Looking for first Caterham
Discussion
So thinking about getting my first Caterham. I understand it's very hard to recommend the "correct" one since it depends a lot about what you want, but can suggest my general thoughts. The test drives are a bit difficult since I live in arctic Norway, so it means the nearest cars are around 1000 miles or so south of me, 
Reasons for getting a Caterham are that they are relatively cheap to import here (as main taxes are weight, engine power and CO2), and the driving experience is supposed to be amazing. Not been out in one, but been out in an Atom 300 and the supercharged Lotus 2-Eleven.
My height: 5"10
Past car experience: 2 MX-5s.
Use: Generally day to day road/ touring. I'd try and use it most days over the summer. However it would sit up for around 6 months due to snow cover then.
Power: Generally low power. This is a combination of lack of fast car experience and the way the tax system works here. Power = lots of money.
Age: Probably something around 1997-2002. It would be nice to get more modern day reliabiity, but the age of the car has a big influence on import cost. 1 year = 10% discount or so. That said, it's much less of a problem than many cars.
Easy to work on: I don't have so much experience as a mechanic, but no garage would have experience of the car either, so it would be nice to be able to work on it myself. Plus stuff like an oil change costs generally £150+ here.
Budget: Up to around £18000 or so.
I need to investigate the details of importing, but know there are a few cars here already. The CO2 would be the main issue as cars from 2001 need to have a C02 emissions quote for tax reasons, but it is not given in documentation it seems?
From what I see the best thing to have is heated windscreen with full rain gear, no full rollcage (restricting access), leather seats.
Reasons for getting a Caterham are that they are relatively cheap to import here (as main taxes are weight, engine power and CO2), and the driving experience is supposed to be amazing. Not been out in one, but been out in an Atom 300 and the supercharged Lotus 2-Eleven. My height: 5"10
Past car experience: 2 MX-5s.
Use: Generally day to day road/ touring. I'd try and use it most days over the summer. However it would sit up for around 6 months due to snow cover then.
Power: Generally low power. This is a combination of lack of fast car experience and the way the tax system works here. Power = lots of money.
Age: Probably something around 1997-2002. It would be nice to get more modern day reliabiity, but the age of the car has a big influence on import cost. 1 year = 10% discount or so. That said, it's much less of a problem than many cars.
Easy to work on: I don't have so much experience as a mechanic, but no garage would have experience of the car either, so it would be nice to be able to work on it myself. Plus stuff like an oil change costs generally £150+ here.
Budget: Up to around £18000 or so.
I need to investigate the details of importing, but know there are a few cars here already. The CO2 would be the main issue as cars from 2001 need to have a C02 emissions quote for tax reasons, but it is not given in documentation it seems?
From what I see the best thing to have is heated windscreen with full rain gear, no full rollcage (restricting access), leather seats.
Talking to the guy who is in the same company as me - he seems like he will be a lot of help. Apparently there are around 100 cars in the country, but the one furthest north is still around 700 miles south of me - so no locals to take me out a run, I wonder if it would be the most northerly Caterham in the world?
I think something like this would be perfect - Ok engine for import, 6-speed, LSD, weather equipment and heater/ windshield. The only thing I would want is something like orange for the colour, and would need to check about the factory build issue. It's bad enough for people not seeing them in the UK, but here no one would even consider looking for one so I want to highlight it as much as possible.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
I wonder if it would be the most northerly Caterham in the world?I think something like this would be perfect - Ok engine for import, 6-speed, LSD, weather equipment and heater/ windshield. The only thing I would want is something like orange for the colour, and would need to check about the factory build issue. It's bad enough for people not seeing them in the UK, but here no one would even consider looking for one so I want to highlight it as much as possible.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
Noooooooo, it has a radio 
I think I'd definitely try to spend plenty of time talking to the guys that already have them, you're in pretty cold climate at times and they may have experienced any pitfalls. I spent 2 months over last winter using mine (together with a motorbike) as my daily driver whilst my new tin-top was on order, I don't have a heater but used my biking heated kit to keep cosy ... I think you might want a heater AND heated gear!
Due to your location you'd be as well taking your time and trying to find a car that suits your needs from the start, making any changes that need parts sourcing os not going to be as easy where you are.
I think I'd definitely try to spend plenty of time talking to the guys that already have them, you're in pretty cold climate at times and they may have experienced any pitfalls. I spent 2 months over last winter using mine (together with a motorbike) as my daily driver whilst my new tin-top was on order, I don't have a heater but used my biking heated kit to keep cosy ... I think you might want a heater AND heated gear!
Due to your location you'd be as well taking your time and trying to find a car that suits your needs from the start, making any changes that need parts sourcing os not going to be as easy where you are.
