Discussion
Hello Guys.
I know I am the only one that will make the final decision on Caterham ownership. However I am pretty clueless to Caterhams. I've driven most performance cars over the years, my last being a Supercharged Elise. I will soon hopefully be on the look out for a replacement. I had initially toyed with the Idea of doing a Honda Conversion, but reading the forums about the Caterhams and Westfields, has really gave me the bug to get involved.
It will be specifically a track car, with the odd summers evening hoon around some B roads.
What Info I am looking for is, folks experiences with the lower powered variants, to the higher(200+bhp) club.
Problem I have in the decision making process, is getting the possibility to try these cars?
I know I am the only one that will make the final decision on Caterham ownership. However I am pretty clueless to Caterhams. I've driven most performance cars over the years, my last being a Supercharged Elise. I will soon hopefully be on the look out for a replacement. I had initially toyed with the Idea of doing a Honda Conversion, but reading the forums about the Caterhams and Westfields, has really gave me the bug to get involved.
It will be specifically a track car, with the odd summers evening hoon around some B roads.
What Info I am looking for is, folks experiences with the lower powered variants, to the higher(200+bhp) club.
Problem I have in the decision making process, is getting the possibility to try these cars?
Hi there!
Firstly, getting to try them is actually pretty easy. Caterham cars will give you a test drive, or better yet will rent you one for a day. They normally have a few Roadsports (so the 1.6 Sigma engine, 125bhp), and an R300 (2.0 duratec, 175bhp). Generally they want you to have hired a Roadsport before they let you lose in the R300. If you ended up buying a car with Caterham, they will even refund the cost of hire!
Be warned, once you have driven an R300, you will end up needing one... or an R400 as it was in my case
To add a bit more colour around the various power options, whilst it's absolutely true that you don't NEED a lot of power in a Caterham to have fun, if you're used to performance machinery then I personally think you're going to want to go with at least an R300 in the current range, I'm sure people will tell you otherwise, but that's what I found when I bought mine.
Firstly, getting to try them is actually pretty easy. Caterham cars will give you a test drive, or better yet will rent you one for a day. They normally have a few Roadsports (so the 1.6 Sigma engine, 125bhp), and an R300 (2.0 duratec, 175bhp). Generally they want you to have hired a Roadsport before they let you lose in the R300. If you ended up buying a car with Caterham, they will even refund the cost of hire!
Be warned, once you have driven an R300, you will end up needing one... or an R400 as it was in my case
To add a bit more colour around the various power options, whilst it's absolutely true that you don't NEED a lot of power in a Caterham to have fun, if you're used to performance machinery then I personally think you're going to want to go with at least an R300 in the current range, I'm sure people will tell you otherwise, but that's what I found when I bought mine.
First, I love my 125bhp Seven, but for track day use you'll want more power so you pass the normal cars that are slowing you in the corners.
Second, if you want to try a Seven or two, phone Caterham and arrange a test drive. They let me drive one, and the salesman was very helpful. Definitely phone first and give them an idea of what you are interested in, if you just turn up you won't be taken as seriously.
Second, if you want to try a Seven or two, phone Caterham and arrange a test drive. They let me drive one, and the salesman was very helpful. Definitely phone first and give them an idea of what you are interested in, if you just turn up you won't be taken as seriously.
How much power a Caterham 'should' have is a subject of much debate. My opinion is that it doesn't matter so long as the power : grip ratio is correct. I've managed to have plenty of fun with 100bhp and 185/70 tyres despite sampling several more powerful models.
Secondly, progressively upgrading a car is expensive. Caterhams are available with a range of engines, each of which has it's merits- so why not just change the car if you feel you're getting bored?
Regarding the Honda, great engines though they are, I understand they're a bit tall to easily fit a Caterham. If you want a screamer of an engine, get a k-series. If you want big bhp and torque out of the box, get a duratec. There are plenty of other options around this scale, that's just an example.
Secondly, progressively upgrading a car is expensive. Caterhams are available with a range of engines, each of which has it's merits- so why not just change the car if you feel you're getting bored?
Regarding the Honda, great engines though they are, I understand they're a bit tall to easily fit a Caterham. If you want a screamer of an engine, get a k-series. If you want big bhp and torque out of the box, get a duratec. There are plenty of other options around this scale, that's just an example.
Hi,once on the caterham wagon you are hooked,if power and speed which can add to the huge fun element of Caterham ownership is really your thing then unless you can engineer your upgraditous desires yourself then it can get very expensive,its nice to do something different and I dont like the way duratecs sound plus being a big bike fan im into the way things sound above 8000rpm so K20 Honda it was!yes they are tall, yes engine mounts and bellhousings are bespoke,but the benefits of that are a wonderful sound huge reliability even when tuned to 250 bhp and if you want 260bhp 180 ft/lb at the hubs N/A is easier, and it will LAST.
