I'm the PH new boy!

[JD PH]

Hi everyone,

Just a quick hello - I'm the PH new boy. I'm not especially in to self promotion but this news story may bring you up to speed a bit http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

Anyway, having spent the last 8 years working at Caterham I'd like to think I can offer some words of wisdom and answer quite a varied selection of questions. As the Marketing Manager of a small brand like Caterham I was heavily involved in a lot of different aspects of the business over and above the usual marketing remit.

So, If I can be of help to anyone don't hesitate to ask!

JD

[framerateuk]

Welcome! Congratulations on the new job

[thequietone]

Hello. Not evnious at all. Nope. Not one bit.

Well done on landing what I expect to be a great gig!

[Bebee]

Congrats
First and most important question, other questions will follow depending on your answer.
Can you get me a huge discount?

[scz4]

Welcome.

Expect lots of questions that are constantly in my head just now:

Supersport R vs R400
5 Speed vs 6 Speed

[JD PH]

thequietone said:

Hello. Not evnious at all. Nope. Not one bit.

Well done on landing what I expect to be a great gig!

Thanks!

Bebee said:

Congrats
First and most important question, other questions will follow depending on your answer.
Can you get me a huge discount?

If I was still wearing my Caterham hat I'd point out that - aside from the world renowned handling, feel and performance - one of the greatest attributes of a Caterham is that it holds its value like almost no other car. On that basis, if you discount one car then the rest of the breed are also devalued. Therefor discounts are basically never given, but the way to look at it is that you get your "discount" when you come to sell the car and you realise it is still worth lots of money.

So in other words, no. No I can't help you get a discount. Sorry.

Edited by JD PH on Friday 25th July 11:53

[anonymous-user]

JD PH said:

disos

Best. Typo. Ever.

[ewenm]

Welcome!

Plenty of Caterham owners hanging around here

[JD PH]

scz4 said:

Welcome.

Expect lots of questions that are constantly in my head just now:

Supersport R vs R400
5 Speed vs 6 Speed

Hmm... I'd need more information. Depends on what you're going to use it for and how much money you have. Worth noting though that if you went for an R400 you get a 6 speed as standard... so that's two birds with one stone.

In my eyes there are only 3 reasons to not have a 6 speed:

1) You can't afford it
2) You're going to do a lot of touring / motorway miles (the 4th gear in a 5 speed box is the same ratio as 6th in a 6 speed. This is because 5th in a 5 speed 'box is overdrive - hence great for motorways). In lower powered cars it does slow it down - we used to joke that a 6 speed box is "like adding 20 bhp".
3) You've got so much horsepower that you just don't need the ratios. This is only really the case for Sevens with 300bhp+ - basically they has so much grunt that a 5 speed takes the edge of it and lets you use the power / torque without constant gear-changing. This is probably a rare case though (and I've only driven prototypes / one offs with this sort of set up)

I hope that this helps!

JD

Edited by JD PH on Friday 25th July 12:01

[JD PH]

Crossflow Kid said:

Best. Typo. Ever.

That was deliberate. Maybe.

[ewenm]

I used to be category 2, now I'm category 1

[JD PH]

ewenm said:

I used to be category 2, now I'm category 1

Happens to the best of us!

[V7SLR]

JD PH said:

2) You're going to do a lot of touring / motorway miles (the 4th gear in a 5 speed box is the same ratio as 6th in a 6 speed. This is because 5th in a 5 speed gear is overdrive - hence great for motorways). In lower powered cars it does slow it down - we used to joke that a 6 speed box is "like adding 20 bhp".

So is the same diff ratio now used with both?

[LawrenceR]

JD PH said:

Hmm... I'd need more information. Depends on what you're going to use it for and how much money you have. Worth noting though that if you went for an R400 you get a 6 speed as standard... so that's two birds with one stone.

In my eyes there are only 3 reasons to not have a 6 speed:

1) You can't afford it
2) You're going to do a lot of touring / motorway miles (the 4th gear in a 5 speed box is the same ratio as 6th in a 6 speed. This is because 5th in a 5 speed 'box is overdrive - hence great for motorways). In lower powered cars it does slow it down - we used to joke that a 6 speed box is "like adding 20 bhp".
3) You've got so much horsepower that you just don't need the ratios. This is only really the case for Sevens with 300bhp+ - basically they has so much grunt that a 5 speed takes the edge of it and lets you use the power / torque without constant gear-changing. This is probably a rare case though (and I've only driven prototypes / one offs with this sort of set up)

I hope that this helps!

JD

Edited by JD PH on Friday 25th July 12:01

This is very interesting to me, I would be keen to know your thoughts on my decision.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I have paid my deposit to secure my built slot but am spec'ing it up tomorrow. Any thoughts welcome.

Thanks in advance

[jamiebae]

Congrats on the new job.

Why is the new Seven 165 so stupidly expensive in Switzerland? VAT is only 8% so to charge over £21k before options seems a lot when it's only £18k in the UK

[JD PH]

jamiebae said:

Congrats on the new job.

Why is the new Seven 165 so stupidly expensive in Switzerland? VAT is only 8% so to charge over £21k before options seems a lot when it's only £18k in the UK

I can;t say I'm that familiar with the export side of things, but it'll undoubtedly be a combination of exchange rates, local taxes and dealer margins (for warranty) etc.

[scz4]

Thanks for answering my question above JD. It's something Lawrence is interested too, we've exchanged a few threads and emails debating what's best.

I guess the deciding question could befor me anyway).......

For mostly B road blasts (B for bumpy) with the odd track day thrown in, does De Dion or the Links Wattage rear end suit those needs best?

On a related note and something I've seen mentioned here many times, has the rear ride height design changed in the last 3 or 4 years, they seem to sit very very high now. For example:

[JD PH]

LawrenceR said:

This is very interesting to me, I would be keen to know your thoughts on my decision.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I have paid my deposit to secure my built slot but am spec'ing it up tomorrow. Any thoughts welcome.

Thanks in advance

I'd say that unless you can stretch your £30k to more like £35 - £40k then I'd go Supersport R - you'll be able to get more of your wish list, and you could always have a factory power upgrade done at some point.

Just my opinion mind you.

[knight]

Welcome onboard long time PHer but only had my 7 since may 1st, really don't know why I waited so long to be honest

[anniesdad]

knight said:

Welcome onboard long time PHer but only had my 7 since may 1st, really don't know why I waited so long to be honest

This and it's been just over a week (and 500 miles) for me.

Welcome onboard.