Caterham, which one ?
Discussion
stewy49 said:
As I am thinking about replacing my R400 duratech that I have had from new could anyone tell me what the 420R is in terms of differences/spec etc: Is it worthwhile changing - after 6 years I feel the need for a change. Is there a model now between the R400 and the 620R?
Had mine since 2007; upgraded to Roller barrel throttle bodies and transformed the car; silly fast, ultra responsive and amazing noise. I would be surprised if anything short of a 620R would be a quantum leap. coppice said:
Had mine since 2007; upgraded to Roller barrel throttle bodies and transformed the car; silly fast, ultra responsive and amazing noise. I would be surprised if anything short of a 620R would be a quantum leap.
How do you get on for noise on trackdays ? - Any issues with the R400 + Throttle bodies ?SCEL1SE said:
What would you say then guys to someone who has a 240bhp Exige S. They are pretty quick cars and can be a bit of a handful on the limit, but I am finding It is rather quick for the road. However on track, I do like the speed for the straights, and my thoughts were getting the lower powered cater hams would eventually bore me?
However, I maybe wrong, as I've never driven one. Obviously this is what I would need to do, but easier said than done living in Scotland. Been hankering over a 7 for some time now, and I reckon the itch will be scatted soon.
Do you think with what I am coming from, something like the Supersport be ample?
I am thinking along similar lines myself. I had been thinking of buying either an Exige S or a Caterham. I drove a 140bhp roadsport at Caterham Midlands and then did 5 laps of silverstone in an Exige S 220bhp a few days after. I must say that I was a lot more impressed with the Caterham as a fun driving experience. Exige would be faster but I would be having more fun in the Caterham. I just don't know if I would be wishing for a bit more power once I was used to the car. I think my perfect Caterham would be a supersport which is in budget now if I have a 140bhp sigma variety, but the duratec 180 bhp model is out of my budget at the moment. I don't know if I should buy a 140 bhp car for now and then upgrade if I feel the need for more power, or just save up a bit more and buy the duratec car just to make sure I would be totally happy with it? What are people's thoughts?However, I maybe wrong, as I've never driven one. Obviously this is what I would need to do, but easier said than done living in Scotland. Been hankering over a 7 for some time now, and I reckon the itch will be scatted soon.
Do you think with what I am coming from, something like the Supersport be ample?
I did the same actually. Drove a Roadsport 125 and an Exige the same week.
Bought a Roadsport 140 a month later! Still have it 3 years later. I've never been one to go hunting for more power, I'd rather learn the car I have and then move on eventually when I fancy a change.
Personally, I'd say get the 140, learn to drive it and move on once you feel you've gotten the most out of it.
Bought a Roadsport 140 a month later! Still have it 3 years later. I've never been one to go hunting for more power, I'd rather learn the car I have and then move on eventually when I fancy a change.
Personally, I'd say get the 140, learn to drive it and move on once you feel you've gotten the most out of it.
bdev said:
How do you get on for noise on trackdays ? - Any issues with the R400 + Throttle bodies ?
Can't help- did lots of track days in my first Seven , some in this before upgrade but rather lost interest in track stuff and now prefer v long solo drives (sometimes for a few days). Lots of info elsewhere. bdev said:
How do you get on for noise on trackdays ? - Any issues with the R400 + Throttle bodies ?
My car had throttle bodies - I never had a problem but the previous owner did so fitted the Caterham carbon airbox which did the trick in reducing the volume enough to not get thrown off tracks.
So, I've been looking through the Caterham order and options sheet, most things look relatively well priced however, what items on the list are worth sourcing outside of the options list for either better price for the same item or for a direct upgrade.different to the options on the list ?
So, I've been looking through the Caterham order and options sheet, most things look relatively well priced however, what items on the list are worth sourcing outside of the options list for either better price for the same item or for a direct upgrade.different to the options on the list ?
One of the only things I think seems a bit overpriced is the difference between the brand new 270 and the 360. It's 4k difference and as far as I can tell, the only difference is you get a 2 litre duratec instead of the 1.6 sigma. If you bought a new 270, you could then buy a brand new duratec from burton power for £2400. I bet you could sell the brand new sigma for at least a grand. Does anyone know what other bits would be required to fit the duratec? Would it be worthwhile doing it this way, or would it probably end up costing the extra 4k by the time you've done it all?
It's been a while and my search for a Caterham had to be halted, whilst I got to grips with the remaining bits on the house project, anyway I'm getting closer to owning one, with a CSR being top of my wish list..... I think
Does anybody know or have knowledge on the black 260 in the classifieds ?
