Mid-life crisis - thinking of a Caterham
Discussion
Hello all!
I have reached that time in my life where I have decided to make significant changes whilst I feel I still can. I am in the process of completely changing profession, I have taken up new hobbies and now I’ve decided I would like a fun sports car. My poor wife doesn’t know what’s hit her what with all the changes going on! I’ve been riding bikes for the past 20 years and currently have my trusty old VFR800 VTEC, though she sadly gets little use. My daily driver is a Model 3. I’m very pro-EV, however I’ve decided I’d like something different and fun that I can take out on a weekend and occasionally on the track. With the Tesla being a computer on wheels, I like the idea of the Caterham as it’s the complete opposite and it’s all down to the driver.
Due to the aforementioned change in profession, I won’t be able to afford a weekend fun car for at least a couple of years, but I’d like to start down the path. I’ve been doing the usual internet research and watching YT videos. I’m looking to pop down to my local Caterham dealer (Gatwick) and have a sit in a few models to see how my very average 5’9” medium build frame will sit in them so I can get an idea of what would be comfy. From there I’ll see if they let me take one out on a test drive, and then maybe move on to day/weekend hires to get more of a chance to play around. I’m also looking at track days with rental cars. I see there’s a drift workshop Caterham are running soon; unfortunately I won’t be able to attend this one, but it does sound like something that would be fun to do, in the future.
In relation to the community, where are good places to get involved? Obviously, there is this forum, and I’ve also seen the Caterham & Lotus 7 Club, however the latter requires the crossing of a palm with silver before you can peek behind the curtain. Is it worth joining at this stage?
And that’s pretty much where I’m at. At some point, as long as the idea hasn’t been derailed, I’ll start seriously looking at specs, but at the moment it’s very early days. However, it would be nice to start on the path.
Any advice, pointers, etc. very much appreciated.
I have reached that time in my life where I have decided to make significant changes whilst I feel I still can. I am in the process of completely changing profession, I have taken up new hobbies and now I’ve decided I would like a fun sports car. My poor wife doesn’t know what’s hit her what with all the changes going on! I’ve been riding bikes for the past 20 years and currently have my trusty old VFR800 VTEC, though she sadly gets little use. My daily driver is a Model 3. I’m very pro-EV, however I’ve decided I’d like something different and fun that I can take out on a weekend and occasionally on the track. With the Tesla being a computer on wheels, I like the idea of the Caterham as it’s the complete opposite and it’s all down to the driver.
Due to the aforementioned change in profession, I won’t be able to afford a weekend fun car for at least a couple of years, but I’d like to start down the path. I’ve been doing the usual internet research and watching YT videos. I’m looking to pop down to my local Caterham dealer (Gatwick) and have a sit in a few models to see how my very average 5’9” medium build frame will sit in them so I can get an idea of what would be comfy. From there I’ll see if they let me take one out on a test drive, and then maybe move on to day/weekend hires to get more of a chance to play around. I’m also looking at track days with rental cars. I see there’s a drift workshop Caterham are running soon; unfortunately I won’t be able to attend this one, but it does sound like something that would be fun to do, in the future.
In relation to the community, where are good places to get involved? Obviously, there is this forum, and I’ve also seen the Caterham & Lotus 7 Club, however the latter requires the crossing of a palm with silver before you can peek behind the curtain. Is it worth joining at this stage?
And that’s pretty much where I’m at. At some point, as long as the idea hasn’t been derailed, I’ll start seriously looking at specs, but at the moment it’s very early days. However, it would be nice to start on the path.
Any advice, pointers, etc. very much appreciated.
Hi Carduus,
Sounds like you've got some great plans there. If you are planning on going down to Caterham Gatwick, do please be aware that they are closing that facility in September and transferring their sales in the South to a dealer - HWM in Walton on Thames.
I would absolutely suggest joining the Caterham and Lotus Seven Club (full disclosure, I'm involved with the Club). Yes, there's an annual membership fee but it's less than the cost of a tank of fuel and the benefits and opportunities to get advice are significant. Not sure where you are based, but if you want to see lots of Sevens and talk with lots of enthusiasts, the Club is hosting a 40th anniversary gathering at Brooklands this Saturday Aug 5th and Caterham will also be present with a range of their latest models.
Sounds like you've got some great plans there. If you are planning on going down to Caterham Gatwick, do please be aware that they are closing that facility in September and transferring their sales in the South to a dealer - HWM in Walton on Thames.
