Type seven as an everyday car ?
Discussion
It certainly has been done by a few people (probably very few!) but nobody I know so can't give any insight into what it's like.
As for large footwells, most 7 type cars have narrow footwells, but think the wide bodied Caterham, Daxs and Luegos might be your best bets, though others might be able to add to that list.
As for large footwells, most 7 type cars have narrow footwells, but think the wide bodied Caterham, Daxs and Luegos might be your best bets, though others might be able to add to that list.
I've run a Westfield and a Caterham as my only car, including daily commute to work in Leeds city centre, when I was younger.
The topic has been discussed several times previously on this forum, so if you do a search you'll come up with lots of detailed advice and opinions, including my own.
The topic has been discussed several times previously on this forum, so if you do a search you'll come up with lots of detailed advice and opinions, including my own.
Wacky Racer said:
As a past Tiger and Westfield owner I would say you would have to be an extremely brave man to run a seven type car as your only transport 12 months of the year....
Nah, you just have to be properly equipped (nobody has ever accused me of being brave, but I'm constantly being told how well equipped I am!
) Full face helmet, sheepskin flying jacket and motorcyle gloves are what you want for severe winter conditions.
You also have to get used to catching the back end every time you pull out of a junction on wet, salted roads!
If I was to do it again, I'd forget about having a windscreen... the cars are awful to drive (noisy, steam up and poor visibility) and impossible to get in and out of with the hood up. If you run them open at all times (as I did - just used a tonneau over to keep the seats dry when I parked up), then rain whipping round onto the inside face of a full windscreen is your biggest problem.
Edited by Sam_68 on Thursday 16th November 17:01
I run my Westfield as my only car, a 35 mile daily commute, and it is a hoot. A little chilly in the winter (I agree with the Full Face Helmet and Jacket) and I have biker trousers for the cold (and wet) winter. I have a windscreen and side screens, to cut down on the buffeting.
The only downside is the sometimes scarsity of parts or delays, meaning that I am without it for a couple of days whilst I source the right part.
If you want more info, PM me or ask em here.
The only downside is the sometimes scarsity of parts or delays, meaning that I am without it for a couple of days whilst I source the right part.
If you want more info, PM me or ask em here.
Insurance, there are a few magic names you will hear mentioned, but I use MSM, who are great. Not sure how good they are for young peeps, as I am an old fart, but I have fully come, PNC at £350, unlimited mileage.
THe boot is not too big, but if you run it as your transport, think of it as a 4 wheel motorbike, in which case you have loads of room in the passenger seat!
It is not (too) wet when it rains. In 15 months, I have only got soaked twice, and that was before I had the side screens and got the waterproofs. This morning, I hit a puddle that dumped a load of water on me (a bucket load) and I was fine. (I don't have a roof, as I hate camping!)
Ross_328i_sport said:
cheers for the advise done a trckday in a caterham widebody version and could live with the room they gave i have also been advised on the quantum extreme and the mk indy what are these like in comparison and can any one suggest any others thanks ross
I've heard the extreme is excellent (admittedly from QOC people!) the stainless steel monoque looks very well engineered and there are some ferociously quick examples out there. Despite this they fetch quite a lot less than the usual caterfields.
Ross_328i_sport said:
yes please could i have some more inforamtion does the inside not get flooded when your travelling if the roof is not on what is the boot storage like too. Also any one know of any insurers that will insure a 19 year old on kit car insurance
I used a split tonneau (ie. tonneau cover with a zip down the centre). If it's raining, you leave the half that covers the passenger seat in place, and of course you (in your waterproofs!) cover the drivers seat. Water collecting in the cockpit isn't a huge problem, therefore. If you get caught in a really bad downpour, you might have to sponge out the cockpit when you get home, but that only happens once in a blue moon.
Can't help you with insurers, though - they are getting very cautious about younger drivers, these days.
I ran a Dax Rush as an everyday car for ~2 years... i was 24 turnging 25 when i bought the car and always used Osbourne an Sons... they had no problem with commuting in the car and i was even covered 3rd party on any other vehicle. www.osborneandsons.co.uk/
Ran my JBA Falcon for 12 years as a daily driver. Always had the hood down unless it was actually raining. The advantage here is that the side screens are fixed and glass so stayed clear for side visibility which has been stated as an issue for 7s. The hood can be deployed in 1.5 minutes.
Not a 7 I know but the same principal for usability.
Steve
Not a 7 I know but the same principal for usability.
Steve
Ergonomics is down to more than just cockpit size; for example I quite happily drive a Sylva Phoenix but found my friends Sylva Striker (identical chassis) completely impossible due to a different pedal box arrangement that meant my feet were too big to operate the pedals cleanly.
Best advice, therefore, is to shortlist the cars you like, then visit the manufacturers to try them for size. Unfortunately, it's the wrong time of year, but normally the best thing to do would be to visit one of the big kit car shows (Stoneleigh in May is the biggest), where you can see and sit in loads of cars in one place.
The bike vs. car engine debate is a whole can of worms, but I'd have no hesitation in saying that (a) if you don't have all that much driving experience and, (b) if the car is going to be a daily driver, you should stick to a car engine. Insurance will probably dictate quite a small engine (say 1300cc), but that's no bad thing. Even a 1300cc car engine is a buzz in a Seven; you can always upgrade it later.
Best advice, therefore, is to shortlist the cars you like, then visit the manufacturers to try them for size. Unfortunately, it's the wrong time of year, but normally the best thing to do would be to visit one of the big kit car shows (Stoneleigh in May is the biggest), where you can see and sit in loads of cars in one place.
The bike vs. car engine debate is a whole can of worms, but I'd have no hesitation in saying that (a) if you don't have all that much driving experience and, (b) if the car is going to be a daily driver, you should stick to a car engine. Insurance will probably dictate quite a small engine (say 1300cc), but that's no bad thing. Even a 1300cc car engine is a buzz in a Seven; you can always upgrade it later.
steve_d said:
On the insurance front you will get a much better price if you have built the car yourself.
The reasoning being that if you have committed 18 months to a build you are less likely to throw your pride and joy into the undergrowth.
Steve
The reasoning being that if you have committed 18 months to a build you are less likely to throw your pride and joy into the undergrowth.
Steve
Very true i have tried an insurance company that has been suggested on here but coudnt give me a quote due to my age the other option is going on as a second driver but i would rather go on my own
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