V7SLR said:
Noooooooo, it has a radio
I think I'd definitely try to spend plenty of time talking to the guys that already have them, you're in pretty cold climate at times and they may have experienced any pitfalls. I spent 2 months over last winter using mine (together with a motorbike) as my daily driver whilst my new tin-top was on order, I don't have a heater but used my biking heated kit to keep cosy ... I think you might want a heater AND heated gear!
Due to your location you'd be as well taking your time and trying to find a car that suits your needs from the start, making any changes that need parts sourcing os not going to be as easy where you are.
In some ways the radio is sacrilage, but at the same time it will be a daily for as long as I can drive it for, plus touring. So the extra weight is not the biggest issue. Yes, I will ask about anything they recommend. When I talked for a short time earlier today he said he used his car as a daily for around 4 years, including snow. That said, I don't think it will be possible up here since there is so much more snow and the car will beach on top of it (already have that sometimes with the MX-5).I think I'd definitely try to spend plenty of time talking to the guys that already have them, you're in pretty cold climate at times and they may have experienced any pitfalls. I spent 2 months over last winter using mine (together with a motorbike) as my daily driver whilst my new tin-top was on order, I don't have a heater but used my biking heated kit to keep cosy ... I think you might want a heater AND heated gear!
Due to your location you'd be as well taking your time and trying to find a car that suits your needs from the start, making any changes that need parts sourcing os not going to be as easy where you are.
Leather seats is also something to get - because of the issue of trying to reduce cold seats! The rules say it has to be a factory build without modifications. However I will try and check if the modifications are strictly enforced. If not I will get all the work done in the UK and get the car perfect for what I want. It's crazy expensive for labour here (plus as you mentioned the issues sourcing parts). Over £1000 to get the timing belt "service" on the MX-5 changed!
Actually on the topic of snow, what type of LSD are on the cars? With the MX-5 it's a multiplier, so when you have no grip on one wheel it means no power at all (so sometimes no "drive" when in snow). Would the Caterham still put power to the other wheel and help in snow?
I don't know this particular car but it could be a great first time 7 http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?id=242550
Good pointer Steve.
Any of the LSD's usually fitted to a Caterham are fine from the torque bias Quaife ATB through to ZF's, non of them will allow a wheel to spin out in the conditions you mention, although stopping both wheels spinning might be a different matter!
One thing to consider about the car with the radio, it's generally accepted that whatever you fit on a Caterham needs to be reasonably water resistant, not as bad as a motorbike but occasionally you find you persist through heavy rain getting a little damp, wiping the inside of the screen to keep some reasonable visibility. I think if I had to start putting a hood up to keep the radio dry I'd get a little frustrated.
Leather seats are good, but fabric are warmer in cold conditions. Tilletts are freezing unless you fit the Oxted quilted inserts which in my personal opinion makes them the preferred choice.
Stu.
Any of the LSD's usually fitted to a Caterham are fine from the torque bias Quaife ATB through to ZF's, non of them will allow a wheel to spin out in the conditions you mention, although stopping both wheels spinning might be a different matter!
One thing to consider about the car with the radio, it's generally accepted that whatever you fit on a Caterham needs to be reasonably water resistant, not as bad as a motorbike but occasionally you find you persist through heavy rain getting a little damp, wiping the inside of the screen to keep some reasonable visibility. I think if I had to start putting a hood up to keep the radio dry I'd get a little frustrated.
Leather seats are good, but fabric are warmer in cold conditions. Tilletts are freezing unless you fit the Oxted quilted inserts which in my personal opinion makes them the preferred choice.
Stu.
V7SLR said:
Good pointer Steve.
Any of the LSD's usually fitted to a Caterham are fine from the torque bias Quaife ATB through to ZF's, non of them will allow a wheel to spin out in the conditions you mention, although stopping both wheels spinning might be a different matter!
One thing to consider about the car with the radio, it's generally accepted that whatever you fit on a Caterham needs to be reasonably water resistant, not as bad as a motorbike but occasionally you find you persist through heavy rain getting a little damp, wiping the inside of the screen to keep some reasonable visibility. I think if I had to start putting a hood up to keep the radio dry I'd get a little frustrated.
Leather seats are good, but fabric are warmer in cold conditions. Tilletts are freezing unless you fit the Oxted quilted inserts which in my personal opinion makes them the preferred choice.
Stu.
I guess the lightweight will have a bit of an influence on the lack of grid occasionally, Any of the LSD's usually fitted to a Caterham are fine from the torque bias Quaife ATB through to ZF's, non of them will allow a wheel to spin out in the conditions you mention, although stopping both wheels spinning might be a different matter!
