Caterham, which one ?

[PNichols]

Hi, I've been reading PH for ages and although I'm a member on other forums, I've never actually made a profile here.
Anyway, I've been waiting for the right time to get me a Caterham, and I think I'm about there.
I've had allsorts of quick/ modified cars over my time but longed for a Caterham ever since my Dad built one a good few years ago.......
I'm considering my options at the moment and have been in contact with Callum at sevens and classics and James Wilson at Caterham south
I was initially keen on the R400 that sevens and classics have, being an impatient person I just wanted to get one and enjoy, but, then I spoke with James who suggested I buy new and build myself a R420.
I'm pretty handy with the spanners and have access to all of the equipment needed to make the build as my Dad co owns a garage, I'm yet to experience either versions I've talked about but the build route sounds fun, although I'm yet to see anybody announce ordering the R420, anybody committed ?
Paul

[BertBert]

If you have the budget, nothing wrong with buying new! Won't get you in one all that quickly, but the build process is brilliant fun and pretty easy.

My only suggestion is that you need to get behind the wheel of a few to decide what spec you want and whether it's the right car for you. As people on here know, I rail against the more power is better in a 7 philosophy. I think there is a sweet spot, which for me is much lower than 220bhp!!

Bert

[downsman]

Building your own Seven is great fun and very rewarding.
However, you'll generally pay more thana similar spec car second hand.
It is important to get the spec you want as has been said.

It would be an expensive mistake to build new and then find you want a very different car.

[framerateuk]

My suggestion would be to go and hire one. If you intend to buy new, Caterham will offer the hire price back to you against the cost of a new car.

I was expecting to want at least an R300 (or Supersport R as the current spec goes), but found the Roadsport 125 hire car to plenty of fun. I eventually bought a Roadsport 140 and don't regret the choice at all. It's a great balance of speed and fun. On the road, it's all the power I need, on a track, I could always do with some more pace to get down the straights faster, but it lets me concentrate on getting the corners right, and catching up with and passing people can be give a great sense of achievement since you've felt like you've earned it!

[PNichols]

Thanks for your thoughts so far
I completely get that power in a 7 probably isn't everything and there comes a point where there is a sweet spot.
As I've not test driven recent variants I cannot comment, I guess a few test drives might clear my head
Anybody in the Bedford area ? I'd really appreciate a passenger ride, I'm sure it'll help me decide.
I think my problem lays with getting used to cars and power pretty quickly, I've been on the quest for more power at some point with all of the sporty cars I've ever owned and I just want to be satisfied from the off really

[Toaster]

PNichols said:

Anybody in the Bedford area ?

Two things, firstly I would never give anyone a ride in my 7 just by answering a post on a forum such as this (how uncharitable of me) you could go to Caterham and get a ride in one.

Or just go along to an area meeting http://www.lotus7.club/area-meetings

[PNichols]

Toaster said:

PNichols said:

Anybody in the Bedford area ?

Two things, firstly I would never give anyone a ride in my 7 just by answering a post on a forum such as this (how uncharitable of me) you could go to Caterham and get a ride in one.

Or just go along to an area meeting http://www.lotus7.club/area-meetings

It was a "tongue in cheek" comment, yes I will be attending the Bedford area meet in Astwood
at some point in the near future, but thanks for your reply

[Andy Bell]

i guess its like picking a wife/girlfriend/husband/boyfriend. You can see all sorts of different types walking about and they all look as though they could fill different needs but until you give them a try you wont ever know... Will leave you to decide at this point what a 'try' is

[Paul the Painter]

That's funny, I would and do take people out in my Caterham who I have randomly met. Come along to the next meeting at Astwood and we'll go for a wee blat. I've got a slightly disreputable looking 1993 car subsequently fitted with a 205 bhp Zetec.
It looks a bit disreputable as it's the daily driver...
It's for using, not looking at!

[downsman]

Paul the Painter said:

It looks a bit disreputable as it's the daily driver...
It's for using, not looking at!

Good man
I like to think they look better with dented stone guards and some wear and tear, well that's what I keep telling myself!
Not going to stop putting miles on mine though.

