Newbie question - Different noses S3 SV?
Discussion
Hi everybody!
This is a Spaniard in love for Caterham Super 7 and looking to buy one soon! So very happy to find a nice forum like this... (and pardon my English)
One quick question: I know the S3 and SV chassis are different and, being 5 feet 9 inches and less than 180 pounds, I am more interested in the S3 than the SV (even if it only for touring, I may lower the floor); now, I am not sure if it is an optical effect due to the cameras, paint, accesories... but for me there are two different noses, being one wider than the other (SV wider?). I almost burnt Google servers looking for any clue in internet, but failed... Have the S3 and SV nosecones different dimensions?
If that is the case, I prefer the wider one, looks more "sporty" to me, but it maybe only due to the fact that all the superior models are made in SV chassis. Also I think in this forum most people prefer the S3 chassis.
Thanks for your support!
This is a Spaniard in love for Caterham Super 7 and looking to buy one soon! So very happy to find a nice forum like this... (and pardon my English)
One quick question: I know the S3 and SV chassis are different and, being 5 feet 9 inches and less than 180 pounds, I am more interested in the S3 than the SV (even if it only for touring, I may lower the floor); now, I am not sure if it is an optical effect due to the cameras, paint, accesories... but for me there are two different noses, being one wider than the other (SV wider?). I almost burnt Google servers looking for any clue in internet, but failed... Have the S3 and SV nosecones different dimensions?
If that is the case, I prefer the wider one, looks more "sporty" to me, but it maybe only due to the fact that all the superior models are made in SV chassis. Also I think in this forum most people prefer the S3 chassis.
Thanks for your support!
hi Benur, Welcome!
Firstly, great choice of car to love;)
As DrS says, the SV is wider, which is exactly what it was designed to be, a slightly bigger 7 in all directions. However, to my eyes, if you look at them head on the ratio is the same. The SV does not look "lower and wider" if you see what i mean?
At 5'9" you will definitely be fine in an S3. I have an S3 at 5'10" and actually don't really like the SVs I have sat in... it just feels too big and therefore not focused.
There are a couple of things that make a difference to how "low and wide" the front of the car looks. Firstly the wide track suspension, which is on the Superlight and Supersport cars, and the height of the lights. Over the years the lights have got lower on the Superlight cars. I definitely don't know the exact differences on what spec cars, but as an example:
An Academy car (i.e. a Roadsport, no wide-track, high lights):
A Supersport car (wide track, and lowest style lights):
To particularly confuse things, Caterham don't update the pictures on their website. So if you look at the R300 and R400 pictures, they have higher lights, where if you were to order a new car, they would come with the low lights. For example, my car is a 2010 delivered kit R400 and has the same lights as the Supersport above.
Hopefully that helps explain it a bit, any other questions please do ask!
Firstly, great choice of car to love;)
As DrS says, the SV is wider, which is exactly what it was designed to be, a slightly bigger 7 in all directions. However, to my eyes, if you look at them head on the ratio is the same. The SV does not look "lower and wider" if you see what i mean?
At 5'9" you will definitely be fine in an S3. I have an S3 at 5'10" and actually don't really like the SVs I have sat in... it just feels too big and therefore not focused.
There are a couple of things that make a difference to how "low and wide" the front of the car looks. Firstly the wide track suspension, which is on the Superlight and Supersport cars, and the height of the lights. Over the years the lights have got lower on the Superlight cars. I definitely don't know the exact differences on what spec cars, but as an example:
An Academy car (i.e. a Roadsport, no wide-track, high lights):
A Supersport car (wide track, and lowest style lights):
To particularly confuse things, Caterham don't update the pictures on their website. So if you look at the R300 and R400 pictures, they have higher lights, where if you were to order a new car, they would come with the low lights. For example, my car is a 2010 delivered kit R400 and has the same lights as the Supersport above.
Hopefully that helps explain it a bit, any other questions please do ask!
Hi hufggfg! And thanks for your answer!!!
Of course it is a car to love, hehe... and with the prices of houses going up and up in Spain I'd rather "invest" my money in something really worthy ;-)
(And somebody told me these cars have a good residual in case I want (need) to sell it... ssshhh...)
Well, I'll take a detailed look at your post at home (blocked images in the office) and look at what you say, but meanwhile, could we say we can see an S3, an S3 and an SV in this picture?
http://78.138.119.49/userdata/1/19033/fIw4MFmF/dsc...
