R300 or Roadsport SV

[Jmracing66]

Firstly I'll apologise for another question, but here we go.

I'm looking to get a caterham in the next couple of weeks. I enjoy trackdays and want something that's quick on both track and road. Due to my height it has to be an SV.

I have been looking at a 2003 R300 that I like the look of, it's 160 bhp k series. For similar money I can get a 2009 Roadsport SV with a 150bhp Sigma engine.

I'm a total caterham novice, so can someone tell me what I'm getting with the older car than I'm not getting with the Roadsport, apart from 10 bhp?

Thanks very much !

[ghibbett]

How tall are you to require an SV?

[Jmracing66]

I'm 6'4, a lot of my height is in my legs. I was at Caterham South last weekend and couldn't really get comfy in a normal sized one.

[ghibbett]

What seats did the 'normal' one have?
Did it have lowered floors?
What position where the (adjustable) pedals in?

You see where I'm going with this...!

[Jmracing66]

The "normal" one had leather seats...I'm not sure if the illets give more or less room.
As for the pedals...no idea !

I'll have to try some other cars for size, I really do hope I fit in the narrower car as there is much more choice.

[framerateuk]

Try one with Tillets and lowered floors. The tillets will allow you to sit a few inches further back which should make a big difference!

The pedals can also be moved about an inch or so, so combined with the seats, that might get you fitting into an S3.

[Jmracing66]

Thanks for all the help, I'll see if I can try out a car with that setup at Caterham South.

[Areyousure182]

I am the same height as you and its all in my legs too. Regardless of which seat and lowered floors and moving the pedals about , which only move an inch or two I just do not fit in a series 3 chassis. If I put my feet past the pedals that makes a small difference but there is no way the pedal box will move that far. My knees hit the chassis rail that runs along under the dash. No way round it. Has to be sv for me.

[Jmracing66]

Areyousure182 said:

I am the same height as you and its all in my legs too. Regardless of which seat and lowered floors and moving the pedals about , which only move an inch or two I just do not fit in a series 3 chassis. If I put my feet past the pedals that makes a small difference but there is no way the pedal box will move that far. My knees hit the chassis rail that runs along under the dash. No way round it. Has to be sv for me.

Thanks, I did have a feeling that might be the case. I had a look at the R300 SV you were looking at. I decided the mileage was a bit high for me with the upgraded engine. Strange how that has ended up in Yorkshire.

[Andy Bell]

I am 6ft4in and long in legs and only real comfy option was making a 2 part foam bag seat and its awesome. Fit perfectly now.

[Areyousure182]

Andy Bell said:

I am 6ft4in and long in legs and only real comfy option was making a 2 part foam bag seat and its awesome. Fit perfectly now.

I cant see that being an option for me given I want to do a eurotrip in the car so the extra space will be welcomed.

A tillet seat will prevent any " flopping about " ( technical term !!!)