I would absolutely suggest joining the Caterham and Lotus Seven Club (full disclosure, I'm involved with the Club). Yes, there's an annual membership fee but it's less than the cost of a tank of fuel and the benefits and opportunities to get advice are significant. Not sure where you are based, but if you want to see lots of Sevens and talk with lots of enthusiasts, the Club is hosting a 40th anniversary gathering at Brooklands this Saturday Aug 5th and Caterham will also be present with a range of their latest models.
Mclavert said:
Hi Carduus,
Sounds like you've got some great plans there. If you are planning on going down to Caterham Gatwick, do please be aware that they are closing that facility in September and transferring their sales in the South to a dealer - HWM in Walton on Thames.
I would absolutely suggest joining the Caterham and Lotus Seven Club (full disclosure, I'm involved with the Club). Yes, there's an annual membership fee but it's less than the cost of a tank of fuel and the benefits and opportunities to get advice are significant. Not sure where you are based, but if you want to see lots of Sevens and talk with lots of enthusiasts, the Club is hosting a 40th anniversary gathering at Brooklands this Saturday Aug 5th and Caterham will also be present with a range of their latest models.
Thanks for the info! A pity about Caterham Gatwick closing. They’re only 15 minutes away from me! HWM are a bit more of a drive, though I note from their current website that they don’t make any mention of rentals. I don’t suppose you can advise on where I can rent Caterhams from in the SE area?Sounds like you've got some great plans there. If you are planning on going down to Caterham Gatwick, do please be aware that they are closing that facility in September and transferring their sales in the South to a dealer - HWM in Walton on Thames.
I would absolutely suggest joining the Caterham and Lotus Seven Club (full disclosure, I'm involved with the Club). Yes, there's an annual membership fee but it's less than the cost of a tank of fuel and the benefits and opportunities to get advice are significant. Not sure where you are based, but if you want to see lots of Sevens and talk with lots of enthusiasts, the Club is hosting a 40th anniversary gathering at Brooklands this Saturday Aug 5th and Caterham will also be present with a range of their latest models.
Unfortunately, I’m out of the country and won’t be back until late August, so will miss the 40th anniversary meet. Though I’d be interested in future meets to have a look at some different cars. I presume joining the C&L7 club will be a good way of getting my foot in the door for future meets.
I don't know what's happening with rentals - HWM take over as dealers from 1 Sept so I suspect that more details will become clearer after then.
Shame you're not able to make Brooklands this weekend; yes, Club membership opens up a wide range of such opportunities. Another major gathering this year is Caterham's 50th Anniversary Festival at Donington: https://caterhamcars.com/en/news/caterham-50th-ann... on 2nd/3rd Sept. This one's organised by Caterham Cars but the Club will have a presence.
Good luck with your research - enjoy!
Shame you're not able to make Brooklands this weekend; yes, Club membership opens up a wide range of such opportunities. Another major gathering this year is Caterham's 50th Anniversary Festival at Donington: https://caterhamcars.com/en/news/caterham-50th-ann... on 2nd/3rd Sept. This one's organised by Caterham Cars but the Club will have a presence.
Good luck with your research - enjoy!
Forums and resources .
The Caterham and Lotus Club forum is free to browse, but there are a number of Facebook Groups that cater for Caterhams and are perhaps more resourceful and more active and free.
I'd recommend buying Chris Rees book, the Magificiant 7 .
There's usually a monthly Caterham meeting held in most counties, everyone is helpful and friendly.
The Caterham and Lotus Club forum is free to browse, but there are a number of Facebook Groups that cater for Caterhams and are perhaps more resourceful and more active and free.
I'd recommend buying Chris Rees book, the Magificiant 7 .
There's usually a monthly Caterham meeting held in most counties, everyone is helpful and friendly.
Hiring one for a weekend is definitely worth it. It’ll give you the chance of living with it for a couple of days. They’re fabulous to drive but can feel quite extreme compared to ‘normal’ cars. I hired one from Caterham up at Silverstone. You could make a weekend of it by staying in a B&B around there. There are some fantastic roads around the midlands so it would really give you a chance to get a feel for the car. When I hired my 360R I gave it a good run on all sorts of roads, including the M1. As I live in London I knew that I wouldn’t be able to avoid using the motorway at times to get to the good roads.
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