One thing to consider about the car with the radio, it's generally accepted that whatever you fit on a Caterham needs to be reasonably water resistant, not as bad as a motorbike but occasionally you find you persist through heavy rain getting a little damp, wiping the inside of the screen to keep some reasonable visibility. I think if I had to start putting a hood up to keep the radio dry I'd get a little frustrated.
Leather seats are good, but fabric are warmer in cold conditions. Tilletts are freezing unless you fit the Oxted quilted inserts which in my personal opinion makes them the preferred choice.
Stu.
One benefit of living here is that I can use spiked tyres in the winter which should help with the grip somewhat, Ah, I hadn't thought of it from that perspective! I knew they are not completely waterproof but hadn't put water + electrics = bad idea together! When people say they are not 100% waterproof does it mean when driving only (pressure difference + wind = water getting in) or also when sitting parked? Obviously it will vary with the roof fit/ condition, but as a generalisation?
Those tillett covers look very nice! It looks like a great option to go for, as people seem to say the tilletts are more comfortable (although depends on the person - I'll try and see the difference, perhaps rent one from Caterham as that seems to be recommended).
Grubbster said:
I don't know this particular car but it could be a great first time 7 http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?id=242550
That sounds very interesting! However I won't be buying until around October due to the way money would be (plus it gives me time to get this importing stuff sorted out and find a bit more about what I really want/ need). I'll also be back in the UK for a wedding then too. Thanks for the heads up, 
Thanks so much for all the help - starting to narrow down the list of things to have a lot now,
Edited by NRS on Tuesday 24th June 20:30
Not really, but occasionally. Generally there's too much snow to make it worth salting. Are you thinking of the aluminum having galvanising due to the chassis etc? If so have other owners done anything to avoid this? Some people in Norway go for the tectyl coating, but that might be a bit obvious on a Caterham...
Stu, your contact person has been fantastic! He said that there are basically only a few places you can get the cars registered in Norway, as most of the places to register cars don't understand/ can't be bothered finding out the details and so just don't let them be registered. Apparently there is one place in particular that has been used so I will get the contact details for that one. He's going to give me the details of someone who got a car last year so they can help with the updated details of what to do to make sure it is legal/ registering it.
He also used the car as a daily for around 6 years, and says because the cabin is so small it warms up within 5 minutes even when down to -10C, So that's one less issue to worry about! He also emphaised the heated windscreen is a must rather than an option here.
Stu, your contact person has been fantastic! He said that there are basically only a few places you can get the cars registered in Norway, as most of the places to register cars don't understand/ can't be bothered finding out the details and so just don't let them be registered. Apparently there is one place in particular that has been used so I will get the contact details for that one. He's going to give me the details of someone who got a car last year so they can help with the updated details of what to do to make sure it is legal/ registering it.
He also used the car as a daily for around 6 years, and says because the cabin is so small it warms up within 5 minutes even when down to -10C,
So that's one less issue to worry about! He also emphaised the heated windscreen is a must rather than an option here.There are a few Norwegians on this forum as well
Why do you want to import.?
Prices on Finn.no are high, but usualy you should get Seven for about 150k nok.
You also have the opportunity to build your own(new rules this year)
Importing an old Cat is probably more difficult due to dovumentation etc.
You say far north. Where is far north?
Why do you want to import.?
Prices on Finn.no are high, but usualy you should get Seven for about 150k nok.
You also have the opportunity to build your own(new rules this year)
Importing an old Cat is probably more difficult due to dovumentation etc.
You say far north. Where is far north?
Kghaas said:
There are a few Norwegians on this forum as well
Why do you want to import.?
Prices on Finn.no are high, but usualy you should get Seven for about 150k nok.
You also have the opportunity to build your own(new rules this year)
Importing an old Cat is probably more difficult due to dovumentation etc.
You say far north. Where is far north?
I was thinking of importing as there is more choice and it looks like it will be a bit cheaper. All the cars on finn are 220k nok or more. There was a Westfield relatively recently for around 150k. I saw the change - 100 cars a year from now. My budget would mean for any newer cars it would probably be a 165 I would have to get (although it's planned to look into this).Why do you want to import.?
Prices on Finn.no are high, but usualy you should get Seven for about 150k nok.
You also have the opportunity to build your own(new rules this year)
Importing an old Cat is probably more difficult due to dovumentation etc.
You say far north. Where is far north?
I've been told there is a particular place for registering the cars that is used to them (the Caterham importer uses it), which is in Drammen. This would help since they know the rules properly. Otherwise it would be a nightmare (I was told sometimes they just won't register it since they don't know enough about them). North is Harstad - apparently the most northernly car known is in Trøndlag somewhere.
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