Which model is largest?

Which model is largest?

Author
Discussion

mark4765

Original Poster:

44 posts

265 months

Monday 26th February 2007
quotequote all
Hi all

Sorry if it has been done before,but i have just completed a search with no answers...Simple question really,which is the best caterham model (sv?) to buy for interior space,and what size will it accomodate...im 6ft 1" and 18 stone with rugby/boxer build,is it time to go on a diet!.

regards mark


Edited by mark4765 on Monday 26th February 19:06

squadron leader

154 posts

208 months

Monday 26th February 2007
quotequote all
Mark, I would reckon the SV is the model for you. I'm fourteen stone and fit into the non SV Caterhams "snugly". Best thing to do is get yourself into a Caterahm showroom, (Surrey or West mids) and try them for size.

When you do find what fits you best - and you buy one - you'll love it.

Cheers,

Phil

fergus

6,430 posts

277 months

Monday 26th February 2007
quotequote all
mark4765 said:
Hi all

Sorry if it has been done before,but i have just completed a search with no answers...Simple question really,which is the best caterham model (sv?) to buy for interior space,and what size will it accomodate...im 6ft 1" and 18 stone with rugby/boxer build,is it time to go on a diet!.

regards mark


Edited by mark4765 on Monday 26th February 19:06


I'm 6'6", 19 stone, with size 13 feet, and have a caterham SLR. These are narrow bodied cars. However, I do have the lowered floor pan fitted, and sit directly on the floor on a custom made seat. I had my 'SLR type' roll cage specially made by 'caged' to allow for extra headroom - it looks a bit strange - but at least it's safe.

Unless you have really large hips, a std car will be fine width ways I think!

murph7355

37,859 posts

258 months

Monday 26th February 2007
quotequote all
I'm 6'4" and have been 18.5st in the past (fat bastard build rather than anything athletic) and fit in a narrow bodied car.

I don't have the lowered floor (except when the flooor fell out at 90mph on a French autoroute - another story) but do have a bench seat. Removable wheel helps getting in and out too.

I really don't like the SV - too much room in it, not as intimate. Coming from a normal car, an SV will feel snug. But get used to a narrow bodied car and you'll want all your cars to feel that way.

Tango7

688 posts

228 months

Tuesday 27th February 2007
quotequote all
I'm 6'2" and around 17-17.5st and I fit into a standard chassis car fine. I tried sitting in an SV and found there was too much room for me and would end up rolling round in there on a trackday

Best try a few cars out for size esp. with tillets and possibly bench seats

Eric Mc

122,259 posts

267 months

Tuesday 27th February 2007
quotequote all
I'm 5ft 6ins and find the original spec car too big

POORCARDEALER

8,528 posts

243 months

Tuesday 27th February 2007
quotequote all


Me too, 6ft 1 and 18stone, fit in snugly, best not to have a similar sized passenger as its tight on the shoulders...........footwear is important if you dont want to get your feet tangled up in the pedals (bit scary in a 7)..........

masonp

68 posts

210 months

Tuesday 27th February 2007
quotequote all
6'3", 17st (well that's what I am saying here, but have to be honest, since last weighed, trousers seem to have shrunk!!), size 10 feet, standard car, S-type seats and non-removable steering wheel.

As previously said, is very do-able. There is a way to get in and out which just comes with practice

Again as previosly said, with 2 "well proportioned or amply covered" gentlemen of the same size, shoulder space is a bit trickey. My car has the under-dash handbrake, which I think gives a little more room (though you can't use it from the drivers seat if harnessed in!! Fun on hills!)

Get some racing boots, or very narrow shoes, I had to drive mine for a couple of months bare-footed as my feet did not fit around the pedals with shoes on.

Only one other thing, I have damaged my seat because I am too big for it (I have crushed the side bolstering) so maybe consider racing type seats.

In my opinion, the narrow bodied cars are the best looking (not wishing to upset anybody)

murph7355

37,859 posts

258 months

Tuesday 27th February 2007
quotequote all
masonp said:
...My car has the under-dash handbrake, which I think gives a little more room (though you can't use it from the drivers seat if harnessed in!! Fun on hills!)...

Not for the larger athlete - cracking your shins on this is not fun.

masonp

68 posts

210 months

Tuesday 27th February 2007
quotequote all
murph7355 said:
masonp said:
...My car has the under-dash handbrake, which I think gives a little more room (though you can't use it from the drivers seat if harnessed in!! Fun on hills!)...

