Which Caterham should I buy?

[Messer]

Getting a bit confused as to what model is what with the Caterham. I'm looking for something for road and track, 150hp upward, LSD.

Was thinking of looking for a Superlite, but then there are road sports, supersport, tracksport and different motors in each.

Really a fan of the K series in these so trying to stick to a K unless told otherwise.

Checking the usual PH classifieds, ebay etc for something but can't find info on the differences between models..

Any pointers please

[carphotographer]

I'd recommend buying the book The Magnificent 7 by Chris Rees, lists or the models and specs.

If you can find a Superlight with in your budget - buy it. Probably one of the best spec 7's around. 135BHP ( Supersport engine )
6 speed, lightened flywheel, AP racing clutch, 6 speed, LSD, adjustable ARB, adjustable suspension, wide track, 'big brakes', carbon front and rear wings, nose cone, facia, sub 500kg weight.

[Green George]

I second carphotographer about buying a Superlight. In my opinion they are a real sweet spot for 7's with the right spec and considerably cheaper than R300's.

I am biased as I own #106; if you are anywhere near Hemel Hempstead I would happiliy show you over mine.

In any case, it is worth reading what EVO magazine had to say in their Caterham celebration piece on 24th September 2010. What is your budget?

Edited by Green George on Sunday 16th April 21:48

[Darumvej]

Depends on budget, k series R300 are fetching very good prices, as is Superlight R's.

You may find an upgraded 7 at a better price, Caterham did a Supersport R engine upgrade same as the R300 @ 160bhp.

[subirg]

R400 Duratec if you can find one.

[battered]

You want a K, so get one. The K series problems have been sorted now, they are good engines. I'd say don't worry about the model, buy on condition and spec. Most of these are old cars now, minimum 15yo. A Caterham that has been neglected for that long can be buggered. In addition many, maybe most, are modified. I would take a good 1.6 with aftermarket mods to 150 over a neglected R300 all day. Look out also for ancillaries, a 6 speed and LSD and big brakes will cost about 3k parts only plus fiiting., Better to buy the spec you want than chase it.

[Messer]

Thanks, I just bought a copy of that book so thanks to all for the tip.

Budget wise, dunno, probably about 17k ish I'd suspect..

[battered]

You get the best of the best at that. I sold mine 10yrs ago and good is were 9-15k then. I know prices are up but 17k is a lot of money for a car over 10yo.

[Messer]

Well if I can spend less I definitely will!! I was hoping for a superlight R originally..

[battered]

Well, the SLR was always a halo model at the time so be prepared to put your hand in your pocket. If you are going down that road then imagine you are comfortable with the bare bones no heater no screen no carpets end of the spec? Too many people think they are and then want carpet, heater, tart's window box, at which point they should have bought a supersport with a screen and weather gear. More car for less money.

[Messer]

Yeh, should be fine - had a stripped out Westfield a long time back and have my lancia for when the weather is not as warm.

This is for summer evenings and track days really

[BertBert]

If you are in the south, you could talk to Sevens and Classics, they are good guys and look like they specialise in the k-series era.
http://www.sevensandclassics.com/showroom/
Bert

[Green George]

Seven and Classics have a Superlight for sale at £18995 still shows available on their website, but I think PistonHeads show it as sold now. They also have a SLR in green at £20995, which seems quite a good price for one (dependant on condition and history). I have always found them to be very nice, knowledgeable people and wouldn't hesitate to go to them.

[Oysterman]

Green George said:

I second carphotographer about buying a Superlight. In my opinion they are a real sweet spot for 7's with the right spec and considerably cheaper than R300's.

I am biased as I own #106; if you are anywhere near Hemel Hempstead I would happiliy show you over mine.

In any case, it is worth reading what EVO magazine had to say in their Caterham celebration piece on 24th September 2010. What is your budget?

Edited by Green George on Sunday 16th April 21:48

Just pulled that edition from the collection ,can't find any "celebration piece" edition no 147 or do you mean one of the extra editions that was published ?

[rubystone]

Green George said:

Seven and Classics have a Superlight for sale at £18995 still shows available on their website, but I think PistonHeads show it as sold now. They also have a SLR in green at £20995, which seems quite a good price for one (dependant on condition and history). I have always found them to be very nice, knowledgeable people and wouldn't hesitate to go to them.

SLR seems cheap. Is it a genuine SLR or just SLR spec?

[Green George]

rubystone said:

SLR seems cheap. Is it a genuine SLR or just SLR spec?

Apparently genuine, to quote the advert "This was one of the very first and was owned by Caterham Cars as a demonstrator and courtesy cars for the first 2 years of its life. When it was sold to the general public in 2000 Caterham rebuilt the engine, since then it has covered just 14,000 miles". It doesn't have a plaque in the usual place but the dashboard is very shiny and looks like it has either been re-finished or replaced at some point. Very nice looking car which is priced about £2k - £3k less than I have seen them going for recently.

