow 
Ah.. removable steering wheel syndrome- or easily stolen steering wheel condition as I term them . Awful things - you either worry about somebody nicking it or look a total f
kwit wandering around with a steering wheel in your hand . I leave mine on and cross my fingers- it has worked so far.
kwit wandering around with a steering wheel in your hand . I leave mine on and cross my fingers- it has worked so far. coppice said:
Ah.. removable steering wheel syndrome- or easily stolen steering wheel condition as I term them . Awful things - you either worry about somebody nicking it or look a total fkwit wandering around with a steering wheel in your hand . I leave mine on and cross my fingers- it has worked so far.
I know a couple who left their wheel in a restaurant, and suffered a few hours of searching a stately home for it.kwit wandering around with a steering wheel in your hand . I leave mine on and cross my fingers- it has worked so far. I saved £100 by getting the standard wheel, and another £85 by sticking with the plastic fuel filler that is really easy to fill too............
Thanks for your comments on my post re review of the seven 160 folks, since my review I've done another approx 2000 miles with the car, mainly down in the West Country which I love, no problems at all so far.
I intend one of these days to drive up to and tour the Highlands, at least to the north of Inverness, quite a way from Bournemouth, I'll make at least one stop overnight, if I do this journey I'll post the results on here, cheers, Tony.
I intend one of these days to drive up to and tour the Highlands, at least to the north of Inverness, quite a way from Bournemouth, I'll make at least one stop overnight, if I do this journey I'll post the results on here, cheers, Tony.
Tonythesalesman said:
Thanks for your comments on my post re review of the seven 160 folks, since my review I've done another approx 2000 miles with the car, mainly down in the West Country which I love, no problems at all so far.
I intend one of these days to drive up to and tour the Highlands, at least to the north of Inverness, quite a way from Bournemouth, I'll make at least one stop overnight, if I do this journey I'll post the results on here, cheers, Tony.
Good man, racking up the miles. I intend one of these days to drive up to and tour the Highlands, at least to the north of Inverness, quite a way from Bournemouth, I'll make at least one stop overnight, if I do this journey I'll post the results on here, cheers, Tony.
Coming on the Fish'n'Chip run tomorrow? We're driving up from Dorset before breakfast, Eek!
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