Xtreme Vs other 7 type cars.

55 views
Skip to first unread message

Mark Olsen

unread,
Aug 8, 2019, 3:38:37 PM8/8/19
to quantu...@googlegroups.com
Evening all
I bought my Xtreme earlier this year as I like the looks and also the monocoque design. So far I've got no real complaints with the car other than a few issues with the Pinto engine I'm slowly sorting, although I'm planning to replace it for something more modern anyway (probably an st170 engine).

However I've got a friend who's a complete Caterham fan boy (but doesn't own one) who keeps going on at me that my car is a pile of scrap and is basically a Robin Hood and I need to sell it.  I know I should just ignore him, but it's really starting to annoy me now and I would like to shut him up, with some technical comparisons, or with a magazine review,  but there doesn't seem to be much online about the Xtreme.  The best I've found so far is a bit of a review of the prototype car by Richard Hammond on Kits and Crusing from back in the day.

I'm sure the view here might a little bit biassed but what is the general view of how the Xtreme stacks up against other 7 style cars e.g. Westfield's, Caterhams, Tigers, GBS etc?  Or has anyone got some copies of old reviews they could share with me where a comparison has been made?

Cheers
Mark

rob hancock

unread,
Aug 8, 2019, 3:52:23 PM8/8/19
to 'Martin Hodnett' via Quantum Owners Group
Hi mark
Well it is fairly obvious your mate knows absolutely nothing if he is comparing the xtreme monocoque with a robin hood some torsional stiffnes figures for the chassis  here for you.
Westfield/ tiger etc around  12/1300 nm per degree
Caterham 400r 2800nm per degree
Quantum xtreme over 4000nm per degree. Added to the fact that after ten years plus the xtreme chassis still looks like new. 
Just ignore him and enjoy your car!!


--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.
To post to this group, send email to quantu...@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to quantumowner...@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en
 
IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an "As Is" basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum Owners Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in the preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or related message(s).
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to quantumowner...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/quantumowners/CAFvs5%3D7jUe4XjVCyhvF1-Oo3x9v3kC3vyDBg3VzXZpwVxqdScQ%40mail.gmail.com.

Chris Young

unread,
Aug 8, 2019, 8:11:00 PM8/8/19
to quantumowners
I don't have it now, but I bought the v8 xtreme off Chris F,   I converted it to motorbike throttle bodies and megasquirt.  everyone was amazed as to how little monocoque roll there was, even with the v8 trying to twist it over.

I also built a new series 3 robin hood, which was also a monocoque, but my gosh it was in comparison a pile of rubbish!  You couldn't firm up the suspension for fear of the car cracking up!   I managed to loose it trying to avoid a big pot hole coming off a round about and wrote it off.. But in realty I was glad as a picked up an Xtreme next!.( a pinto one )

Great plus points for me,  slightly bigger car so my legs could fit! has a boot, can use it all year round and with the hood on, (I'd use mine come rains, shine, snow) - stainless - no rust to worry about.  A friend has a tiger Avon - have to keep an eye on the chassis as well as just the suspension bits.  There may be an argument that some of the others are lighter and more nimble, but all in unless you are on a track who cares.

Enjoy your car, your mate is just jealous! 
Remember that the exhaust changes side from a pinto to zetec.. you might want to go to a duratec (not sure what there cost is like these days)  i believe the manuals are up on the club website.

Have fun with it.

robert greig

unread,
Aug 9, 2019, 2:22:53 AM8/9/19
to quantu...@googlegroups.com, Chris Young
Hello Mark. 

Speeking as someone who's not not mechanicly minded, and yes I do own / drive a Xtreme. 
It sounds like your friend is only interested in the brand badge name. 
"  ie if its not a Chatham it just a copy of one" 

Others have already said about the boot a and the chassis. 
Take him out for a spin,  OK not literally.. 

If that does not change his mind, just agree to disagree and enjoying the car. 

It's what do. 

Steve Kodź

unread,
Aug 9, 2019, 3:18:53 AM8/9/19
to quantu...@googlegroups.com

Mark,

A lot of good comparisons here, especially from Chris who has experienced a Robin Hood and Xtreme.

Many years ago at the Newark show I sat in a Caterham, Westfield and Xtreme.  Being 6'2" an larger than average I found the Caterham to be a bit tight on cabin space for both width and length.  The Westfield was wider, but still a bit short, where the Xtreme was fine.

The Xtreme IMHO is class leading in the following areas:

Chassis - the torsional rigidity make it a great starting point for setting up your suspension and it is strong in an impact too.

Boot Space - Fancy going away for a week as a couple?  You can in an Xtreme without strapping bags onto the boot. The boot is lockable too.

