My New Cat - 2006 - 1600K - Ex Academy
Discussion
So moving aside from the coolant thread, which was mostly done out of concern, heres a wee hello and some info about the new car.
I've always loved cars and driving and from a fairly early age, had a succession of half decent BMW's (e46 330i, 530D, and an E90 325i sport). Lately I got into a VW Scirocco R, which was absolutely fantastic, and took me through my first ever track day using my own car (plenty of time spent in others).
Having gotten the bug for fast road / track driving, I decided I needed something more focused, more adjustable, and ultimately a cheaper way to track a car. (replacing 19" supersport tyres, and big brakes gets expensive quick).
A friend of mine then bought a new caterham 420R. Ten minutes in that and I was hooked! game over!
So I decided to start looking for my own one. Sold the Scirocco and the hunt began.
Usual mix of fairly dull looking cars, lots of very ordinary spec, and then one came along that jumped out at me for the price:
-2006 1600K Roadsport
-6600 miles from new
-One previous owner
-Ex academy car converted to roadsport by Caterham
-Apollo Tank
-13" wheels
-Black pack
-CSR wings
-Leather seats
-Heater
-Aero fuel filler
-Momo removable steering wheel
-4 point racing harnesses
-full weather pack
Best of all, the right colours
With the apollo tank, 13" wheels, aero filler cap and harnesses, it seemed like an ideal track day toy and so far it has been. Did a full day at blyton park, without even a hint of brake fade or complaint from any part of the car. I can't say the same for the scirocco!
Without further pause! the photos.
I've always loved cars and driving and from a fairly early age, had a succession of half decent BMW's (e46 330i, 530D, and an E90 325i sport). Lately I got into a VW Scirocco R, which was absolutely fantastic, and took me through my first ever track day using my own car (plenty of time spent in others).
Having gotten the bug for fast road / track driving, I decided I needed something more focused, more adjustable, and ultimately a cheaper way to track a car. (replacing 19" supersport tyres, and big brakes gets expensive quick).
A friend of mine then bought a new caterham 420R. Ten minutes in that and I was hooked! game over!
So I decided to start looking for my own one. Sold the Scirocco and the hunt began.
Usual mix of fairly dull looking cars, lots of very ordinary spec, and then one came along that jumped out at me for the price:
-2006 1600K Roadsport
-6600 miles from new
-One previous owner
-Ex academy car converted to roadsport by Caterham
-Apollo Tank
-13" wheels
-Black pack
-CSR wings
-Leather seats
-Heater
-Aero fuel filler
-Momo removable steering wheel
-4 point racing harnesses
-full weather pack
Best of all, the right colours
With the apollo tank, 13" wheels, aero filler cap and harnesses, it seemed like an ideal track day toy and so far it has been. Did a full day at blyton park, without even a hint of brake fade or complaint from any part of the car. I can't say the same for the scirocco!
Without further pause! the photos.
Yep, dealt with Ian at PT sports cars. Great guy to deal with and very patient.
The car is a cracker and far better than I thought i'd achieve for the budget I had (even if i did stretch the budget somewhat).
Ultimately for more track use, i'd like to look at an LSD and perhaps some upgrades to supersport power (although iain suggested that Kmaps would get me supersport power without the need to upgrade any hardware).
I'll also change the tyres out when these ones wear. They are Yokohama A539, which are fine on the road, but on the track, you can start to feel the limits of grip, and the car just wants to push wide of the line all the time, you can feel the grip just dropping off. So I'll probably change to avon ZZS when these finally wear out (which is likely to be a long time!)
The car is a cracker and far better than I thought i'd achieve for the budget I had (even if i did stretch the budget somewhat).
Ultimately for more track use, i'd like to look at an LSD and perhaps some upgrades to supersport power (although iain suggested that Kmaps would get me supersport power without the need to upgrade any hardware).
I'll also change the tyres out when these ones wear. They are Yokohama A539, which are fine on the road, but on the track, you can start to feel the limits of grip, and the car just wants to push wide of the line all the time, you can feel the grip just dropping off. So I'll probably change to avon ZZS when these finally wear out (which is likely to be a long time!)
Certainly I've found that Revs don't fall much between gears, it stays on power well and 2nd is enough for even the slowest corner. 1st is fine for hooning but can't imagine I'd need it often.
I've driven the 6 speed and neither me or the owner could complain about the 5 speed in mine.
I've driven the 6 speed and neither me or the owner could complain about the 5 speed in mine.
Thanks for all the replies folks.
Gearing im ok with for now. Priorities are more ditching the yoko A539 it came with in favour of some ZZS and going wide track on front.
