R400D or higher BHP wanted.............
Discussion
I am after a really nice R400 duratec S3, ideal spec - screen, heater, 13" wheels, interchangeable aero screen.
I would maybe be interested in an R500 manual or 620r as well but I have never driven either of these and while the voice in my head says 'YEA!' the sense in me says that really an R400D is all you need for a road car.
R400D's seem rare and I don't want an SV. I did look at a couple of R500's in the past but when I saw the underside of them I was horrified with the amount of rust, I want a car that's been used in the dry only, little or no rust. Oakmere had a lovely R500 manual but they wouldn't budge on price and after 5 months it sold for more than I was prepared to pay. It was ideal otherwise, maybe a mistake missing it on my side!
Moderator edit: no ads please.
I would maybe be interested in an R500 manual or 620r as well but I have never driven either of these and while the voice in my head says 'YEA!' the sense in me says that really an R400D is all you need for a road car.
R400D's seem rare and I don't want an SV. I did look at a couple of R500's in the past but when I saw the underside of them I was horrified with the amount of rust, I want a car that's been used in the dry only, little or no rust. Oakmere had a lovely R500 manual but they wouldn't budge on price and after 5 months it sold for more than I was prepared to pay. It was ideal otherwise, maybe a mistake missing it on my side!
Moderator edit: no ads please.
Edited by jeremyc on Wednesday 2nd November 08:15
Everyone is going to have an opinion on this, but my experience is that even an R300D is more than can be effectively and safely used on the road at 10/10ths. I wasn't sure about this until I did ONE track day and realised just how much of a different world it is when you are able to get tyres up to temp (something that you just cannot do on the road) and can see lots of safe runoff at a corner. I will never get to that level on the road.
The only reason for more power than an R300D (imho) is straight line acceleration at higher speeds, which is just not that interesting for me on the road.
Having said all that, I would consider either an R300D or an R400D if I was looking for another Caterham. But, personally, I would avoid an R500 or 620 if my intention was road use. I know how tempting that right pedal is and I just don't want that power there when I experience a momentary lack of impulse control at the wrong moment.
Also, if this is your first Caterham, you will continue to find more and more performance as you get used to the car. First drives don't really give the full impression of the performance available. This comes after getting used to the car.
The only reason for more power than an R300D (imho) is straight line acceleration at higher speeds, which is just not that interesting for me on the road.
Having said all that, I would consider either an R300D or an R400D if I was looking for another Caterham. But, personally, I would avoid an R500 or 620 if my intention was road use. I know how tempting that right pedal is and I just don't want that power there when I experience a momentary lack of impulse control at the wrong moment.
Also, if this is your first Caterham, you will continue to find more and more performance as you get used to the car. First drives don't really give the full impression of the performance available. This comes after getting used to the car.
bdev said:
If you found an R400d slow on track you obviously must be a driving god and I would probably suggest a Levante V8.
Personally, I find an R300d quick enough on track to trouble most things at most circuits.
I think I'm not too bad at steering, thing is I've done a lot of racing in one form or another over 25 years and I'm used to a 200bhp sports bike on track so the same power in a car isn't that much.Personally, I find an R300d quick enough on track to trouble most things at most circuits.
A 1400cc Westfield megabusa will breeze past an R400d on a straight as it's got a little more power and a lot less weight. A supercharged Atom will fly by and these are track cars I've experienced. I would buy an Atom 300 but I don't enjoy the way they handle and I like a heater!
Anyway I didn't want to get into all this, I'm looking for a nice car rather than justifying what I want.
Edited by mike150 on Wednesday 2nd November 15:01
Good luck with your search. Hard to find a well sorted R400 D but if you do, it will be a great car. I've had mine since 2007 and love every drive in it on road and track. It seems to be a sweet spot at the interface of both missions.
Re spec - in addition to what you've already listed I would highly recommend race dampers, zzr tyres, a cage and the throttle body upgrade (takes power from 210 - 220, and adds a load more torque).
Re spec - in addition to what you've already listed I would highly recommend race dampers, zzr tyres, a cage and the throttle body upgrade (takes power from 210 - 220, and adds a load more torque).
I don't want a caged car, not worried about the dampers, and while the zzr's are better for the track the zzr's are better for the road. The old cr500's aren't great on track either, they don't stick all that well and just melt!
I would like the throttle bodies though. I'll see what turns up for sale.
I'd love a new car but funds would be stretched.
I would like the throttle bodies though. I'll see what turns up for sale.
I'd love a new car but funds would be stretched.
I've deleted my earlier post here after realising who the OP is. I really wouldn't want him in a quick Caterham anywhere near me after reading his willy waving stupidity in the BMW forum.......
......though I am beginning to suspect that his exploits lie more in fantasy than reality.
......though I am beginning to suspect that his exploits lie more in fantasy than reality.
REALIST123 said:
I've deleted my earlier post here after realising who the OP is. I really wouldn't want him in a quick Caterham anywhere near me after reading his willy waving stupidity in the BMW forum.......
......though I am beginning to suspect that his exploits lie more in fantasy than reality.
Charming.......though I am beginning to suspect that his exploits lie more in fantasy than reality.
You and me don't know each other. Suspect away.
I never thought asking for help finding a car could create hostilities.
mike150 said:
Charming.
You and me don't know each other. Suspect away.
I never thought asking for help finding a car could create hostilities.
