Caterham newbie / another 'which 7?' thread
Discussion
I flew 600 miles to buy my first, a car I'd never seen in the flesh. I'd never even sat in an S3 or tillets, let alone driven a car with both !
In all seriousness (and at risk of sounding like a broken record to those who've been here any length of time), to those fortunate chaps collecting new (to them) cars this weekend or any time soon, do be careful on your way home - particularly if it's your first Caterham. If it's wet or damp especially, my advice would be drive it like your carrying eggs loose in the boot. It's very easy to think you're getting the hang of it and they've got great grip and look how they hold the road and blah blah blah but it's amazing how many people told me AFTER I'd crashed mine on the way home how appalling a Caterham can be to drive in the wrong conditions. Even veteran owners had many tales of hairy moments. One Blatchat and PH stalwart (Hi John) said "driving a Caterham in the wet is like holding a tiger by the tale ... but you don't realise until it turns round and bites you".
We're all praying for a beautiful day for your collection and journey home so please don't take my words as any kind of damper on proceedings when it will be so exciting for you. I just don't want anyone else to go through what I did for the sake of pointing out that putting your foot down (all the way) can wait until after you've tucked it up in your garage for that precious first night home.
Above all, ENJOY the moment. There's nothing to touch our special little cars
Andy
In all seriousness (and at risk of sounding like a broken record to those who've been here any length of time), to those fortunate chaps collecting new (to them) cars this weekend or any time soon, do be careful on your way home - particularly if it's your first Caterham. If it's wet or damp especially, my advice would be drive it like your carrying eggs loose in the boot. It's very easy to think you're getting the hang of it and they've got great grip and look how they hold the road and blah blah blah but it's amazing how many people told me AFTER I'd crashed mine on the way home how appalling a Caterham can be to drive in the wrong conditions. Even veteran owners had many tales of hairy moments. One Blatchat and PH stalwart (Hi John) said "driving a Caterham in the wet is like holding a tiger by the tale ... but you don't realise until it turns round and bites you".
We're all praying for a beautiful day for your collection and journey home so please don't take my words as any kind of damper on proceedings when it will be so exciting for you. I just don't want anyone else to go through what I did for the sake of pointing out that putting your foot down (all the way) can wait until after you've tucked it up in your garage for that precious first night home.
Above all, ENJOY the moment. There's nothing to touch our special little cars
Andy
carphotographer said:
So you beat me to it ! ! !
Yes I was after that one, great spec and every thing I wanted in a Caterham ....
Anyone know of a Roadsport up for sale ???
This one's just popped up in the classifieds: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...Yes I was after that one, great spec and every thing I wanted in a Caterham ....
Anyone know of a Roadsport up for sale ???
I'll be sure to keep in at the forefront of my mind on my drive back on Sunday. 
ghibbett said:
This one's just popped up in the classifieds: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
I like that. Nice spec and lovely exhaust. Think the exhaust will be my first port of call regarding upgrades :-) ghibbett said:
This one's just popped up in the classifieds: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
That's a nice find, just what I'd be looking for when finances are readyhalstock said:
In all seriousness (and at risk of sounding like a broken record to those who've been here any length of time), to those fortunate chaps collecting new (to them) cars this weekend or any time soon, do be careful on your way home - particularly if it's your first Caterham. If it's wet or damp especially, my advice would be drive it like your carrying eggs loose in the boot. It's very easy to think you're getting the hang of it and they've got great grip and look how they hold the road and blah blah blah but it's amazing how many people told me AFTER I'd crashed mine on the way home how appalling a Caterham can be to drive in the wrong conditions. Even veteran owners had many tales of hairy moments. One Blatchat and PH stalwart (Hi John) said "driving a Caterham in the wet is like holding a tiger by the tale ... but you don't realise until it turns round and bites you".
The "eggs loose in the boot" is the best description I've read of how to drive in the wet.Use the torque in the midrange when accelerating. Short shift, and don't be tempted to rev it out. I've had no problem on the roads in the wet, but I drive it very conservatively. I probably don't rev over 4000prm and corners are taken very carefully.
At Pembrey last year, on a very wet morning I hung on to 2nd gear just after the hairpin for a little too long and the car just snapped. I caught it, but had that been on the road, it might have been a different story!
framerateuk said:
The "eggs loose in the boot" is the best description I've read of how to drive in the wet.
Use the torque in the midrange when accelerating. Short shift, and don't be tempted to rev it out. I've had no problem on the roads in the wet, but I drive it very conservatively. I probably don't rev over 4000prm and corners are taken very carefully.
At Pembrey last year, on a very wet morning I hung on to 2nd gear just after the hairpin for a little too long and the car just snapped. I caught it, but had that been on the road, it might have been a different story!
...and I guess with A048's on mine in the wet I'll be driving with VERY expensive eggs loose in the boot, with kashmir carpet!Use the torque in the midrange when accelerating. Short shift, and don't be tempted to rev it out. I've had no problem on the roads in the wet, but I drive it very conservatively. I probably don't rev over 4000prm and corners are taken very carefully.
At Pembrey last year, on a very wet morning I hung on to 2nd gear just after the hairpin for a little too long and the car just snapped. I caught it, but had that been on the road, it might have been a different story!
Edited by Smiffy7 on Thursday 20th March 10:53
Smiffy7 said:
...and I guess with A048's on mine in the wet I'll be driving with VERY expensive eggs loose in the boot, with kashmir carpet!
Yes, indeed! They won't be all that great in standing water. You might want to consider a switch to CR500s when you've worn them out. Great match for a Caterham since they have a lightweight construction, offer excellent dry grip, but really seem to do a good job shifting the water in the wet.Edited by Smiffy7 on Thursday 20th March 10:53
Smiffy7 said:
This was already on my list of things to do 
Are the CR500s made especially designed for the Caterham?
Yeah I believe they were designed for the R500 but Caterham rolled them out on the whole range (When you specified Superlight suspension). Are the CR500s made especially designed for the Caterham?With up to 180bhp you'll be fine with the 6" rear tyres (so 175/55/R13), but more powerful cars tend to have the 205 section rear tyre instead.
Edited by framerateuk on Thursday 20th March 14:36
ghibbett said:
This one's just popped up in the classifieds: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
Looks like another nice option with some decent upgrades, ex-race car again but that shouldn't make any difference.I'm liking this thread as I'm thinking about getting a Caterham of some sort, not sure when as money is tied up at the moment but I have emailed Caterham south for some info so hopefully I'll get a reply and pop down there to have a nose round.
I have recently sold a Cerbera and I had planned on not replacing it, but I'm starting to get itchy feet again and fancy something different in my garage
I have recently sold a Cerbera and I had planned on not replacing it, but I'm starting to get itchy feet again and fancy something different in my garage
knight said:
I'm liking this thread as I'm thinking about getting a Caterham of some sort, not sure when as money is tied up at the moment but I have emailed Caterham south for some info so hopefully I'll get a reply and pop down there to have a nose round.
I have recently sold a Cerbera and I had planned on not replacing it, but I'm starting to get itchy feet again and fancy something different in my garage
I'm glad my deliberations are helping others! I have recently sold a Cerbera and I had planned on not replacing it, but I'm starting to get itchy feet again and fancy something different in my garage
Also try Sevens & Classics. They are located and Brands Hatch and have a good range of stock
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