Thoughts on this car?

[_Neal_]

Hi guys

Just doing some tentative research into buying my first Caterham (going to be sharing it with a friend) - mix of nice road use (probably trips to Scotland/Wales) and hopefully 4-5 trackdays a year. I'm looking at either a 1.6k or 1.8k, probably Supersports, around year 2000 I reckon.

This car

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3938246.htm

is local to me, and looks to be a nice spec with some desirable bits (Tilletts, R888s, lights, SBFS bits). Not sure whether it's 5- or 6- speed, but will find out.

Just wondered if any of you had any thoughts on it?

Thanks!

Neal

[adsvx220]

I have been to view this car. It's a 5 speed. The owner took me out in it, and it was brilliant. Very well looked after, It's as close to mint as I've ever seen. I pretty much fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. Would of probably done a deal if my car had sold before I viewed it.

Adam

[_Neal_]

That's really helpful Adam, much appreciated. Sounds like I should go and see it

Be great to get some thoughts on spec/residuals too, if anyone has any.

[kenno78]

Looks like a very nice example and a good price too.

Though it all depends on what you want from the car. IMO it looks too nice to track and if you're like the rest of us you'll want more power a couple of months into ownership.

[_Neal_]

Thanks for that Kenno, I'll check the car out. Definitely not necessarily after one that's cosmetically mint, as I will track it.

[adsvx220]

Definitely go and view it is a lovely car that has been cherished.

Adam

[Murph7355]

Whilst there'll be plenty who won't care, I personally wouldn't buy a 5spd K-series 7 with the possible exception of one with revised gear ratios.

[rubystone]

Murph7355 said:

Whilst there'll be plenty who won't care, I personally wouldn't buy a 5spd K-series 7 with the possible exception of one with revised gear ratios.

+1 (and as Andy knows, I owned a 5 speed Supersport).

This car is also strong money - you should be able to pick up a 6 speed for that money and I have seen Superlights at that money too. Watch for the dodgy powder coating of that era too - quick check is the "x" piece of chassis under the radiator...

[_Neal_]

Thanks guys. I think the 1.8k with the 5 speed is the preferred option (not sure I want the 6 speed as I will be doing some touring, which living in the South East will involve motorways) but this will be the first Caterham I've viewed, so definitely worth a look even if just for the experience of what's out there.

Superlights for £13k? Really?

[BertBert]

As always I completely refute that daft "want a 5-speed for touring" statement. When I am prime minister I shall make a law against that concept. The only statements that I will allow are:

"I drove the 1600/1800 k with the 6-speed box and it was utterly fantastic" or
"I drove the 1600/1800 k with both 6-speed and 5-speed and actually the 5-speeder is for me".

Although, I shall also make it that the uttering of the second statement will be an unequivocal sign of insanity.

Bert

[rubystone]

BertBert said:

As always I completely refute that daft "want a 5-speed for touring" statement. When I am prime minister I shall make a law against that concept. The only statements that I will allow are:

"I drove the 1600/1800 k with the 6-speed box and it was utterly fantastic" or
"I drove the 1600/1800 k with both 6-speed and 5-speed and actually the 5-speeder is for me".

Although, I shall also make it that the uttering of the second statement will be an unequivocal sign of insanity.

Bert

That's a bit of a safe bet there Graham - you know as well as I do that if the OP drives both back to back, he will, 110% certainly, go for the 6 speed.

FWIW I did 3,000 miles in 2 weeks in Switzerland in 2005 in my VX HPC with a frankly stupid combo of 3.92 'diff and 6 speed 'box...but leaving aside the fact that this combination, whilst perfect for Brands Indy was not so well suited to the A27, it wasn't a massive hardship and the gearing was perfect for the half dozen or so passes that we conquered.

Please take Graham's advice and drive a 5 speed and a 6 speed car...remember the former was designed for a Sierra with a first gear that was set up to tow caravans....

[_Neal_]

BertBert said:

As always I completely refute that daft "want a 5-speed for touring" statement. When I am prime minister I shall make a law against that concept. The only statements that I will allow are:

"I drove the 1600/1800 k with the 6-speed box and it was utterly fantastic" or
"I drove the 1600/1800 k with both 6-speed and 5-speed and actually the 5-speeder is for me".

