Which first Caterham ?

Which first Caterham ?

Author
Discussion

jackal

11,248 posts

284 months

Friday 5th May 2006
quotequote all
well whilst they get the job done they are not exactly the last word in build quality and don't last very long at all. I'd stick with standard bilsteins or bilstein M1's.

If you really think that you'll reap the rewards of the 1/2 second a lap difference, then go for a set of what the R400 race teams use (caterham race dampers but the adjustable ones) but they are far more money.

jaker

3,925 posts

271 months

Saturday 6th May 2006
quotequote all
I'm not after the last word in super high tech, but I do want something good quality. I'll have a word with Freestyle...

ta

Jaker

rossb

629 posts

223 months

Monday 8th May 2006
quotequote all
ettore said:
Can I add to the clamour for info` as well? I am also strongly considering a Caterham and am bemused by the variety - I have some experience through my father who had a 250BHP BDG powered example but am not sure I wish to replicate the a) expense and b) fear of this particular car!

I need a car primarily for the road that offers a good blend of urge and reasonable maintenance requirements?????


i have got a bdg powered 7 and would agree that it's not ideal as a first 7 or as an ideal roadcar!

my first 7 was a live axle 150 bhp x/flow engined car and was great fun/easy to maintain/cheap to run. did 18000 miles in it in first year - was my only car. found the car a real hoot to drive and in many ways more fun to drive on the road than current car as you could get closer to the edge of the performance envelope than some of the more powerful variants and really throw it around - engine is v.simple to maintain and althought it was a little thirsty - was a really characterful engine

i would second any advice about joining lotus seven club - essential really - www.blatchat.com
good luck!

delivery dave

62 posts

233 months

Thursday 8th March 2007
quotequote all
X-flows ... "their fuel consumption is poor."

Please could someone advise the the sort of mpg one might expect on the road.
Thanks

Eric Mc

122,259 posts

267 months

Thursday 8th March 2007
quotequote all
Mid 20s to the gallon in normal driving. Plummeting to anout 10-15 to the gallon with heavy useage - such as on track.

However, with a car like a Seven, if you are considering something as sensible as fuel economy, I put it to you that you might not be the right sort of person for Seven ownership.

delivery dave

62 posts

233 months

Friday 9th March 2007
quotequote all
Ah Mr Mc I know why you say that!! and thanks for your reply but as I do intend to use the car (and me with my heavy feet) I'm not sure I can afford 10-20 mpg.
I used the Elise as my first car, and the k series reliability and mpg made that realistic. back to a kseries then for me.
I just fancied a xflow for the flames.

ewenm

28,506 posts

247 months

Friday 9th March 2007
quotequote all
You can get flames from a k-series. Take off the cat and get one with an emerald ECU - this can be mapped to encourage pops, bangs and flames on the overrun. Even on my car with the standard MEMS ECU I get some cracking pops and bangs.

I get mid to high 30s mpg when doing normal driving (1.8 K series VVC 160) - on track that drops... a lot...

pesmo

150 posts

241 months

Saturday 10th March 2007
quotequote all
Aim for a well maintained 1600 or 1800 K series De-dion with a 6 speed box and you will be happy.