Roadsport vs. Supersport?
Discussion
Hello gents,
Last weekend I put down my £2k deposit for a new Roadsport 140, should be ready in May.
Got it with the SV chassis and lowered floors.
I have about a month to think about the spec though and I am considering upping my order to a Supersport (1.6 sigma).
My Roadsport 140 is 5 speed without the Superlight suspension package or limited slip diff.
If I were to spec a Superlight with the same seats/weather gear/heater etc as the Roadsport, I would end up with a car which has more track focused suspension, the same interior, a limited slip diff and nicer wheels for about £500 more.
Seems like a bit of a no brainer? What do you think?
This car is 95% for summer road use - just a toy really. Might go on a track day or two, but not often - twice a year tops.
Thanks
Last weekend I put down my £2k deposit for a new Roadsport 140, should be ready in May.
Got it with the SV chassis and lowered floors.
I have about a month to think about the spec though and I am considering upping my order to a Supersport (1.6 sigma).
My Roadsport 140 is 5 speed without the Superlight suspension package or limited slip diff.
If I were to spec a Superlight with the same seats/weather gear/heater etc as the Roadsport, I would end up with a car which has more track focused suspension, the same interior, a limited slip diff and nicer wheels for about £500 more.
Seems like a bit of a no brainer? What do you think?
This car is 95% for summer road use - just a toy really. Might go on a track day or two, but not often - twice a year tops.
Thanks
I'd go for the Supersport. I'd always wanted a Roadsport 175, but when the time came to order, I ended up choosing the Supersport R. I was worried it would be too extreme for the road, but it's perfect. The standard composite Tillet seats are perfectly comfortable, the suspension is firm but not uncomfortably so, and the LSD is lots of fun for the silly stuff.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
You can spec any Caterham to be pretty much like any other.
Mine's a Roadsport 140, but with LSD, big brake kit, Superlight suspension, 6 speed box. Pretty much R300 spec but with a 1.6 and carpets. Great second hand buy, but I imagine it cost a fair bit to buy new.
If you plan on touring, the carpets you get with the Roadsport are very nice, and help keep a bit of the heat from the tunnel away from you, especially in the summer.
I've only ever driven with the superlight suspension, but I gather that the standard Supersport setup is similar, although lacking the watts linkage on the rear. Wheel wise, everyone says 13's are the best for driving, I have no reason to disagree and have a set of 13" wheels for track use, but I stick to the 15" Superlight wheels for touring as it gives us a little extra ride height.
Personally, I'd say go for it. Supersport is the buzz word at the moment as far as Caterhams are concerned. The LSD makes a world of difference on the track and is worth the extra money. Other parts are easy to change anyway!
Mine's a Roadsport 140, but with LSD, big brake kit, Superlight suspension, 6 speed box. Pretty much R300 spec but with a 1.6 and carpets. Great second hand buy, but I imagine it cost a fair bit to buy new.
If you plan on touring, the carpets you get with the Roadsport are very nice, and help keep a bit of the heat from the tunnel away from you, especially in the summer.
I've only ever driven with the superlight suspension, but I gather that the standard Supersport setup is similar, although lacking the watts linkage on the rear. Wheel wise, everyone says 13's are the best for driving, I have no reason to disagree and have a set of 13" wheels for track use, but I stick to the 15" Superlight wheels for touring as it gives us a little extra ride height.
Personally, I'd say go for it. Supersport is the buzz word at the moment as far as Caterhams are concerned. The LSD makes a world of difference on the track and is worth the extra money. Other parts are easy to change anyway!
Go and drive both again if you haven't for a while. I was happy with aiming for a roadsport and thought the step 'up' to SS was a paper one really or would yeld little difference. Once I got in the SS the differences in the drive and feel were immediate and much more to my liking. Night and day I'd say.
framerateuk said:
You can spec any Caterham to be pretty much like any other.
Mine's a Roadsport 140, but with LSD, big brake kit, Superlight suspension, 6 speed box. Pretty much R300 spec but with a 1.6 and carpets. Great second hand buy, but I imagine it cost a fair bit to buy new.
If you plan on touring, the carpets you get with the Roadsport are very nice, and help keep a bit of the heat from the tunnel away from you, especially in the summer.
I've only ever driven with the superlight suspension, but I gather that the standard Supersport setup is similar, although lacking the watts linkage on the rear. Wheel wise, everyone says 13's are the best for driving, I have no reason to disagree and have a set of 13" wheels for track use, but I stick to the 15" Superlight wheels for touring as it gives us a little extra ride height.
Personally, I'd say go for it. Supersport is the buzz word at the moment as far as Caterhams are concerned. The LSD makes a world of difference on the track and is worth the extra money. Other parts are easy to change anyway!
Thank you mate, I think I will be changing the order. Seems like a really good deal when compared to the Roadsport I've got now... now to pick the colours. Currently on vintage green with a white strip and nose cone - thoughts?Mine's a Roadsport 140, but with LSD, big brake kit, Superlight suspension, 6 speed box. Pretty much R300 spec but with a 1.6 and carpets. Great second hand buy, but I imagine it cost a fair bit to buy new.
If you plan on touring, the carpets you get with the Roadsport are very nice, and help keep a bit of the heat from the tunnel away from you, especially in the summer.
I've only ever driven with the superlight suspension, but I gather that the standard Supersport setup is similar, although lacking the watts linkage on the rear. Wheel wise, everyone says 13's are the best for driving, I have no reason to disagree and have a set of 13" wheels for track use, but I stick to the 15" Superlight wheels for touring as it gives us a little extra ride height.
Personally, I'd say go for it. Supersport is the buzz word at the moment as far as Caterhams are concerned. The LSD makes a world of difference on the track and is worth the extra money. Other parts are easy to change anyway!
