first caterham
Discussion
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!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
I'd also agree with Chris71, ex racers definately offer great value, particularly the early RSA cars.
7SS said:
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!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
Chris71 said:
fergus said:
If you're still hungry in Feb, drop me a PM!
Not selling up are you?Not totally sure at the mo. If I had space for 2 cars in my lockup, I wouldn't need to sell. Not a done deal by any means. DVA still has to rebuild my engine anyway!
fergus said:
Chris71 said:
fergus said:
If you're still hungry in Feb, drop me a PM!
Not selling up are you?Not totally sure at the mo. If I had space for 2 cars in my lockup, I wouldn't need to sell. Not a done deal by any means. DVA still has to rebuild my engine anyway!
For what it is worth, I recently got a superlight spec 1.8 K (140bhp X Power - non VVC), with wide track, uprated AP master cyclinder, quick rack, competition exhuast, LSD and 5 spd with quick shift. I am not the world's most talented driver, but have done half a dozen trackdays (a few with some instruction) and had a few warmish cars (VX220 Turbo probably closest in performance). The Cat has aeroscreen and half doors. I am on a trackday tomorrow at Brands, but on the road performance (probably enhanced by lack of creature comforts) feels plenty to me (again enhanced by the responsiveness etc).
I will let you know how the car suits my ability tomorrow, but for mainly road use (and depending how much fiddling you want to do - oh-err), a less stressed, well balanced 140 / 160bhp stripped car might suit requirement?
I might look for interchangeable screen, doors and hood so that passengers can come out without a helmet - but happy as is for now!
I will let you know how the car suits my ability tomorrow, but for mainly road use (and depending how much fiddling you want to do - oh-err), a less stressed, well balanced 140 / 160bhp stripped car might suit requirement?
I might look for interchangeable screen, doors and hood so that passengers can come out without a helmet - but happy as is for now!
well people.
Today I went down to caterham south, spent some time with dominic discussing specs etc. and he took me out in a roadsport cdx (or something like that) which is basically a 1.6ltr k series, 5 speed, lsd, wide track suspension etc... although it was wet and slippery out I was very impressed with the levels of grip available and the responsiveness of the car. Dominic drove simply due to the weather conditions and my lack of knowledge of the 7 (I must admit this was probably best for me as it showed me what the car is comfortable with).
Spec wise, I think that whilst I'll be happy now with a basic 135/140bhp car I feel that later in my ownership I'd be hankering for more power. I'm not massively decided as to wether the 6spd is necessary at first but I'm sure with some track time under my belt the 6spd will become a welcome extra. I'm also pretty set on having a LSD, I think that it will add that little bit more to the car come track time.
So really, my idea on spec hasn't changed... I guess the next thing is seeing what the next step up in power is like (so I guess something circa 160-180bhp). Superlight seems to be the spec that ticks my boxes, so just wether I go for a superlight, a SL R300 or a SLR. Althought dominic has mentioned a couple of times a blue roadsport with a 165bhp 1.8ltr k series, 5 speed, lsd, superlight suspension, big brakes.. and a lovely blue flames livery painted on the arches; but it's looking at £18k or there abouts. O the decisions.
Wish me luck though guys... meeting with the accountant tomorrow, hoping he won't tell me to drop the caterham plans...
Today I went down to caterham south, spent some time with dominic discussing specs etc. and he took me out in a roadsport cdx (or something like that) which is basically a 1.6ltr k series, 5 speed, lsd, wide track suspension etc... although it was wet and slippery out I was very impressed with the levels of grip available and the responsiveness of the car. Dominic drove simply due to the weather conditions and my lack of knowledge of the 7 (I must admit this was probably best for me as it showed me what the car is comfortable with).
Spec wise, I think that whilst I'll be happy now with a basic 135/140bhp car I feel that later in my ownership I'd be hankering for more power. I'm not massively decided as to wether the 6spd is necessary at first but I'm sure with some track time under my belt the 6spd will become a welcome extra. I'm also pretty set on having a LSD, I think that it will add that little bit more to the car come track time.
So really, my idea on spec hasn't changed... I guess the next thing is seeing what the next step up in power is like (so I guess something circa 160-180bhp). Superlight seems to be the spec that ticks my boxes, so just wether I go for a superlight, a SL R300 or a SLR. Althought dominic has mentioned a couple of times a blue roadsport with a 165bhp 1.8ltr k series, 5 speed, lsd, superlight suspension, big brakes.. and a lovely blue flames livery painted on the arches; but it's looking at £18k or there abouts. O the decisions.
Wish me luck though guys... meeting with the accountant tomorrow, hoping he won't tell me to drop the caterham plans...
Depends what you intend to use it for. If you're going to do proper touring on motorways and the like I'd say the 5-speed is virtually a must (possibly coupled to a torquey 1800). If it's going to be a toy for B-roads and track days, then I personally think the 6-speed suits the revvy 1600 Supersport far better.
To qoute an oft-heard statistic: 6th gear in the 6-speed is the same ratio is 4th in the 5-speed. You definitely notice the difference.
To qoute an oft-heard statistic: 6th gear in the 6-speed is the same ratio is 4th in the 5-speed. You definitely notice the difference.
well the car is going to be used for blasting around b and a roads (mainly b) and probably half a dozen track days a year as well. so for that reason I think that the 6 speed will be the nicer option.
But saying that I've been informed by "the better half" that we're going to take it to the south of france/northern italy for a holiday sometime next year.... hopefully that'll mean ferrying most of the way south so that I can do without many hours of motorway driving killing the tyres.
the accountant and bank manager have put some options up for where the money can go otherwise, which need some serious consideration before money gets spent on a caterham though
But saying that I've been informed by "the better half" that we're going to take it to the south of france/northern italy for a holiday sometime next year.... hopefully that'll mean ferrying most of the way south so that I can do without many hours of motorway driving killing the tyres.
the accountant and bank manager have put some options up for where the money can go otherwise, which need some serious consideration before money gets spent on a caterham though
Seriously, money can always be better spend on business investments instead of a car. I don't think anyone needs an accountant for a case like this.
You have the money for it or you don't. If you have it and you want it badly, it's good to know you only live once.
I've got a six speed gearbox and I don't have any problems driving on b roads or motorways. So I'm not quite sure I understand the problem with taking a Caterham out for a long journey.
You have the money for it or you don't. If you have it and you want it badly, it's good to know you only live once.
I've got a six speed gearbox and I don't have any problems driving on b roads or motorways. So I'm not quite sure I understand the problem with taking a Caterham out for a long journey.
only that people say it can be a fair bit more buzzy than a 5 speed.
I plan to service it myself anyway, so maybe if I'm going to do a lot of touring over a period of time I may go with a differential change to improve things but until I've got used to one it's hard to say weather a 6 speed will be an issue for me.
I get the bit about the accountant, but its still something I need to think about before spending out.
I plan to service it myself anyway, so maybe if I'm going to do a lot of touring over a period of time I may go with a differential change to improve things but until I've got used to one it's hard to say weather a 6 speed will be an issue for me.
I get the bit about the accountant, but its still something I need to think about before spending out.
I've never really got the whole "5 speed for touring thing". For me it's 6 all the way. The reason is that the only problem with the higher touring revs (unless you tour somewhere where you can drive very fast) is the noise. You really need ear protection if you are travelling at 70 (or over) for any distance at all anyway, so I've never found the extra noise from higher revs to be a problem.
I drove down to spain and back a few years ago with a 6 speeder. I wore ear plugs which I would've worn driving a 5 speeder (whcih I have also owned). It was absolutely fine.
Bert
I drove down to spain and back a few years ago with a 6 speeder. I wore ear plugs which I would've worn driving a 5 speeder (whcih I have also owned). It was absolutely fine.
Bert
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff