How to choose an used Caterham

How to choose an used Caterham

Author
Discussion

antonio.cocchi

Original Poster:

172 posts

43 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
Hi!!!!
I'm almost find all the money I need and I have a guy that can arrange the buy and the transport to Italy.
Now, Which Catheram do I need?
So, I'm tall (not laught please) 171cm, my weight is 85kg, big bones, large shoulder and a little bit of belly, long story short I have the turtle, the back of the turtle.
I need a pre 2001 model (burocracy), factory build, but, how can I choose the engine?
I would like to use in my mountain, and maybe a couple of time in a year go to a track day (I live in Imola).
I've seen that one for example:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/9994949
Question:
It is possible to put a windscreen without remove the roll cage?
It's possible to wear the full hood without remove that cage?
There some "baggage" can fit for have a couple of day out with my lady (she's sporty)
Thanks for contibution!!!!


HustleRussell

24,602 posts

159 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
antonio.cocchi said:
Hi!!!!
I'm almost find all the money I need and I have a guy that can arrange the buy and the transport to Italy.
Now, Which Catheram do I need?
So, I'm tall (not laught please) 171cm, my weight is 85kg, big bones, large shoulder and a little bit of belly, long story short I have the turtle, the back of the turtle.
I need a pre 2001 model (burocracy), factory build, but, how can I choose the engine?
I would like to use in my mountain, and maybe a couple of time in a year go to a track day (I live in Imola).
I've seen that one for example:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/9994949
Question:
It is possible to put a windscreen without remove the roll cage?
It's possible to wear the full hood without remove that cage?
There some "baggage" can fit for have a couple of day out with my lady (she's sporty)
Thanks for contibution!!!!
That looks a good car, personally I'd prefer a Rover k-series engine which this one has

In answer to your questions, yes it is possible to have a screen and a full hood with the cage although a 'half hood' is probably better especially in your climate

There is no space inside the car with two passengers but there is probably 60 litres of space in the boot so baggage for a couple of days is certainly possible if packed down into soft luggage

antonio.cocchi

Original Poster:

172 posts

43 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
I will think also in put some roller bag (as the One used on motorcycles).

Another thing, if I will spend some euro more for a superlight version, how much Is Better compared to a "normale" version?

Edited by antonio.cocchi on Thursday 10th September 20:51

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
Size - std S3 chassis will be fine. I'm 1m 93cm and have, at my most "athletic" been pushing 120kg (forget turtles, think beach balls). It got snug at that point, but was still possible to drive it. Albeit with a bench seat and removeable steering wheel.

Pre-2001. Get a 6spd K-series car. A superlight would be perfect for your use, but a roadsport type car would work too. You want a minimum of 1600 Supersport IMO (140bhp). Don't bother over R400/SLR spec (~200bhp).

I have seen caged cars with screens. Also with roof modifications of a sort (though I've no idea how you'd get out of a caged car with a roof on - my car has a cage now and I get in and out through the top smile).

My recommendation, especially if your other half is ever to use it with you, would be to get a car without a cage. Cages make the cars *much* stiffer. Great for the track, but unnecessary for the road.

Instead, get one with an FIA roll bar (taller, more substantial) and weather gear (screen, roof, doors). you can retrofit an aeroscreen later if you want and can interchange them easily.

Don't be tempted into big wheels. 13" wheels are the pick. 14" are OK.

Something like this : https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/9834056?cI... (no link to the car, just the first one I saw that matches what I'd be looking for...PH also has an SLR spec car but it's a lot more money).

Luggage? You can squash plenty of stuff in the boot and strap bags to the FIA bar. If the car you get has a spare wheel carrier, or used to, you can use that for luggage too. I used to tour in mine quite comfortably (even slept in it once with a lady friend...another story!).




antonio.cocchi

Original Poster:

172 posts

43 months

Friday 11th September 2020
quotequote all
The car you link was in my favourites from the beginning.biggrin

You "promote" a question that I have alwais forget to do. Why big wheels are worst then 13 and 14"?

P.s. I have forget the turtle since longe time...
P.s. 2: my lady is 150cm, so I think can fit even the truck
P.s. 3: sleep in a Caterham with a girl and your are more then 190cm, I need to know.😎

Of course thanks a lot at you both for the contribution

ForzaGilles

557 posts

223 months

Friday 11th September 2020
quotequote all
antonio.cocchi said:
The car you link was in my favourites from the beginning.biggrin

You "promote" a question that I have alwais forget to do. Why big wheels are worst then 13 and 14"?
Two reasons: the smaller wheels are lighter and therefore unsprung weight will be lower, and also the centre of gravity will be lower. Just mind that sump smile

antonio.cocchi

Original Poster:

172 posts

43 months

Friday 11th September 2020
quotequote all
ForzaGilles said:
antonio.cocchi said:
The car you link was in my favourites from the beginning.biggrin

You "promote" a question that I have alwais forget to do. Why big wheels are worst then 13 and 14"?
Two reasons: the smaller wheels are lighter and therefore unsprung weight will be lower, and also the centre of gravity will be lower. Just mind that sump smile
Even more because street in Italy are everything than perfect frown

ForzaGilles

557 posts

223 months

Friday 11th September 2020
quotequote all
antonio.cocchi said:
Even more because street in Italy are everything than perfect frown
They're pretty bad here too, Antonio frown

antonio.cocchi

Original Poster:

172 posts

43 months

Friday 11th September 2020
quotequote all
ForzaGilles said:
antonio.cocchi said:
Even more because street in Italy are everything than perfect frown
They're pretty bad here too, Antonio frown
Maybe is for the lobby of the Mechanics. They are pretty organized.... laugh

DoubleD

22,154 posts

107 months

Friday 11th September 2020
quotequote all
Smaller wheels with a bigger sidewall should help with bumpy roads

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Friday 11th September 2020
quotequote all
antonio.cocchi said:
The car you link was in my favourites from the beginning.biggrin

You "promote" a question that I have alwais forget to do. Why big wheels are worst then 13 and 14"?

P.s. I have forget the turtle since longe time...
P.s. 2: my lady is 150cm, so I think can fit even the truck
P.s. 3: sleep in a Caterham with a girl and your are more then 190cm, I need to know.??

Of course thanks a lot at you both for the contribution
Buy it smile

On top of what the other guys said on wheels, you also used to get a better selection o suitable tyres. (Haven't used mine for a while, so will need to check that scene out when I get the car back on the road (having kids meant little time to use it).

Beach ball has also gone. More a turtle now smile

My OH is a bit taller...but still isn't amused by the roll cage and faff. A car without a roll cage is more...."normal". And let's face it, a 7 needs all the help it can get on that front.

The overnighter in the Caterham is a story for another day. Let's just say it wasn't planned smile

antonio.cocchi

Original Poster:

172 posts

43 months

Saturday 12th September 2020
quotequote all
Murph7355 said:
antonio.cocchi said:
The car you link was in my favourites from the beginning.biggrin

You "promote" a question that I have alwais forget to do. Why big wheels are worst then 13 and 14"?

P.s. I have forget the turtle since longe time...
P.s. 2: my lady is 150cm, so I think can fit even the truck
P.s. 3: sleep in a Caterham with a girl and your are more then 190cm, I need to know.??

Of course thanks a lot at you both for the contribution
Buy it smile

On top of what the other guys said on wheels, you also used to get a better selection o suitable tyres. (Haven't used mine for a while, so will need to check that scene out when I get the car back on the road (having kids meant little time to use it).

Beach ball has also gone. More a turtle now smile

My OH is a bit taller...but still isn't amused by the roll cage and faff. A car without a roll cage is more...."normal". And let's face it, a 7 needs all the help it can get on that front.

