Owning a Caterham without owning a spanner

[Esceptico]

Have people owned a Caterham despite not having knowledge or intention of doing car mechanics? I’ve owned lots of cars and bikes, even a couple of classics and have never had to get my hands dirty (and only suffered a handful of breakdowns in 30 years and few problems requiring visits to garages beyond annual servicing). I do live fairly close to a specialist that should be able t look after it. But will I be needing their services often?

[Mort7]

Depends on the car. My K-Series gets a full service and a top to bottom check once a year, and has been OK.

[the av8er]

You can't get more basic than a caterham.
It's like a skateboard with an engine.
The package in any form is great fun to drive.
If the main components were all new or top condition used when the car was built, and the car has been maintained and not abused, this will be very evident when you view a car.
There is then very little to go wrong. You can drive it as hard as you like but must at the same time treat it with care.
If you do this , you will have no problems.

[Far Cough]

If you only bring it out on high days and holidays then you'll be fine. Use it as intended with trackwork and you'll need to do basic stuff. They are not difficult to work on.

[Noel7]

One thing to think about, is sometimes things can work their way loose occasionally. A spanner check now and again is never a bad thing. But you could get the specialist to do this.

[subirg]

Yes it’s possible and I did it for a years. But over time, i couldn’t resist the urge to get in there and start doing stuff myself. Some of it was cosmetic reasons, sometimes upgrades etc. Now I like to mess around with it just because I can. Winter maintenance is a great pleasure when I go over the car in fine detail. Put it on stands, spanner check everything. Just general stuff. I just really enjoy it. I still use a garage for anything major as well as the annual service. In my view, some mild spannering just adds to the ownership experience and anyone can do it. You don’t need to be some F1 ace mechanic - they are so simple and easy to work on.

[SidewaysSi]

Been driving Caterhams for many years and have zero time for working on my cars. Little interest either as I much rather be out driving.

Give it to a a specialist for an annual service and it's absolutely fine. Nothing had ever gone wrong.

I know many Caterham owners like to work on their cars but I don't and treat it like any other car and it's fine.

I have a 2002 K Series Superlight so not new either.

[nunuk]

I have to admit that i didn't knew where i was getting into the moment i got my 485. Never liked or had any need to play mechanics. I have mine since last November, and i was very disappointed to see that i even couldn't change my harnesses, even i thought that was going to be the easiest thing to do... when i didn't know i would have to dismantle the seats from under the car, and the FIA bar to be able to change the screws, a nightmare for someone with two right hands and being left handed. First issue i had was the speed sensor shaft, which i also couldn't fix&weld by myself. Now i'm probably gonna have to change the speed sensor itself (sometimes the engine does ot want to go over 6000rpm without notice), so again to the garage... Things i easily do, measuring oil level and adding some of it, and emptying the oil expansion recipient, i learned that the hard way, just to avoid the spillings on the floor of my parking place.

But hey, driving it is a hell of an experience!

[braddo]

Esceptico said:

Have people owned a Caterham despite not having knowledge or intention of doing car mechanics?

I'm another one. The theory of doing the mechanic stuff appeals to me and I read with interest and a little envy at what a lot of people can do on their own, but I have come to learn that without the space, tools, time and ability, even doing a small job can be frustrating and I would much rather spend my time driving than tinkering. Older cars with seized and corroded bits can really drain all the fun out of it too.

So off to the specialist it goes. They get it done better and more quickly than I can.

That said, I am soon to have a go at changing the rear dampers on my car. That may just be a quick diversion before I send the car to a specialist to have it done.

[Amris]

I would say depends on age and if you are going to track it. An older car being tracked might see the odd trackside issue. But for road use I would never worry.

[85Carrera]

Esceptico said:

Have people owned a Caterham despite not having knowledge or intention of doing car mechanics? I’ve owned lots of cars and bikes, even a couple of classics and have never had to get my hands dirty (and only suffered a handful of breakdowns in 30 years and few problems requiring visits to garages beyond annual servicing). I do live fairly close to a specialist that should be able t look after it. But will I be needing their services often?

Take it to an independent rather than Caterham if you don’t want to be ripped off

[coppice]

I did 100k miles, including 4 or 5 track days a year , in two Sevens over 20 years without tears , despite regarding changing a wheel , battery or bulb as the outer limits of my spannering skill . Lots of people love to work on their cars , often are very good at it and regard the work as part of the whole experience . I didn't - it bores me silly and I'm rubbish at it , far preferring to drive the thing

. A good independent garage and observant eyes , ears and seat of pants meant I only failed to proceed three times - ran out of gas ( my fault) . poltergeist in the electrics and a split fuel tank (both Caterham's fault ).

I confess I had a mental block about such a tiny , old fashioned car being tough enough for long trips - but after my first 500mile day I was cured .

[framerateuk]

I had no real knowledge of working on cars before getting the Caterham.

I'm technically minded and generally have a go at most things, prior to owning the Caterham the most I had done was change the piston seals on a set of Brembo calipers. (Other than that - nothing more complicated than changing the brake pads, brake fluid, and oil).

It helps to have a few tools, but I take it to a local garage to get most work done.

I did change the seal on the rocker cover a few years back when it started to leak. But ended up having to take it to the garage anyway as there are a few bits on the sigma cover which need some sealant on them - something the Ford instructions don't mention, it's useful to have someone in know to look at things sometimes!

It's handy to have some spanners a socket set though, I always keep a roll up bag of the basics in the 7.