Help me choose a Caterham
Discussion
I've been chewing the fat for a while over whether to go Westie or Caterham... and I think the Caterham is winning out 
Thing is which one??
I'll be using the car mainly for road, but definitely some track days, and who knows if I really like TD's in it maybe the balance will go the other way. The road trips will be blats, rather than scenic slow potters, so an element of mania would be good
I have a 330BHP Type R Impreza which I drive 'high speed smooth', but would like a more raggable 'slower' and more fun experience, so nice balanced throttle on its tip toes stuff, rather than having to fight anything too much...
So I'm thinking maybe not a massive power output so it will be useable and can be pushed hard, along with a softer sprung set-up to soak up poor UK roads...??
Any input much appreciated
Thing is which one??
I'll be using the car mainly for road, but definitely some track days, and who knows if I really like TD's in it maybe the balance will go the other way. The road trips will be blats, rather than scenic slow potters, so an element of mania would be good
I have a 330BHP Type R Impreza which I drive 'high speed smooth', but would like a more raggable 'slower' and more fun experience, so nice balanced throttle on its tip toes stuff, rather than having to fight anything too much...
So I'm thinking maybe not a massive power output so it will be useable and can be pushed hard, along with a softer sprung set-up to soak up poor UK roads...??
Any input much appreciated
New or used? What budget do you have?
The answers to these questions will help, as will getting along to a local owners meet.
My Sigma 125 has a power to weight ratio of about 230 bhp per ton. To be honest I'd like something around 300 bhp per tonne but in 7 years of ownership I haven't got round to it.
Either way now you've decided on a Caterham yours is a nice dilemma to have...
I should add that suspension wise most find the car very compliant on the road. A friend couldn't believe how well sprung and damped my 7 was compared to their Z4.
The answers to these questions will help, as will getting along to a local owners meet.
My Sigma 125 has a power to weight ratio of about 230 bhp per ton. To be honest I'd like something around 300 bhp per tonne but in 7 years of ownership I haven't got round to it.
Either way now you've decided on a Caterham yours is a nice dilemma to have...
I should add that suspension wise most find the car very compliant on the road. A friend couldn't believe how well sprung and damped my 7 was compared to their Z4.
Edited by huwp on Friday 19th July 22:21
Your looking at a K-series car then realistically. If I were you, I'd be aiming at something with 160 - 200hp. Caterham did a number of standard spec cars in this range but all will be over your 15k budget. Better to go looking for a car that's been upgraded over the years to more bhp.
There is for instance a chap looking to sell over on blatchat a 2003 car that he's upgraded to 194hp I think. Don't know the car but the spec looks terrific and he's after £17k which seems a bargain. That one is an SV I think but at 6'2 unless you're portly with it, you will be OK in an s3 as long as it has the lowered floor option.
There is for instance a chap looking to sell over on blatchat a 2003 car that he's upgraded to 194hp I think. Don't know the car but the spec looks terrific and he's after £17k which seems a bargain. That one is an SV I think but at 6'2 unless you're portly with it, you will be OK in an s3 as long as it has the lowered floor option.
For your intended use, unless you're fat g*t you won't "need" an SV, but lowered floors would be preferable. Try to drive a few, particularly around 140 to 160bhp and also try to get some passenger rides on track ..... you'll be surprised at how quick a 140bhp car can shift on track and the rear drive makes it a proper driving experience.
bonesX said:
Oh, OK. Used then and hopefully under £15K
You say your's and others' suspension does a good job, I'm presuming this is IRS, but what dampers and spring combo, or are they a muchness?
Edit: one more thing, I'm 6'2 so maybe need the SV?
Just the De Dion at the back and adjustable (not that I've ever fiddled with it) wide-track suspension at the front. The wide-track comes as standard on the SV. I tried the S3 and the SV and those the latter. I know that the purists will scoff but I like the extra space especially when two up. I also think the SV feels more planted and less skittish.You say your's and others' suspension does a good job, I'm presuming this is IRS, but what dampers and spring combo, or are they a muchness?
Edit: one more thing, I'm 6'2 so maybe need the SV?
I'm 6' and 14 stone. Even at that modest height I wish I'd gone for lowered floors.
bonesX said:
Is a lowered floor the same as a 'flat floor' I have seen listed on some ad's?
No Lowered floor refers to the floor of the car ie:-you sit lower usually to get your head the required distance below the roll over bar/cage.
Flat floor means the suspension has been set up properly ie:-on the level to get balance correct.
bonesX said:
I've been chewing the fat for a while over whether to go Westie or Caterham... and I think the Caterham is winning out
Thing is which one??
I'll be using the car mainly for road, but definitely some track days, and who knows if I really like TD's in it maybe the balance will go the other way. The road trips will be blats, rather than scenic slow potters, so an element of mania would be good
I have a 330BHP Type R Impreza which I drive 'high speed smooth', but would like a more raggable 'slower' and more fun experience, so nice balanced throttle on its tip toes stuff, rather than having to fight anything too much...
So I'm thinking maybe not a massive power output so it will be useable and can be pushed hard, along with a softer sprung set-up to soak up poor UK roads...??
Any input much appreciated
Where are you based? I'm happy to put you in touch with the Area Organized of the Lotus 7 Club nearest to you so you can go along and get some more advice.Thing is which one??
I'll be using the car mainly for road, but definitely some track days, and who knows if I really like TD's in it maybe the balance will go the other way. The road trips will be blats, rather than scenic slow potters, so an element of mania would be good
I have a 330BHP Type R Impreza which I drive 'high speed smooth', but would like a more raggable 'slower' and more fun experience, so nice balanced throttle on its tip toes stuff, rather than having to fight anything too much...
