Caterham Gatwick
Discussion
Only sitting in a variety of models (S3, SV, lowered floors, different seats and pedal positions) will let you determine which is right for you, as different people's bodies are tall in different places!
Be sure to sit in them with a passenger (if that's how you'll use it) and wearing suitably warm clothing layers.
Also what you intend using it for may affect your choice:
Touring and country drives with a passenger, you may appreciate the greater shoulder room in an SV, and the passenger may not need to keep their arms in together so you can change gear easily.
Single driver only on Track Days then maybe an S3 will fit better, but be sure to check the roll bar helmet clearance (ideally top of helmet at least 50mm below roll bar).
I'd second the advice above about trying the independents (some of whom will build you a new car as well if you wish). In no particular order:
Sevens & Classics at Brands Hatch www.sevensandclassics.com
Chapman Cars near Sevenoaks www.chapmancars.co.uk
PT Sports Cars www.ptsportscars.com
There are also other individuals and businesses who will build a new car for you to order.
Be sure to sit in them with a passenger (if that's how you'll use it) and wearing suitably warm clothing layers.
Also what you intend using it for may affect your choice:
Touring and country drives with a passenger, you may appreciate the greater shoulder room in an SV, and the passenger may not need to keep their arms in together so you can change gear easily.
Single driver only on Track Days then maybe an S3 will fit better, but be sure to check the roll bar helmet clearance (ideally top of helmet at least 50mm below roll bar).
I'd second the advice above about trying the independents (some of whom will build you a new car as well if you wish). In no particular order:
Sevens & Classics at Brands Hatch www.sevensandclassics.com
Chapman Cars near Sevenoaks www.chapmancars.co.uk
PT Sports Cars www.ptsportscars.com
There are also other individuals and businesses who will build a new car for you to order.
Another vote for PT
I went to Caterham Gatwick twice and they couldn't have been more useless
The two cars I wanted to drive they wouldn't let me, then I talked about a second hand 620r and the salesman said it was and I repeat "a bit agricultural!"
Off I went to PT and they Ian the owner took me out in a 620 let me drive and a deal was done
I bought my first Caterham from the original showroom in Caterham and they couldn't have been more helpful but this lot are a shower. Take your money elsewhere I would suggest
I went to Caterham Gatwick twice and they couldn't have been more useless
The two cars I wanted to drive they wouldn't let me, then I talked about a second hand 620r and the salesman said it was and I repeat "a bit agricultural!"
Off I went to PT and they Ian the owner took me out in a 620 let me drive and a deal was done
I bought my first Caterham from the original showroom in Caterham and they couldn't have been more helpful but this lot are a shower. Take your money elsewhere I would suggest
Rob747 said:
For a bit of balance I bought a Superlight 20 from Gatwick in Nov and they couldn't have been more helpful.
James Wilson was the salesman, very knowledgeable and professional I thought.
I live close by so popped in, tried it and was hooked straight away. I'm 6ft and skinny and fit no problem but my car has lowered floors. I tried one without and steering wheel/knee clearance was an issue.
You won't get any money off the sticker price but if you ask nicely they'll chuck in some freebies.
Another thumbs up for James Wilson. I posted an enquiry on the Caterham website with various questions to help me decide between build myself or buy new/second hand.James Wilson was the salesman, very knowledgeable and professional I thought.
I live close by so popped in, tried it and was hooked straight away. I'm 6ft and skinny and fit no problem but my car has lowered floors. I tried one without and steering wheel/knee clearance was an issue.
You won't get any money off the sticker price but if you ask nicely they'll chuck in some freebies.
Didn't hear anything for a week or two and then James called me one afternoon and must have spent half an hour chatting to me about the various options, support and so on. Couldn't have been more helpful.
Went down to see them on Saturday, so just to give an update.
Found them to be very helpful, took me out in a 360r as a passenger, great car.
To be honest, as they had three 360Rs with similar spec and age I was hoping a deal could be done, but apparently not. No negotiation, sticker price or nothing.
Ralph was the name of the salesman, very friendly, as was the other guy in the showroom and the receptionist. Glad I went out there to have a look.
Found them to be very helpful, took me out in a 360r as a passenger, great car.
To be honest, as they had three 360Rs with similar spec and age I was hoping a deal could be done, but apparently not. No negotiation, sticker price or nothing.
Ralph was the name of the salesman, very friendly, as was the other guy in the showroom and the receptionist. Glad I went out there to have a look.
Sounds like Caterham. They're up their own arse. I gave up on them years ago. I bought a brand new R300 off them. Then when I was interested in a CSR, it was a hell of a game to get a drive in one, even though I was flying in from another country especially.
I ended up just turning up, and I managed to get a drive in a very shabby ex press car.
Then when we started talking about options, they wouldn't do a spare wheel carrier. "Sorry it's not an option". I walked away. I can't deal with a
holes like that.
It seems they still have the "someone will walk in behind you and buy a car" attitude.
I ended up just turning up, and I managed to get a drive in a very shabby ex press car.
