My new (second hand ) caterham

[PeterGadsby]

Well I picked up my Caterham from Caterham South yesterday, took the roof off and had a blast down to Chichester to see my folks. My son and I had a fabulous time with the roof off and the doors off, what a blast!

One thing I have noticed is the throttle is extremely sensitive and sometimes in second gear on roundabouts there was lots of "kangarooing" I think it's me not used to the car rather than the car itself.... Thoughts? If I gently press keep the throttle pressed rather than completely off the throttle then back on seems to improve it.

Must say the handover was less than slick at Caterham South, the salesman wasn't there, they had a guy from the factory going around it rather than him, and he didn't seem to be very familiar with the car. Also I was a little surprised they didn't fill it up for me, it had less than a quarter of a tank in it. Finally there were a few stone chips on the front, I asked for them to be touched in, but they hadn't.

I'm thinking I will get one of those companies that fix minor blemishes to have a look. Has anyone got any covering on the front cowl to protect it?

This morning I managed to get the roof up, it looks as if it has never been used, as was very tight are they all like that? but managed it in the end.

I'm toying with the idea of going out in the rain, to see what it's like :-)

- Pete

[PeterGadsby]

Thanks for the tips regarding the roof....

With regards to kangarooing it's more when I come off the throttle coming up to a roundabout in second and then re-applying the throttle into the roundabout. That's when it seems to do it... Usually when in second gear, I'm thinking it's either me not giving it enough throttle or the revs are too low and i need to go into 1st ???

- Pete

[PeterGadsby]

Thanks very much for the link, very much appreciated I think I will use them in future.

- Pete

[PeterGadsby]

Thanks Grubster, I've been out today, and what seems to help is if I leave my foot on the throttle gently first and then put my foot down a bit more it doesn't do it.... Perhaps I need to get it re-mapped?

[PeterGadsby]

Hi I have a Caterham 7 with a K-Series engine, it is a 2003 car and has a "roller barrel conversion" (I think that's what is is called). It has been upgraded to 160HP so fairly close to R300 specification.

I wear flat thin boating shoes, I can't wear trainers because of the size of the footwell.

- Pete

[PeterGadsby]

I believe the diff is a standard one, the gearbox is 5-speed.

[PeterGadsby]

Thanks Ben, what you say makes complete sense.... i have driven her again today, and I am slowly getting the hang of it.... I truly think it is me rather than the car...

I'm really enjoying the learning experience :-)

- Pete

[PeterGadsby]

I think I am fairly smooth with my inputs , having driven a powerful motorcycle Yamaha r1 so used to not snapping open the throttle and not jamming the brakes on etc....

This issue is more about gentle application of the throttle when coming out of a roundabout in 2nd gear, if I don't feather the throttle before giving more throttle th car kangaroos.

If a caterham owner is in the Berkshire area would be happy to go out in mine so that i can demonstrate and maybe have a go in mine, happy to do that.

Pete

[PeterGadsby]

Hi,
It's around 2,500 to 3,000 revs. It doesn't always do it, but when it does the only way to recover from it is dip the clutch. It's really frustrating, because most of the time it drives fine.

- Pete

[PeterGadsby]

Hi Bert,

That would be great, perhaps you could PM me your address and availability and I will pop over to yours. It's starting to really piss me off now.....

- Pete

[PeterGadsby]

No didn't get it email me Peter.gadsby at ntlworld. Com

[PeterGadsby]

Does this matter, my car has roller barrel throttle bodies.

Thanks

- Pete

[PeterGadsby]

HI Guys,

Thanks for everyones comments, I think I have solved the problem ..... Drove it for quite a few miles this weekend.

There is a little bit of play in the throttle (only a tiny bit) if I take up the slack first and then put my foot down, all is fine. If I just put my foot on the throttle and don't take up the slack initially I get the bunny hopping.

So it was my driving style rather than the car :-).... Had an amazing drive up to Santa Pod this weekend chasing after Evo's and Subarus.... Lots of fun, although got stuck in a bit of traffic and got sunburnt lol.

- Pete