Was due to get to sevens and classics last week, but the weather played its part and ruined that plan 😓
Does anybody know or have knowledge on the black 260 in the classifieds ?
Was due to get to sevens and classics last week, but the weather played its part and ruined that plan 😓
It's been a while and my search for a Caterham had to be halted, whilst I got to grips with the remaining bits on the house project, anyway I'm getting closer to owning one, with a CSR being top of my wish list..... I think
Does anybody know or have knowledge on the black 260 in the classifieds ?
Was due to get to sevens and classics last week, but the weather played its part and ruined that plan 😓
Does anybody know or have knowledge on the black 260 in the classifieds ?
Was due to get to sevens and classics last week, but the weather played its part and ruined that plan 😓
coppice said:
stewy49 said:
As I am thinking about replacing my R400 duratech that I have had from new could anyone tell me what the 420R is in terms of differences/spec etc: Is it worthwhile changing - after 6 years I feel the need for a change. Is there a model now between the R400 and the 620R?
Had mine since 2007; upgraded to Roller barrel throttle bodies and transformed the car; silly fast, ultra responsive and amazing noise. I would be surprised if anything short of a 620R would be a quantum leap. I have been searching for a nice Caterham for a while and with so many variants its tricky! I have now taken the plunge for a Roadsport150 with the Sigma engine. I thought hard about the power option (I had a Dunnell 195 engined Striker for over 10 years) but these days I intend to tour rather the track and figured the 150 is a good compromise. The Duratec cars are wicked but a bit too pricey for me at the moment.
One thing that I struggled was finding one with a clean chassis. So many immaculate on top cars looked grotty underneath, scabby chassis and corroded aluminium. The best car was a home built one and was as clean underneath as on top. IMHO you need to clean and treat the chassis a couple of times a year to keep them pristine and I guess the home builders are more confident in the dirty stuff underneath.
I am getting the floors lowered so it should be filling that space in the garage by early August… l hope the weather cheers up somewhat!
One thing that I struggled was finding one with a clean chassis. So many immaculate on top cars looked grotty underneath, scabby chassis and corroded aluminium. The best car was a home built one and was as clean underneath as on top. IMHO you need to clean and treat the chassis a couple of times a year to keep them pristine and I guess the home builders are more confident in the dirty stuff underneath.
I am getting the floors lowered so it should be filling that space in the garage by early August… l hope the weather cheers up somewhat!
ghibbett said:
To those who feel they'll be wanting more power from their 140s, an interim suggestion is to fit an aeroscreen. Not only does it feel faster, what with being more exposed, but it is faster. And by is I mean significantly faster.
I would agree with that!Bought some secondhand Brooklands screens recently & the car feels quick. You do have to use the brakes more without the windbrake effect of the full screen.
On our recent trip to Italy I did refit the screen & doors & carried a half hood as all those miles aero would have been a bit much.
Get as much power as you can afford, you don't have to use it,nothing worse than wanting more,even worse is upgaditous that will be contracted,I've raced bikes and cars and I agree with all of the above 150 bhp in a 7 will embarrass most road cars driven well, but if you're used to power then you will miss it.Build your own but make sure you have at least 200 bhp Sadev box paddle shift the tallest final drive you can get big brakes big fuel tank and the reason for the silly grin everytime you drive it.build something special that you really want do it right the first time because if you really do like power it's expensive to get from what the purists would call a standard factory car,which are perfect for most have great residuals etc etc. Do some caterham experience days try some hire one. Speak with Simon at meteor motorboat then build what you want and suits what your going to do with it.You will fall in love!!!
k20erham said:
Get as much power as you can afford, you don't have to use it,nothing worse than wanting more,even worse is upgaditous that will be contracted,I've raced bikes and cars and I agree with all of the above 150 bhp in a 7 will embarrass most road cars driven well, but if you're used to power then you will miss it.Build your own but make sure you have at least 200 bhp Sadev box paddle shift the tallest final drive you can get big brakes big fuel tank and the reason for the silly grin everytime you drive it.build something special that you really want do it right the first time because if you really do like power it's expensive to get from what the purists would call a standard factory car,which are perfect for most have great residuals etc etc. Do some caterham experience days try some hire one. Speak with Simon at meteor motorboat then build what you want and suits what your going to do with it.You will fall in love!!!
Totally agree with this ^^^^^At least you have got what you want instead of what you wanted.
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