Roadsport 140/175 vs Supersport/R300

[malteaser]

Hi everyone,

having owned a Westfield Megabusa in the past, I am now interested in getting myself a Caterham 7. the car will mainly be used for road use in Malta (maximum 1 or 2 hour drives in the sun with no roof) and then for the occassional hillclimb/track day (maybe once a month).

I have shortlisted either a Roadsport 140/175, or a Supersport/ R300. I much prefer the Supersport/ R300 look with added windscreen, leather seats, heater and carpeted interior.

What differences would you see in a Supersport/R300 with these added features VS a Roadsport 140/175 for my intended use - mainly road use?

And once you have helped me on the Roadsport vs Superlight option, which engine would you suggest? with the Sigma 140 give me more than enough power for fun road use or is it worth the extra cash to go for the Duratec?

how will 5speed vs 6 speed affect driveability on the road and how much would ti help for hillcimbs/track days?

thanks for your feedback!

[downsman]

With such short journeys and competition in mind I think the 6 speed box is a good idea. You're not going to be cruising for hours on a motorway!

In fact you're not going to need the screen/doors, heater on Malta and you won't want them for the trackday/hillclimb.

So it comes down to Supersport v R300- how much power do you want/need?

One thing worth considering is the Sigma engined cars have more ground clearance than the Duratec as it is a taller engine.

By the way, I own a Roadsport 125 with weather gear, heater and 5 speed box, and I'm very happy. It rains here and it get's very cold

[Dr Slotter]

I reckon a R300 would be spot on for your use. IMHO there is no point adding that stuff, maybe a heater in the UK, to the Superlights, you should just pay for a 6-speed box in a Roadsport. For reference, I have a RS175.

What's your budget? New or used? Any import limitations into Malta?

[malteaser]

Thanks for the feedback!

@Downsman - i agree the Sigma engine has more clearance and probably more than enough power for the little Maltse roads. You more or less read my mind and I am now set in choosing between Supersport or R300 but I want a windscreen since i dont feel like bugs or stones in my face tbo.

@Dr Slotter - as I said I prefer the look of the Superlights and it would actually cost more to get a RS175 with black pack, LSD, 6 speed, 13 inch wheels , carbon dash, quick release steering, etc....

I am happy to find a good new second hand Cat. Unfortunately Supersport is still quite new so easier to find R300 Duratecs.

And yes Malta has an emmission tax for importing cars and I was shocked at how high the CO2 emmissions on Caterhams was. A 2.0 Duratec with 175bhp has higher emmissions than. 3.2 Porsche Boxster engine with 320bhp..... Strange

[downsman]

malteaser said:

And yes Malta has an emmission tax for importing cars and I was shocked at how high the CO2 emmissions on Caterhams was. A 2.0 Duratec with 175bhp has higher emmissions than. 3.2 Porsche Boxster engine with 320bhp..... Strange

I suspect than the higher figures are purely because all the major car companies are spending millions adjusting their cars to perform extremely well in the EU tests. However, in real life their figures are impossible to match.

The Fiat 500 Twinair is tax exempt in the UK at 99 g/km CO2,but I have read that people who have driven the car on the road are struggling to get 40mpg.
My Sigma has returned 39mpg over 1400 miles covered pretty quickly in 3 days

[K800 RUM]

Would that be Eastbourne to John O'groates & home?

downsman said:

I suspect than the higher figures are purely because all the major car companies are spending millions adjusting their cars to perform extremely well in the EU tests. However, in real life their figures are impossible to match.

The Fiat 500 Twinair is tax exempt in the UK at 99 g/km CO2,but I have read that people who have driven the car on the road are struggling to get 40mpg.
My Sigma has returned 39mpg over 1400 miles covered pretty quickly in 3 days