Newbie Questions...
Discussion
First time poster to this section of PH…be kind!
My current fun/sports car is a Porsche Boxster 986 (that’s the “mark 1”) 2.7. There’s a lot I love about that car…the grip, the practicality, the looks, the badge and with it’s partially bypassed exhaust, the glorious raspy howl of the flat 6. What I don’t like about it is the gearing…it pulls 73 in second so giving it the beans means naughty speeds quite quickly, but it only gets fun or fast when you do really wind it up, plus the fact that it’s not actually that quick…an upper end diesel repmobile will see it away from the lights, and a mid-engine layout coupled with way too much rubber on the back means you have to be driving like an utter idiot to get it to move around at all. I do nearly all of my own spannering (and recently that’s included discs/pads/shocks/new rack/new brake lines as well as simple servicing), and I’m firmly in the “unless it’s raining, roof down” camp.
So…I’m thinking about a Caterham. Always loved them since I was a kid, drove one briefly at a track day and was seriously impressed, and just love the whole “less is more” ethos of the thing. I’d probably be looking at a K series car, £12-15k, and I have a few questions.
Floor-I’m 5’11” and the other half only an inch or so less with the associated longer legs of a girlie. Are lowered floors a necessity, and are they an easy retro fit if I found a car that ticked all the boxes apart from the floor?
Cycle guards-is swapping from the longer guards to cycle guards an easy job…as above?
Doors-I’ve never been in one with the roof down but the doors on. I’m not expecting Boxster levels of roof down refinement, but does it make them slightly less draughty? The track car I drove with a helmet on, and the only other one I’ve been in was someone’s older x-flow car which was a bit of an assault on the senses, and also scraped it’s exhaust on the ground on corners (is that normal?)
Pedals-I have size 10.5 feet and had to do the track day in my socks. With thinnish Sparco driving trainers (from the fashion side of Sparco, not the proper bit), is there sufficient room in the pedal department?
Power-I read somewhere that the sweet spot for a newbie tends to be around 160bhp, however I seem to see lots of cars with less, or much more, but not many around this output. Thoughts? 160bhp seems like a lot for a primarily road car that weighs nothing…
Cruising-I appreciate that any Caterham will go like a stabbed rat off the line and around the corners, what are they like at motorway speeds? Is the wind buffet intolerable? What about revs…is it revving it’s nuts off at 85ish? What will a K car do flat out? Does the 6 speed box make a difference or is this unavailable on a K?
Buying-I’m also a Defender person, and with those you buy purely on condition…age and mileage are fairly irrelevant. Caterhams by nature tend to have low mileages, but the ages seem to vary wildly at a given price point. Is it a case of buying on condition and history/fastidiousness of the owner and ignore the age?
Living with it-whilst I appreciate it’s an incredibly focussed track day/Sunday blast car, is it feasible for two of you, packing very light, to head off and go and do a tour in? NC500 or similar? And taking the roof etc? I realise there’s no room for “bags” as such, but if there’s room to wedge packing cubes behind the seats or in the passenger footwell, that would do it! Does the roof actually work in a downpour?
Thanks in advance, sorry if this has all been asked before!
My current fun/sports car is a Porsche Boxster 986 (that’s the “mark 1”) 2.7. There’s a lot I love about that car…the grip, the practicality, the looks, the badge and with it’s partially bypassed exhaust, the glorious raspy howl of the flat 6. What I don’t like about it is the gearing…it pulls 73 in second so giving it the beans means naughty speeds quite quickly, but it only gets fun or fast when you do really wind it up, plus the fact that it’s not actually that quick…an upper end diesel repmobile will see it away from the lights, and a mid-engine layout coupled with way too much rubber on the back means you have to be driving like an utter idiot to get it to move around at all. I do nearly all of my own spannering (and recently that’s included discs/pads/shocks/new rack/new brake lines as well as simple servicing), and I’m firmly in the “unless it’s raining, roof down” camp.
So…I’m thinking about a Caterham. Always loved them since I was a kid, drove one briefly at a track day and was seriously impressed, and just love the whole “less is more” ethos of the thing. I’d probably be looking at a K series car, £12-15k, and I have a few questions.
Floor-I’m 5’11” and the other half only an inch or so less with the associated longer legs of a girlie. Are lowered floors a necessity, and are they an easy retro fit if I found a car that ticked all the boxes apart from the floor?
Cycle guards-is swapping from the longer guards to cycle guards an easy job…as above?
Doors-I’ve never been in one with the roof down but the doors on. I’m not expecting Boxster levels of roof down refinement, but does it make them slightly less draughty? The track car I drove with a helmet on, and the only other one I’ve been in was someone’s older x-flow car which was a bit of an assault on the senses, and also scraped it’s exhaust on the ground on corners (is that normal?)
Pedals-I have size 10.5 feet and had to do the track day in my socks. With thinnish Sparco driving trainers (from the fashion side of Sparco, not the proper bit), is there sufficient room in the pedal department?
Power-I read somewhere that the sweet spot for a newbie tends to be around 160bhp, however I seem to see lots of cars with less, or much more, but not many around this output. Thoughts? 160bhp seems like a lot for a primarily road car that weighs nothing…
Cruising-I appreciate that any Caterham will go like a stabbed rat off the line and around the corners, what are they like at motorway speeds? Is the wind buffet intolerable? What about revs…is it revving it’s nuts off at 85ish? What will a K car do flat out? Does the 6 speed box make a difference or is this unavailable on a K?
