Discussion
mikeww said:
I've had a 1600VX for the last 18 months and have been very pleased with it. Bullet proof engine, no upgrade path
There are however upgrade paths on this engine, very few have taken this route & arguably its not cost effective, but someone like Blydenstein can give you a fair few more horses & didnt Caterham themselves offer a 1.8 uprate for the VX??
Mike, I 100% agree in principle about driving them properly, but having driven a couple of cars on 322s I have to say that compared to CR500s or 21s or 32s it was like driving on ice/Pilots. This isn't going to inspire a lot of confidence for a "novice" driver and may even put them off buying a car with these fitted.
Even wheel size makes a difference - my 1600 Supersport was fitted with 15" Prisoners and Eagle tyres and it understeered like a pig. Adjustable platforms made little difference. My SLR however was superb once flat floored and corner weighted.
There was an 1800 VX engine which gave about 20bhp extra ISTR.
At the end of the day drive as many different cars as you can and decide for yourself what suits you. I bet you'll end up spending 20% more on the car than you expected to though (which is what happened to me when I bought my first Caterham!).
Even wheel size makes a difference - my 1600 Supersport was fitted with 15" Prisoners and Eagle tyres and it understeered like a pig. Adjustable platforms made little difference. My SLR however was superb once flat floored and corner weighted.
There was an 1800 VX engine which gave about 20bhp extra ISTR.
At the end of the day drive as many different cars as you can and decide for yourself what suits you. I bet you'll end up spending 20% more on the car than you expected to though (which is what happened to me when I bought my first Caterham!).
Thanks to all for all the help you have given it has certainly increased my understanding and given me some pointers to look out for on certain cars.
At the moment the 1600vx ex academy seems to be ideal for me as a first caterham to gain some experience in and do a few track days.
As you say the best thing to do now is to try a few different types. I am going out in a live axle cross flow tonight and will hopefully find a vx ex academy to try by the weekend. Ohh and a trip to caterham themselves on Saturday, I assume they are happy to do test drives ?
Will let you know how it goes
Cheers
k
At the moment the 1600vx ex academy seems to be ideal for me as a first caterham to gain some experience in and do a few track days.
As you say the best thing to do now is to try a few different types. I am going out in a live axle cross flow tonight and will hopefully find a vx ex academy to try by the weekend. Ohh and a trip to caterham themselves on Saturday, I assume they are happy to do test drives ?
Will let you know how it goes
Cheers
k
KPM, Saturday is Caterham's busiest day. I'd wager you won't get a test drive on spec. Check their stock list out on the net, pick out the car/cars you'd like to drive and call them in advance to book slots. I still can't guarantee they'll let you drive the cars though - I have heard stories about a slight lack of customer care and I've been there on a Saturday when they've been overrun with punters.
The likes of Woodcote and Millwood come recommended. The latter were especially kind and patient to a friend of mine and as a result she bought her car from them.
The likes of Woodcote and Millwood come recommended. The latter were especially kind and patient to a friend of mine and as a result she bought her car from them.
My Seven is a 1600 Crossflow Classic SE. It's on a Q plate as well. The Crossflow was dropped in 1997. Anything under £8,000 is a bargain for a Seven - unless it has been absolutely thrashed.
On the whole, they are usually well looked after cars. Having a Q plate does not normally affect the price too much - especially if the car is in good condition and a well documented history.
On the whole, they are usually well looked after cars. Having a Q plate does not normally affect the price too much - especially if the car is in good condition and a well documented history.
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