It may also need geometry looking at as it's a bit tooo track focused! Lots of toe and lots of camber. It's hilarious in corners but a nightmare on a long journey on large roads. Continuous corrections needed and car is very lively and willing to turn in.
Also need to look at 82degreee stat with hole mod and a proper coolant bleed as it currently runs hotter than I'd prefer. Seems there's still an airlock at the heater end!
Lastly I'll be adding a rear ARB but not until the better tyres go on. It's squirming enough on the a539's as it is. Positively lethal in cold and wet conditions.
Gearing im ok with for now. Priorities are more ditching the yoko A539 it came with in favour of some ZZS and going wide track on front.
It may also need geometry looking at as it's a bit tooo track focused! Lots of toe and lots of camber. It's hilarious in corners but a nightmare on a long journey on large roads. Continuous corrections needed and car is very lively and willing to turn in.
Also need to look at 82degreee stat with hole mod and a proper coolant bleed as it currently runs hotter than I'd prefer. Seems there's still an airlock at the heater end!
Lastly I'll be adding a rear ARB but not until the better tyres go on. It's squirming enough on the a539's as it is. Positively lethal in cold and wet conditions.
Yeah Stuart faulds won't be happening! I live in Edinburgh.
Dreadnought garage in Stirling are a caterham certified service centre, so they're probably my best bet!
And yes you echo my thoughts on wide track. Happy with some amount of toe but currently very aggressive. Fun but exhausting. A balance is required
Dreadnought garage in Stirling are a caterham certified service centre, so they're probably my best bet!
And yes you echo my thoughts on wide track. Happy with some amount of toe but currently very aggressive. Fun but exhausting. A balance is required
My only advice would be check the car thoroughly and ensure it's what you expect.
They sold me mine on behalf of someone else and a few bits weren't as expected and there were a few niggles they'd either not noticed or not checked.
Nice enough guys to deal with, but if I was doing it again I'd perhaps choose a caterham approved centre like bookatrack or a proper specialist like millwood.
Overall I'm happy with my car, but It needs a coolant bleed, a new indicator pod and the wiring to O/S headlight checked as my dipped beam sometimes doesn't work. Add to that the car doesn't have the rear ARB that was suggested to me, and service history was patchy at best, means PT may not necessarily be my first choice for future purchases.
They sold me mine on behalf of someone else and a few bits weren't as expected and there were a few niggles they'd either not noticed or not checked.
Nice enough guys to deal with, but if I was doing it again I'd perhaps choose a caterham approved centre like bookatrack or a proper specialist like millwood.
Overall I'm happy with my car, but It needs a coolant bleed, a new indicator pod and the wiring to O/S headlight checked as my dipped beam sometimes doesn't work. Add to that the car doesn't have the rear ARB that was suggested to me, and service history was patchy at best, means PT may not necessarily be my first choice for future purchases.
To add to an earlier point I made. PT have since been in touch with me to assist with the issues I had around cooling.
Ian has worked his best to come up with a solution that suits everyone well, and he's done so to a level beyond my satisfaction.
he remained courteous, gracious and helpful throughout, and as such I'm happy to continue to maintain a relationship with this dealer.
Ian has worked his best to come up with a solution that suits everyone well, and he's done so to a level beyond my satisfaction.
he remained courteous, gracious and helpful throughout, and as such I'm happy to continue to maintain a relationship with this dealer.
Nah it had red up front. Medium stiffness roll bar. It's hard to comment on handling as wet cold January roads are no way to test near limit handling.
A rear ARB is only going to come into play when there's some significant weight transfer happening in the car.
At normal road speeds I can't really tell the difference.
A rear ARB is only going to come into play when there's some significant weight transfer happening in the car.
At normal road speeds I can't really tell the difference.
A few wee jobs out of the way last night:
1- fitted proper caterham mirrors (getting rid of the horrid tiny F1 style fake carbon things)
2- tried out my new hood bag
3- sorted out headlight wiring and fitted new bosch plus 90 bulbs
4- sorted out plastic mount in fog light and fitted new bulb
5- removed, cleaned, re-aligned and fitted the brake light switch, as it wasn't activating under anything other than severe brake pressure
6- tested out new camera bracket
A few pics:
1- fitted proper caterham mirrors (getting rid of the horrid tiny F1 style fake carbon things)
2- tried out my new hood bag
3- sorted out headlight wiring and fitted new bosch plus 90 bulbs
4- sorted out plastic mount in fog light and fitted new bulb
5- removed, cleaned, re-aligned and fitted the brake light switch, as it wasn't activating under anything other than severe brake pressure
6- tested out new camera bracket
A few pics:
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