RE: New Caterhams Seven range confirmed
Discussion
I always, always wanted one. Ever since KAR 120C and a subsequent trip in the passenger seat on a visit to the old Caterham site.
But as I'm 6'4" with a 36" inside leg, short of surgery all I can do is look.
Plus I'm probably too inflexible these days even to get in the passenger seat (I watched KAR 120C on the telly the first time around!).
But as I'm 6'4" with a 36" inside leg, short of surgery all I can do is look.
Plus I'm probably too inflexible these days even to get in the passenger seat (I watched KAR 120C on the telly the first time around!).
Whilst these are getting really expensive they do retain their value incredibly well so you can have a few years fun and pretty much get your money back - especially if you build it yourself. I worked at Caterham between 1990 and 1999. Whilst I drove them every day and had one as a company car for several years I totally regret not building one with staff discount!
T0MMY said:
kambites said:
Indeed, and I think that's why Caterham can get away with charging what they do - their quality control is in a different league to almost all of the competition. In some ways, they're closer to a full production car maker than a kit-car manufacturer; even if you buy a Caterham in kit form there's not much you can do wrong in assembling it.
I wouldn't buy a Caterham myself but I can see why it would appeal to someone who just wants a mentally fast, raw car with the minimum of fuss.
If I was rich enough that a 5 figure price difference literally made no odds to me I'd probably go with a Caterham to be honest, but I just couldn't justify it when I bought my MNR. Laptime comparisons suggest that the Caterhams aren't any quicker than many other equivalent well set up kitcars but they do have a bit more polish about them than something like a Striker. I wouldn't buy a Caterham myself but I can see why it would appeal to someone who just wants a mentally fast, raw car with the minimum of fuss.
You must own a Caterham at some point in your life...
soad said:
What happened to 280?
Looks like Americans are getting the 280...not checked other countries.http://us.caterhamcars.com/cars
I recall pinching the above photo from USA web page last year. Sorry for the confusion.
LTP said:
I always, always wanted one. Ever since KAR 120C and a subsequent trip in the passenger seat on a visit to the old Caterham site.
But as I'm 6'4" with a 36" inside leg, short of surgery all I can do is look.
Plus I'm probably too inflexible these days even to get in the passenger seat (I watched KAR 120C on the telly the first time around!).
Go try one with a lowered floor and no seatBut as I'm 6'4" with a 36" inside leg, short of surgery all I can do is look.
Plus I'm probably too inflexible these days even to get in the passenger seat (I watched KAR 120C on the telly the first time around!).
Then say you don't fit
I am 6ft 5in with a 36in leg and like above with the lowered floor and a moulded seat I fit perfectly. Regs stated I needed to be 2inches if I remember correctly under the roll cage with a helmet and that was fine too. I raced for 2 years without a problem.
The moulded seat might not have looked pretty but it was very comfortable even on long journeys, if your worried about looks get a beaded seat.
Oh I got the removable steering wheel too to aid getting in and out.
Go forth and try one for yourself! You will not regret it.
The moulded seat might not have looked pretty but it was very comfortable even on long journeys, if your worried about looks get a beaded seat.
Oh I got the removable steering wheel too to aid getting in and out.
Go forth and try one for yourself! You will not regret it.
subirg said:
struttob said:
Silly Money !
Bob
Very true. Why spend £40k on a really fast caterham fun machine when you can spend £250k on a pointless McLaren, Ferrari or Lambo. Bob
kambites said:
Indeed, and I think that's why Caterham can get away with charging what they do - their quality control is in a different league to almost all of the competition. In some ways, they're closer to a full production car maker than a kit-car manufacturer; even if you buy a Caterham in kit form there's not much you can do wrong in assembling it.
Oh gawd, don't say the "k" word, you'll anger them...you have to say "component" when talking about Caterham kits. 
McWigglebum4th said:
LTP said:
I always, always wanted one. Ever since KAR 120C and a subsequent trip in the passenger seat on a visit to the old Caterham site.
But as I'm 6'4" with a 36" inside leg, short of surgery all I can do is look.
Plus I'm probably too inflexible these days even to get in the passenger seat (I watched KAR 120C on the telly the first time around!).
Go try one with a lowered floor and no seatBut as I'm 6'4" with a 36" inside leg, short of surgery all I can do is look.
Plus I'm probably too inflexible these days even to get in the passenger seat (I watched KAR 120C on the telly the first time around!).
Then say you don't fit
bertie said:
279 said:
Do they do an option for fat blokes yet?
Yes, the SV has been out maybe 10 years now.ian2144 said:
bertie said:
279 said:
Do they do an option for fat blokes yet?
Yes, the SV has been out maybe 10 years now.Posters have made some good points here. I was talking to a bloke in a filling station who came in a Westfield, whilst I was filling the Caterham, and he said that he wished he could have got a Caterham but couldn't quite stretch his budget to one, for what he wanted, He even said that having driven both, the subjectively the Caterham did feel better to drive. That said, his Westfield was a superbly built example.
A friend has a Dax which in my view is one of the best built cars I have ever seen, either from main manufacturers or as a kit car. It exceeded aircraft quality workmanship by a long way.
I have had several Sevens, and sold them for what I paid for them many years later, but to be fair a lot of work and expense did go into them, whilst I had them.
They are still remarkable cars though (at least for those who `get' Seven type cars)
They were designed by Colin Chapman well over 50 years ago. The only sportscar ever to enter a Grand Prix (and it didn't come last) a Seven is only a few cars down on the TG powerlap, and all those above it cost tens and in one case hundreds of thousands pounds more.
There may not be many other cars that offer the driving fun that a Seven does using mainly off the shelf parts and at a price that many may be able to afford (if they can afford a second / fun car) Although some successfully use them as a daily driver, they are not `really suited to that type of use.
A friend has a Dax which in my view is one of the best built cars I have ever seen, either from main manufacturers or as a kit car. It exceeded aircraft quality workmanship by a long way.
I have had several Sevens, and sold them for what I paid for them many years later, but to be fair a lot of work and expense did go into them, whilst I had them.
They are still remarkable cars though (at least for those who `get' Seven type cars)
They were designed by Colin Chapman well over 50 years ago. The only sportscar ever to enter a Grand Prix (and it didn't come last) a Seven is only a few cars down on the TG powerlap, and all those above it cost tens and in one case hundreds of thousands pounds more.
There may not be many other cars that offer the driving fun that a Seven does using mainly off the shelf parts and at a price that many may be able to afford (if they can afford a second / fun car) Although some successfully use them as a daily driver, they are not `really suited to that type of use.
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