Not for the larger athlete - cracking your shins on this is not fun.


Never had that problem, though I have never sat in the passenger seat!

oj

13,985 posts

230 months

Thursday 1st March 2007
quotequote all
I'm 6'5' and a similar build by the sounds of things. I just about wedge myself into my narrow bodied racer with a foam seat and a lowered floor, although if I was any bigger (any dimension) i wouldn't be comfortable.

If I was buying a car for road use though, there's no contest, I'd have an SV. Last time I sat in one I had to move the seat forwards so I could reach the pedals properly. All that purist stuff about 'connection' and lightness is irrelevant if its for road use. For the probably unnoticable decrease in performance you'll have a car that you can actually drive somewhere. It will still be far superior to most cars in terms of speed, handling and feel. If you want to take it to a track, then it'll still be more fun and interactive than any Porsche.

I'd take care in seat/harness choices though to avoid being lobbed about. Don't assume that the Caterham seats are the best, there might be Cobras/Corbeau's that do the job better. They will also most likely be cheaper, even when leather trimmed

murph7355

37,859 posts

258 months

Friday 2nd March 2007
quotequote all
masonp said:
Never had that problem, though I have never sat in the passenger seat!

Don't.

rcarr

944 posts

212 months

Friday 2nd March 2007
quotequote all
You are all amateurs! I am 6ft2 and over 21st and a rugby player and there is no chance in hell I could fit in any of the Caterham range.

Why not try the widebodied *cough* Westfield *cough*?

murph7355

37,859 posts

258 months

Friday 2nd March 2007
quotequote all
rcarr said:
You are all amateurs! I am 6ft2 and over 21st and a rugby player and there is no chance in hell I could fit in any of the Caterham range.

Why not try the widebodied *cough* Westfield *cough*?

Why not pack rugby in, and lose some weight. Then buy a Caterham

rcarr

944 posts

212 months

Friday 2nd March 2007
quotequote all
murph7355 said:
rcarr said:
You are all amateurs! I am 6ft2 and over 21st and a rugby player and there is no chance in hell I could fit in any of the Caterham range.

Why not try the widebodied *cough* Westfield *cough*?

Why not pack rugby in, and lose some weight. Then buy a Caterham


I don't want to pack rugby in, I enjoy it too much and I am still young, 25 later this month!

Basically, I own something quicker than a Caterham, maybe not one of those cosworth 1s but quicker than most graduate cars! As easy as that!



Edited by rcarr on Friday 2nd March 00:41

murph7355

37,859 posts

258 months

Friday 2nd March 2007
quotequote all

fergus

6,430 posts

277 months

Friday 2nd March 2007
quotequote all
rcarr said:
... I am 6ft2 and over 21st....


yikes You must be a truly scary man!! hehe

fergus

6,430 posts

277 months

Friday 2nd March 2007
quotequote all
oj said:
....If you want to take it to a track, then it'll still be more fun and interactive than any Porsche....


Don't let them hear you say that over on the Porsche forum, cos in between comparing residuals and who's car has the most power, and trying to get the hang of several elementary driving techniques, you'll get shot to pieces by the GT3 brigade!!! hehe

mechsympathy

53,080 posts

257 months

Friday 2nd March 2007
quotequote all
oj said:
If I was buying a car for road use though, there's no contest, I'd have an SV. Last time I sat in one I had to move the seat forwards so I could reach the pedals properly. All that purist stuff about 'connection' and lightness is irrelevant if its for road use. For the probably unnoticable decrease in performance you'll have a car that you can actually drive somewhere. It will still be far superior to most cars in terms of speed, handling and feel. If you want to take it to a track, then it'll still be more fun and interactive than any Porsche.


yesPrecisely why I bought one. I'm 6'2" and getting on for 15.5 stone, on track I need an inch of padding either side of my hips but on the road I don't get cramp on 3+ hour cross country jaunts. SWMBO is 6ft too, so I'd also get lonely in a standard carhehe

rcarr said:
You are all amateurs! I am 6ft2 and over 21st and a rugby player and there is no chance in hell I could fit in any of the Caterham range.

Why not try the widebodied *cough* Westfield *cough*?


Are you a troll?

rubystone

11,254 posts

261 months

Friday 2nd March 2007
quotequote all
can you heel and toe in a Caterham?