[Green George]

Oysterman said:

Just pulled that edition from the collection ,can't find any "celebration piece" edition no 147 or do you mean one of the extra editions that was published ?

It was an article in their normal magazine. I may have got the date wrong, and unhelpfully cannot find the article although this is what it said "Described by many as the sweetest 7; This is what EVO magazine had to say in their Caterham celebration piece (I thought on) on 24th September 2010:

"Caterham Superlight - Hard to believe now, but the Rover K-series engine was slow to catch on. It was a perfect match for the Seven, being small, light and efficient, but it didn’t have the grunt or growl of the long-established carb-fed Ford engines, still available for less money. In the end it was frustration that helped unlock its potential and cement its appeal. Having slogged to get the catalysed K and the Vauxhall-powered cars through low-volume type approval so that they could be sold fully built, Caterham found there were desperately few takers. And when the R&D department came up with a suppler, more cosseting suspension set-up to make the Seven more habitable and useable (blame the arrival of the smooth-riding Elise), we and others hated it and asked what the point was – a Seven should be a thrill, that’s its job.

Stung by the criticism, Caterham came up with the Superlight in less than a week by simply adding lightness. Everything that didn’t add to the driving experience was discarded, including the heater, screen and wipers, carpets and paint. Everything that could be made lighter was, so the car got a carbonfibre nosecone, wings and seats. To enhance its dynamics it was fitted with wide-track front suspension, a slippy diff, vented front discs and Formula Ford ACB10 tyres. Best of all, it had the 1.6-litre K-series in 138bhp Supersport trim, mated to a six-speed ’box. With an all-up weight of 468kg, that meant 300bhp per ton. All the usual options were offered, but like snacks in a weight-watchers’ clinic they were listed in both £ and kg; paint cost 2kg.

Here was the Seven experience stripped bare, purified and concentrated, but with a wonderfully crisp, light feel. Back in ’96 it was easily the best Seven I’d ever driven and all these years later its appeal is undimmed. It feels right just trundling down to the holding area at Cadwell Park, the ride supple, the lack of inertia apparent right from the get-go. It’s owner, Steve Creggs, reckons it’s a bit down on power, but with rain now coming down and plump, lightly treaded trackday tyres, that doesn’t matter. It’s a complete joy, the delicacy and the poise evident even with so little grip to lean against, the sweetness of the drivetrain shining through. And the sensation of being a part of the car has never been stronger".

EVO concluded "Given that the Seven has aged better than Cliff Richard, it shouldn’t be a surprise that some of the greatest models have stood the test of time. After all, the basic front-engined, rear-drive layout is unchanged and the weight has hovered around 500kg, so it mainly comes down to the mix of attributes. Of the Sevens we’ve driven here, the JPE stands out as a real keeper. It feels competitive with the fastest models produced today, it’s genuinely exotic and there are limited numbers out there. It won’t be easy to find one as
most were exported, many of them to Japan, but it’ll be worth it.

I’m still drawn to the original Superlight, though. With pretty much all the weight-saving features of the JPE, the sweet-spinning 1.6 K-series and all the most desirable extras, it is a perfectly formed Seven. It has historical significance, too, being the grandaddy of all Superlight Rs. But mainly I want one because it’s so good to drive".

[Green George]

Oysterman said:

Just pulled that edition from the collection ,can't find any "celebration piece" edition no 147 or do you mean one of the extra editions that was published ?

Found a copy on their website: http://www.evo.co.uk/caterham/7/11561/seven-sevens...

[carphotographer]

Glad it's not just me who keeps magazines....
In the words of John Barker Performance Car Magazine Oct 1996. " This car is stunning. The way it goes, turns and stops takes your breath away. The throttle response is phenomenal, the match of many big bikes . The limits of the Superlight feel as high as a car with wings and slicks . When you need them the brakes are outrageously responsive and effective" . and he goes on and on.

Stephen Sutcliffe wrote in Autocar " So then you put your foot down . To find out the precise difference between the Superlight's 293 BHP/tonne and the 226bhp/tonne of the regular Supersport. And bang in every gear the Superlight is savagely quicker. In sixth it picks up as quickly from 40mph as the Supersport does in forth...........

I didn't actually realise how special the car was when I brought mine ( 007 ) and mines been tinkered with by Minister to produce around 160BHP

[super7]

I always wondered who was lucky enough to get car no 007!!

I ordered mine on the day that autocar came out with the launch of the original superlight.... you must have just beaten me too it as mine was no 008. Got the mag at MK station and ordered the car the minute I got to work and missed out by 1. Bummer.

The best Caterham ever sold!