R400 Options and Spec
Discussion
Pugsey said:
subirg said:
I'm also going to outsource the build - I just don't have the time to do it myself! Having built my westy, I really really enjoyed it, but I can't afford to risk divorce yet again!! :-)
Do you know who you're using yet? No idea yet - had originally thought of getting Caterham to do it, but am now reconsidering. Caterham want £2.5k to build. How much do others charge and what's the quality of the finished product in comparison?
ps: FYI, my current draft spec (including Caterham build fee) is coming out at £32.5k including Dry Sump, Stack dash, and a few other goodies. If you take off Caterham build fee that gives a net price of £30k which feels ok to me.
pps: Are you specing the cut off switch? Does this help protect the batery from draining when the car's not being used, or do you need a trickle charger?
ppps: I live in the Cotswolds, so if you're having a mini hoon in Wilts, I would be up for coming too (assuming I have a car by then!)!
Bafty - it's not a fully loaded R400 - the spec seams fairly standard if you read through it carefully.
It is however a decent buy at reasonable money. I don't know anything about the car's history, but judging by the write up and pictures it doesn't look thrashed and doesn't look like it's had much track time. It will depreciate less than a new car - that's for sure.
However... I'm sure I'm not alone in not being a fan of the spec, or of the colour (even with special one off gold badges!) nor a fan of the engine. Many of us would also rather pay a premium to be able to acquire a new car fresh from the factory to our exact spec rather than compromise on a used car. It's our choice and our money - some will agreee and some won't. No body's wrong!
Best.
It is however a decent buy at reasonable money. I don't know anything about the car's history, but judging by the write up and pictures it doesn't look thrashed and doesn't look like it's had much track time. It will depreciate less than a new car - that's for sure.
However... I'm sure I'm not alone in not being a fan of the spec, or of the colour (even with special one off gold badges!) nor a fan of the engine. Many of us would also rather pay a premium to be able to acquire a new car fresh from the factory to our exact spec rather than compromise on a used car. It's our choice and our money - some will agreee and some won't. No body's wrong!
Best.
Well, it's a better looking car than it was when the first shots came out. However, at £39k it's more expensive than the most expensive CSR... and that's before you start loading in the options. We also know that an Elise offers up a very different driving experience to a Caterham. Some prefer one style over the other.
It doesn't compete with an R400 for me - totally different price brackets (£25k vs £39k for base spec is a huge difference), not as powerful either (on a bhp/ton basis), different driving experience. I'm keen to see how quick this thing is though. If it cuts the mustard, then I might put it on my upgrade path after the R400. However, if I was going to spend that sort of money today, I'd probably go for a Radical SR3 as that would quite happily see everything off (except an SR8)...
It doesn't compete with an R400 for me - totally different price brackets (£25k vs £39k for base spec is a huge difference), not as powerful either (on a bhp/ton basis), different driving experience. I'm keen to see how quick this thing is though. If it cuts the mustard, then I might put it on my upgrade path after the R400. However, if I was going to spend that sort of money today, I'd probably go for a Radical SR3 as that would quite happily see everything off (except an SR8)...
Pugsey said:
I already have an SR3 which would bury the Lotus
b**tard! Top car for ultimate pace. Seriously top track car.
Re the R400 - still no sign of it in the motoring press. Can't be long till the first cars are out! I'm still anticipating sometime in April to test drive and finalise spec. Anybody got any more news?
Pugsey said:
Bedazzled said:
So that's a no then...!
Horses for courses I guess. I agree the 2-11 is very pricey and there are also a few things missing in the spec (dry sump & LSD), but it just looks fab to me. I especially like the idea of bolt-on body panels, much cheaper to repair than the 240R.
I think people are daft spending £40K on a CSR that to a lay-person is a kit car that looks a bit like chitty-chitty-bang-bang [ducks for cover]. Radicals are pointless too because they are useless on the road and if you are fast on track it's the car and if you are slow it's the driver, you can't win.
However the R400 is in a better price bracket and I like it a lot, especially as it uses the smaller S3 chassis. The exhaust is on the wrong side though...
Horses for courses I guess. I agree the 2-11 is very pricey and there are also a few things missing in the spec (dry sump & LSD), but it just looks fab to me. I especially like the idea of bolt-on body panels, much cheaper to repair than the 240R.
I think people are daft spending £40K on a CSR that to a lay-person is a kit car that looks a bit like chitty-chitty-bang-bang [ducks for cover]. Radicals are pointless too because they are useless on the road and if you are fast on track it's the car and if you are slow it's the driver, you can't win.
However the R400 is in a better price bracket and I like it a lot, especially as it uses the smaller S3 chassis. The exhaust is on the wrong side though...
It's easy to be FASTER than most other things at a track day in a Radical. It's an entirely different matter to actually drive one FAST. Most people who drive them at track days are nowhere near their cars limits frankly. If you want to get near the limits they are a great challenge. Too quick to be comfortable at a track day IMO though.
Edited by Pugsey on Thursday 8th March 10:30
Depends on the track day...! A tight twisty circuit with lots of traffic will frustrate the Radical driver, but a decent long circuit (e.g. Spa) is absolutely ideal. Caterham is a good fun car at anything - road or track, and hence a good all rounder.
Either way - we all like the R400, so that's good news all round!
Excellent news re production getting up to speed! Role on June/July!
Re gears - the fact that it gets through the gears quickly is exactly what I want! Stirring up the gear box is all part of the fun - if I'd wanted a cruising car I would get a V12 with tons of torque and an auto box...! Re the touring gear set vs the standard gear set - are there any stats re acceleration figure and top speed impact?
Re gears - the fact that it gets through the gears quickly is exactly what I want! Stirring up the gear box is all part of the fun - if I'd wanted a cruising car I would get a V12 with tons of torque and an auto box...! Re the touring gear set vs the standard gear set - are there any stats re acceleration figure and top speed impact?
Good news! The demo cars are now pounding the circuit! Refer to Blatchat for the R400 launch thread if you haven't already seen it. Can't wait to read the right ups.
Does anyone know if the press cars have fixed or trackday adjustable suspension? If not, could someone please post the question on Blatchat as I don't have access yet...!
Thanks all! Roll on summer!!!!!
Does anyone know if the press cars have fixed or trackday adjustable suspension? If not, could someone please post the question on Blatchat as I don't have access yet...!
Thanks all! Roll on summer!!!!!
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