Thinking of getting a caterham

Thinking of getting a caterham

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PeterGadsby

Original Poster:

1,303 posts

162 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
quotequote all
Hi
I have had fast cars An Audi R8, Maserati gransport, Jaguar F-Type. I have also had fast bikes fireblade, r1 etc...

I would like a car with a more analogue experience so am thinking about a caterham.

It's probably been asked many times, but which one would you recommend.

My budget is up to 25k ( could go more for the right Car)

Thought?

Thanks - Pete

Edited by PeterGadsby on Friday 3rd July 08:30

runkle1112

7 posts

107 months

PeterGadsby

Original Poster:

1,303 posts

162 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
quotequote all
Lol - would love to make that road legal :-)

justleanitupabit

201 posts

106 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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You wouldn't easily get much more 'analogue' than this.

http://www.sevensandclassics.com/showroom/caterham...

(Except for the digital dash I suppose laugh )

assadahmed

467 posts

189 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
quotequote all
justleanitupabit said:
You wouldn't easily get much more 'analogue' than this.

http://www.sevensandclassics.com/showroom/caterham...

(Except for the digital dash I suppose laugh )
Nice car and reasonably priced!

Do it!!


ForzaGilles

557 posts

223 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
quotequote all
justleanitupabit said:
You wouldn't easily get much more 'analogue' than this.

http://www.sevensandclassics.com/showroom/caterham...

(Except for the digital dash I suppose laugh )
Yes, that's what I'd be buying. Very nice R500 K. I can't see the value of those dropping either...

BertBert

18,954 posts

210 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
quotequote all
justleanitupabit said:
You wouldn't easily get much more 'analogue' than this.

http://www.sevensandclassics.com/showroom/caterham...

(Except for the digital dash I suppose laugh )
My old r500 by the looks of it. Wow less than 10k miles in 14 years!

assadahmed

467 posts

189 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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Makes the R300 I bought from Caterham seem too expensive!! Still prefer my car though. Its Purple wink

PeterGadsby

Original Poster:

1,303 posts

162 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
quotequote all
That looks really nice, but do you think it might be too fast?

My Evil Twin

457 posts

132 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
quotequote all
You havnt said what your usage would be...
7s can come in so many different flavours, one mans wine and all that.

The K R500 looks nice.. but it requires to be thrashed to get the power out of it. A sunday afternoon drive car it is not.
The thing is, you can have a very fast car, ala the K R500, where not often will you reach the limits of the car on the road or a 1.4k series with 105hp and a 6 speed box in which you can whip to within a inch of its life somewhere not in the licence loosing speeds range, have a great time and she will sit up and beg for more.
or a stock(ish) engine with the 5speed box, doors, screen and a luggage rack for those driving tours accross the channel.
and about 99 different variations of the examples above.

if you intent to track her regularly, then ignore the above and get the R500 biggrin

Honestly.. think how and with whom you will be driving 90% of your time (holidays/tracking/fast road) and then buy a car to suit.
Think about if you will want doors with a screen or aeroscreen and a helmet. What would the wife/GF want if she plans on joining you, you dont want a car in which the other half refuses to sit in (or maybe you do!) wink

Pop into Caterham, Caterham Midlands or C&C and take 3 very different cars out for a drive to see what you like.
And I know its hard. but try not to be spellbound by the high BHP cars.. you might not be buying the car for you.

PS. long enough post. i know.
but I have to say, if you get the chance, take a older XFlow car with twin 40 carbs (especially a Roger King or ProTune rebuilt unit) out for a spin... aural heroin.

ewenm

28,506 posts

244 months

Friday 3rd July 2015
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PeterGadsby said:
That looks really nice, but do you think it might be too fast?
A wise position to take. Given the resale value and lack of depreciation, my suggestion would be to dip your toe in the water at Supersport-R/R300 level and see how you get on with it. You can always sell it on for most (if not all!) of what you paid for it and choose again.

Edit: Plus all of My Evil Twin's post above. My 7 is primarily a (sadly unused nowadays) tourer - 160bhp, 5 spd, 110,000 miles. Occasional trackday but prefer the mountain roads.

Edited by ewenm on Friday 3rd July 22:10

PeterGadsby

Original Poster:

1,303 posts

162 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
quotequote all
Hi,

Usage it's going to be a road car only, it's really to replace the fun on my motorbike and fast cars.... I'm thinking I'm going to want a screen / doors and the roof gear. I don't want it to scare the life out of me as all my previous fast cars have had the electronics to keep me out of trouble and I know Caterhams don't

The model range seems very confusing to a newbie like me, I quite like the look of this one....

http://uk.caterhamcars.com/pre-owned/1077-roadspor...

