first caterham

[carsounds_dan]

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a caterham, I've had an eye on one for a while but I'm starting to get more and more of an itch... So the question arises, as it always does.. what spec?

I've had bikes which I loved, tried sports cars (didn't float my boat) and hopefully the caterham will be a nice compromise. I've been to Caterham South (in Caterham) and I've spoken to dominic there regarding specs etc but obviously with these kind of things it's nice to talk to the people who've been there before and aren't selling the product.

I quite like the supersport range, but a roadsport with the right bits would be nice. I don't mind a project car, so say a basic superlight that can be upgraded over the years to fit me, but with that if I want alot more power etc then I'll probably just trade up.

So my initial want list I guess would be:

6speed
big front brakes
wider sportline suspension
lsd (if possible, if not no real issue)
stack dash (again, if possible, not a problem if not)

Powerwise I'm unsure of how much I'll be needing, I've not driven a Caterham before but have driven/owned a fair few sports cars and a fair few bikes, so understand that you don't need alot of power to go a long way. I guess also comes the question of engine choice, I'm not afraid of owning a K-series, but what else is there unless I head newer and into ford duratec ownership?

Well there you go, quite a few questions but just thought I'd ask you guys as obviously you drive these things already. As for driving, I plan to do a 80/20 split of road/track mainly based in the summer months; however if the track day experiance does bite me well, then it could easily flip the other way around. I'm not scared of a hard ride on the road either, but a heater would be nice for those 4am blasts when no-one else is about.

I guess last but no least is money, I'm looking atm at spending between £15-£20k; where would this land me in the market as it were... I mean, should I be looking at a new build from one of the "seven-esk" brands.

Many Thanks and sorry for all your time


Daniel

[BertBert]

In the k world for 15-20 you have quite a good range there. At the lower end, you can have a 1.6 supersport, then 1.8 supersport up to R300 and R400. I'd not be that bothered about the Stack dash personally. Speedo and tachi are just as good in my view.

You'll need to test drive and see what power level feels right for you. For me the 1.6 supersport is a brilliant place to be. If you expect to get upgradeitis then the 1.8 is more upgradeable.

You also have the right things to have on there, big brakes, 6 spd, LSD. Also look for fast rack. Then you'll need to decide what seats you want, tillets or regular. Sreen or aero or both (interchangeable). Newer lower spec or oldeer higher spec.

BErt

[stripy7]

If you are used to big bikes then some lower powered caterhams can seem slow so get the most power you can afford.

[EVS777]

Hi Dan
I have a 1600Supersport with most of the extras- 6sp,widetrack,big brakes but no LSD! but not an issue as mainly road use , as a road car its great! I think it has a good power balance, it very rarely brakes traction in the dry and only really want more power on the longest straights by which time you up to 3 figure licence losing speeds!That said I would really like an R300 Duratec one day as the power/spec for road/track car seems ideal!
I would say hire a roadsport for the day/weekend to get a feel of what Caterhams are like to drive, and test drive a higher powered car to see if its more power you need!
As Bert has said many times He raves over Supersports and He has owned higher powered caterhams also I believe! So its not all about power! Is it???

Anyway good luck on Your search...You'll not regret it!

Al Evs

[David Long]

I would try and go the Sigma or Duratec way if you can. There are some coming through on the second hand market and your budget may get you a metric chassis with good potential for upgrading. My personal choice would be a R300 Duratec. I have a R400 which is great on the track, but is just a bit too frantic for everyday road driving - but everyone has there own opinion so go with your own instincts.

[carsounds_dan]

well my initial thinking about the k-series engined cars is that I actually have a 1.8VVC K series in my garage atm (long story don't ask) so if I reached the point where I require more power I could do an engine swap for effectively drop in performance upgrades.

I think I'll get in touch with dominic at caterham and see if he'll take us for a spin in a few different specs etc..

Any more helps would be good

[BertBert]

EVS777 said:

As Bert has said many times He raves over Supersports and He has owned higher powered caterhams also I believe! So its not all about power! Is it???

Eeek, I'm very predictable! Yes I went to R500 and down again to 1600ss. Still my fav. I want the DR300 to be my new fav, but as I'm a tightwad, the used price will have to come down before I try one.

Bert

[Tango7]

A Superlight R is a very good mix of all the desireable bits you should be after with the 190 BHP VHPD engine : widetrack, big brakes, 6 speed, LSD, carbon pack, usually dry sumped (but not always as it was an option). Prices are between £16-18.5k dependant on miles, options, other cars for sale etc. There were only 127 of this model made though so finding a good one can take a bit of time. K series R300's offer an excellent alround mix too and a similar price as they are newer but lower powered (160 bhp engine).

There is a temptation though to always see power as the primary goal whereas with a Caterham, sometimes less is far better and this is why the Superlight and Superlight R model are so good. Keeping the weight to around 500 kgs means even the low'ish powered cars are excellent to own and very rewarding.

Always buy on spec and condition. You have listed the more expensive items that you want which is good as retrofitting them is costly. Things like seats, heater, weathergear, aero or screen, lowered floors even colour can easily be changed at a later stage if the rest of the car is right.

T

[sam919]

I race a duratec car, R400 last year, and do occasional track days in a freinds roadsport-115hp. I would like to sell my road cars to get a roadsport or megagrad whatever comes up but nothing more than 160hp, to use for a tourer and to do track days, but basically something enjoyable and pretty much maintanence free. The higher strung caterhams are fun but have higher running costs as you would imagine but can be an effort for everday use. The roadsport of my mates has had its neck wrung for the best part of four years and has just had the gearbox refreshed!, itsd still going strong.

Love racing the duratec, love driving the roadsport.

[Chris71]

EVS777 said:

As Bert has said many times He raves over Supersports and He has owned higher powered caterhams also I believe!

I don't have Bert's experience, but I drove quite a few before I bought mine and the revvy-yet-tractable 1.6 Supersport with the 6-speed 'box certainly seemed to be the sweet spot. It's a pain on the motorway, but excellent for B-roads and the track.

Personally I wouldn't worry too much about the Stack display. The only significant thing I'd add to your existing wish list is a dry sump system (or an anti-cav tank at the least).

I'd seriously consider an ex racer if you're looking for a track orientated car. I know I'm biased and I know I say this all the time, but it's the most cost effective way of getting a Seven with 'all the right bits'.

Edited by Chris71 on Monday 30th November 11:58

[Scotty996T]

Hi Daniel

We hire out Caterhams and when chosing the right model we went for High Spec Supersports after much deliberation. 6spd, Superlight wide track suspension, uprated brakes, lightened flywheel, carbon dash etc.

Customers really love them and nobody's yet said "not fast enough". I think it's beacuse they're optimal for road use (roadsport 120bhp left us wanting a bit more) and wouldn't be too shoddy on track.

Our second Supersport was owned by Nick Potter, the main man at Caterham Midlands and it's telling that this Gulf Livery Supersport was his choice. He only sold it to use beacause he's now building one with his son. This car has LSD, race 6spd box and 4-1 exhaust, brake bias, superlight R wheels etc - fantastic.

Caterham south hire cars - why don't you try one or head up to us and you can get a feel for what bits work for you.

Cheers

Scott.

[BertBert]

If you are interested in the higher power k end, then this looks interesting...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1365210.htm

Not where I would go esp for first car, but is going to be pretty fast!
Bert

[fergus]

BertBert said:

If you are interested in the higher power k end, then this looks interesting...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1365210.htm

Not where I would go esp for first car, but is going to be pretty fast!
Bert

And very good value!

[Chris71]

fergus said:

BertBert said:

If you are interested in the higher power k end, then this looks interesting...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1365210.htm

Not where I would go esp for first car, but is going to be pretty fast!
Bert

And very good value!

Yep, if the values a few months back when I was looking for mine are still representative, then that's a lot of car for the money. People were asking that for stand 135hp Superlights.

[carsounds_dan]

I think I'll be heading for Caterham south at some point this week hopefully.. I've seen a couple of Superlight R's about locally and really fancy one.. but think I'll take a few for a drive first just to see the difference in power between the specs.

Many Thanks

Dan

[EVS777]

Took mine out for a 40 min blat this evening!..first time in about 3 weeks as weather has been pants here in Wales!!..had to replace engine temp sendor as old one give up!!..new one working A OK..came home with big smiles..as educated Mr Merc SL..lol..
Im sure someone here can advise Me? My car is an absolute pain on motorway..5k revs at 70ish mph...it seems to accelarate really well , and I'm sure one of previous owners may have used car for sprinting..so what diff have I got? Last owner said it was not a LSD..BUT what ratio am I running?

Al..

[allen l]

Can't say anything about your ratio, but do you use earplugs? Would make the drive a bit more comfortable if you ask me.

If someone has to help you, you'd better tell them what you have and what gearbox perhaps?

[Tango7]

Hi Al,

For a 6 speed box, the standard final ratio is 3.62. Sprinters sometimes change the final drive for quicker acceleration at the expense of top speed and go to a 3.91 ration (standard with a 5 speedbox). Trying to remember what our 6 speed K series is pulling at 70mph with its 3.62 diff and I think its just over 4k with 80 coming up around 5k. I think you might have a 3.91 diff. We had one in a 190 bhp / 6 speed K series which maxed out at 126 mph but got there very quickly

[Chris71]

5,500rpm is a little under 70mph on my (standard, I believe, factory-supplied) 6-speed K-Series from memory.

[gedG]

With 185/60x14's or 185/70x13's it should be about 17mph per 1000 revs in 6th with a 3.92 diff, ie 70mph is just over 4000rpm. Obviously 175/55x13 Cr 500's would increase the revs, but 5500 at 70 seems extreme. Caterham speedo's can be notoriously inaccurate.