Ex Westfield owner considering the dark side... ;)
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking for a little advice on possibly making the leap to Caterham ownership.
Budget looking at 15k realistically and concerned that in that budget I am going to be underwhelmed with performance available in that budget.
I have had 2 westfields now (both widebodied cars).
First car: End spec was 195bhp Vauxhall redtop on Webber 45's, stripped out, aeroscreen etc. Good quick car but rough round the edges.
Latest westfield which was unfortunately destroyed in a garage fire a couple of weeks ago: 2.0 zetec on ZX9r carbs with 169bhp. This car had full screen, half hood etc and really enjoyed the usability of it. It lacked a little of the 'thrill' of the aeroscreened car but the pros of weather gear outweighed this. Actually ended up getting Pb's at all sprint venues in this car as it was a much better car setup wise than the first.
Enjoying my last westfield so much has got me to thinking that perhaps less is more and perhaps a much lighter caterham with less power will be just as fun and may be similar real world performance with the added bonus of being able to swap screen for aeroscreen when the mood suits.
Anyone else here switched from higher powered but heavier Westfields or the likes able to pass on their experience?
Edited to add that I have the chance to buy a very well sorted Westfield (no screen) but just needing to hear more experiences of low powered caterhams to get things clear in my head.
Dave
Looking for a little advice on possibly making the leap to Caterham ownership.
Budget looking at 15k realistically and concerned that in that budget I am going to be underwhelmed with performance available in that budget.
I have had 2 westfields now (both widebodied cars).
First car: End spec was 195bhp Vauxhall redtop on Webber 45's, stripped out, aeroscreen etc. Good quick car but rough round the edges.
Latest westfield which was unfortunately destroyed in a garage fire a couple of weeks ago: 2.0 zetec on ZX9r carbs with 169bhp. This car had full screen, half hood etc and really enjoyed the usability of it. It lacked a little of the 'thrill' of the aeroscreened car but the pros of weather gear outweighed this. Actually ended up getting Pb's at all sprint venues in this car as it was a much better car setup wise than the first.
Enjoying my last westfield so much has got me to thinking that perhaps less is more and perhaps a much lighter caterham with less power will be just as fun and may be similar real world performance with the added bonus of being able to swap screen for aeroscreen when the mood suits.
Anyone else here switched from higher powered but heavier Westfields or the likes able to pass on their experience?
Edited to add that I have the chance to buy a very well sorted Westfield (no screen) but just needing to hear more experiences of low powered caterhams to get things clear in my head.
Dave
Edited by D7PNY on Tuesday 10th May 23:39
Never owned a Westie, driven a good few, none had the agility & feel of the Caterhams, perhaps some do but I drove a fair selection.
I didn't want this to be the case, I had a Westie budget rather than a Caterham one, but it had to be a Caterham then,even if my budget was rather on the low end.
I didn't want this to be the case, I had a Westie budget rather than a Caterham one, but it had to be a Caterham then,even if my budget was rather on the low end.
I had a factory built 1600 SeiW Westie for 12 years from new before ordering a 1.4K Classic as a pre-retirement treat to myself 4 years ago. Both were not high powered versions but suited my touring plan and where the power was basically similar on both cars, I soon realised the Caterham needed higher revs to 'press on'. I don't think that reflects your question tho.
What was more obvious was that the S3 felt so much tighter - both physically and handling where the drive was so much more precise that the blat was more rewarding too.
It might be stating the obvious but in the Caterham, you sit precisely in the car and feel more attached and I didn't miss the 'wide' body format that I moved from. Lowered floors were essential and seem to be 'de rigour' these days, which again connect you into the car better.
I don't need to say that you will have less of the uninformed 'is that a real one' either. I enjoyed my Westie and put around 20K miles on in 12 years but when I say that I already have 14K miles in 4 years in the Caterham probably says it all.
What was more obvious was that the S3 felt so much tighter - both physically and handling where the drive was so much more precise that the blat was more rewarding too.
It might be stating the obvious but in the Caterham, you sit precisely in the car and feel more attached and I didn't miss the 'wide' body format that I moved from. Lowered floors were essential and seem to be 'de rigour' these days, which again connect you into the car better.
I don't need to say that you will have less of the uninformed 'is that a real one' either. I enjoyed my Westie and put around 20K miles on in 12 years but when I say that I already have 14K miles in 4 years in the Caterham probably says it all.
D7PNY said:
Budget looking at 15k realistically and concerned that in that budget I am going to be underwhelmed with performance available in that budget.
Why do you think that price means settling for low power?Admittedly if you want a new and shiny one then, Yes- £15 won't go far.
I recently got a 7 for 2/3rds your budget with 30bhp more than the one you just lost to the fire (sorry about that BTW, must have been gutting :-(
20seconds on Google found this 250bhp (allegedly) road legal for £13K- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caterham-7-Vauxhall-2-0L...
(Admittedly that's rather tired looking thing but just an example of BHP/£)
Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong places!