Is the above too pricey? I am in Berkshire BTW

- Pete

PeterGadsby

Original Poster:

1,303 posts

162 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
quotequote all
Hi,

Usage it's going to be a road car only, it's really to replace the fun on my motorbike and fast cars.... I'm thinking I'm going to want a screen / doors and the roof gear. I don't want it to scare the life out of me as all my previous fast cars have had the electronics to keep me out of trouble and I know Caterhams don't

The model range seems very confusing to a newbie like me, I quite like the look of this one....

http://uk.caterhamcars.com/pre-owned/1077-roadspor...

Is the above too pricey? I am in Berkshire BTW

- Pete

james7

594 posts

254 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
quotequote all
It may be worth hiring one for a day to get an idea of what they are like.

There is no such thing as too fast. You dont have to use all the power but its nice to have a little in reserve biggrin

If you are used to big bikes then a quick one will be fine on the road. My old one would keep up with most 1000cc bikes (and out accelerate a few too) in a straight line and I used it mainly on the road with a few track days etc

Having said all of that I reckon the most fun 7 I have driven is a 1700 xflow with a pair of 40's and a gentle cam (I guess iro 150 bhp?) You could actually drive it a bit hard on the road without straying too far outside the speed limits. Getting the correct gear actually matters as well as speed carried into and out of corners, braking etc etc.
With lots of bhp its easy to monster through everything in any gear and not actually feel as involved unless you are giving it 100%.

BertBert

18,954 posts

210 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
quotequote all
My Evil Twin said:
The K R500 looks nice.. but it requires to be thrashed to get the power out of it. A sunday afternoon drive car it is not.
I don't agree really. It doesn't need to be thrashed it works brilliantly in pretty much all circumstances.

I sold it for a few reasons, firstly I wanted a screen. Secondly I had some bad engine luck (ahem) and decided to break cheaper k engines instead.

I think the problem with the higher powered cars is that they are actually too fast to thrash on the roads which is why I enjoyed the 1600-ss I got after. With that you can thrash it and feel like a driving god on the road!

But back to the R500, it works really well. It's not a nasty peaky engine or horrid around town.

Bert

PeterGadsby

Original Poster:

1,303 posts

162 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
quotequote all
I test drove this today at Caterham South.... http://uk.caterhamcars.com/pre-owned/1654-roadspor...

Seriously thinking of buying it, just trying to persuade the boss.....

My only concern was the closeness of the pedals, my right foot kept catching on the brake, I was told by the salesman most drivers buy special shoes to drive them is this true?

What do you think of the car, is it priced sensibly? Would I lose a lot of money if I bought at this level? It's quote old a 53 plate, but has only done 25,000 miles

Any thoughts very much appreciated, as I am new to this marque.

Thanks

- Pete

Helluvaname

363 posts

206 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
quotequote all
Hi Pete, from what you've said about your previous cars and your intended use, I'd say that's just about perfect!

Most people do have special narrow driving shoes (Puma Speedcats are a common one, or karting boots).
It's also sometimes possible to space the pedals slightly differently so that may help - but the right footwear will make all the difference.

Go for it! wink

(and join the lotus 7 club for some great social stuff, blats, events, etc thumbup )

PeterGadsby

Original Poster:

1,303 posts

162 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
quotequote all
My slight concern is the age of the car and the price..... The other car that Chrisp posted on here is lower miles & around 5K cheaper. Although it does have less BHP to the one I drove today & I suppose as it's private it doesn't come with any kind of warranty....

My mind is in a bit of a spin now as to what to do, I think I will need to think about it for a couple of weeks before deciding.

- Pete

Helluvaname

363 posts

206 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
quotequote all
Age really isn't an issue with a Caterham (and to some extent neither is mileage - although that one is quite low mileage, which is good).

The one Chrisp linked to is in nice condition, but you'll certainly notice the 40bhp less, and wish you'd bought a higher power one!

I'd always suggest buying your first seven from a reputable dealer, as you have a warranty as back-up.
Once you're more familiar with the cars and know what to look out for, then would be the time to try a private purchase imho.

Have you been to Sevens & Classics at Brands Hatch?