Help a Newbie - What should I get?
Discussion
Hi All,
I was at the Pistonheads Palmersport day on Saturday and basically fell in love with the Caterhams that they had there. So much so that I have decided that my life will be a better place to live in if I have a 7 type car in it. My car background has moved from TVRs through to a track biased Elise S1 with 180bhp, nylatrons, nitrons and race geo – as you can see I’m growing towards light, hard and adjustable cars.
My problem is that I’m completely clueless about 7 type cars. I’m very much aware that questions such as ‘Which is best?’ will simply open a can of worms so was hoping that you gents could direct me towards unbiased comparisons between the main players?
The makes I’ve been looking at already are:
Caterhams – expensive but hold their value
Westfields – no idea about these?
MK Indy – appear to be very cheap, where is the catch?
Also, taking the following cars as an example of CEC / BEC:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/775581.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/899823.htm
Which would (in general) be more reliable / easier to work on / cheaper to maintain? I really like the look of the Vauxhall engined car but just how long would that 250bhp lump last and would it be horrible on the road?
As you can see I’m lost! Any help would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Rob
I was at the Pistonheads Palmersport day on Saturday and basically fell in love with the Caterhams that they had there. So much so that I have decided that my life will be a better place to live in if I have a 7 type car in it. My car background has moved from TVRs through to a track biased Elise S1 with 180bhp, nylatrons, nitrons and race geo – as you can see I’m growing towards light, hard and adjustable cars.
My problem is that I’m completely clueless about 7 type cars. I’m very much aware that questions such as ‘Which is best?’ will simply open a can of worms so was hoping that you gents could direct me towards unbiased comparisons between the main players?
The makes I’ve been looking at already are:
Caterhams – expensive but hold their value
Westfields – no idea about these?
MK Indy – appear to be very cheap, where is the catch?
Also, taking the following cars as an example of CEC / BEC:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/775581.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/899823.htm
Which would (in general) be more reliable / easier to work on / cheaper to maintain? I really like the look of the Vauxhall engined car but just how long would that 250bhp lump last and would it be horrible on the road?
As you can see I’m lost! Any help would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Rob
You will of course get many and varied answers all based on personal taste and experiences, but what you will be happiest with will depend on what you want from the car.
For a track biased car I would probably be looking at a Striker, I have had good experience and they perform very well in competition, they are also cheaper (usually) than Caterham or Westfield. The MK Indy is also very good value for money.
As for engine, a 250hp Vauxhall would be good on track or competition but might be a bit lumpy on the road, but again it depends what you are prepared to put up with.
Good luck with whatever you decide to go for.
For a track biased car I would probably be looking at a Striker, I have had good experience and they perform very well in competition, they are also cheaper (usually) than Caterham or Westfield. The MK Indy is also very good value for money.
As for engine, a 250hp Vauxhall would be good on track or competition but might be a bit lumpy on the road, but again it depends what you are prepared to put up with.
Good luck with whatever you decide to go for.
Ive seen so many posts on this in the last month or so I reckon if you do a search you'll get all your answers v.quick!
I did the same 5 months back. Had no clue. Choose a MAC1 BEC. Had some right drama's recent but even still for me a BEC is brilliant for what I want. Cheap engines, sound great, quick upto 100 and handle faultless.
Cant see any reason why a CEC wouldnt be just as good if not better you just need them to make a bit more power to give same level of performance. They do have added torque for easier driving although as mentioned in other posts I could easily drive mine everyday the engine is fine and will pull from 1500 rpm in anygear but 6th and 2k in 6th
I really like the MNR new shape. MK is very similar to MAC. Theres loads out there it depends on the budget and what spec you want
I did the same 5 months back. Had no clue. Choose a MAC1 BEC. Had some right drama's recent but even still for me a BEC is brilliant for what I want. Cheap engines, sound great, quick upto 100 and handle faultless.
Cant see any reason why a CEC wouldnt be just as good if not better you just need them to make a bit more power to give same level of performance. They do have added torque for easier driving although as mentioned in other posts I could easily drive mine everyday the engine is fine and will pull from 1500 rpm in anygear but 6th and 2k in 6th
I really like the MNR new shape. MK is very similar to MAC. Theres loads out there it depends on the budget and what spec you want
I guess my worry is that I enjoyed the progressive handling nature of those Caterhams so much that I would be gutted to buy something that did not have the same potential. Perhaps a simpler question to ask is:
Which manufacturer makes the best handling 7 in regard to basic chassis geometry / pickup points? You can always add good suspension and geo to a good chassis to make it better!
Which manufacturer makes the best handling 7 in regard to basic chassis geometry / pickup points? You can always add good suspension and geo to a good chassis to make it better!
rjben said:
Which manufacturer makes the best handling 7 in regard to basic chassis geometry / pickup points?
In my experience (and I've driven a pretty wide variety of Sevens), the Sylva comes out top of the class, both in live axle and IRS versions. IMO, the guy who designed it (Jeremy Philips) is on a par with Colin Chapman, Lee Noble and Gordon Murray, in his own way.Furyblade_Lee said:
If anyone ever wants to swap their Westfield XI for a Phoenix R1 let me know!!!!
Or swap/px for an Elan Sprint or a Westfield FW400, if it's a really good one!The Westfield XI is one of the nicest, best balanced cars I've ever driven and it's definitely on my shortlist for my next purchase!
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