Other plus points are the wet weather gear fits in the boot, both doors and roof (not that I put it on the car often!), it looks a bit different, but is still a LSIS and when buying one they are underrated, therefore under priced.

The biggest downside is they are heavy compared to other LSIS cars, but this is down to the strong chassis.

The chassis enable the car to handle a lot of power.  I've heard about a Westfield driver who had a passenger ride in a 330bhp Xtreme and commented the handling in the wet felt better than the Westfield in the dry.

At the end of the day suggest your friends spends the same on a Caterham and see how it compares to you Xtreme - I know which I would rather have as I've toured extensively (the speedo shows over 40,000 miles and has completed the NC500 since I last saw it).

During it's time as a Xtreme the car has:

  • Been round the Irish coast (at least twice!);
  • Completed a 4 corners trip round the UK mainland in 6 days;
  • Land's End to John O'Groats (in under 18 hours);
  • Visited most counties within mainland UK;
  • Been up the Pyrenees;
  • Survived many track days; and
  • General been a fun a reliable car.

At the end of the day you have a great car, as are the Caterham and Westfield, so enjoy it.

Regards,
Steve

--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.
To post to this group, send email to quantu...@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to quantumowner...@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en
 
IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an "As Is" basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum Owners Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in the preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or related message(s).
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to quantumowner...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/quantumowners/CAFvs5%3D7jUe4XjVCyhvF1-Oo3x9v3kC3vyDBg3VzXZpwVxqdScQ%40mail.gmail.com.
-- 
h4-turbo.co.uk
quantumowners.club

Ian Harrison

unread,
Aug 9, 2019, 3:55:05 AM8/9/19
to quantu...@googlegroups.com
I’ve owned my Xtreme for 12 years now and it’s a great car. Mostly the reasons go along with everyone else. 

Chassis stiffness makes an exceptional spring platform👍🏼
The boot makes it a more practical toy car 👍🏼

The difference for me was that at 6’4” I actually sit IN the Xtreme whereas I was sitting ON the Caterham and Westfield and looking over the windscreen. 

On the road my car holds its own well in mixed Se7en company.

On track my car is not quite as quick as a Caterham but still fun. 

Ian 

Mark Olsen

unread,
Aug 9, 2019, 1:07:33 PM8/9/19
to quantu...@googlegroups.com
Thanks for all the replies, I should have said originally that I have no regrets buying the car.  If I had believed it to be on a par with a Robin Hood then I wouldn't have bought it in the first place.

I've been meaning to ask actually if anyone recognises my car, as I don't know much about it's history.  I've attached a photo of it for reference.  

I'm certainly enjoying driving it, it had just over 8000 mile on it in January when I collected it in the freezing cold (wasn't a fun 80 mile drive back home) and it's nearly at 10000 now!  I was hoping to making it down to Stoneleigh this year but family stuff got in the way I'm afraid.

I've never driven a seven type car before so have nothing to compare mine against with respect to it handling all I can say is it feels great compare to my day to day car, it's just good fun to drive.

Last night's topic of conversation in the pub was your cars got inboard suspension which is rubbish as Caterhams aren't like that.........it just goes on!  I just ignored him but he kept going on and on.....

Cheers
Mark


IMG_20190120_112617.jpg

Matthew Wastell

unread,
Aug 9, 2019, 1:40:06 PM8/9/19
to quantu...@googlegroups.com

> Last night's topic of conversation in the pub was your cars got inboard suspension which is rubbish

 

So has the aerial atom…..  Must be rubbish then.  (ok different design)  Your friend sounds like an idiot.

 

M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dave English

unread,
Aug 10, 2019, 4:55:39 AM8/10/19
to Quantum Owners Group
Hi Mark

Having been involved with kit cars since the mid 80's, maybe you should remind your friend that Caterham were just another kit car manufacturer, better than a Westfield but probably not as good as a Tiger.
You can still buy a new one in kit form and the design hasn't changed much since the 80's, which puts it about a decade behind the Extreme's design.
The only thing that made Caterham different was a good marketing move. They bought the rights to use the '7' logo and went mainstream, instantly annoying all the other '7' kit manufacturers who suddenly no longer had Lotus 7 replicas or lookalikes, but Sevenesque style sport cars.

Regards
Dave English
Q2-009

Jim Hearne

unread,
Aug 12, 2019, 4:07:58 AM8/12/19
to quantu...@googlegroups.com
Don’t most racing cars have inboard suspension as well.
 
Jim
--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.
To post to this group, send email to quantu...@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to quantumowner...@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en
 
IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an "As Is" basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum Owners Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in the preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or related message(s).
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to quantumowner...@googlegroups.com.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages