Thinking of buying a Caterham...
Discussion
I'm thinking of selling my pride and joy, a Triumph TR6 (first classic, owned for 2,5yrs), to put money towards a Caterham. It's either that or going back to basics with a TR3. Old school!
It would have to be a kit as I love tinkering with the TR and half the fun of the Caterham would be building it. I reckon I could just about cobble together enough cash to afford the Roadsport 125. Would need leather seats and tonneau, not too fussed about the rest of the options list.
The TR is used to drive around London on the weekends and travel to Northern France every 6-8weeks for a long weekend, all year round and whatever the weather. The added bonus of the Caterham would be trackdays.
Are there any Caterham owners out there who have also owned TRs or similar cars? I'm a bit worried that the 125 will be a bit disappointing in terms of thrills. Should I wait another year and go for an R300 instead? Another option would be to buy and build a Roadsport 125 and sell after 1 year to build a more powerful/focussed Caterham. Do many people do this?
My biggest concern is still missing the exhaust note from the big bore stainless exhaust on the 6...
It would have to be a kit as I love tinkering with the TR and half the fun of the Caterham would be building it. I reckon I could just about cobble together enough cash to afford the Roadsport 125. Would need leather seats and tonneau, not too fussed about the rest of the options list.
The TR is used to drive around London on the weekends and travel to Northern France every 6-8weeks for a long weekend, all year round and whatever the weather. The added bonus of the Caterham would be trackdays.
Are there any Caterham owners out there who have also owned TRs or similar cars? I'm a bit worried that the 125 will be a bit disappointing in terms of thrills. Should I wait another year and go for an R300 instead? Another option would be to buy and build a Roadsport 125 and sell after 1 year to build a more powerful/focussed Caterham. Do many people do this?
My biggest concern is still missing the exhaust note from the big bore stainless exhaust on the 6...
Edited by caine62 on Saturday 15th November 12:58
Too bad you're not in Oz mate, I've been considering selling our Caterham SV and replacing it with a TR-6 as Sydney traffic &/or getting to decent Blatting roads is making us somewhat consider what car next. After 6+ years of owning our SV, going all over Europe, UK, Ireland, Scotland and the USA, we're really struggling to get enough use out of ours.
Dad had a Tr-3A for a long time, loverly car to drive MINUS 1st gear is non-synchro so that can be a bit of an annoyance. He's now got a 1951 MG-TD that is far more fun and exclusive.....
The Pro's for the TR-6 are mainly practicality; the Con's for the TR-6 is lack of power and maintenance.
So we haven't decided anything -- considering what options exist.
Don't get me wrong, we love our Caterham, it's just harder to use it as much when I'm doing offshore sailboat racing, 4x4'ing in the Bush, etc......too much stuff, not enough time. We also worry a bit more of bogan's wanting to steal stuff from her here than in Blighty.....
I'd keep the Tr-6 mate! And get a Caterham with the biggest HP engine you can....
Dad had a Tr-3A for a long time, loverly car to drive MINUS 1st gear is non-synchro so that can be a bit of an annoyance. He's now got a 1951 MG-TD that is far more fun and exclusive.....
The Pro's for the TR-6 are mainly practicality; the Con's for the TR-6 is lack of power and maintenance.
So we haven't decided anything -- considering what options exist.
Don't get me wrong, we love our Caterham, it's just harder to use it as much when I'm doing offshore sailboat racing, 4x4'ing in the Bush, etc......too much stuff, not enough time. We also worry a bit more of bogan's wanting to steal stuff from her here than in Blighty.....
I'd keep the Tr-6 mate! And get a Caterham with the biggest HP engine you can....
Edited by Steve-B on Sunday 16th November 01:17
Thanks for the input guys!
The Duractec's are out of my reach unfortunately. Don't think I could justify spending that much on a car anyway. There are apparently good tuners out there who can tweak the Sigma engine to give out 160bhp. Packages cost about £2.5k. Could always do that when I start craving more power.
The major draw is the build process. That's why I'm thinking of buying a Roadsport and selling it a year later to fund building something a lot faster!
Steve, go for it and grab a TR6. If you haven't already, join the TR Register and at the very least take a look at the Tr Register forum. There are a few members in Oz with TR6s. I'm just spending too much money on the 6 and was considering a fast road engine rebuild, chassis restoration and putting on lightweight panels. That's a lot of cash that I'll never see again if I sell the car.
I actually plan to go the sidescreen route like your dad. If poss, want to buy a TR3 in a few years' time. Caterham and TR3, best of both worlds...
What are the new cars like with regards to rust? I've got a garage but if I were to buy something special like a TR3 later on, would the Caterham happily sit on the drive under a proper cover?
The Duractec's are out of my reach unfortunately. Don't think I could justify spending that much on a car anyway. There are apparently good tuners out there who can tweak the Sigma engine to give out 160bhp. Packages cost about £2.5k. Could always do that when I start craving more power.
The major draw is the build process. That's why I'm thinking of buying a Roadsport and selling it a year later to fund building something a lot faster!
Steve, go for it and grab a TR6. If you haven't already, join the TR Register and at the very least take a look at the Tr Register forum. There are a few members in Oz with TR6s. I'm just spending too much money on the 6 and was considering a fast road engine rebuild, chassis restoration and putting on lightweight panels. That's a lot of cash that I'll never see again if I sell the car.
I actually plan to go the sidescreen route like your dad. If poss, want to buy a TR3 in a few years' time. Caterham and TR3, best of both worlds...
What are the new cars like with regards to rust? I've got a garage but if I were to buy something special like a TR3 later on, would the Caterham happily sit on the drive under a proper cover?
Edited by caine62 on Sunday 16th November 11:16
Hi Caine62,
Just Do It! Picked up My first 7 this weekend, a 1600k Supersport 135ish Bhp, it's awesome! If You want a classic to potter around in ,stick with the TR (beautiful cars!), if You want a serious performance car get a 7.
Mine is 10yrs old , but in exellent condition and was good value for money!
I also hired 7 from Caterham Midlands in September, that was a Roadsport 125 Sigma, very nice lots of torque nice sound, but a 5sp, My K has 6spand revs to 7200, the 125 only revs 6100rpm, I'f budget allows go for 150bhp Sigma! The car I hired is for sale on Caterham site GN56LLO- £19,950- 12K miles!!! There's also a 150 Superlight 22k.
I'm probably biased but You cant go wrong 1600k Supersport get 6sp, mines also got widetrack, but no LSD, I only really intend road use and My setup is sweet for the road, but K's are very easy to tune, and 1500 quid and You got 150-160bhp, more or less a match for R300 and a lot less money!
I've only been a 7 owner for a very short time, and other people My say different, now is the time to buy and there a few cars for good money!
Anyway You Pays Your Money and take Your Choice!!
Good Luck
Al.
Just Do It! Picked up My first 7 this weekend, a 1600k Supersport 135ish Bhp, it's awesome! If You want a classic to potter around in ,stick with the TR (beautiful cars!), if You want a serious performance car get a 7.
Mine is 10yrs old , but in exellent condition and was good value for money!
I also hired 7 from Caterham Midlands in September, that was a Roadsport 125 Sigma, very nice lots of torque nice sound, but a 5sp, My K has 6spand revs to 7200, the 125 only revs 6100rpm, I'f budget allows go for 150bhp Sigma! The car I hired is for sale on Caterham site GN56LLO- £19,950- 12K miles!!! There's also a 150 Superlight 22k.
I'm probably biased but You cant go wrong 1600k Supersport get 6sp, mines also got widetrack, but no LSD, I only really intend road use and My setup is sweet for the road, but K's are very easy to tune, and 1500 quid and You got 150-160bhp, more or less a match for R300 and a lot less money!
I've only been a 7 owner for a very short time, and other people My say different, now is the time to buy and there a few cars for good money!
Anyway You Pays Your Money and take Your Choice!!
Good Luck
Al.
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