Standard or SV
Discussion
You only need an SV if your properly fat.
I'm 6 foot 100kgs, my dads a similar build we fit side by side ok in an s3 but you have to fight for shoulder room.
It's perfect on the road, and dosnt feel snug enough on track in your own.
I have big legs(cycling) and it's tight between my thigh and the steering wheel using the clutch... We will hopefully get the floor lowered in the future.
S3s look better. I'd say if you are over 6foot and claustrophobic get a fat boy.
I'm 6 foot 100kgs, my dads a similar build we fit side by side ok in an s3 but you have to fight for shoulder room.
It's perfect on the road, and dosnt feel snug enough on track in your own.
I have big legs(cycling) and it's tight between my thigh and the steering wheel using the clutch... We will hopefully get the floor lowered in the future.
S3s look better. I'd say if you are over 6foot and claustrophobic get a fat boy.
I'm 82kg and 5'10", so I wouldn't say I'm "properly fat". But I prefer the extra shoulder space, and foot space (ie no need to look like a wannabe F1 driver in pixie boots).
I have owned an S3, and I thought the car was too small, especialy two up.
There will be people who tell you they are 6'4" and built like shreck, and they can fit in an S3. I'm sure they can.
But it's personal preference, best to go to Caterham South, or Midlands, and try them out.
As for looking wrong, you'd be hard pressed to tell from a distance, unless the two variants are side by side. As mentioned in a similar thread, you have to count the poppers over the windscreen.
Of course there are the aero Guys who say you don't need a windscreen. But I don't want to dress up like a Toureg!
As I said, best to try them out, and see what floats your boat, or get to a local L7C meet and have a chat.
I have owned an S3, and I thought the car was too small, especialy two up.
There will be people who tell you they are 6'4" and built like shreck, and they can fit in an S3. I'm sure they can.
But it's personal preference, best to go to Caterham South, or Midlands, and try them out.
As for looking wrong, you'd be hard pressed to tell from a distance, unless the two variants are side by side. As mentioned in a similar thread, you have to count the poppers over the windscreen.
Of course there are the aero Guys who say you don't need a windscreen. But I don't want to dress up like a Toureg!
As I said, best to try them out, and see what floats your boat, or get to a local L7C meet and have a chat.
Edited by mickrick on Thursday 5th July 16:41
I'm 18st and 6'1" with short legs so I qualify as being properly fat. Before I purchased my Caterham I sat in an S3 and if I was on my own without the doors on it would be have been ok to drive. However I bought an SV and it's comfortable to drive with an equally properly fat bloke next to me with the doors on.
Even assuming you have lowered floors your head must be above the windscreen line? I'm 6'1'' and I'm almost level with the top of the screen (SV, lowered floors) or was that a typo?
Typo edited! 
TBH I wouldn't want to be 6'10''I am 6'5" with a long back (and 120kg) and can drive an S3 but it is not comfortable. In the SV/CSR with a lowered floor I look through the middle of the screen (or down the bonnet f I replace the seat base with a foam replacement) and so you should be able to fit in if you really were 6'10".
Steve
Steve
I'm 6'2" and 95kg when I had a Caterham SV and S3. I found the space of the SV was needed for touring and so I didn't need pixie boots. On track though it's harder work (with leather seats) because I wasn't held so tight. I raced the S3 and needed a bag seat and tall cage and didn't use doors, but probably could have got away with a standard cage and lowered floor.
jackh707 said:
You only need an SV if your properly fat.
Thanks for that. 
I am 115kg and 6'2". I went for the SV after trying out both sizes of car at a dealer. I think the pedals in the S3 were set up funny because I sat in the car with the seat right back and my feet were behind the pedals. I suspect the last owner was a short 'un. But I really like the extra space under the wheel from the lower floor, and the SV offers more space for a weekend car.
Also, I have no idea how I would fit the air box, tubing, battery and so on under the bonnet of an S3 (EuroV spec so lots of extra bits and bobs).
pipnjones said:
Thanks for that.
.
I'll be honest, I was trying to troll SV owners a little bit .
The s3 is ok on my own, but if you get a cramp in your leg, you are gonna have a bad time.
I like the 'coziness' and as said find it brill on track, but if you are tall/wide hipped or long legged an SV would be a better bet for weekend trip car.
I do think the s3 is prettier to look at, but Your comments about the bonnet are bang on, I hate having to take the bloody carb filters off everytime I want to get in the engine.
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