[PNichols]

Paul the Painter said:

That's funny, I would and do take people out in my Caterham who I have randomly met. Come along to the next meeting at Astwood and we'll go for a wee blat. I've got a slightly disreputable looking 1993 car subsequently fitted with a 205 bhp Zetec.
It looks a bit disreputable as it's the daily driver...
It's for using, not looking at!

You're a gent, I'd like to think I'd be the same too
I think I'll wait until the weather is a tad better to change me to the meet, however I do have a test drive organised

[ReVolt]

I'm also looking to sell my Exige S and finally fulfill the Caterham need. Currently looking at anything around the 150bhp mark, be it Roadsport, SuperSport or stretching to a R300?

I'm planning on going to Sevens and Classics for a drive end of the month.

[SidewaysSi]

Good man, Sevens are fantastic but very different to a Lotus. I have an Elise and a Caterham as they do fulfil different needs. Or that's what I tell myself to justify both!

[Toaster]

SidewaysSi said:

Good man, Sevens are fantastic but very different to a Lotus.

It was a Lotus in the beginning...........so the Caterham is very much a Lotus (don't tell Tony) and the Evora is as close to a 7 as anything I have ever driven and yes I have both an R400 and an Evora

[SidewaysSi]

Toaster said:

SidewaysSi said:

Good man, Sevens are fantastic but very different to a Lotus.

It was a Lotus in the beginning...........so the Caterham is very much a Lotus (don't tell Tony) and the Evora is as close to a 7 as anything I have ever driven and yes I have both an R400 and an Evora

Very true however IMO there is nothing like a Seven. The Elise and Caterham are very different machines.

[BenLowden]

PNichols said:

Hi, I've been reading PH for ages and although I'm a member on other forums, I've never actually made a profile here.
Anyway, I've been waiting for the right time to get me a Caterham, and I think I'm about there.
I've had allsorts of quick/ modified cars over my time but longed for a Caterham ever since my Dad built one a good few years ago.......
I'm considering my options at the moment and have been in contact with Callum at sevens and classics and James Wilson at Caterham south
I was initially keen on the R400 that sevens and classics have, being an impatient person I just wanted to get one and enjoy, but, then I spoke with James who suggested I buy new and build myself a R420.
I'm pretty handy with the spanners and have access to all of the equipment needed to make the build as my Dad co owns a garage, I'm yet to experience either versions I've talked about but the build route sounds fun, although I'm yet to see anybody announce ordering the R420, anybody committed ?
Paul

Naturally everyone will tell you something different, but for me you just have to build one for the experience. My Supersport is arriving next month after 7 months of painful waiting, but I can't wait to get stuck in and build it! I bought an Elise to fill the gap, so you could get something else to see you through the summer while you're waiting.

Of course the really powerful models are going to be very appealing, and the 620 R is hands down the fastest and most bonkers car I've ever driven (and will probably never be beaten!). I could have just about stretched for an R400 but went for the Supersport as it's the sweet spot in the range for me. I'd rather be able to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow and I think the Supersport is the perfect model for this. Naturally you'll want more power after a year or two, but the great thing about Seven's is they hold their value so well.

I'll probably be doing 80% on the road and 20% on the track, so again it comes down to what you're using it for. Listen to the guys at Caterham, they know what they're talking about!

[Toaster]

SidewaysSi said:

Very true however IMO there is nothing like a Seven. The Elise and Caterham are very different machines.

For pinpoint accuracy the Evora provides is about the same as the 7,..............Lotus Elite and Lotus Caterham 7 are different of course they are different.

[stewy49]

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?

[SCEL1SE]

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?

[SLR400]

Coming from a 240 bhp Exige, I personally think you may be hankering for more power quite quickly. I'm definitely not saying you need to get as much power as you can but after your Exige You don't want to be buying something that you will be replacing quite quickly or upgrading soon cause you want more power. I would say the obvious, which is to test drive a Supersport, R400 and if you are going to do lots of track work, an R500 as well.
My money would be on the R400 as a bare minimum, but then I have never driven a 240 bhp Exige.