Discussion
I'm 6'2" and about 90kg and after going to Caterham south had convinced myself that I needed an SV. I felt it had more room in the footwell to be able to hit only one pedal at a time, but I ended up buying an S3 with lowered floor and make sure I wear narrow shoes ( Puma Speedcats ) when driving, it's a tight fit with tillets as they are quite narrow in the hip area but I love the fact that when strapped in I do not move 
onward said:
I can only see myself and my wife getting wider, not taller though. I'm really thinking of her not me, thats the kind of guy I am.
I guess the wife doesn't read this forum!I'm 6'2" but have long legs, and find that in an S3 the steering wheel wedges against my thighs (even with the pedals all the way forward), so went for an SV.
It's true is isn't as "snug" width ways as an S3, but I've not found that a problem.
In theory I guess an SV should handle slightly better than an S3 due to it's wider track, but in practice (certainly on the road) you won't notice any difference.
As regards the nose looking too wide in lighter colours. I agree it looks different, but not necessarily "wrong". However, with a darker noseband and bonnet stripe(s) the visual difference is very much reduced.
If you're intending to go touring or do a lot of miles then purely for the extra shoulder room I'd go for the SV every time (plus more luggage space, bigger boot and behind the seats, as well as a bigger fuel tank). Be sure to try an S3 with both of you wearing thicker warm jackets
I’m 6ft 3’’ 90ish kgs on a good day and have had 4 S3 Cats. Each time I messed around changing seats, lowering floors, changing steering wheels, moving pedals forward, bending them sideways etc etc. I just never felt that I fitted 100%. Then a few years ago as part of a Palmersport day I drove an SV version of the 7. It didn’t really feel that much more unwieldy and there was plenty of room length ways and in the footwell around the pedals.
If I go for another 7 in the future a Sumo Version will be at the top of my wish list! Although I will hire one for a day or two to see if I can get on with an SV on the road.
If I go for another 7 in the future a Sumo Version will be at the top of my wish list! Although I will hire one for a day or two to see if I can get on with an SV on the road.
Edited by Simon E on Saturday 27th September 13:29
IIRC, weight wise, an SV is lighter than a VX powered S3, according to Chris Rees's book. VX 590kg, SV 575kg. (Although I'm aiming at below 500 for mine )
I had an S3 for a while, and I replaced it with an SV. I'm not a particularly large fellow, but I didn't like rubbing shoulders with passengers.
For a road biased car, more space for your feet, bigger boot, more fuel, and space behind the seats for weekends away gear. What's not to like?
As for looks, if I see an SV standing on it's own, I have to count the poppers over the windscreen to make sure. Although it is obvious if it's next to the original whippet version, I don't think it looks bad at all.
People are generally bigger now, than they were in 1959.
)I had an S3 for a while, and I replaced it with an SV. I'm not a particularly large fellow, but I didn't like rubbing shoulders with passengers.
For a road biased car, more space for your feet, bigger boot, more fuel, and space behind the seats for weekends away gear. What's not to like?
As for looks, if I see an SV standing on it's own, I have to count the poppers over the windscreen to make sure. Although it is obvious if it's next to the original whippet version, I don't think it looks bad at all.
People are generally bigger now, than they were in 1959.
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