The overnighter in the Caterham is a story for another day. Let's just say it wasn't planned smile
cool

I'm waiting an answer from the bank, then I will pay the guy for search and examinate.
Then maybe I will take a couple of day for have a look in person. Who knows. Maybe in spring I will use a four wheel instead my Speedy.

nunuk

56 posts

66 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2020
quotequote all
antonio.cocchi said:
Maybe is for the lobby of the Mechanics. They are pretty organized.... laugh
rofl

Just do not buy the car without having sat in it first, or in another with same chassis. The first time I went into a S3 i needed help getting myself out from it, as you said "big bones" and that's exactly my case, I went for the SV chassis. Good luck with the purchase!

antonio.cocchi

Original Poster:

172 posts

43 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2020
quotequote all
nunuk said:
antonio.cocchi said:
Maybe is for the lobby of the Mechanics. They are pretty organized.... laugh
rofl

Just do not buy the car without having sat in it first, or in another with same chassis. The first time I went into a S3 i needed help getting myself out from it, as you said "big bones" and that's exactly my case, I went for the SV chassis. Good luck with the purchase!
You make me scared....
Quite difficult to found someone with a S3 chassis, most of people have westy or another replica....😰
Are SV chassis produced before 2001?

nunuk

56 posts

66 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2020
quotequote all
According to Wiki the SV chassis started to be built in 2000, so maybe it is pre 2001, or maybe not... right?

What I can tell you is that if your hips are something like 112/114cm round, you'd probably have the same problem than I had, it's not that i'm obese (...yet!), but with the leather seats and these measures, you'll be stuck in it. I had the same problem finding S3 and/or SV units in Spain, so I arranged a test drive and I took a trip to Gatwick just to be 100% sure of what I should buy.

Maybe a short trip to Milano (Borghi Automobili) would sort out your doubts.

antonio.cocchi

Original Poster:

172 posts

43 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2020
quotequote all
nunuk said:
According to Wiki the SV chassis started to be built in 2000, so maybe it is pre 2001, or maybe not... right?

What I can tell you is that if your hips are something like 112/114cm round, you'd probably have the same problem than I had, it's not that i'm obese (...yet!), but with the leather seats and these measures, you'll be stuck in it. I had the same problem finding S3 and/or SV units in Spain, so I arranged a test drive and I took a trip to Gatwick just to be 100% sure of what I should buy.

Maybe a short trip to Milano (Borghi Automobili) would sort out your doubts.
No pre-2001 SV on Sale at the moment. I've booked a trip to London in early december, but I would like to close before.
For sure I've to sit in one ASAP.

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Thursday 24th September 2020
quotequote all
If I didn't mention it before, my car has a bench seat. These give much much more room.

You can also use a foam moulded seat.

Bench seats are effectively a seat base on the floor and padding on the back. Actually comfortable and the rest of the car supports you.

I went in an SV a couple of times. Felt too big. But if you've never driven a 7 you probably won't think so.

antonio.cocchi

Original Poster:

172 posts

43 months

Saturday 10th October 2020
quotequote all
Well, finally I've paid a deposit to "the guy" for search a Seven for me. Finger cross....

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Saturday 10th October 2020
quotequote all
antonio.cocchi said:
Well, finally I've paid a deposit to "the guy" for search a Seven for me. Finger cross....
You've paid a deposit on a car? Or some money to someone to find you one?

If the latter, I wouldn't be paying anyone to find a car until they'd found me a decent one - would happily sign up to an arrangement to find me one if I was remote as you are, but wouldn't be paying in advance.

antonio.cocchi

Original Poster:

172 posts

43 months

Saturday 10th October 2020
quotequote all
Murph7355 said:
antonio.cocchi said:
Well, finally I've paid a deposit to "the guy" for search a Seven for me. Finger cross....
You've paid a deposit on a car? Or some money to someone to find you one?

If the latter, I wouldn't be paying anyone to find a car until they'd found me a decent one - would happily sign up to an arrangement to find me one if I was remote as you are, but wouldn't be paying in advance.
He Is a well know guy here in Italy. He need a (very Small) deposit because in Italy Is full of person that have a lot of time to loose.