Then when we started talking about options, they wouldn't do a spare wheel carrier. "Sorry it's not an option". I walked away. I can't deal with a
holes like that.It seems they still have the "someone will walk in behind you and buy a car" attitude.
I have found Caterham south to be superb.
From the initial order two years ago to sorting out the recent warranty issues which required a four day trip to get the car taken to Gatwick and the same again dropping it off.
Ralph and Michaela have both been great, absolutely no complaints from me
From the initial order two years ago to sorting out the recent warranty issues which required a four day trip to get the car taken to Gatwick and the same again dropping it off.
Ralph and Michaela have both been great, absolutely no complaints from me
Another thumbs up for Ralph and James at Caterham, polite, knowledgable and helpful. Bought one of the 360r’s mentioned above with a very fair trade in on my 310r. Didnt get a reduction in asking price but wasnt expecting one either. I have always found Caterham helpful over the years, you just have to remember not to try and compare them with the local BMW garage.
Went from an SV which at 5’11” and 90kg was very comfortable to an S3 with lowered floors which has turned out better than expected, only compromise is narrow shoes required, quite like the snugger fit.
And the 360 is MUCH faster than the 310 and much nicer to drive round town, goodbye to shunting and kangarooing which i felt trally spoiled then310
Went from an SV which at 5’11” and 90kg was very comfortable to an S3 with lowered floors which has turned out better than expected, only compromise is narrow shoes required, quite like the snugger fit.
And the 360 is MUCH faster than the 310 and much nicer to drive round town, goodbye to shunting and kangarooing which i felt trally spoiled then310
sjl1 said:
Another thumbs up for Ralph and James at Caterham, polite, knowledgable and helpful. Bought one of the 360r’s mentioned above with a very fair trade in on my 310r. Didnt get a reduction in asking price but wasnt expecting one either. I have always found Caterham helpful over the years, you just have to remember not to try and compare them with the local BMW garage.
Went from an SV which at 5’11” and 90kg was very comfortable to an S3 with lowered floors which has turned out better than expected, only compromise is narrow shoes required, quite like the snugger fit.
And the 360 is MUCH faster than the 310 and much nicer to drive round town, goodbye to shunting and kangarooing which i felt trally spoiled then310
Went from an SV which at 5’11” and 90kg was very comfortable to an S3 with lowered floors which has turned out better than expected, only compromise is narrow shoes required, quite like the snugger fit.
And the 360 is MUCH faster than the 310 and much nicer to drive round town, goodbye to shunting and kangarooing which i felt trally spoiled then310
Why do you think the 360 is better than the 310 in terms of kangaroo games etc?
Thought I would have a quick word at this point. I bought a new 360 S SV from caterham towards the end of last year, The car was terrible to drive, very bad shunting no matter how careful you were with the clutch. Excessive clonking and terrible transmission noise. I was forced to sell the car with only 200 miles on the clock. Caterham did not want to take the car back at all,(at any price) and in the end I lost a significant amount (£8000) of money by selling to another dealer.
Just a work of caution, win some loose some!. If the caterham did not have the clonking and transmission noise problems it would be a great car to drive and probably is to those who track the car or can overlook the inherent problems.
Just a work of caution, win some loose some!. If the caterham did not have the clonking and transmission noise problems it would be a great car to drive and probably is to those who track the car or can overlook the inherent problems.
Roblot said:
Thought I would have a quick word at this point. I bought a new 360 S SV from caterham towards the end of last year, The car was terrible to drive, very bad shunting no matter how careful you were with the clutch. Excessive clonking and terrible transmission noise. I was forced to sell the car with only 200 miles on the clock. Caterham did not want to take the car back at all,(at any price) and in the end I lost a significant amount (£8000) of money by selling to another dealer.
Just a work of caution, win some loose some!. If the caterham did not have the clonking and transmission noise problems it would be a great car to drive and probably is to those who track the car or can overlook the inherent problems.
They all do that sir. You get used to it the more you drive it.Just a work of caution, win some loose some!. If the caterham did not have the clonking and transmission noise problems it would be a great car to drive and probably is to those who track the car or can overlook the inherent problems.
Roblot said:
Thought I would have a quick word at this point. I bought a new 360 S SV from caterham towards the end of last year, The car was terrible to drive, very bad shunting no matter how careful you were with the clutch. Excessive clonking and terrible transmission noise. I was forced to sell the car with only 200 miles on the clock. Caterham did not want to take the car back at all,(at any price) and in the end I lost a significant amount (£8000) of money by selling to another dealer.
Just a work of caution, win some loose some!. If the caterham did not have the clonking and transmission noise problems it would be a great car to drive and probably is to those who track the car or can overlook the inherent problems.
This is why I asked. They all do it and I wondered why a Duratec engined car might be perceived to be better than a Sigma. Just a work of caution, win some loose some!. If the caterham did not have the clonking and transmission noise problems it would be a great car to drive and probably is to those who track the car or can overlook the inherent problems.
