What spec????

[mechsympathy]

Right. The wife and failed to compromise, so we've bought her an MR2 and I'm looking for an SV. I've been vaguely looking for a while and failed to find one I like (I really want a green one with a yellow bonnet stripe How girly is that?) I'm just about justifying a new one as they seem to hold their value very well.

So, I'm thinking 1.8 140bhp, 5 speed box, roll bar, harnesses, quick release wheel and poss leather seats. (The 160bhp engine costs £2k extra, and the six speed box £1.5k. The SV comes with superlight suspension as standard, so the only performance upgrades I'd consider are the brakes at £580 and an LSD at £675. Btw there's not much point me spending money on lightened components as I could usefully lose a stone anyway, which would be free.)

Please discuss at your leisure

[F355GTS]

Good spec although I'd definitely choose the LSD, Big brakes and a 6 speed box.

[jeremyc]

Firstly: congratulations on the decision.

I'd go for the 6 speed box and LSD as essential options: it is relatively easy to add power later on if required.

Oh, and you realise upgradeitis is standard with all models, don't you.

[mechsympathy]

Will I really notice the difference with a 6-speed?

(and btw what wheel/tyre combo comes as standard?)

[regmolehusband]

The 6 speed will give you a better acceleration time from 0-100mph due to the close ratios keeping the engine "on song". It will also make the car easier to sell when the time comes.

However, for me, the best thing about changing to a 6 speed box was the much more racy sound of the short ratios. It sort of goes MMEEAAHHH..MEEEAAHHHH..MEEEAHHHHH etc whereas the 5 speed sort of goes UUUUMMEEAAHHH.....UUUUMMEEAAHHH....UUUUMMEEAHHHH.

If you see what I mean......

The downside of course is that 6th is a direct top while 5th in the 5 speed box is an overdrive so with the 6 speed box you'll be using higher revs while cruising in top gear.

"Reg"

[rubystone]

Repeat after me "I must buy a 6 speed"...and I'd also suggest Tillets and a 160 bhp R300 engine too. If you can't fit into the Tillets due to your size, Nigel Bent has (had) a biger set fitted to his SV R500 coustesy of Tillet themselves.

Of course if you intend to only tour in the car and never do track days, go for a 5 speed, leather seats and those arm rest thingies that are advertised in Low Flying.

BTW did I mention the need for a dry sump, big red startr button and Stack Dash?

Finally, if you haven't already (and I don't see any evidence you have) - join the L7 CLub GB forum at www.Blatchat.com and post the same query there, sit bakc and wait....or search the archives for Ian Gibson's posts ("The Gimp") on speccing his SV (or Franky Knuckles on speccing his R300)

[bertie]

You must get the 6 speed box, LSD and big brakes not so essential IMHO unless tou intend to do a lot of hard track use and then you want more power, LSD big brakes and dry sump or the apollo tank as minimum.

[Paul V]

Not sure what your budget is but Caterham have a Estoril blue SV with the 140 bhp engine, 6 speed, uprated brakes plus a few other extras for £21k, I test drove it a month or so ago and did enjoy it.

[Incorrigible]

Buy a spare one, as I'll certainly want a go and you might not get it back

BTW Re: losing weight, the slim fast is back out so I can get in my salopettes

[mechsympathy]

Incorrigible said:

BTW Re: losing weight, the slim fast is back out so I can get in my salopettes

LOL. I'm afraid I'll be boring you into the night (ooer) with trying to work out what to do.

Re the SV at Caterham south - saw that, not convinced about the colour, but will arrange a once I'm back from skiing.

[bongomania]

Looks very similar to my SV spec here : www.seven-ecstasy.co.uk/html/sv_specification.html