adam_r Posted April 18, 2014 Report Share Posted April 18, 2014 There is a chance i may be able to get my hands on a lotus 7 that will require some TLC. Has Tony or the team got anything to say about the chassis, or suspension that may be able to warn me of possible costs if i where to get it ? AFAIK the car has been in storage for some years and will need some tinkering to get it running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 19, 2014 Report Share Posted April 19, 2014 Nice buy if you get it....... Out of the box they handle really well. They have a very low COG and a really good balance. As you may know they have a live rear axle so no geometric adjustment there other than shimming the thrust angle. As for the front the camber/ castor and toe is adjustable via shims as for cost it's not a fast calibration so your in the realm of £160+ vat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyelcomb Posted April 19, 2014 Report Share Posted April 19, 2014 When you say a Lotus 7, do you mean a Lotus or a Caterham? If Lotus, which model? Just being nosy - always a good buy if you can get one cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted April 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2014 not sure exactly... its either a lotus 7 crossflow or its a caterham. either way.. if i get it i am sure it will not be too disappointing ; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 20, 2014 Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 Do it...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted April 20, 2014 Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 I feel a rebuild blog coming on!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted April 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 Well, been in contact and it may be out of reach for me funding wise the car didnt need as much work as i though and therefore the price was a bit higher than i imagined. very sucky indeed , but i don't think i could justify the price whilst i could put that sum of money on the mortgage (close to 10K) lets see what my bonus (if i get one this year) from work... and what saving i can do over the next few months... but i have a feeling I wont be able to accrue over £6k savings in 2-3 months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted April 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 IF i sell my car at close to £2k, then i may well be in with a chance.... thinking about it... but that's if i can get around £2k for my motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 That's a shame but as you say 10k is a tidy sum of money..... Look at it this way, that type of car is something of an investment, it's not like buying a new car with a drive out devaluation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 If you want that kind of 2 seater experience maybe save yourself some cash and look at a cheaper westfield or one of the other clone kits. Personally - i would be all over a bike engined one - not fussed on the name! http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bike-powered-cars/cars/mk-indy-2008/2232931?isexperiment=true I think i will take the plunge at some stage when i get a bigger garage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 Now that one looks like real fun....... I feel tempted myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 You only live once tone - do it Even if you just have it for the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted April 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 I know chaps... I am digging through my banks / savings right now to see what i actually can afford. I was expecting the car to be closer to the £5k mark in all honesty... but i guess i'm naive. with a car that's £8k i may have to hold off for a year or two. I am trying to shift my mortgage (was £107k) 3 years ago, now £90k... so the quicker i can reduce that the better really, and with £8.5k - £10k on a car.. in mortgage terms that's equal to around £15300 -> £18000 respectively in mortgage payments... I hate having such a sensible head on me But it would be an absolute hoot to drive / own / take the kids out in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 Only live once...... Boy don't i know that!..... Oddly enough i've been thinking of a NA for some time now... I fancy a real snotter that i can rag on track cos trust me i'm no track day star so if i cook it a snotter isn't end of days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 i'll come on a track day with you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 Yeah and make me look a right tit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 no way - would be good fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted April 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 Tony. my old track car was this 'beast'. a rover 600ti.. was a real s**t bag of a car, but once the interior was removed and the car lightened as much as possible by ripping 'stuff' out. she was a great car but didnt like it as it was FWD. hmmm.... now to see if i could 'interest' my father.... oh yea, with any dents or scratches on this girl,,, we had a can of halfords spray paint in the car at all times... she looked showroom fresh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 Just the sort of thing i'm thinking although i think a MX5 is more within my capabilities.... Let's say a bit more forgiving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 Oh yeah as you know too well the mx5 drives like a comedy video game. Its easy to hustle it along and have fun at the limits. The sole reason i sold my 200sx - bloody demo car! I've never laughed like a complete girl while sliding sideways in any car before this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 Sorry about that demo car...... Where was it? At Brands if i recall? Fact is i know i'm no track day star so a tidy ride like the 5 would forgive me when, not if i run out of skill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hms Posted May 2, 2014 Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 Go for it Tony. You know how good the Hornet is, Cost of car £750 Roll bar. Gaz suspension Two items above not necessary from the get go but will improve the experience. Get rid of as much interior as you feel comfortable with. Poss add race seats + harness ...and away you go. Athsmatic 85 hp, slowest thing on a Lotus on Track day, but it's good enough to worry an Elise through corners. Wonderful fun! h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Yeah i know what they are like, not the fastest thing out there but smile per-mile they are givers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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