Although, I shall also make it that the uttering of the second statement will be an unequivocal sign of insanity.

Bert

I look forward to reading the BertBert party's gear ratio-based manifesto.

I will definitely drive both (visiting Caterham South this weekend, hopefully) but I'm only going from my research so far, which suggests that mega rpm at not very fast on the motorway doesn't make for relaxing progress. Now you may say "Pah, you're buying a Caterham, it's not about relaxing progress" but I don't want a car that makes me dread any motorway miles.

On a related note, who can do the 1st and 2nd gear conversions on the 5-speeder, and how much do they charge?

[will_]

_Neal_ said:

I look forward to reading the BertBert party's gear ratio-based manifesto.

I will definitely drive both (visiting Caterham South this weekend, hopefully) but I'm only going from my research so far, which suggests that mega rpm at not very fast on the motorway doesn't make for relaxing progress. Now you may say "Pah, you're buying a Caterham, it's not about relaxing progress" but I don't want a car that makes me dread any motorway miles.

On a related note, who can do the 1st and 2nd gear conversions on the 5-speeder, and how much do they charge?

I've had both 5 speed and 6 speed boxes, the 6 is the better one for all round use, the 5 speed box (whilst adequate) really didn't help with the acceleration. I just wore ear-plugs for motorway journeys in the 6-speeder!

[_Neal_]

will_ said:

I've had both 5 speed and 6 speed boxes, the 6 is the better one for all round use, the 5 speed box (whilst adequate) really didn't help with the acceleration. I just wore ear-plugs for motorway journeys in the 6-speeder!

Thanks Will - I'm not discounting it, and I suspect earplugs may not be a bad idea in either car over long journeys!

[_Neal_]

Oh, and on the longer first gear front, I've found BGH Geartech now. Presumably they're the place to go?

[will_]

_Neal_ said:

will_ said:

I've had both 5 speed and 6 speed boxes, the 6 is the better one for all round use, the 5 speed box (whilst adequate) really didn't help with the acceleration. I just wore ear-plugs for motorway journeys in the 6-speeder!

Thanks Will - I'm not discounting it, and I suspect earplugs may not be a bad idea in either car over long journeys!

True.

I also had an aeroscreen on the 6-speeder so usually wore a helmet for motorways.

It's really not too bad, but the cost to change from a 5 to 6 speeder might not be a massive amount, so don't discount 5 speed cars on that basis alone.

[VHPD]

Happy to take you for a drive in my 6 speed for an 'observed' run Neal

[_Neal_]

Thanks Will, and VHPD that's a very kind offer, you have an email

PS - I'll be looking for IAM textbook pull-push application of opposite lock, so get practicing.

Edited by _Neal_ on Thursday 14th June 15:08

[Murph7355]

_Neal_ said:

I look forward to reading the BertBert party's gear ratio-based manifesto.

I will definitely drive both (visiting Caterham South this weekend, hopefully) but I'm only going from my research so far, which suggests that mega rpm at not very fast on the motorway doesn't make for relaxing progress. Now you may say "Pah, you're buying a Caterham, it's not about relaxing progress" but I don't want a car that makes me dread any motorway miles.

On a related note, who can do the 1st and 2nd gear conversions on the 5-speeder, and how much do they charge?

There's so much going on in a 7 that a few additional revs whilst on the motorway won't be the only thing that potentially irritates.

But....

If you use the car plenty in its intended playground before slapping on motorway miles, you won't care. You'll love it so much for its outright ability at what it was designed for that you will forgive it being a tad noisy on motorways

I've done multi-k mile tours, many motorway miles, driven in all sorts of weather and even slept in mine. It doesn't get used much any more, but it will never be sold (unless everything else has been sold around me first!).

The cost to swap out a 5spd for a 6spd isn't cheap to the point you're better off looking for one equipped properly in the first place IMO. And I believe BGH are a good place to get a conversion done if you must (but remember it's not just about ratios. The way the box changes is also different).

[fergus]

Murph7355 said:

...even slept in mine....

Andy - How the f/ck did you manage that?