To be honest, I’ve grown used to mine. It’s only an issue if you try to be aggressive on a bumpy road. I manage fine on the road and it’s never noticed on a track.
Duratec has more low down torque and i suspect a heavier flywheel and consequently less jumpy at low speeds, 310r was bad but has improved after requests to caterham to fettle it, 360r much much better. My precious 135bhp 1.6k series with ligjt flywheel also kangarood but only of the lights in first gear, 310r much worse. Noise wise bothe the 310 and the 360 share the mazda gbox and were similarly noisy on the overrun, the 360 possibly quieter but both definitely rattles and fizzed on overrun in 4th.
Its a big shame to have bought a new car and experienced these issues to the point of having to sell the car, guess you have to be aware of the cars characteristics before purchase, perhaps with a decent test drive. If you trawl blatchat i think there are a lot of comments about the sigma being jumpy at low speeds due to low torque compared with Duratec.
To be fair to Caterham, when i bought the 360, James let me have a decent test drive which allowed me to check it drove as i hoped and didnt have any issues.
And lastly, the 310r wasnt a bad car, very revvy and a real blast up to the redline, a fast car and generally a pleasure to drive. But the 360r has lots more low down grunt and find myself backing off before redline to avoid trouble, a very fast car, but im sure upgradeitis will arrive soon enough
Its a big shame to have bought a new car and experienced these issues to the point of having to sell the car, guess you have to be aware of the cars characteristics before purchase, perhaps with a decent test drive. If you trawl blatchat i think there are a lot of comments about the sigma being jumpy at low speeds due to low torque compared with Duratec.
To be fair to Caterham, when i bought the 360, James let me have a decent test drive which allowed me to check it drove as i hoped and didnt have any issues.
And lastly, the 310r wasnt a bad car, very revvy and a real blast up to the redline, a fast car and generally a pleasure to drive. But the 360r has lots more low down grunt and find myself backing off before redline to avoid trouble, a very fast car, but im sure upgradeitis will arrive soon enough
As a complete novice to the world of Caterham Sevens,I test drove a 310s and also found the sigma revvy and light with the usual transmission whine...I loved it. However felt I needed a bit more torque.
...so I promptly ordered a 420r (without ever driving it) for its duratec engine..wow! It feels more solid, smooth and loud with extra popping from the exhaust..love it.
Caterham as a manufacturer and their quality control is another matter!
...so I promptly ordered a 420r (without ever driving it) for its duratec engine..wow! It feels more solid, smooth and loud with extra popping from the exhaust..love it.
Caterham as a manufacturer and their quality control is another matter!
I've had a mixed response from Caterham Gatwick to be honest.
Buying the (second hand) car from them was great, really positive response from the sales guys so couldn't fault that.
Took the car in for its annual service (which was all the levels, including the 6-year inspection/cam belt and thus was expecting a big bill) and the bill came back almost double what I was expecting without any proactive warning at all, and me having to chase for updates all the time - ended up being almost a month for a service in the end. It then failed its MOT on the inner walls of the tyres being worn (something that should have been inspected twice in accordance with the schedule) so I really wasn't at all happy. Having made that point, the bill was virtually halved back to what I'd expected (plus tyres). So that started my concern about what I was getting for the money I was paying.
Second one, a few weeks after picking it up off the service and less than 50 miles driven, a seal on one of the brakes failed and dumped most of the fluid. Ended up with a recovery to Caterham - and I'm still not really entirely happy that a seal wouldn't have been inspected during the previous service. This wasn't covered under warranty.
All in all, it's just that slight concern, mostly caused by the MOT fail really. Michaela is great, can't fault her, but I've been left with a nagging doubt about quality I guess.
Any recommendations for somewhere to the West of London (Berkshire, Surrey, Hants) that offers good servicing to give them a shot next time?
Thanks
Buying the (second hand) car from them was great, really positive response from the sales guys so couldn't fault that.
Took the car in for its annual service (which was all the levels, including the 6-year inspection/cam belt and thus was expecting a big bill) and the bill came back almost double what I was expecting without any proactive warning at all, and me having to chase for updates all the time - ended up being almost a month for a service in the end. It then failed its MOT on the inner walls of the tyres being worn (something that should have been inspected twice in accordance with the schedule) so I really wasn't at all happy. Having made that point, the bill was virtually halved back to what I'd expected (plus tyres). So that started my concern about what I was getting for the money I was paying.
Second one, a few weeks after picking it up off the service and less than 50 miles driven, a seal on one of the brakes failed and dumped most of the fluid. Ended up with a recovery to Caterham - and I'm still not really entirely happy that a seal wouldn't have been inspected during the previous service. This wasn't covered under warranty.
All in all, it's just that slight concern, mostly caused by the MOT fail really. Michaela is great, can't fault her, but I've been left with a nagging doubt about quality I guess.
Any recommendations for somewhere to the West of London (Berkshire, Surrey, Hants) that offers good servicing to give them a shot next time?
Thanks
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