That's a bit rich considering your hostile response to me on a Caterham thread earlier this year.You and me don't know each other. Suspect away.
I never thought asking for help finding a car could create hostilities.
You are obsessed with power. You claim to be able to ride a 200bhp bike hard yet admit you don't like riding in the wet.
You keep asking about cars on these threads yet never push the button.
And almost without exception you wind people up on whatever fora you post on on PH.
My advice to anyone thinking of responding to this guy on this thread is do not bother wasting your breath. And I too think he may not be quite the Ayrton Senna he claims to be.
Ok. So here's some serious advice Mike. Re-reading your posts over the last year it seems that you are reluctant to want to pay the prices being asked for cars nowadays. And yes, the cars you are looking for have actually risen in value. It surprised me too. And I put it down to the establishment of two canny players in the market - Chapman Cars and Sevens and Classics. Both established by ex Caterham Cars employees and both (IMHO) offering a superior service to Caterham Cars itself.
Between them they are hoovering up a lot of the good secondhand stock and offering good prices to buy, or SOR, cars. The result? Far fewer cars on the private market and these are the first people a private seller will go to if they want to sell.
So prices are high and choice is limited. The corollary of that is that one can buy with a degree of confidence that if one has to sell there'll be a good chance of getting your money back or even better. Especially if you've put it into a desirable model such as any of the Superlight models.
So bite the bullet, pay the price and get into the car you want. I know that if (when) I jump back in I'll be doing just that. You're clearly a huge Caterham fan and more power to your elbow on that.
Between them they are hoovering up a lot of the good secondhand stock and offering good prices to buy, or SOR, cars. The result? Far fewer cars on the private market and these are the first people a private seller will go to if they want to sell.
So prices are high and choice is limited. The corollary of that is that one can buy with a degree of confidence that if one has to sell there'll be a good chance of getting your money back or even better. Especially if you've put it into a desirable model such as any of the Superlight models.
So bite the bullet, pay the price and get into the car you want. I know that if (when) I jump back in I'll be doing just that. You're clearly a huge Caterham fan and more power to your elbow on that.
Thanks.
The problem is that I bought in hindsight, a cheap R400d, stupidly sold it due to wanting an R500d and an impending redundancy.
I now realise I loved the car but have never made the push to get another one + it's not easy as I'm remote and there are so few around anyway.
I did see the perfect R500 but I didn't like the price, someone else did. I regret that.
Your summation of Caterhams over inflated prices is spot on.
I hope you aren't still upset?
The problem is that I bought in hindsight, a cheap R400d, stupidly sold it due to wanting an R500d and an impending redundancy.
I now realise I loved the car but have never made the push to get another one + it's not easy as I'm remote and there are so few around anyway.
I did see the perfect R500 but I didn't like the price, someone else did. I regret that.
Your summation of Caterhams over inflated prices is spot on.
I hope you aren't still upset?
mike150 said:
Thanks.
The problem is that I bought in hindsight, a cheap R400d, stupidly sold it due to wanting an R500d and an impending redundancy.
I now realise I loved the car but have never made the push to get another one + it's not easy as I'm remote and there are so few around anyway.
I did see the perfect R500 but I didn't like the price, someone else did. I regret that.
Your summation of Caterhams over inflated prices is spot on.
I hope you aren't still upset?
I'm not upset and ironically I too had to sell my SLR when I was made redundant. The problem is that I bought in hindsight, a cheap R400d, stupidly sold it due to wanting an R500d and an impending redundancy.
I now realise I loved the car but have never made the push to get another one + it's not easy as I'm remote and there are so few around anyway.
I did see the perfect R500 but I didn't like the price, someone else did. I regret that.
Your summation of Caterhams over inflated prices is spot on.
I hope you aren't still upset?
Well after looking at a couple of R500's that didn't please me condition wise and test driving a 620s I've just ordered a new 420R.
I have a fear it may not be fast enough in time, conversely I had a fear a 620s was just going to feel like an animal to me as 90% of the time it will be used on the road plus I couldn't get my head around 50K for a 7. A lovely R500 would have been ideal. Maybe a 620s will be on a want list in a few year's but really a 420R is fine for road use.
Looking forward to getting it and the roads being dry.
I have a fear it may not be fast enough in time, conversely I had a fear a 620s was just going to feel like an animal to me as 90% of the time it will be used on the road plus I couldn't get my head around 50K for a 7. A lovely R500 would have been ideal. Maybe a 620s will be on a want list in a few year's but really a 420R is fine for road use.
Looking forward to getting it and the roads being dry.
13" - comfort, handling and looks
Uprated brakes
Leather seats - I find them the best
Full weather + aeroscreen
Lowered floors
Heater - keeps the legs warm anyway
Blackjack
Lastly 5 speed........I would have preferred the 6 speed but I fear the 6 is a bit close on ratios and the 5 is bit open so there's no perfect gearbox but the thing is the price, the 6 is not worth £2500, no way!!!
Uprated brakes
Leather seats - I find them the best
Full weather + aeroscreen
Lowered floors
Heater - keeps the legs warm anyway
Blackjack
Lastly 5 speed........I would have preferred the 6 speed but I fear the 6 is a bit close on ratios and the 5 is bit open so there's no perfect gearbox but the thing is the price, the 6 is not worth £2500, no way!!!
Edited by mike150 on Thursday 15th December 11:38
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