Of course it is a car to love, hehe... and with the prices of houses going up and up in Spain I'd rather "invest" my money in something really worthy ;-)
(And somebody told me these cars have a good residual in case I want (need) to sell it... ssshhh...)
Well, I'll take a detailed look at your post at home (blocked images in the office) and look at what you say, but meanwhile, could we say we can see an S3, an S3 and an SV in this picture?
http://78.138.119.49/userdata/1/19033/fIw4MFmF/dsc...
Dr Slotter said:
All SV cars have wide-track suspension too. Not sure about the lights, but my 2009 Roadsport has the new smaller, lower lights.
Interesting, so even the SV Roadsports have wide-track?I didn't realise they put the smaller lights on the roadsports, don't think I've ever seen one. But then there are more permutations to Sevens than there are cars!
Here's my car:
And here's the blurb from Caterham about the SV chassis:
"The SV chassis gives increased interior and luggage space due to the greater width and length of the car, making it suited for extended touring or for customers over 6'2" in height. The SV also benefits from the additional stability offered by wide-track front suspension and increased range from a larger fuel tank, with only a 25kg weight penalty over the standard chassis. The SV option is available as an optional extra for just £2,000."
Edit - better photo to illustrate front end.
And here's the blurb from Caterham about the SV chassis:
"The SV chassis gives increased interior and luggage space due to the greater width and length of the car, making it suited for extended touring or for customers over 6'2" in height. The SV also benefits from the additional stability offered by wide-track front suspension and increased range from a larger fuel tank, with only a 25kg weight penalty over the standard chassis. The SV option is available as an optional extra for just £2,000."
Edit - better photo to illustrate front end.
Edited by Dr Slotter on Thursday 30th August 18:44
Wow! What a warm welcome :-)))
I had the opportunity to look at the pictures attached yesterday at home (no time to answer, sorry), and I have to say I am amused with your answers.
So yes, definitely it seems that the lights position has also something to do with the look, thank you very much for your answers and opinions.
To introduce myself a little, I already said I am Spanish, from South Spain (maybe a little dusty in the summer to ride a Caterham ;-)) but I am living in South France today. No future mayor investments/costs (like house/baby/etc...) in the near future, so why not a nice whim?
Then, I have contacted with Caterham Spain in Barcelona (not far away from here) and will try to set an appointment to test the car together with my fiance (no point in going for the Caterham without her approval, obviously). Maybe I will also try to contact the French distributors... but they are not less than 10% more expensive than in Spain without an obvious reason.
A new question, does "wide-track suspension" mean that distance between the front wheels in the S3 is shorter than in the SV? That would make also a point in the overall look, obviously.
It's a pity that S3 chassis do not come with the "low lights"...
(Thanks Mick, I'll see your picture when I get home...)
I had the opportunity to look at the pictures attached yesterday at home (no time to answer, sorry), and I have to say I am amused with your answers.
So yes, definitely it seems that the lights position has also something to do with the look, thank you very much for your answers and opinions.
To introduce myself a little, I already said I am Spanish, from South Spain (maybe a little dusty in the summer to ride a Caterham ;-)) but I am living in South France today. No future mayor investments/costs (like house/baby/etc...) in the near future, so why not a nice whim?
Then, I have contacted with Caterham Spain in Barcelona (not far away from here) and will try to set an appointment to test the car together with my fiance (no point in going for the Caterham without her approval, obviously). Maybe I will also try to contact the French distributors... but they are not less than 10% more expensive than in Spain without an obvious reason.
A new question, does "wide-track suspension" mean that distance between the front wheels in the S3 is shorter than in the SV? That would make also a point in the overall look, obviously.
It's a pity that S3 chassis do not come with the "low lights"...
(Thanks Mick, I'll see your picture when I get home...)
Benur, the S3 chassis does come with the low lights. Any new car you get will have them I believe (though it's worth checking with Caterham)
Here's my R400:
From reading here and the Caterham website, all SVs come with wide track suspension. It is then standard on Supersport and Superlight S3 cars, and is an option on the other cars...
Basically with a Caterham, you can have pretty much any combination you want... You just need to choose if you want the SV chassis for the extra interior space.
When you go and see some of the cars i'm sure you'll quickly work out which one you prefer.
Here's my R400:
From reading here and the Caterham website, all SVs come with wide track suspension. It is then standard on Supersport and Superlight S3 cars, and is an option on the other cars...
Basically with a Caterham, you can have pretty much any combination you want... You just need to choose if you want the SV chassis for the extra interior space.
