Life after a seven?

[newestie]

I think I want a *slightly* more practical car than my current Westfield. I.e. one that's a bit happier doing the occasional motorway trip and driving 3hours to a track day isn't enough to *almost* put you off.

Anyone on here owned a seven in the past? What do you do when you come to the above conclusion, preferably without feeling disappointed?

Is an S2000 in anyway a grown up sensible version of a seven? Or do I need an Elise? Anyone driven all three? Up to 10k

[ewenm]

I came to that conclusion and failed to buy a replacement, so bought something that could tow the 7 to trackdays.

[Snake the Sniper]

Don't Westfield sell roofs these days? If not, then just buy a big box of ear plugs.

[durbster]

I'm really sorry for the predictable response but an FI MX-5 would cover all bases. I don't know a 7 (yet) but I've chatted to a few who have owned both. The MX-5 will seem a bit wobbly (depending on how it's setup) compared to the Westfield but I think that'd be soon forgotten.

Edited by durbster on Monday 12th January 22:21

[RobM77]

Nothing replaces a 7, absolutely nothing. That said, if you really must have something more practical than a 7 but still giving 100% enjoyment when driving all of the time, then I'd go for an Elise. It does depend on what you liked about your 7 though - the Elise offers the tactility, feedback and driving experience, but it doesn't offer anywhere near the performance, noise, agility or playfullness on the limit. I can't live with driving a boring car everyday, but if you can then do as Ewen says and buy something to tow your 7 with If not, an Elise S2 is fine for everyday but very good on track too. It's a very different driving experience though. Alternatively, you can follow my lead and have an Elise for everyday, a 7 for tracks and a BMW for motorways and to tow your 7 with

[jackal]

RobM77 said:

Nothing replaces a Caterham, absolutely nothing. That said, if you really must have something more practical than a Caterham but still giving 100% enjoyment when driving all of the time, then I'd go for an Elise. It does depend on what you liked about your Caterham though - the Elise offers the tactility, feedback and driving experience, but it doesn't offer anywhere near the performance, noise, agility or playfullness on the limit. I can't live with driving a boring car everyday, but if you can then do as Ewen says and buy something to tow your caterham with If not, an Elise S2 is fine for everyday but very good on track too. It's a very different driving experience though. Alternatively, you can follow my lead and have an Elise for everyday, a caterham for tracks and a BMW for motorways and to tow your caterham with

EFA

[RobM77]

jackal said:

RobM77 said:

Nothing replaces a Caterham, absolutely nothing. That said, if you really must have something more practical than a Caterham but still giving 100% enjoyment when driving all of the time, then I'd go for an Elise. It does depend on what you liked about your Caterham though - the Elise offers the tactility, feedback and driving experience, but it doesn't offer anywhere near the performance, noise, agility or playfullness on the limit. I can't live with driving a boring car everyday, but if you can then do as Ewen says and buy something to tow your caterham with If not, an Elise S2 is fine for everyday but very good on track too. It's a very different driving experience though. Alternatively, you can follow my lead and have an Elise for everyday, a caterham for tracks and a BMW for motorways and to tow your caterham with

EFA

[newestie]

Thanks for the replies (I’ll ignore the predictable, tongue in cheek Caterham gibes ).

To the person who has ear plugs that keep you warm, dry and reduce vulnerability on a motorway – where can I get these? They really would solve all my grievances!

In an ideal world a trailer would be the answer, but then you’re into storage issues, tax, insurance, mot, maintenance for 3 cars. As my second car is also used by the girlfriend, who wouldn’t want to go 'tow car' size.

I think a test drive in an Elise is in order. But sadly, as I suspected, its downhill compromise after a seven.

[juansolo]

Tried that. I lasted about 6 months. There really isn't anything that you can replace them with. All I did different was the next one I bought was get one that was more road oriented/civilised (relatively speaking).

Edited by juansolo on Tuesday 13th January 09:11

[entwisi]

Can't you do a mod to the 7 so that it can easily accept an A frame to teh front? It is hardly going to weigh that much that even something focus sized should be able to pull it? I remember when I used to do autotesting that people used to just pull their specials along ( I seem to recall them having to pull the rotor arm of something silly to make it a 'trailer' rather than a 'car' )

[muckymotor]

A friend of mine has recently sold his Westfield and replaced it with a vx220 n/a. This was pretty much for the same reasons as you and he is more than happy so far.

[Gad-Westy]

Been there my friend. My first thoughts were to go for something polar opposite for a while (think of it as a Westfield holiday) and ended up with an auto BMW. For a while I loved the usability and stress free nature of it but then it just started to feel dull. After 11 months I swapped it for an Elise. I'm very pleased with the Elise, it strikes the perfect balance between usability and balls out thrills. Still want another 7 though because, in the right circumstances there is nothing to touch them and I also miss all the tinkering and Meccano like nature. If I do get another it'll not be at the expense of the Elise though, that's staying.

[Mars]

Don't have a Se7en as a daily driver. Surely there's enough budget to keep the Westie and buy a 1000 quid snotter?

I've had 3 years without a Se7en and I want another. As soon as I'm gainfully employed again, I'll be looking for one.

[Lordbenny]

I feel your pain, after owning 3 seven-esque cars I would always go back to a Westy. However, I have been looking at VX220 turbos in the classifieds lately. They do look good, and after driving a non turbo round Estoril last summer they drive good too, I would recommend them.

[BoRED S2upid]

Ive owned a Westfield and driven an Elise. After the Westfield I went for a 944 S2 which was too far the other way. S2000 or something like a breathed on MX5 might by the right car.

[renmure]

I had a Westfield Megablade at the same time as an elise. The westie got sold after about 18 months. It certainly was a bit more extreme than the elise and was certainly good fun even if totally impractical. In reality the elsie was about 90% as extreme, more then 90% of the fun and, compared to the westie, was relatively sensible and practical.

[mechsympathy]

You can tow a 7 with a hatchback easily enough. Failing that a VX220T seems like a good compromise.

[OnlyMX5ives]

Elise or VX are the obvious answers...

but actually some of the other kitcars are considerably more comfortable than the 7 and more fun than the mainstream cars.

I've been out of the kitcar scene too long to list the current options but please do a bit of research and report back.

[Gad-Westy]

OnlyMX5ives said:

Elise or VX are the obvious answers...

but actually some of the other kitcars are considerably more comfortable than the 7 and more fun than the mainstream cars.

I've been out of the kitcar scene too long to list the current options but please do a bit of research and report back.

GTM is the first one that springs to mind. Very nice cars.

[arryb]

I think I'd be going for a VX220 turbo if I couldn't live with a tow car and trailer, if you can stretch your budget slightly:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/749860.htm