Buying-I’m also a Defender person, and with those you buy purely on condition…age and mileage are fairly irrelevant. Caterhams by nature tend to have low mileages, but the ages seem to vary wildly at a given price point. Is it a case of buying on condition and history/fastidiousness of the owner and ignore the age?
Living with it-whilst I appreciate it’s an incredibly focussed track day/Sunday blast car, is it feasible for two of you, packing very light, to head off and go and do a tour in? NC500 or similar? And taking the roof etc? I realise there’s no room for “bags” as such, but if there’s room to wedge packing cubes behind the seats or in the passenger footwell, that would do it! Does the roof actually work in a downpour?
Thanks in advance, sorry if this has all been asked before!
I don't have my Seven yet - I have a 310R on order (152 bhp), but I'm exactly your height and shoe size so I can answer those questions...
Regarding lowered floors - I went for those. My eye line was near the top of the screen without, and with a helmet, my head would have been level with the roll bar
Regarding the pedals, I was fine wearing the Adidas NEOs I wore in my Elise, so I'd have thought you'd be fine in Sparkos. I assume you're talking about the S3 chassis, not the wider SV?
Regarding side screens, I only did test drives with them on, but the wind seemed fine. I'd just driven a hundred miles in my Elise with the roof off (and windows up) too, so had a good benchmark.
Regarding lowered floors - I went for those. My eye line was near the top of the screen without, and with a helmet, my head would have been level with the roll bar
Regarding the pedals, I was fine wearing the Adidas NEOs I wore in my Elise, so I'd have thought you'd be fine in Sparkos. I assume you're talking about the S3 chassis, not the wider SV?
Regarding side screens, I only did test drives with them on, but the wind seemed fine. I'd just driven a hundred miles in my Elise with the roof off (and windows up) too, so had a good benchmark.
Edited by Gulf7 on Tuesday 13th August 19:37
Hard-Drive said:
Floor-I’m 5’11” and the other half only an inch or so less with the associated longer legs of a girlie. Are lowered floors a necessity, and are they an easy retro fit if I found a car that ticked all the boxes apart from the floor?
Cycle guards-is swapping from the longer guards to cycle guards an easy job…as above?
Doors-I’ve never been in one with the roof down but the doors on. I’m not expecting Boxster levels of roof down refinement, but does it make them slightly less draughty? The track car I drove with a helmet on, and the only other one I’ve been in was someone’s older x-flow car which was a bit of an assault on the senses, and also scraped it’s exhaust on the ground on corners (is that normal?)
Pedals-I have size 10.5 feet and had to do the track day in my socks. With thinnish Sparco driving trainers (from the fashion side of Sparco, not the proper bit), is there sufficient room in the pedal department?
Power-I read somewhere that the sweet spot for a newbie tends to be around 160bhp, however I seem to see lots of cars with less, or much more, but not many around this output. Thoughts? 160bhp seems like a lot for a primarily road car that weighs nothing…
Cruising-I appreciate that any Caterham will go like a stabbed rat off the line and around the corners, what are they like at motorway speeds? Is the wind buffet intolerable? What about revs…is it revving it’s nuts off at 85ish? What will a K car do flat out? Does the 6 speed box make a difference or is this unavailable on a K?
Buying-I’m also a Defender person, and with those you buy purely on condition…age and mileage are fairly irrelevant. Caterhams by nature tend to have low mileages, but the ages seem to vary wildly at a given price point. Is it a case of buying on condition and history/fastidiousness of the owner and ignore the age?
Living with it-whilst I appreciate it’s an incredibly focussed track day/Sunday blast car, is it feasible for two of you, packing very light, to head off and go and do a tour in? NC500 or similar? And taking the roof etc? I realise there’s no room for “bags” as such, but if there’s room to wedge packing cubes behind the seats or in the passenger footwell, that would do it! Does the roof actually work in a downpour?
Thanks in advance, sorry if this has all been asked before!
Hopefully I'll be able to answer a few of your questions:Cycle guards-is swapping from the longer guards to cycle guards an easy job…as above?
Doors-I’ve never been in one with the roof down but the doors on. I’m not expecting Boxster levels of roof down refinement, but does it make them slightly less draughty? The track car I drove with a helmet on, and the only other one I’ve been in was someone’s older x-flow car which was a bit of an assault on the senses, and also scraped it’s exhaust on the ground on corners (is that normal?)
Pedals-I have size 10.5 feet and had to do the track day in my socks. With thinnish Sparco driving trainers (from the fashion side of Sparco, not the proper bit), is there sufficient room in the pedal department?
Power-I read somewhere that the sweet spot for a newbie tends to be around 160bhp, however I seem to see lots of cars with less, or much more, but not many around this output. Thoughts? 160bhp seems like a lot for a primarily road car that weighs nothing…
Cruising-I appreciate that any Caterham will go like a stabbed rat off the line and around the corners, what are they like at motorway speeds? Is the wind buffet intolerable? What about revs…is it revving it’s nuts off at 85ish? What will a K car do flat out? Does the 6 speed box make a difference or is this unavailable on a K?
Buying-I’m also a Defender person, and with those you buy purely on condition…age and mileage are fairly irrelevant. Caterhams by nature tend to have low mileages, but the ages seem to vary wildly at a given price point. Is it a case of buying on condition and history/fastidiousness of the owner and ignore the age?
Living with it-whilst I appreciate it’s an incredibly focussed track day/Sunday blast car, is it feasible for two of you, packing very light, to head off and go and do a tour in? NC500 or similar? And taking the roof etc? I realise there’s no room for “bags” as such, but if there’s room to wedge packing cubes behind the seats or in the passenger footwell, that would do it! Does the roof actually work in a downpour?
Thanks in advance, sorry if this has all been asked before!
1) Lowered floors can be retrofitted a de dion car (assume you are in this model range at your budget and with a K series in mind). I've had mine done and its about £500 including labour and both sides. They make a big difference and drop you about 2" down. I'm just over 6' and it means i can look through the screen/doors rather than the top edge of both.
2) You can swap from flared (long) arches to cycle wings but you are left with a line of holes to fill / cover / ignore. You can have the side skins replaced but this can be several hundred £'s when you factor in spraying too. Personally I'd leave the car as is and buy one with cycle wings if that's what you want.
3) Having doors on and no roof is quite civilised. If you are driving alone, put the passenger tonneau cover on and its quite snug. If it rains and you can keep the speed over 50 mph, the rain mainly goes over you but its not in the Porsche league! the exhaust scaping could be how the car is set up (low) or possibly passenger weight.... It might also be the edge of the silencer was turned downwards and this will obviously reduce clearance on the nearside
4) I bought a car from a guy with size 13 or 14 feet, I could drive the car with my size 11 work shoes on! Get some puma speedcats or similar driving shoe and you will be fine. In my latest car i can still use ordinary trainers but tend to use speedcats as they have thin soles and allow more feel with the pedals
5) K series Supersports with 138bhp and a 6 speed box are an excellent mix for road and track use. 120 is fine but obviously needs working a bit more than 160 or 200 bhp but that's part of the fun especially when you are new to sevens. Even a 120 bhp car is quick for road use
6) Motorways are fine but boring. My car is sitting around 4100 rpm for 70 with a 6 speed box. I think a 5 speed would be around 500 rpm lower. Get the 6 speed if you have a choice but 5 speed are not bad at all even with 120 bhp.
7) Buy on condition, specification and then miles. How well it has been looked after is the main factor. Home maintenance is absolutely fine too - they are very easy to work on especially if you are used to dealing with your Boxster
8) We have been to Europe several times carrying enough clothes and camping stuff for a week. Being able to last things in dry bags to the the roll bar / top of the boot cover means you can carry more than you think. The roof works really well in a downpour but it gets hot in there. A lot of folks go for the half hood option that provides reasonable rain protection but lets plenty of air in.
Join the Lotus 7 Club and you will have lots of helpful advice. Get along to some local meets (no need to be a member) and chat to local owners, most people are very happy to help you make a decision. I hope that helps
Cheers
T
Just noticed you are in the Midlands. If you are free on Thursday if its the Mid-Staffs club night near Lichfield. Should be a good turnout and the food is not bad if you fancy dinner too
More info : https://www.lotus7.club/area-meetings/staffordshir...
More info : https://www.lotus7.club/area-meetings/staffordshir...
Hard-Drive said:
First time poster to this section of PH…be kind!
My current fun/sports car is a Porsche Boxster 986 (that’s the “mark 1”) 2.7. There’s a lot I love about that car…the grip, the practicality, the looks, the badge and with it’s partially bypassed exhaust, the glorious raspy howl of the flat 6. What I don’t like about it is the gearing…it pulls 73 in second so giving it the beans means naughty speeds quite quickly, but it only gets fun or fast when you do really wind it up, plus the fact that it’s not actually that quick…an upper end diesel repmobile will see it away from the lights, and a mid-engine layout coupled with way too much rubber on the back means you have to be driving like an utter idiot to get it to move around at all. I do nearly all of my own spannering (and recently that’s included discs/pads/shocks/new rack/new brake lines as well as simple servicing), and I’m firmly in the “unless it’s raining, roof down” camp.
So…I’m thinking about a Caterham. Always loved them since I was a kid, drove one briefly at a track day and was seriously impressed, and just love the whole “less is more” ethos of the thing. I’d probably be looking at a K series car, £12-15k, and I have a few questions.
Floor-I’m 5’11” and the other half only an inch or so less with the associated longer legs of a girlie. Are lowered floors a necessity, and are they an easy retro fit if I found a car that ticked all the boxes apart from the floor?
Cycle guards-is swapping from the longer guards to cycle guards an easy job…as above?
Doors-I’ve never been in one with the roof down but the doors on. I’m not expecting Boxster levels of roof down refinement, but does it make them slightly less draughty? The track car I drove with a helmet on, and the only other one I’ve been in was someone’s older x-flow car which was a bit of an assault on the senses, and also scraped it’s exhaust on the ground on corners (is that normal?)
Pedals-I have size 10.5 feet and had to do the track day in my socks. With thinnish Sparco driving trainers (from the fashion side of Sparco, not the proper bit), is there sufficient room in the pedal department?
Power-I read somewhere that the sweet spot for a newbie tends to be around 160bhp, however I seem to see lots of cars with less, or much more, but not many around this output. Thoughts? 160bhp seems like a lot for a primarily road car that weighs nothing…
Cruising-I appreciate that any Caterham will go like a stabbed rat off the line and around the corners, what are they like at motorway speeds? Is the wind buffet intolerable? What about revs…is it revving it’s nuts off at 85ish? What will a K car do flat out? Does the 6 speed box make a difference or is this unavailable on a K?