Did see a nice looking red one up for 15k recently in the classifieds that would've suited me nicely.
Realistically, I think a caterham with about 150bhp would be similar if not more bhp/tonne than my last westfield so maybe more achievable than I thought.
One additional thing to throw into the mix...Obviously with doing sprints and the change in rules this year requiring MSA approved roll bar. Which variety of Caterham roll bars should I be looking out for?
Dave
Did see a nice looking red one up for 15k recently in the classifieds that would've suited me nicely.
Realistically, I think a caterham with about 150bhp would be similar if not more bhp/tonne than my last westfield so maybe more achievable than I thought.
One additional thing to throw into the mix...Obviously with doing sprints and the change in rules this year requiring MSA approved roll bar. Which variety of Caterham roll bars should I be looking out for?
Dave
Were your Westfields SEi's?
Back in my youth I went from a Westfield SE (narrow body, live axle) to a Caterham Supersprint de Dion with identical spec engines (135bhp Crossflows), and was pretty much underwhelmed with the Caterham, considering it cost me twice as much. Steering feel was a touch better, but that's all you could say for it, really.
But the SEi Westfields I've since driven have a much softer, more compliant feel than Caterhams. This arguably makes them nicer as road cars, but feel slightly less precise and responsive.
And as others have said, the wide body Westfields (which means all recent cars) feel vast in comparison... again, nice for road use as it makes them feel that little bit more grown up and comfortable, but not so good if you're looking for the ultimate jinba ittai.
Whether the extra 'tightness' will make up for the performance deficit, if you're going for something with a lower power output than you're used to, is something only you can answer.
Back in my youth I went from a Westfield SE (narrow body, live axle) to a Caterham Supersprint de Dion with identical spec engines (135bhp Crossflows), and was pretty much underwhelmed with the Caterham, considering it cost me twice as much. Steering feel was a touch better, but that's all you could say for it, really.
But the SEi Westfields I've since driven have a much softer, more compliant feel than Caterhams. This arguably makes them nicer as road cars, but feel slightly less precise and responsive.
And as others have said, the wide body Westfields (which means all recent cars) feel vast in comparison... again, nice for road use as it makes them feel that little bit more grown up and comfortable, but not so good if you're looking for the ultimate jinba ittai.
Whether the extra 'tightness' will make up for the performance deficit, if you're going for something with a lower power output than you're used to, is something only you can answer.
So the shopping continues but what are the pros and cons of 1.6k series (minister engine in the one I've spotted) vs a standard 1.6 sigma engine (in another I've spotted)?
Liking the option of getting into a newish car hence the supersport but still a part of me hankering after something with high power but perhaps a little older. Also worried I would miss induction noise with a 1.6 k series or sigma over a higher powered car with throttle bodies for example.
Dave
Liking the option of getting into a newish car hence the supersport but still a part of me hankering after something with high power but perhaps a little older. Also worried I would miss induction noise with a 1.6 k series or sigma over a higher powered car with throttle bodies for example.
Dave
Thought I'd better update this...
Have found a car and just sorting out the logistics of getting down to collect it and also chasing up insurance for cheque in the meantime.
Hopefully get down in the next couple of weeks but if not, will be after I get back from holiday so towards the end of the month/start of July.
Started off life as a roadsport but went back to caterham a year later to have 1.8k in R300 spec fitted with RBTB's and 6 speed box.
Couple of things I will need to change (tyres being first issue) for complying with new sprint regulations but other than that it's perfect spec for me.
Will be a fair old journey in it from Birmingham back up to Aberdeen so hopefully I pick a weekend with good weather!
Thanks for all the help.
Dave
Have found a car and just sorting out the logistics of getting down to collect it and also chasing up insurance for cheque in the meantime.
Hopefully get down in the next couple of weeks but if not, will be after I get back from holiday so towards the end of the month/start of July.
Started off life as a roadsport but went back to caterham a year later to have 1.8k in R300 spec fitted with RBTB's and 6 speed box.
Couple of things I will need to change (tyres being first issue) for complying with new sprint regulations but other than that it's perfect spec for me.
Will be a fair old journey in it from Birmingham back up to Aberdeen so hopefully I pick a weekend with good weather!
Thanks for all the help.
Dave
Deal agreed on a Caterham - Just to arrange a time to get south to collect! 
One question though...
It has FIA roll bar (with the X bars) and I believe for 2016 sprint rules I will need petty strut as I understand the homologation was done with the petty strut in place.
I see they are out of stock on Caterham shop though.
I have been offered a roadsport tall cage though. Is this homologated like the normal height cage?
Cheers,
Dave
One question though...
It has FIA roll bar (with the X bars) and I believe for 2016 sprint rules I will need petty strut as I understand the homologation was done with the petty strut in place.
I see they are out of stock on Caterham shop though.
I have been offered a roadsport tall cage though. Is this homologated like the normal height cage?
Cheers,
Dave
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