Go bright! People have enough trouble seeing Caterhams on the road anyway, let alone in dark colours. If I'd ordered new, I'd have gone for bright orange, bright green, or maybe white with a blue/orange stripe set.
At the moment I'm considering having my rollbar painted dayglo red to help the car stand out a bit more.
At the moment I'm considering having my rollbar painted dayglo red to help the car stand out a bit more.
Edited by framerateuk on Wednesday 4th December 18:47
My 2011 Roadsport SV 150 didn't come with adjustable platforms.
I built it just before the Supersport was released. I was a bit gutted at first but then realised there is very little difference and I love the character of the 150 engine. I use it mainly on road in the summer but have also done a couple of track days.
Plus points for the Supersport are, IMO:
- Wheels and tyres (unless you prefer the look of minilights).
- Adjustable platforms, rear AR bar, watts linkage (apparently). I'm not bothered about the ARB or the WL at the moment but have got a set of APs to retrofit.
- 3.92 diff ratio. Standard (in 2011) was 3.64 which is too long for 5-speed box. At that time they did not have a 3.92 BMW diff, so I specified a 3.92 Ford one instead.
- LSD (but I don't feel like I am missing one, dry traction is not a problem even with ZV3 tyres).
- No carpet - I only fitted it to the boot floor.
- No weather gear - since I got my half hood 18 months ago, the full hood has not seen daylight, even on a wet tour of Scotland.
- Black pack is included. I thought the option price on a Roadsport was a rip-off.
- Proper harnesses.
- Suede steering wheel (although I hear rumours it's no longer available).
- Shift light (but I don't feel I am missing one).
- Starter button (but I don't feel I am missing one).
Options I would recommend (but others are bound to disagree)
- Windscreen
- Heater
- Leather seats (the newish GT look great)
- Big brakes
- FIA bar
- Lowered floors
I built it just before the Supersport was released. I was a bit gutted at first but then realised there is very little difference and I love the character of the 150 engine. I use it mainly on road in the summer but have also done a couple of track days.
Plus points for the Supersport are, IMO:
- Wheels and tyres (unless you prefer the look of minilights).
- Adjustable platforms, rear AR bar, watts linkage (apparently). I'm not bothered about the ARB or the WL at the moment but have got a set of APs to retrofit.
- 3.92 diff ratio. Standard (in 2011) was 3.64 which is too long for 5-speed box. At that time they did not have a 3.92 BMW diff, so I specified a 3.92 Ford one instead.
- LSD (but I don't feel like I am missing one, dry traction is not a problem even with ZV3 tyres).
- No carpet - I only fitted it to the boot floor.
- No weather gear - since I got my half hood 18 months ago, the full hood has not seen daylight, even on a wet tour of Scotland.
- Black pack is included. I thought the option price on a Roadsport was a rip-off.
- Proper harnesses.
- Suede steering wheel (although I hear rumours it's no longer available).
- Shift light (but I don't feel I am missing one).
- Starter button (but I don't feel I am missing one).
Options I would recommend (but others are bound to disagree)
- Windscreen
- Heater
- Leather seats (the newish GT look great)
- Big brakes
- FIA bar
- Lowered floors
Edited by RedCat7 on Wednesday 4th December 21:53
I agree with the other sentiments shared here. Go for the SuperSport, for the £500 extra you are getting more than
£500 worth of additional value in my opinion. The 3.92 diff ratio is a well thought out combination to go with the 5 speed box. I also suspect they will command good prices upon resale given the model is relatively new compared to the rest of the range (although i concede that's pure speculation on my part).
Although I went for the SuperSport R in the end, I did drive the standard SuperSport and it was a lovely car to drive. All this talk of track inspired suspension is a bit misleading as it makes it sound as if it would be a bit harsh on the road. It isn't its ideal and I highly recommend. The 13" wheels presumably help a bit with ride comfort so I recommend you get those if you can. I went for the 8" rears in the end, in hindsight 6" would have been more fun. For the 140 SuperSport don't even consider the 8" rear as it will be over tyred.
Also, just to confirm, the suede wheel is no longer an option. The supplier went bust apparently.
If it helps, I went with the following options:
Heater
Weather gear
Leather seats
FIA bar (recomended)
White with black stripe (so I could be seen)
13" staggered wheel setup
Carpets
Harnesses
With the Sigma car you may want to discuss exhaust options with Caterham too. The pea shooter exhaust I think is the standard item and its rather loud. Fine for some but not everyone's bag!
Tom
£500 worth of additional value in my opinion. The 3.92 diff ratio is a well thought out combination to go with the 5 speed box. I also suspect they will command good prices upon resale given the model is relatively new compared to the rest of the range (although i concede that's pure speculation on my part).
Although I went for the SuperSport R in the end, I did drive the standard SuperSport and it was a lovely car to drive. All this talk of track inspired suspension is a bit misleading as it makes it sound as if it would be a bit harsh on the road. It isn't its ideal and I highly recommend. The 13" wheels presumably help a bit with ride comfort so I recommend you get those if you can. I went for the 8" rears in the end, in hindsight 6" would have been more fun. For the 140 SuperSport don't even consider the 8" rear as it will be over tyred.
Also, just to confirm, the suede wheel is no longer an option. The supplier went bust apparently.
If it helps, I went with the following options:
Heater
Weather gear
Leather seats
FIA bar (recomended)
White with black stripe (so I could be seen)
13" staggered wheel setup
Carpets
Harnesses
With the Sigma car you may want to discuss exhaust options with Caterham too. The pea shooter exhaust I think is the standard item and its rather loud. Fine for some but not everyone's bag!
Tom
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff