first caterham
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm looking at getting a caterham, I've had an eye on one for a while but I'm starting to get more and more of an itch... So the question arises, as it always does.. what spec?
I've had bikes which I loved, tried sports cars (didn't float my boat) and hopefully the caterham will be a nice compromise. I've been to Caterham South (in Caterham) and I've spoken to dominic there regarding specs etc but obviously with these kind of things it's nice to talk to the people who've been there before and aren't selling the product.
I quite like the supersport range, but a roadsport with the right bits would be nice. I don't mind a project car, so say a basic superlight that can be upgraded over the years to fit me, but with that if I want alot more power etc then I'll probably just trade up.
So my initial want list I guess would be:
6speed
big front brakes
wider sportline suspension
lsd (if possible, if not no real issue)
stack dash (again, if possible, not a problem if not)
Powerwise I'm unsure of how much I'll be needing, I've not driven a Caterham before but have driven/owned a fair few sports cars and a fair few bikes, so understand that you don't need alot of power to go a long way. I guess also comes the question of engine choice, I'm not afraid of owning a K-series, but what else is there unless I head newer and into ford duratec ownership?
Well there you go, quite a few questions but just thought I'd ask you guys as obviously you drive these things already. As for driving, I plan to do a 80/20 split of road/track mainly based in the summer months; however if the track day experiance does bite me well, then it could easily flip the other way around. I'm not scared of a hard ride on the road either, but a heater would be nice for those 4am blasts when no-one else is about.
I guess last but no least is money, I'm looking atm at spending between £15-£20k; where would this land me in the market as it were... I mean, should I be looking at a new build from one of the "seven-esk" brands.
Many Thanks and sorry for all your time
Daniel
I'm looking at getting a caterham, I've had an eye on one for a while but I'm starting to get more and more of an itch... So the question arises, as it always does.. what spec?
I've had bikes which I loved, tried sports cars (didn't float my boat) and hopefully the caterham will be a nice compromise. I've been to Caterham South (in Caterham) and I've spoken to dominic there regarding specs etc but obviously with these kind of things it's nice to talk to the people who've been there before and aren't selling the product.
I quite like the supersport range, but a roadsport with the right bits would be nice. I don't mind a project car, so say a basic superlight that can be upgraded over the years to fit me, but with that if I want alot more power etc then I'll probably just trade up.
So my initial want list I guess would be:
6speed
big front brakes
wider sportline suspension
lsd (if possible, if not no real issue)
stack dash (again, if possible, not a problem if not)
Powerwise I'm unsure of how much I'll be needing, I've not driven a Caterham before but have driven/owned a fair few sports cars and a fair few bikes, so understand that you don't need alot of power to go a long way. I guess also comes the question of engine choice, I'm not afraid of owning a K-series, but what else is there unless I head newer and into ford duratec ownership?
Well there you go, quite a few questions but just thought I'd ask you guys as obviously you drive these things already. As for driving, I plan to do a 80/20 split of road/track mainly based in the summer months; however if the track day experiance does bite me well, then it could easily flip the other way around. I'm not scared of a hard ride on the road either, but a heater would be nice for those 4am blasts when no-one else is about.
I guess last but no least is money, I'm looking atm at spending between £15-£20k; where would this land me in the market as it were... I mean, should I be looking at a new build from one of the "seven-esk" brands.
Many Thanks and sorry for all your time
Daniel
well my initial thinking about the k-series engined cars is that I actually have a 1.8VVC K series in my garage atm (long story don't ask) so if I reached the point where I require more power I could do an engine swap for effectively drop in performance upgrades.
I think I'll get in touch with dominic at caterham and see if he'll take us for a spin in a few different specs etc..
Any more helps would be good
I think I'll get in touch with dominic at caterham and see if he'll take us for a spin in a few different specs etc..
Any more helps would be good
well people.
Today I went down to caterham south, spent some time with dominic discussing specs etc. and he took me out in a roadsport cdx (or something like that) which is basically a 1.6ltr k series, 5 speed, lsd, wide track suspension etc... although it was wet and slippery out I was very impressed with the levels of grip available and the responsiveness of the car. Dominic drove simply due to the weather conditions and my lack of knowledge of the 7 (I must admit this was probably best for me as it showed me what the car is comfortable with).
Spec wise, I think that whilst I'll be happy now with a basic 135/140bhp car I feel that later in my ownership I'd be hankering for more power. I'm not massively decided as to wether the 6spd is necessary at first but I'm sure with some track time under my belt the 6spd will become a welcome extra. I'm also pretty set on having a LSD, I think that it will add that little bit more to the car come track time.
So really, my idea on spec hasn't changed... I guess the next thing is seeing what the next step up in power is like (so I guess something circa 160-180bhp). Superlight seems to be the spec that ticks my boxes, so just wether I go for a superlight, a SL R300 or a SLR. Althought dominic has mentioned a couple of times a blue roadsport with a 165bhp 1.8ltr k series, 5 speed, lsd, superlight suspension, big brakes.. and a lovely blue flames livery painted on the arches; but it's looking at £18k or there abouts. O the decisions.
Wish me luck though guys... meeting with the accountant tomorrow, hoping he won't tell me to drop the caterham plans...
Today I went down to caterham south, spent some time with dominic discussing specs etc. and he took me out in a roadsport cdx (or something like that) which is basically a 1.6ltr k series, 5 speed, lsd, wide track suspension etc... although it was wet and slippery out I was very impressed with the levels of grip available and the responsiveness of the car. Dominic drove simply due to the weather conditions and my lack of knowledge of the 7 (I must admit this was probably best for me as it showed me what the car is comfortable with).
Spec wise, I think that whilst I'll be happy now with a basic 135/140bhp car I feel that later in my ownership I'd be hankering for more power. I'm not massively decided as to wether the 6spd is necessary at first but I'm sure with some track time under my belt the 6spd will become a welcome extra. I'm also pretty set on having a LSD, I think that it will add that little bit more to the car come track time.
So really, my idea on spec hasn't changed... I guess the next thing is seeing what the next step up in power is like (so I guess something circa 160-180bhp). Superlight seems to be the spec that ticks my boxes, so just wether I go for a superlight, a SL R300 or a SLR. Althought dominic has mentioned a couple of times a blue roadsport with a 165bhp 1.8ltr k series, 5 speed, lsd, superlight suspension, big brakes.. and a lovely blue flames livery painted on the arches; but it's looking at £18k or there abouts. O the decisions.
Wish me luck though guys... meeting with the accountant tomorrow, hoping he won't tell me to drop the caterham plans...
well the car is going to be used for blasting around b and a roads (mainly b) and probably half a dozen track days a year as well. so for that reason I think that the 6 speed will be the nicer option.
But saying that I've been informed by "the better half" that we're going to take it to the south of france/northern italy for a holiday sometime next year.... hopefully that'll mean ferrying most of the way south so that I can do without many hours of motorway driving killing the tyres.
the accountant and bank manager have put some options up for where the money can go otherwise, which need some serious consideration before money gets spent on a caterham though
But saying that I've been informed by "the better half" that we're going to take it to the south of france/northern italy for a holiday sometime next year.... hopefully that'll mean ferrying most of the way south so that I can do without many hours of motorway driving killing the tyres.
the accountant and bank manager have put some options up for where the money can go otherwise, which need some serious consideration before money gets spent on a caterham though
only that people say it can be a fair bit more buzzy than a 5 speed.
I plan to service it myself anyway, so maybe if I'm going to do a lot of touring over a period of time I may go with a differential change to improve things but until I've got used to one it's hard to say weather a 6 speed will be an issue for me.
I get the bit about the accountant, but its still something I need to think about before spending out.
I plan to service it myself anyway, so maybe if I'm going to do a lot of touring over a period of time I may go with a differential change to improve things but until I've got used to one it's hard to say weather a 6 speed will be an issue for me.
I get the bit about the accountant, but its still something I need to think about before spending out.
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