Daily use realsitic
Discussion
I second the choice of David L
I used my 21 as a daily commute for two years. With a VVC, it's the perfect sport car for me, light weight, fast and it has a boot big enough for a week in France with female passenger and all her woman stuff :P
When I had a little ding with it bought a little van and now as a daily commute I use a pickup.
Caterham are usable as daily commute, just do not forget there original design is 30+ year old
Jack
I used my 21 as a daily commute for two years. With a VVC, it's the perfect sport car for me, light weight, fast and it has a boot big enough for a week in France with female passenger and all her woman stuff :P
When I had a little ding with it bought a little van and now as a daily commute I use a pickup.
Caterham are usable as daily commute, just do not forget there original design is 30+ year old
Jack
I owned a VVC with full weather equipment and leather seats for just over three years.
In answer to the original question, yes of course. A Caterham is much more habitable than a motorbike, and plenty of my friends use those everyday. My Caterham never ever leaked with the hood up, even in heavy rain. Liveliness in the wet was never a problem for me (obviously just be careful when it is wet), though be careful about your tyre choice. The seats in mine were far more comfortable than an S1 Elise.
However... as has been said here already resale on Caterhams is fairly dependant on condition and mileage, and most Caterhams are immaculate weekend toys. The other issue is safety. I wouldn't want to do serious miles in one because of the chances of being rear ended by a 4x4 or something and not coming off too well! Many on here will scoff at that, but it's true - the roads are a dangerous place, and no matter how safe you are it is better to be in a tin top most of the time than a Caterham. Having said that, Caterhams can avoid most accidents much better than a wallowy tin top. The other issue is the length of time it takes to put that hood up! My best was about five minutes, and that was really rushing. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but what if it is sunny on the way to work but it *might* rain during the day? Tonneaus are a bit of a hassle to put on as well (1-2 minutes?). And also, if you're heading out for a drive do you put the hood up or not? WIll it rain? I'm assuming you'll go for leather seats for everyday comfort - well, they'll get ruined in the rain everyday all year round... Stopping and putting the hood up isn't really an option as it'll double the length of your short commute to work and you'll get soaked! Hood up Caterhams are cosy and warm, but it is a bit loud, and I fear that if a Caterham is an everyday drive you'll spend about 6,000 miles a year with the hood up. No stereo of course (you'd never hear it!).
That last paragraph is just to try and give you an insight into the reality of using the seven everyday. Personally, I ran an old BMW alongside the seven and that was perfect.
In answer to the original question, yes of course. A Caterham is much more habitable than a motorbike, and plenty of my friends use those everyday. My Caterham never ever leaked with the hood up, even in heavy rain. Liveliness in the wet was never a problem for me (obviously just be careful when it is wet), though be careful about your tyre choice. The seats in mine were far more comfortable than an S1 Elise.
However... as has been said here already resale on Caterhams is fairly dependant on condition and mileage, and most Caterhams are immaculate weekend toys. The other issue is safety. I wouldn't want to do serious miles in one because of the chances of being rear ended by a 4x4 or something and not coming off too well! Many on here will scoff at that, but it's true - the roads are a dangerous place, and no matter how safe you are it is better to be in a tin top most of the time than a Caterham. Having said that, Caterhams can avoid most accidents much better than a wallowy tin top. The other issue is the length of time it takes to put that hood up! My best was about five minutes, and that was really rushing. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but what if it is sunny on the way to work but it *might* rain during the day? Tonneaus are a bit of a hassle to put on as well (1-2 minutes?). And also, if you're heading out for a drive do you put the hood up or not? WIll it rain? I'm assuming you'll go for leather seats for everyday comfort - well, they'll get ruined in the rain everyday all year round... Stopping and putting the hood up isn't really an option as it'll double the length of your short commute to work and you'll get soaked! Hood up Caterhams are cosy and warm, but it is a bit loud, and I fear that if a Caterham is an everyday drive you'll spend about 6,000 miles a year with the hood up. No stereo of course (you'd never hear it!).
That last paragraph is just to try and give you an insight into the reality of using the seven everyday. Personally, I ran an old BMW alongside the seven and that was perfect.
i completely concuur with Rob, except with one variation......
to drive a Se7en on a daily basis, you have to be somewhat paranoid -- quick of mind -- suspicious of other drivers, and alert.
all admirable and highly desired skills that a lot of the general populace on the roads are losing -- so be smart out there...!
oh, and see a lady named Jill Judd www.softbitsforsevens.co.uk to get a 1/2 hood, leave ours on all the time!
to drive a Se7en on a daily basis, you have to be somewhat paranoid -- quick of mind -- suspicious of other drivers, and alert.
all admirable and highly desired skills that a lot of the general populace on the roads are losing -- so be smart out there...!
oh, and see a lady named Jill Judd www.softbitsforsevens.co.uk to get a 1/2 hood, leave ours on all the time!
With practise putting the roof up takes less than a minute. My fastest was about 30s during a thunderstorm in Utah earlier this year.
I used my 7 as a daily driver for over 5 years, racking up over 55,000 miles myself (the car's on 85,000ish). Now got a sensible car too and no need to drive to work, so the 7 will go a little more toy-like - Steve, tempted by your engine...
Overall it's all down to your level of commitment. Some days I REALLY didn't want to be driving the 7 (usually the morning after parties when I had to drive home - hangovers in 7s are nasty!).
I used my 7 as a daily driver for over 5 years, racking up over 55,000 miles myself (the car's on 85,000ish). Now got a sensible car too and no need to drive to work, so the 7 will go a little more toy-like - Steve, tempted by your engine...
Overall it's all down to your level of commitment. Some days I REALLY didn't want to be driving the 7 (usually the morning after parties when I had to drive home - hangovers in 7s are nasty!).
Steve-B said:
i don't feel exposed at all. i am hyper defensive
I have to say, and this may be somewhat controversial, having been on a track in my fully-caged Academy car quite a lot, and done a few laps in an open Superlight, I would NEVER buy Caterham without a roll cage. I know they're ugly, but I felt like I could die in that Superlight! I've NEVER had that feeling in my car!
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