Buying-I’m also a Defender person, and with those you buy purely on condition…age and mileage are fairly irrelevant. Caterhams by nature tend to have low mileages, but the ages seem to vary wildly at a given price point. Is it a case of buying on condition and history/fastidiousness of the owner and ignore the age?
Living with it-whilst I appreciate it’s an incredibly focussed track day/Sunday blast car, is it feasible for two of you, packing very light, to head off and go and do a tour in? NC500 or similar? And taking the roof etc? I realise there’s no room for “bags” as such, but if there’s room to wedge packing cubes behind the seats or in the passenger footwell, that would do it! Does the roof actually work in a downpour?
Thanks in advance, sorry if this has all been asked before!
Getting close to bedtime, so I'll be brief.My current fun/sports car is a Porsche Boxster 986 (that’s the “mark 1”) 2.7. There’s a lot I love about that car…the grip, the practicality, the looks, the badge and with it’s partially bypassed exhaust, the glorious raspy howl of the flat 6. What I don’t like about it is the gearing…it pulls 73 in second so giving it the beans means naughty speeds quite quickly, but it only gets fun or fast when you do really wind it up, plus the fact that it’s not actually that quick…an upper end diesel repmobile will see it away from the lights, and a mid-engine layout coupled with way too much rubber on the back means you have to be driving like an utter idiot to get it to move around at all. I do nearly all of my own spannering (and recently that’s included discs/pads/shocks/new rack/new brake lines as well as simple servicing), and I’m firmly in the “unless it’s raining, roof down” camp.
So…I’m thinking about a Caterham. Always loved them since I was a kid, drove one briefly at a track day and was seriously impressed, and just love the whole “less is more” ethos of the thing. I’d probably be looking at a K series car, £12-15k, and I have a few questions.
Floor-I’m 5’11” and the other half only an inch or so less with the associated longer legs of a girlie. Are lowered floors a necessity, and are they an easy retro fit if I found a car that ticked all the boxes apart from the floor?
Cycle guards-is swapping from the longer guards to cycle guards an easy job…as above?
Doors-I’ve never been in one with the roof down but the doors on. I’m not expecting Boxster levels of roof down refinement, but does it make them slightly less draughty? The track car I drove with a helmet on, and the only other one I’ve been in was someone’s older x-flow car which was a bit of an assault on the senses, and also scraped it’s exhaust on the ground on corners (is that normal?)
Pedals-I have size 10.5 feet and had to do the track day in my socks. With thinnish Sparco driving trainers (from the fashion side of Sparco, not the proper bit), is there sufficient room in the pedal department?
Power-I read somewhere that the sweet spot for a newbie tends to be around 160bhp, however I seem to see lots of cars with less, or much more, but not many around this output. Thoughts? 160bhp seems like a lot for a primarily road car that weighs nothing…
Cruising-I appreciate that any Caterham will go like a stabbed rat off the line and around the corners, what are they like at motorway speeds? Is the wind buffet intolerable? What about revs…is it revving it’s nuts off at 85ish? What will a K car do flat out? Does the 6 speed box make a difference or is this unavailable on a K?
Buying-I’m also a Defender person, and with those you buy purely on condition…age and mileage are fairly irrelevant. Caterhams by nature tend to have low mileages, but the ages seem to vary wildly at a given price point. Is it a case of buying on condition and history/fastidiousness of the owner and ignore the age?
Living with it-whilst I appreciate it’s an incredibly focussed track day/Sunday blast car, is it feasible for two of you, packing very light, to head off and go and do a tour in? NC500 or similar? And taking the roof etc? I realise there’s no room for “bags” as such, but if there’s room to wedge packing cubes behind the seats or in the passenger footwell, that would do it! Does the roof actually work in a downpour?
Thanks in advance, sorry if this has all been asked before!
Lowered floors. Will depend on your body length, rather than your height, and you'll find differences between cars, so you'll have to try it and see.
Cycle wings are the norm now. Replacing clamshells with cycle wings is possible, but why bother? Just buy what you want.
Caterhams are not refined. You'll need to wear ear plugs. With the side panels on you will be battered by the wind, with the side panels off you may have trouble breathing at speeds over 60 mph - unless you ditch the windscreen, fit aeroscreens, and buy a helmet.
Feet. May be a problem. You may need race shoes. You'll just have to try it.
Power. Depends on you. My first Supersprint had 135 bhp, which is plenty for the road. My current K-Series 1.4 has 105 bhp. Not as quick, but every bit as much fun on the twisty bits, and easier to keep your licence. I'm not planning to upgrade. Try different specs before buying, and if you're likely to get bored then buy a higher spec and take time to get used to it and learn its characteristics.
Caterhams are fine at motorway speeds, but you will be subjected to buffeting. Buy a 5 speed for road use, or a 6 speed if primarily for track.
Buying. Probably best to go at a local club meet and take advice. You may find some who is prepared to view with you.
Touring. Possible, but cramped. Plenty of folk do it.
Roof. Yes it works, but it will take you 15 minutes to put it up. You'll be mostly dry, but parts of you may get wet. Invest in a half hood.
Hope this helps.
I would echo what others have said and emphasise the point about driving without doors. When I bought the car I had a 300 mile drive home in it (doors fitted) and, whilst not the most refined car you are ever likely to drive, the experience was comfortable enough that my wife fell asleep!
Ready for work on Monday morning, I thought I would take the doors off to enjoy the beautiful morning. 5 miles of dual carriageway later, I slowed to 60... another 5 miles and I’m shivering and struggling for breath. I slowed down even more and arrived at work 5 miles later, dirty, exhausted and with very sore eyes.
I still like to take the doors off as I think the car looks better that way, but I only ever do it if I don’t need to be anywhere in a hurry and I always wear sunglasses.
Just one more thing, driving with the tonneau is cosy but I can’t see some of the gauges (including fuel) with mine on. I don’t know if others just live with this or if I’m doing something wrong but it certainly puts me off doing it unless there’s heavy rain.
I rarely use the hood - everything steams up too badly - so I often wear a waterproof jacket.
Ready for work on Monday morning, I thought I would take the doors off to enjoy the beautiful morning. 5 miles of dual carriageway later, I slowed to 60... another 5 miles and I’m shivering and struggling for breath. I slowed down even more and arrived at work 5 miles later, dirty, exhausted and with very sore eyes.
I still like to take the doors off as I think the car looks better that way, but I only ever do it if I don’t need to be anywhere in a hurry and I always wear sunglasses.
Just one more thing, driving with the tonneau is cosy but I can’t see some of the gauges (including fuel) with mine on. I don’t know if others just live with this or if I’m doing something wrong but it certainly puts me off doing it unless there’s heavy rain.
I rarely use the hood - everything steams up too badly - so I often wear a waterproof jacket.
Something else which has occurred to me - the K-series engine is very good, and being light could have been designed for the Seven. It is also very upgradable. I would advise looking primarily at the EU3 engine, which is identifiable by the lack of distributor and spark plug leads - a definite advantage IMO. Some early EU2s had head gasket issues. These were resolved for the EU3.
Some really good advice here, many thanks for the replies everyone!
I think I'll definitely go for a 5 speed, as I think the extra revs in the cruise would be a bit wearing. I'm surprised the 6 speed revs higher...I would have expected a taller top gear for cruising but I take it the 6 speed is just much closer ratios for track use then?
Interesting about the doors...I actually think they look pretty good with them on, but I am surprised that ear plugs are a must! Is that due to wind noise or exhaust noise? I vaguely remember from my sports bike days 20 odd years ago something about low frequency vibrations potentially causing hearing issues, is that the point? Although clearly a stereo is an utter waste of time, I was wondering if a bluetooth speaker is even slightly effective on the odd occasion? In the Boxster I very rarely ever have the stereo on, preferring the flat 6 howl to anything else, but occasionally on a slow boring drive or a motorway I might have it on.
Thanks for the club meet invite but I do have something on tonight unfortunately.
That's good news on a small degree of touring practicality, as I really do fancy doing the NC500 in one...a real bucket list job. I have also seen some kind of luggage rack that goes over the back wheel that seems like a good idea on odd occasions.
Thanks again...really useful info!
I think I'll definitely go for a 5 speed, as I think the extra revs in the cruise would be a bit wearing. I'm surprised the 6 speed revs higher...I would have expected a taller top gear for cruising but I take it the 6 speed is just much closer ratios for track use then?
Interesting about the doors...I actually think they look pretty good with them on, but I am surprised that ear plugs are a must! Is that due to wind noise or exhaust noise? I vaguely remember from my sports bike days 20 odd years ago something about low frequency vibrations potentially causing hearing issues, is that the point? Although clearly a stereo is an utter waste of time, I was wondering if a bluetooth speaker is even slightly effective on the odd occasion? In the Boxster I very rarely ever have the stereo on, preferring the flat 6 howl to anything else, but occasionally on a slow boring drive or a motorway I might have it on.
Thanks for the club meet invite but I do have something on tonight unfortunately.
That's good news on a small degree of touring practicality, as I really do fancy doing the NC500 in one...a real bucket list job. I have also seen some kind of luggage rack that goes over the back wheel that seems like a good idea on odd occasions.
Thanks again...really useful info!
I'm 6' with size 11 feet and I'd want a lowered floor.
Pedals weren't a problem at all once adjusted, provided I was wearing racing boots or karting shoes.
I'd echo positive comments about the k-series engine already made.
It is quite often the case than a 6-speed 'box has a direct 1:1 6th gear and none of the ratios are an 'overdrive'. In the production car world a longer final drive ratio is typically fitted to make up some of the difference.
There are exceptions to the above, BMW ZF gearboxes tend to be direct in 5th.
The happy medium is probably a 5-speed with tweaked ratios. A long first gear is a popular modification, as the ratio Ford selected was expected to get a ton and a half of Sierra off the line with 90bhp and potentially with a caravan on the back.
Windscreen with no doors is horrible, doors on is better, once you go aeroscreen you won't go back! Whatever you do, any audio will be barely audible at around 50mph upwards.
Pedals weren't a problem at all once adjusted, provided I was wearing racing boots or karting shoes.
I'd echo positive comments about the k-series engine already made.
Hard-Drive said:
I think I'll definitely go for a 5 speed, as I think the extra revs in the cruise would be a bit wearing. I'm surprised the 6 speed revs higher...I would have expected a taller top gear for cruising but I take it the 6 speed is just much closer ratios for track use then?
Interesting about the doors...I actually think they look pretty good with them on, but I am surprised that ear plugs are a must! Is that due to wind noise or exhaust noise? I vaguely remember from my sports bike days 20 odd years ago something about low frequency vibrations potentially causing hearing issues, is that the point? Although clearly a stereo is an utter waste of time, I was wondering if a bluetooth speaker is even slightly effective on the odd occasion? In the Boxster I very rarely ever have the stereo on, preferring the flat 6 howl to anything else, but occasionally on a slow boring drive or a motorway I might have it on.
Traditionally a 5-speed gearbox has a direct 1:1 4th gear and 5th is an 'overdrive' whereby the output shaft spins faster than the input shaft. Interesting about the doors...I actually think they look pretty good with them on, but I am surprised that ear plugs are a must! Is that due to wind noise or exhaust noise? I vaguely remember from my sports bike days 20 odd years ago something about low frequency vibrations potentially causing hearing issues, is that the point? Although clearly a stereo is an utter waste of time, I was wondering if a bluetooth speaker is even slightly effective on the odd occasion? In the Boxster I very rarely ever have the stereo on, preferring the flat 6 howl to anything else, but occasionally on a slow boring drive or a motorway I might have it on.
It is quite often the case than a 6-speed 'box has a direct 1:1 6th gear and none of the ratios are an 'overdrive'. In the production car world a longer final drive ratio is typically fitted to make up some of the difference.
There are exceptions to the above, BMW ZF gearboxes tend to be direct in 5th.
The happy medium is probably a 5-speed with tweaked ratios. A long first gear is a popular modification, as the ratio Ford selected was expected to get a ton and a half of Sierra off the line with 90bhp and potentially with a caravan on the back.
Windscreen with no doors is horrible, doors on is better, once you go aeroscreen you won't go back! Whatever you do, any audio will be barely audible at around 50mph upwards.
Audio through headphones is OK, if you must.
Earplugs of one form or another are essential. The wind noise is an issue but pales into insignificance compared to diff, box, engine and exhaust noise.
I have a full screen and aero but wouldn’t use the latter on the road but for a short trip to the track. The wind noise and wind on your head are too much, not to mention the risks from stones and bugs. Unless you wear a helmet or some weird concoction of head and eyewear.
The 6 speed box was originally introduced for lower powered engines without that much torque. It’s now been dropped because the newer engines just don’t need it.
Having said that, it’s brilliant on track and bearable on road unless you’re doing a lot of touring. With the right diff.
Earplugs of one form or another are essential. The wind noise is an issue but pales into insignificance compared to diff, box, engine and exhaust noise.
I have a full screen and aero but wouldn’t use the latter on the road but for a short trip to the track. The wind noise and wind on your head are too much, not to mention the risks from stones and bugs. Unless you wear a helmet or some weird concoction of head and eyewear.
The 6 speed box was originally introduced for lower powered engines without that much torque. It’s now been dropped because the newer engines just don’t need it.
Having said that, it’s brilliant on track and bearable on road unless you’re doing a lot of touring. With the right diff.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 15th August 13:37
I would reiterate the advice given in the last two posts.
When I go out it will normally be with roof off, sidescreens on, custom earplugs in, and wearing a baseball cap as low sun can be a problem with no sun visor available. I might wear ear defenders in the winter, as they keep your ears warm and your hat on. Occasionally, when Mrs M is with me and we’re going on a longer journey, we wear intercom headsets. You could play music through those, but I've never bothered as that would detract from the full Caterham experience.
When it's really hot then I take the sidescreens off, and put the half hood on. The half hood cuts the buffeting down so that you can actually breathe at higher speed, and also prevents sunburn.
I hope you find what you're look for.
When I go out it will normally be with roof off, sidescreens on, custom earplugs in, and wearing a baseball cap as low sun can be a problem with no sun visor available. I might wear ear defenders in the winter, as they keep your ears warm and your hat on. Occasionally, when Mrs M is with me and we’re going on a longer journey, we wear intercom headsets. You could play music through those, but I've never bothered as that would detract from the full Caterham experience.
When it's really hot then I take the sidescreens off, and put the half hood on. The half hood cuts the buffeting down so that you can actually breathe at higher speed, and also prevents sunburn.
I hope you find what you're look for.
Have a 150 Sigma RoadSport, most of the things have been well covered by others. Am in the fortunate position of also having a Mx5 and used Boxster in past. The Caterham is far more visceral than either, the noise is greater, I can listen to CD in the Mazda with the roof down, the 7 demands ear protection unless you don't mind hearing loss, ear plugs or headphones are a must. Tried in-ear phones for music, you have to push the volume up so much it's uncomfortable. Just enjoy the drive. There's no soundproofing at all so you hear everything - road noise, mechanical noise from the transmission & diff.
It can be wearing on a long trip, I can normally do 200 miles before the back gives in. The bladder takes a pounding for some reason and pee stops are a must. Motorways are a bit of a pain as it's noisy and you are small, definitely go for the 5 speed for road car. I actively avoid motorways unless essential, it really comes into it's own on A & B roads, there's little that keeps up with you and the feeling on a nice summer's evening is great and something to remember.
5' 10.5" and fine in a normal chassis, lowered floor would be nicer but it still works for me. Only ever used the roof once, it's like a 70's tent, the half hood is fine & preferable. It's easy to work on and service and has been remarkably reliable.
have found I tended to accumulate clothes to drive in, overalls as they didn't ride up when getting into the seat, my favorite is a sheepskin flying helmet - lovely in the winter or cooler parts of the year, sod the odd looks. Assortment of gloves and a leather jacket. it's not suave Patrick McGoohan in London more Biggles.
Only bit I'd add is don't think you need to go to the big power ones first. 150 is plenty on the road (I don't do track), you can always move up as they keep their value well. I'd still be wary of the 500/620 on the road after 10 years of mine - old fart who has crashed once in the 150
It can be wearing on a long trip, I can normally do 200 miles before the back gives in. The bladder takes a pounding for some reason and pee stops are a must. Motorways are a bit of a pain as it's noisy and you are small, definitely go for the 5 speed for road car. I actively avoid motorways unless essential, it really comes into it's own on A & B roads, there's little that keeps up with you and the feeling on a nice summer's evening is great and something to remember.
5' 10.5" and fine in a normal chassis, lowered floor would be nicer but it still works for me. Only ever used the roof once, it's like a 70's tent, the half hood is fine & preferable. It's easy to work on and service and has been remarkably reliable.
have found I tended to accumulate clothes to drive in, overalls as they didn't ride up when getting into the seat, my favorite is a sheepskin flying helmet - lovely in the winter or cooler parts of the year, sod the odd looks. Assortment of gloves and a leather jacket. it's not suave Patrick McGoohan in London more Biggles.
Only bit I'd add is don't think you need to go to the big power ones first. 150 is plenty on the road (I don't do track), you can always move up as they keep their value well. I'd still be wary of the 500/620 on the road after 10 years of mine - old fart who has crashed once in the 150
Again, great advice, many thanks.
I'll be honest, the ear protection/hats/intercom/bad back/pee stops thing is a minor concern. I know a 7 is not civilised, that is the whole point, however one other thing I love about the Boxster is that "oh, I have a work meeting in South Wales today, I think I'll leave the 5 series at home and take the Porsche" option. Sure, I would not expect to be able to take phone calls in a 7, and this probably happens twice a year if that, however I can turn up somewhere and not need a shower, dentist and a massage at the other end! That said, it really is an itch that I want to scratch and I'm sure the fun outweighs the pain. I'd never be hardcore enough to daily it, too old for that now! I think when the time is right I shall look to hire one for the weekend and ask myself some honest searching questions. However I don't seem to see many people who say "nah, not for me" on these forums, and plenty who sold their Caterham, only to end up buying another later.
I'm not fussed about big power TBH. I enjoy driving swiftly, but I also need to keep my license...I'd never really venture into license losing leptons territory regardless, however point and squirt fun, slidey slidey fun, the ability to overtake when nothing else can, and the ability to go and do a track day without destroying tyres, brakes and suspension components appeals hugely. Low running costs, DIY spannering, and the ability to change the look of the car and modify it also appeal a lot.
Thanks again, great advice!
I'll be honest, the ear protection/hats/intercom/bad back/pee stops thing is a minor concern. I know a 7 is not civilised, that is the whole point, however one other thing I love about the Boxster is that "oh, I have a work meeting in South Wales today, I think I'll leave the 5 series at home and take the Porsche" option. Sure, I would not expect to be able to take phone calls in a 7, and this probably happens twice a year if that, however I can turn up somewhere and not need a shower, dentist and a massage at the other end! That said, it really is an itch that I want to scratch and I'm sure the fun outweighs the pain. I'd never be hardcore enough to daily it, too old for that now! I think when the time is right I shall look to hire one for the weekend and ask myself some honest searching questions. However I don't seem to see many people who say "nah, not for me" on these forums, and plenty who sold their Caterham, only to end up buying another later.
I'm not fussed about big power TBH. I enjoy driving swiftly, but I also need to keep my license...I'd never really venture into license losing leptons territory regardless, however point and squirt fun, slidey slidey fun, the ability to overtake when nothing else can, and the ability to go and do a track day without destroying tyres, brakes and suspension components appeals hugely. Low running costs, DIY spannering, and the ability to change the look of the car and modify it also appeal a lot.
Thanks again, great advice!
I'm a bit of a long-term 7 owner.
Over 35 years now.
For most of the time I use the 7 as my daily drive - even today.
For many years it WAS my only car.
Total mileage is now approaching 400K miles.
(Well, for a couple of bits of the car - others have done a lot less...)
I have been aero for the past 20 years.
And have driven a lot of miles like that.
No issues, although have been rather wet at times...
Never use a bash-hat, but do always have eye/ear protection.
In cold weather a beanie.
I have a 2L Zetec (210(ish) bhp whne last on a r/r).
5 speed box, with long gearing.
Makes cruising no issue.
And the torque makes town driving easy too.
But yes, goes like stink when you press the loud pedal.
And we do a lot of European tours: https://youtu.be/OtOy9zxgSy8
Really is a great touring car
Bottom line - love the 7!
Over 35 years now.
For most of the time I use the 7 as my daily drive - even today.
For many years it WAS my only car.
Total mileage is now approaching 400K miles.
(Well, for a couple of bits of the car - others have done a lot less...)
I have been aero for the past 20 years.
And have driven a lot of miles like that.
No issues, although have been rather wet at times...
Never use a bash-hat, but do always have eye/ear protection.
In cold weather a beanie.
I have a 2L Zetec (210(ish) bhp whne last on a r/r).
5 speed box, with long gearing.
Makes cruising no issue.
And the torque makes town driving easy too.
But yes, goes like stink when you press the loud pedal.