When you go and see some of the cars i'm sure you'll quickly work out which one you prefer.
Hope you have more luck with the dealer in Barcelona than myself and a friend had ! 
(We live in the Balearics) Neither of us could get any Joy from him.
I ended up buying my previous Seven, an S3 R300, direct from Caterham in LHD. That was back in 2005.
To answer your other question, the SV has a wider track than the S3 because the wide track wishbones are the same for both cars, but the SV has a wider chassis to start with.
I'm 1.8m and 83kg's, and although I found ample cockpit legroom in my previous S3, I found a lack of shoulder room with two in the car, so that's why I opted for the SV this time.
(We live in the Balearics) Neither of us could get any Joy from him.I ended up buying my previous Seven, an S3 R300, direct from Caterham in LHD. That was back in 2005.
To answer your other question, the SV has a wider track than the S3 because the wide track wishbones are the same for both cars, but the SV has a wider chassis to start with.
I'm 1.8m and 83kg's, and although I found ample cockpit legroom in my previous S3, I found a lack of shoulder room with two in the car, so that's why I opted for the SV this time.
I'm building an SV track car, many now snigger and question the choice. But regularly taking out passengers and being 6'4 and 110kgs, with wide shoulders, being in a S3 is comical. Even with lowered floors etc my head was above a std rollbar and i'm fighting for space with the passenger ... The SV just affords us a bit more space if we one day also considered road registering it.
I'm in Paris, and find that SV Automobiles are difficult to do business with ...
I'm in Paris, and find that SV Automobiles are difficult to do business with ...
Difference in price MIGHT be to do with difference in regulations for getting cars registered in Spain and France. Unfortunately the rules for low volume cars are different for each country and the exact spec can vary a bit too, as can the costs for getting them through the registration processes. I know from reading lots of threads on the subject, France is regarded as one of the tougher places to register a Caterham.
Thanks again everybody for all the answers!
Regarding the dealer in Barcelona, I sent an email last week, got no answer, called the telephone published on the web page and was answered :-) He told me that they were on holidays (phone call forwarded, good point) but would answer me as soon as they were back next week. Let's see what happens; I've read about problems in the past with this dealer, but to be honest they all were old posts (pre-2010, maybe).
Mick, do you know of any Spanish Caterham club? I've found a forum, but it seems dead... Was it very difficult to register the car in Spain?
Regarding the dealer in Barcelona, I sent an email last week, got no answer, called the telephone published on the web page and was answered :-) He told me that they were on holidays (phone call forwarded, good point) but would answer me as soon as they were back next week. Let's see what happens; I've read about problems in the past with this dealer, but to be honest they all were old posts (pre-2010, maybe).
Mick, do you know of any Spanish Caterham club? I've found a forum, but it seems dead... Was it very difficult to register the car in Spain?
The fact he couldn't be bothered to chat with you, because he's on holiday, says it all to me.
Basically he couldn't be arsed if he sells you a car or not. It's a hobby. The Guy is actually a potato or flower wholesaler, or something like that, if I remember correctly.
I think he managed to do a deal with the Nearn family years ago, so he could buy some cheap cars for himself and his Mates.
I bought my car in LHD on U.K. plates, and drove it down here, but never put it on Spanish plates (Although the Rover VVC engine was eu compliant)
as you know the tax is paid on the value of the car, so as it was a weekend only use, I got away with it, and intended to keep it for a while before putting it on Spanish plates as a personal import. I would pay less tax if the car was older. (although as you will know, I should have done it within 6 months)
I got stopped a few times by Guardia Civil Trafico, and policia local, but once I gave them U.K licence, U.K. insurance, on U.K. registered car, and me obviously being an Englishman they left me alone. Plus I think they only ever stopped me to have a look at the car.
I eventually sold the car to a Guy in Belgium, who put it on Belgian plates.
The car now lives in France.
You shouldn't have a problem importing a U.K factory built car with a CoC.
I think the Duratec 175 and 200 (CSR) and R400 are now homologated for europe. But Caterham will obviously put you right there.
There are subtle differences between the U.K. and eu cars. But not much, as basically there's not much to the cars anyway, and they all share common parts, and lots of things are interchangable.
As for the Spanish club, I did try and contact them, but no response.
I did join the L7C for about three years, but to be honest, living in Spain, all I got was the magazine, and to post on the forum, my geographical location meant I couldn't get involved, my job didn't let me get over for the big summer events, and I realised I could post on here for free, so I let that drop.
Not shure if there's a club in France though.
Anyway, good luck, and keep us posted on progress. I'm particularly interested to see if the Barcelona dealer has upped his game recently!
Saludo's !
Mick
Basically he couldn't be arsed if he sells you a car or not. It's a hobby. The Guy is actually a potato or flower wholesaler, or something like that, if I remember correctly.
I think he managed to do a deal with the Nearn family years ago, so he could buy some cheap cars for himself and his Mates.
I bought my car in LHD on U.K. plates, and drove it down here, but never put it on Spanish plates (Although the Rover VVC engine was eu compliant)
as you know the tax is paid on the value of the car, so as it was a weekend only use, I got away with it, and intended to keep it for a while before putting it on Spanish plates as a personal import. I would pay less tax if the car was older. (although as you will know, I should have done it within 6 months)
I got stopped a few times by Guardia Civil Trafico, and policia local, but once I gave them U.K licence, U.K. insurance, on U.K. registered car, and me obviously being an Englishman they left me alone. Plus I think they only ever stopped me to have a look at the car.
I eventually sold the car to a Guy in Belgium, who put it on Belgian plates.
The car now lives in France.
You shouldn't have a problem importing a U.K factory built car with a CoC.
I think the Duratec 175 and 200 (CSR) and R400 are now homologated for europe. But Caterham will obviously put you right there.
There are subtle differences between the U.K. and eu cars. But not much, as basically there's not much to the cars anyway, and they all share common parts, and lots of things are interchangable.
As for the Spanish club, I did try and contact them, but no response.
I did join the L7C for about three years, but to be honest, living in Spain, all I got was the magazine, and to post on the forum, my geographical location meant I couldn't get involved, my job didn't let me get over for the big summer events, and I realised I could post on here for free, so I let that drop.
Not shure if there's a club in France though.
Anyway, good luck, and keep us posted on progress. I'm particularly interested to see if the Barcelona dealer has upped his game recently!
Saludo's !
Mick
Well, OK, he didn't say he didn't want to be bothered, he said he would reply when back from holidays (this week); he looked busy, and I mentioned I could wait...
As I said, most of what I can read is bad interactions with him, but they are all old posts. Let's see if with the crisis he is more interested in selling or not. I'll keep you posted.
My big interest in buying this way is that I can have an important deduction on taxes if I buy in Spain. And of course, needless to say, the huge saving in bureaucracy I would have.
But for the moment I am just making some prospecting, to see what are the prices, the pros and cons in different countries and different ways. As I said, I am living in France at the moment, so I could get the advantage of driving a Spanish plate with my Spanish face around just like you did in Baleares :-)
Then, I also sent an email to Caterham France, just to check if I can try the Caterham here. But after that and looking at the prices I noticed that the difference between Spain and France is more or less the transport fee (around 3.000€); I cannot find any info on the CF web page as if this fee is included or not, so if it is, price would be more or less the same (except for my Spanish tax deduction, obviously).
Nevertheless, thank you very much for the information about the UK import possibility , it is one of the possibilities to consider, of course. And thank you for the rest of the info too.
But, first thing is to get the possibility to try one!!! And of course, my "Speed Limiter" (aka girlfriend) will have to try it also, there is no point in driving it alone... or it is... ;-)
As I said, most of what I can read is bad interactions with him, but they are all old posts. Let's see if with the crisis he is more interested in selling or not. I'll keep you posted.
My big interest in buying this way is that I can have an important deduction on taxes if I buy in Spain. And of course, needless to say, the huge saving in bureaucracy I would have.
But for the moment I am just making some prospecting, to see what are the prices, the pros and cons in different countries and different ways. As I said, I am living in France at the moment, so I could get the advantage of driving a Spanish plate with my Spanish face around just like you did in Baleares :-)
Then, I also sent an email to Caterham France, just to check if I can try the Caterham here. But after that and looking at the prices I noticed that the difference between Spain and France is more or less the transport fee (around 3.000€); I cannot find any info on the CF web page as if this fee is included or not, so if it is, price would be more or less the same (except for my Spanish tax deduction, obviously).
Nevertheless, thank you very much for the information about the UK import possibility , it is one of the possibilities to consider, of course. And thank you for the rest of the info too.
But, first thing is to get the possibility to try one!!! And of course, my "Speed Limiter" (aka girlfriend) will have to try it also, there is no point in driving it alone... or it is... ;-)
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