Be warned though its very addictive, but worth every penny and "you think more of that car than me" "how much" "can you turn the heater off my legs are hot" what heater!!! comments dont last too long either.
Be warned though its very addictive, but worth every penny and "you think more of that car than me" "how much" "can you turn the heater off my legs are hot" what heater!!! comments dont last too long either.
Highland Caterham (Elgin) have a CSR 200 on their books, got to be worth checking out .
My first and current Caterham has a 200 bhp K seires just love it to bits. where abouts in Scotland are you?
Also check out www.jock7s.com it's where most of us hang out.
www.highlandcaterhamhire.co.uk/
My first and current Caterham has a 200 bhp K seires just love it to bits. where abouts in Scotland are you?
Also check out www.jock7s.com it's where most of us hang out.
www.highlandcaterhamhire.co.uk/
Edited by ian2144 on Wednesday 19th February 13:54
Edited by ian2144 on Wednesday 19th February 13:56
You'll have a lot of fun regardless of power.
My 140 Supersport is perfect for road use. You can ring it's neck on a country road and have a lot of fun.
As a track car it's pretty good too. I'm still finding my way around most tracks, so my talent would be wasted on anything with more power at the moment. It can be frustrating when trying to pass people on straights, but then I've found the same thing in every other car I've had. There's always someone with a faster car who'll hold you up in corners.
At a trackday in Pembrey recently, I was passed by every single car in the morning when it was wet. By the afternoon it was drying up and once the line was dry I enjoyed quite a few long sessions where I barely got passed. On a nice twisty track, a 7 will be fast regardless of power.
My 140 Supersport is perfect for road use. You can ring it's neck on a country road and have a lot of fun.
As a track car it's pretty good too. I'm still finding my way around most tracks, so my talent would be wasted on anything with more power at the moment. It can be frustrating when trying to pass people on straights, but then I've found the same thing in every other car I've had. There's always someone with a faster car who'll hold you up in corners.
At a trackday in Pembrey recently, I was passed by every single car in the morning when it was wet. By the afternoon it was drying up and once the line was dry I enjoyed quite a few long sessions where I barely got passed. On a nice twisty track, a 7 will be fast regardless of power.
Thank you guys for the Info.
I am in Scotland, to the Fella who was asking. I've been frequenting Knockhill for many years, and in all honesty I never gave a Caterham a second thought.
I think I can understand some of the points being made, about having fun in a less powerful car, and equally craving more power on track. This is where it would spend most of It's time for me. I will make inguiriee to that dealership in Elgin, as I reckon it must be the closest to me.
Renting one I reckon would be the best option, get a proper feel for it over a period of time.
Sadly It will probably come down to the Usual, what I can afford. I could sell my daily and pay 25-30k for one, but seeing I spend around 70% of my time in the daily driver, I want to hang onto it. So dependant on when I wish to buy, I reckon I would be in the High Teens.
I see some of the earlier models, 2001-2005 plates, and they seem to still command decent prices. How do the guys driving some of the older models find them, compared with newer. I know things always progress in manufacture, but are Caterham still using the same suspension, Chassis set up?
ANyway, thanks again for the info. I will be hanging around, as I kinda have my heart set on one.
Oh sorry, cannot make Knockhill at the start of March, still overseas. Cheers for the offers.
I am in Scotland, to the Fella who was asking. I've been frequenting Knockhill for many years, and in all honesty I never gave a Caterham a second thought.
I think I can understand some of the points being made, about having fun in a less powerful car, and equally craving more power on track. This is where it would spend most of It's time for me. I will make inguiriee to that dealership in Elgin, as I reckon it must be the closest to me.
Renting one I reckon would be the best option, get a proper feel for it over a period of time.
Sadly It will probably come down to the Usual, what I can afford. I could sell my daily and pay 25-30k for one, but seeing I spend around 70% of my time in the daily driver, I want to hang onto it. So dependant on when I wish to buy, I reckon I would be in the High Teens.
I see some of the earlier models, 2001-2005 plates, and they seem to still command decent prices. How do the guys driving some of the older models find them, compared with newer. I know things always progress in manufacture, but are Caterham still using the same suspension, Chassis set up?
ANyway, thanks again for the info. I will be hanging around, as I kinda have my heart set on one.
Oh sorry, cannot make Knockhill at the start of March, still overseas. Cheers for the offers.
SCEL1SE said:
I see some of the earlier models, 2001-2005 plates, and they seem to still command decent prices. How do the guys driving some of the older models find them, compared with newer. I know things always progress in manufacture, but are Caterham still using the same suspension, Chassis set up?
Try Here http://7faq.com/owbase/ow.aspEssentially they are all quick an arch chassis is an arch chassis, a metric one is a metric one I doubt in the hands of an average driver they would notice any real difference I have a series 3 K series R400 it just blows a hole in time and space it is too fast for most road users to understand where you have come from and where you went
if you have an R500 its quicker in a strait line but a well driven 'poverty model' are also very quick. Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff