Using a "hardcore" car as a Daily Driver?
Discussion
Right, so I read CW7's report on using a Caterham as a daily and loved it. I've been toying with the idea myself, as insurance is pretty damn reasonable considering I'm 21 (even looking at "mainstream" insurers i.e. no specialists, I was getting quotes all under £900!) and its bound to be more fun than the Fiat Panda I'm currently going about my daily business in. Looked at other track-orientated cars too, Westfields, Mk1 Elises etc (sadly my budget is nowhere near Ariel Atom levels, maybe one day!) and I'm very tempted!
So, how many more PHers use Caterhams, Westfields, Elises and the like as a daily, and how do you find them? This is another case where I think its a brilliant idea, but the parents and my OH both think I'm insane, how do I get them round to my way of thinking?
So, how many more PHers use Caterhams, Westfields, Elises and the like as a daily, and how do you find them? This is another case where I think its a brilliant idea, but the parents and my OH both think I'm insane, how do I get them round to my way of thinking?
Personally i see no problem, i have never owned the type of car you are looking at but i did use bikes all year round for a long time, and to my mind they are very similar in that they are very focused vehicles apart from the car gets stuck in traffic jams 
.
if you can afford it, and its what you want, do it
dont have a life full of what ifs.
.if you can afford it, and its what you want, do it
dont have a life full of what ifs.
DanB7290 said:
Right, so I read CW7's report on using a Caterham as a daily and loved it. I've been toying with the idea myself, as insurance is pretty damn reasonable considering I'm 21 (even looking at "mainstream" insurers i.e. no specialists, I was getting quotes all under £900!) and its bound to be more fun than the Fiat Panda I'm currently going about my daily business in. Looked at other track-orientated cars too, Westfields, Mk1 Elises etc (sadly my budget is nowhere near Ariel Atom levels, maybe one day!) and I'm very tempted!
So, how many more PHers use Caterhams, Westfields, Elises and the like as a daily, and how do you find them? This is another case where I think its a brilliant idea, but the parents and my OH both think I'm insane, how do I get them round to my way of thinking?
I think that plying them with alcohol will help.So, how many more PHers use Caterhams, Westfields, Elises and the like as a daily, and how do you find them? This is another case where I think its a brilliant idea, but the parents and my OH both think I'm insane, how do I get them round to my way of thinking?
Best wishes
Your Dad
The other people that think it's a bad idea are not car nuts like you, they see cars as a way of getting from A to B. They might want one they think looks nice or has a particular image but it's not about how the car drives or feels beyond comfort etc.
You are 21, you like cars, go for it! Later in life you might not have the chance with kids and a mortgage so now is the time to do these things. I suspect if your OH goes in the car with you a lot and it's your only car then she isn't going to like it. She might be ok with an Elise but in the rain/winter in a Caterfield she's going to moan like crazy and you'll either have to punch/dump/kill her or get rid of the car to save the earache!
Someone I know chose the dump option when his OH moaned too much about his VX220, she's now just had her first baby with the new bloke and his Audi!
You are 21, you like cars, go for it! Later in life you might not have the chance with kids and a mortgage so now is the time to do these things. I suspect if your OH goes in the car with you a lot and it's your only car then she isn't going to like it. She might be ok with an Elise but in the rain/winter in a Caterfield she's going to moan like crazy and you'll either have to punch/dump/kill her or get rid of the car to save the earache!
Someone I know chose the dump option when his OH moaned too much about his VX220, she's now just had her first baby with the new bloke and his Audi!
I did 25K a year in an Impreza WRX and loved it (okay, it's not as raw at a Caterham). Then bought an STi and could have easily lived with the noise (it has a daft exhaust system) and ride, however, even at 36ppm my petrol claims were not returning enough margin to pay for other costs... Hence the s
tty oil burner I now use for work 
Do it...
-P
tty oil burner I now use for work Do it...
-P
I have had two Caterham Sevens and run them both as everyday cars. This means everything from Sunday morning blasts, the odd commute into London and long motorway journeys. (London to Aberdeen in the one with no heather being the most extreme). They are surprisingly comfortable, and practical but my ONLY caveat would be to ensure you get something with real seat belts. My second caterham had four-point racing harnesses.
I cannot begin to explain the frustration of getting in, putting on four belts that hold you totally in place, dropping your keys on the floor. Undoing four belts, picking up keys, doing up four belts. Starting car - and rememebring that you parked up with a fuel tank running on vapour and have to drive two minutes down the road, stop undo four belts... you get the idea!!!
I cannot begin to explain the frustration of getting in, putting on four belts that hold you totally in place, dropping your keys on the floor. Undoing four belts, picking up keys, doing up four belts. Starting car - and rememebring that you parked up with a fuel tank running on vapour and have to drive two minutes down the road, stop undo four belts... you get the idea!!!
Elises are fine.
People say they're difficult to use as an only car, but I really haven't found mine to be any more of a compromise than any other 2-seater with a smallish boot. The only slight problem is if you're too old/fat/injured to get in and out easily.
I did toy with the idea of a Caterham before I bought my Elise and I don't think it would have been too bad given that I have a garage. Ultimately though, I decided it wasn't worth it for me.
People say they're difficult to use as an only car, but I really haven't found mine to be any more of a compromise than any other 2-seater with a smallish boot. The only slight problem is if you're too old/fat/injured to get in and out easily.
I did toy with the idea of a Caterham before I bought my Elise and I don't think it would have been too bad given that I have a garage. Ultimately though, I decided it wasn't worth it for me.
DannyT said:
I cannot begin to explain the frustration of getting in, putting on four belts that hold you totally in place, dropping your keys on the floor. Undoing four belts, picking up keys, doing up four belts. Starting car - and rememebring that you parked up with a fuel tank running on vapour and have to drive two minutes down the road, stop undo four belts... you get the idea!!!
Although not in a Caterham I certainly feel your pain!!! I personally wouldn't go for a Caterham as an everyday car, but I'm in a suit M-F, if I was a mechanic like my brother I probably would!
I nearly traded in my TT for an S2 Exige which would have been used daily but pulled out as the credit crunch was on the brink...
I'd certainly have an S1 Elise or VX220 as an everyday car, the mrs would moan but sod her... she has a 206 and I don't moan at her too much!
Cant compare with using a caterham but have used various hardcore (ie track focused) as daily drivers including vx220t, impreza spec C with 350/350, an Evo 6 RS model TME (no aircon, wind up windows, no c/lock, low ratio g/box). The fun soon wears off when stuck in commuting traffic but as soon as you get a bit of clear road it all seems worth while again. Currently using an integra type R which seems lovely and comfy, quiet, economical and refined. Its even got aircon.
All these cars are great fun but you need something else so you can take the family on a long trip or take a client/your boss out to a lunch meeting (although turning up to a meeting in a caterham with flies pebbledashed to your forehead would be a good talking point!)
All these cars are great fun but you need something else so you can take the family on a long trip or take a client/your boss out to a lunch meeting (although turning up to a meeting in a caterham with flies pebbledashed to your forehead would be a good talking point!)
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