And we do a lot of European tours: https://youtu.be/OtOy9zxgSy8
Really is a great touring car
Bottom line - love the 7!
Eugene7 said:
although have been rather wet at times.
Ain’t that the truth...! 
Can’t add much to all the excellent advice...
Personally prefer aero - only put the windbreak on for the annual run out with the Speed Limiter. Got hit by a stone in France earlier this year - cut/bruised my cheek. Would’ve cracked the ‘screen. Two weeks later the wound had healed but the ‘screen would’ve still been cracked!
Eye/ear protection essential!
Extra bhp over 140 is willy-waving (spot the bloke with the low-powered engine) or a requirement for a track-focussed car - you will go through corners just as fast as the 200bhp+ boys but might (will!) then be left behind in straights...
Fabulous cars, easy to maintain (or build!) and you’ll meet some interesting people and make some great friends.
JFDI!
Eugene7 said:
I have been aero for the past 20 years.
And have driven a lot of miles like that.
No issues, although have been rather wet at times...
Never use a bash-hat, but do always have eye/ear protection.
In cold weather a beanie.
Having been hit by a wood pigeon at 70 mph on a bike (it hurt!), and had a half brick fall off a lorry travelling in the opposite direction when in a tin top, which struck the screen directly in front of my face, I'd personally avoid going aero without a helmet. On the plus side, when the likes of Mark, Ozzy and Mad Hatter arrived at the Squirrel after a blat on a cold day, it did look like something from Mad Max. And have driven a lot of miles like that.
No issues, although have been rather wet at times...
Never use a bash-hat, but do always have eye/ear protection.
In cold weather a beanie.
Bone Rat said:
Have a 150 Sigma RoadSport, most of the things have been well covered by others. Am in the fortunate position of also having a Mx5 and used Boxster in past. The Caterham is far more visceral than either, the noise is greater, I can listen to CD in the Mazda with the roof down, the 7 demands ear protection unless you don't mind hearing loss, ear plugs or headphones are a must. Tried in-ear phones for music, you have to push the volume up so much it's uncomfortable. Just enjoy the drive. There's no soundproofing at all so you hear everything - road noise, mechanical noise from the transmission & diff.
It can be wearing on a long trip, I can normally do 200 miles before the back gives in. The bladder takes a pounding for some reason and pee stops are a must. Motorways are a bit of a pain as it's noisy and you are small, definitely go for the 5 speed for road car. I actively avoid motorways unless essential, it really comes into it's own on A & B roads, there's little that keeps up with you and the feeling on a nice summer's evening is great and something to remember.
5' 10.5" and fine in a normal chassis, lowered floor would be nicer but it still works for me. Only ever used the roof once, it's like a 70's tent, the half hood is fine & preferable. It's easy to work on and service and has been remarkably reliable.
have found I tended to accumulate clothes to drive in, overalls as they didn't ride up when getting into the seat, my favorite is a sheepskin flying helmet - lovely in the winter or cooler parts of the year, sod the odd looks. Assortment of gloves and a leather jacket. it's not suave Patrick McGoohan in London more Biggles.
Only bit I'd add is don't think you need to go to the big power ones first. 150 is plenty on the road (I don't do track), you can always move up as they keep their value well. I'd still be wary of the 500/620 on the road after 10 years of mine - old fart who has crashed once in the 150
What he said.....It can be wearing on a long trip, I can normally do 200 miles before the back gives in. The bladder takes a pounding for some reason and pee stops are a must. Motorways are a bit of a pain as it's noisy and you are small, definitely go for the 5 speed for road car. I actively avoid motorways unless essential, it really comes into it's own on A & B roads, there's little that keeps up with you and the feeling on a nice summer's evening is great and something to remember.
5' 10.5" and fine in a normal chassis, lowered floor would be nicer but it still works for me. Only ever used the roof once, it's like a 70's tent, the half hood is fine & preferable. It's easy to work on and service and has been remarkably reliable.
have found I tended to accumulate clothes to drive in, overalls as they didn't ride up when getting into the seat, my favorite is a sheepskin flying helmet - lovely in the winter or cooler parts of the year, sod the odd looks. Assortment of gloves and a leather jacket. it's not suave Patrick McGoohan in London more Biggles.
Only bit I'd add is don't think you need to go to the big power ones first. 150 is plenty on the road (I don't do track), you can always move up as they keep their value well. I'd still be wary of the 500/620 on the road after 10 years of mine - old fart who has crashed once in the 150
I bought my first last October - 150 Roadsport SV.....Had a lowered floor fitted to the drivers side as Im 6-4 and you get to look through the screen rather than over it.
I very quickly got off the std 15" road biased tyres for 13" track biased (888R) and the difference is night and day better.
Power wise, I think its about right, you MAY get more overtakes done with more BHP but you could end up taking more risk.
Zero issue driving in Trainers space wise, although I pretty much always use raceboots as it just feels better and adds to the experience.
Half hood is vital, they come up used pretty often m especially on the fb groups.
Even me, being a right old lump, can get in and out without to much faff with a half hood fitted.
Noise wise - as I have a Sigma, the exhaust is my side, and I should wear plugs but always forget...dont know if a K is better as exhaust on th eother side......
As a person, I despise compromise - and the Cat is a perfect fit for me as it just doesnt, at all.
It also makes peeople happy - you get longing looks, smiles,waves ect etc.
Get one bought, life is waaaay to short not to....
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