So I'm thinking maybe not a massive power output so it will be useable and can be pushed hard, along with a softer sprung set-up to soak up poor UK roads...??
Any input much appreciated
Huw
I've just had a day in the 180bhp Supersport R so might be able to shed some light.
I'd previously driven 2 newish Caterhams with 140bhp and great fun they were - I felt they lacked power when pushed, hence trying the more powerful Supersport R.
To be honest - and especially with your normal car being quite fast - you'd probably feel the same way I did about the 180bhp car. It's quick - you can definitely feel the extra power over the 140bhp cars - but the acceleration still isn't enough, and the difference is nowhere near what I thought it would be.
I would say about 210bhp should be the perfect balance between being fast enough to keep you smiling - and not insane enough to make it unusable. I know I should be quoting torque and not BHP but I tend to organise the cars in my head by the BHP for some reason!
Hope this helps!
I'd previously driven 2 newish Caterhams with 140bhp and great fun they were - I felt they lacked power when pushed, hence trying the more powerful Supersport R.
To be honest - and especially with your normal car being quite fast - you'd probably feel the same way I did about the 180bhp car. It's quick - you can definitely feel the extra power over the 140bhp cars - but the acceleration still isn't enough, and the difference is nowhere near what I thought it would be.
I would say about 210bhp should be the perfect balance between being fast enough to keep you smiling - and not insane enough to make it unusable. I know I should be quoting torque and not BHP but I tend to organise the cars in my head by the BHP for some reason!
Hope this helps!
carpmaster said:
I've just had a day in the 180bhp Supersport R so might be able to shed some light.
I'd previously driven 2 newish Caterhams with 140bhp and great fun they were - I felt they lacked power when pushed, hence trying the more powerful Supersport R.
To be honest - and especially with your normal car being quite fast - you'd probably feel the same way I did about the 180bhp car. It's quick - you can definitely feel the extra power over the 140bhp cars - but the acceleration still isn't enough, and the difference is nowhere near what I thought it would be.
I would say about 210bhp should be the perfect balance between being fast enough to keep you smiling - and not insane enough to make it unusable. I know I should be quoting torque and not BHP but I tend to organise the cars in my head by the BHP for some reason!
Hope this helps!
Thanks, it does help - in some ways - the rub is 210BHP comes at quite a price I'd previously driven 2 newish Caterhams with 140bhp and great fun they were - I felt they lacked power when pushed, hence trying the more powerful Supersport R.
To be honest - and especially with your normal car being quite fast - you'd probably feel the same way I did about the 180bhp car. It's quick - you can definitely feel the extra power over the 140bhp cars - but the acceleration still isn't enough, and the difference is nowhere near what I thought it would be.
I would say about 210bhp should be the perfect balance between being fast enough to keep you smiling - and not insane enough to make it unusable. I know I should be quoting torque and not BHP but I tend to organise the cars in my head by the BHP for some reason!
Hope this helps!
But hang on. 210 in a 520Kg car is almost 400BHP/ton. My Type R works out to ~248/ton and that is pretty quick...
bonesX said:
carpmaster said:
I've just had a day in the 180bhp Supersport R so might be able to shed some light.
I'd previously driven 2 newish Caterhams with 140bhp and great fun they were - I felt they lacked power when pushed, hence trying the more powerful Supersport R.
To be honest - and especially with your normal car being quite fast - you'd probably feel the same way I did about the 180bhp car. It's quick - you can definitely feel the extra power over the 140bhp cars - but the acceleration still isn't enough, and the difference is nowhere near what I thought it would be.
I would say about 210bhp should be the perfect balance between being fast enough to keep you smiling - and not insane enough to make it unusable. I know I should be quoting torque and not BHP but I tend to organise the cars in my head by the BHP for some reason!
Hope this helps!
Thanks, it does help - in some ways - the rub is 210BHP comes at quite a price I'd previously driven 2 newish Caterhams with 140bhp and great fun they were - I felt they lacked power when pushed, hence trying the more powerful Supersport R.
To be honest - and especially with your normal car being quite fast - you'd probably feel the same way I did about the 180bhp car. It's quick - you can definitely feel the extra power over the 140bhp cars - but the acceleration still isn't enough, and the difference is nowhere near what I thought it would be.
I would say about 210bhp should be the perfect balance between being fast enough to keep you smiling - and not insane enough to make it unusable. I know I should be quoting torque and not BHP but I tend to organise the cars in my head by the BHP for some reason!
Hope this helps!
But hang on. 210 in a 520Kg car is almost 400BHP/ton. My Type R works out to ~248/ton and that is pretty quick...
bonesX said:
Thanks, it does help - in some ways - the rub is 210BHP comes at quite a price
But hang on. 210 in a 520Kg car is almost 400BHP/ton. My Type R works out to ~248/ton and that is pretty quick...
I think even a lower powered 7 would feel quick even compared to your Impreza.But hang on. 210 in a 520Kg car is almost 400BHP/ton. My Type R works out to ~248/ton and that is pretty quick...
I felt like I was absolutely flying in my Caterham on my local track, it felt so much quicker than my Megane 250 or my dad's STI 330S, but actually the laptimes were very similar.
It's more about the experience and the feel of the thing than outright speed which makes it fun. I get a real kick out of catching people up in the corners in the 7 and having to push myself past them, while in the Megane I can just blast past them on the straights. The Caterham is far more satisfying drive.
In speaking with sales chap Anthony from Caterham the other day, he said a lowered floor can be retro fitted (they would want £450 to carry out the work), and for a comparable speed car to my 330BHP Subaru's the car would need ~160BHP and a 6-speed 'box
I'm attending my 'local meet' this Tuesday, so am hoping to get some hands on experience
I'm attending my 'local meet' this Tuesday, so am hoping to get some hands on experience
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