Discussion
Hi, I'm new to ths site but have found it very helpful when looking for this car compared to the usual used car sites. The only problem is the more I look and the more I read the more confused about what I should buy. Basically I am looking for a 7 type car. It is going to need to be used daily, so a hood is definitely needed. I think this pretty much rules out a BEC, because none seem to have a windscreen let alone a hood. My budget is a maximum of about £6000. At the moment I have narrowed it down to a couple. Firstly this is right at the top end and would have to do some haggling.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/684623.htm
I was leaning to this because I have read this is a better engine.
Then there was this at a cheaper price.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/646670.htm
Really I just wanted to know whether it was worth pushing to the upper limit of my budget or not. Also I am open to other suggestions on what to go for. I am not particularly mechanically minded, so don't want to be swapping the engine or anything.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/684623.htm
I was leaning to this because I have read this is a better engine.
Then there was this at a cheaper price.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/646670.htm
Really I just wanted to know whether it was worth pushing to the upper limit of my budget or not. Also I am open to other suggestions on what to go for. I am not particularly mechanically minded, so don't want to be swapping the engine or anything.
I would try and get the expensive one. I have had experience with a knackered Pinto in a kit car and it has caused endless expense. If you spend more now you can save ££££’s later, especially if you want it to be a daily driver you need it to be reliable. The Vauxhall is a good modern engine that should provide miles of trouble free driving.
if you must have a seven then the vauxhall will be a rocket and better value in the end.
I dont mean to try and put you off but have you owned a kit car before or driven one for any length of time. They are really not very practicle, warm, spacious, comfy or ecnomical. They do make up for all this in the fun factor but it wont be much fun if you are sitting in traffic. Also, dont expect a hood to keep all the water out
I dont mean to try and put you off but have you owned a kit car before or driven one for any length of time. They are really not very practicle, warm, spacious, comfy or ecnomical. They do make up for all this in the fun factor but it wont be much fun if you are sitting in traffic. Also, dont expect a hood to keep all the water out
bjnsharp said:
Going to have a look at the other one tomorrow. Will be my first time sitting in one. Hopefully I will fit.
Bear in mind that they come in two different sizes. 
The earlier live-axle SE's have 'narrow bodies', whereas 'wide body' SEi's (and later SE's, I believe) offer quite a bit more elbow room.
Having said which, I'm a fat b
d and never had any problem fitting in my old narrow-body SE.Do a search on this forum for the terms 'Seven everyday car'; it's been discussed at length before.
I ran a Westfield, followed by a Caterham, as my only car for a couple of years, including commuting into a major city. You've got to be masochistic, but it can be done. But FWIIW, I used weather gear only a couple of times before deciding it was a waste of time and going over to waterproofs, full face helmet and a split tonneau.
Weather gear is hopeless - in really wet weather, water finds its way up under the edges of the side screens and everything fogs up. The wipers are hopeless, visibility is hopeless, demisting is hopeless, and the noise is unbearable.
If you're mad enough to seriously want a Seven as your only transport, get an aeroscreened car (so the rain can't whip round onto the inside face of the windscreen) and run it open, with biker-style wet weather gear.
I ran a Westfield, followed by a Caterham, as my only car for a couple of years, including commuting into a major city. You've got to be masochistic, but it can be done. But FWIIW, I used weather gear only a couple of times before deciding it was a waste of time and going over to waterproofs, full face helmet and a split tonneau.
Weather gear is hopeless - in really wet weather, water finds its way up under the edges of the side screens and everything fogs up. The wipers are hopeless, visibility is hopeless, demisting is hopeless, and the noise is unbearable.
If you're mad enough to seriously want a Seven as your only transport, get an aeroscreened car (so the rain can't whip round onto the inside face of the windscreen) and run it open, with biker-style wet weather gear.
NTDWM, but this looks like good bang for your bucks,
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/688484.htm @ 4k
or
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/672805.htm @ 6.2k
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/688484.htm @ 4k
or
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/672805.htm @ 6.2k
Yea I saw those two, but there both a long way away. I will only have to drive it Tuesday-Thursday for the mile to work and mile back. Other times I will have access to a 'proper' car. I am not quite sure about this driving without any hood. Surely this would ruin the inside of the car. I am not against this idea, but I assume the inside would have to be kitted out in stuff that doesn't get damaged by water.
bjnsharp said:
I am not quite sure about this driving without any hood...I assume the inside would have to be kitted out in stuff that doesn't get damaged by water.
Yep. All Sevens leak to some degree, so unless you're keeping it in a garage and only using it on dry days, forget carpets and non-waterproof trim. Bare aluminium/carbon fibre and waterproof seats (either leather or vinyl) are the sensible option for a car that is potentially going to see all-weather use.Drove all the way to Yorkshire from Portsmouth to pick up my R1 BEC seven, and then drove it all the way back in the rain (think back to British GP day and you'll remember how bad that was!). Decent lid, waterproofs and an aeroscreen - my body stayed dry until I got stuck on the m40 in the GP traffic 
. Loved every minute of the drive. There is absolutely NOTHING like driving a car with no full windscreen - the visibility difference is huge for a start, and you feel part of the car and the traffic around you rather than seperated form it in a little bubble.
Go for the best equipped and closest to the spec YOU would have built - even then every time you get in it there will be something you want to fiddle with
. Loved every minute of the drive. There is absolutely NOTHING like driving a car with no full windscreen - the visibility difference is huge for a start, and you feel part of the car and the traffic around you rather than seperated form it in a little bubble. Go for the best equipped and closest to the spec YOU would have built - even then every time you get in it there will be something you want to fiddle with
Well I decided to go for the red top engined version. Picked it up on Sunday. Unfortunatly I can't drive it for two weeks which is driving me mad. My dad has taken me out a couple of times and I can't wait to get behind the wheel myself. Tried getting in it with the roof up and it is a little bit of a palaver. Hopefully I won't have top use the roof much. Thanks for the advice.
Ive owned an Xflow and although I couldn't fault it as an entry level car (It was less than £5k) if your budget can get the 2l then go for it especilly if you intend to use it more than just for fun outings at the weekend and to see how fast you can actually go around mini roundabouts.
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