Advice Buying my first Caterham

Advice Buying my first Caterham

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Lewboy95

Original Poster:

25 posts

42 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2020
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Hi everyone, Looking for some help and advice on picking my first Caterham, I’ll be going half’s with my dad for some father son weekend bonding. We are looking for a car that can do a lot of weekends on the pothole filled country roads of Scotland but can also take to a track day with the option to add power, and handing upgrades in the years to come. I’ve got a list of 6 so far, would appreciate any advice. And thanks for anyone who takes the time to look at the options I’ve linked below

Caterham options


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008273... £24,995 black//silver 2015

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008262... £24,995 green/yellow 2014

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10765210?c... £23,000 grey/orange 2019

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10866243 £20.995 yellow/black 2015


https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10683908?c... £20,000 red 2018

https://www.caterhamcars.com/en/in-stock/model?id=... £23,995 black/black 2020



Glug69

71 posts

121 months

Thursday 24th September 2020
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It looks like you are interested in the sigma engine cars, I have a sigma engine SV with the 150bhp upgrade which I plan on selling, if you are interested in a private sale let me know.

Lewboy95

Original Poster:

25 posts

42 months

Thursday 24th September 2020
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Yea if you want to send me over a few pictures, year etc I’ll definitely have a look

Lewboy95

Original Poster:

25 posts

42 months

Thursday 24th September 2020
quotequote all
Yea, I did have a look at that one as well but was put off slightly by the age and mileage. I think something newer with less millage and 125-150hp would suit with the option to upgrade as would likely be predominantly road use with the odd track day at first. Could anyone tell me if there’s a massive difference in the comfort levels with the leather seats compared to the bucket seat? And how easily are roll cages removed for day weekend use but added for a track day??

Lewboy95

Original Poster:

25 posts

42 months

Thursday 24th September 2020
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Also are the academy cars the easiest to then upgrade?? Or would it be the one of the other models?

Thanks

Lewboy95

Original Poster:

25 posts

42 months

Thursday 24th September 2020
quotequote all
Yea wasnt sure about the cage, couldn’t imagine my mum or girlfriend clambering in

Glug69

71 posts

121 months

Thursday 24th September 2020
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My car is a 2007 Roadsport with 41700 miles, so going by one of your other posts it sounds like it will be too high mileage for you, but if you are still interested I can send you photos and a detailed spec, I tried to private message you earlier and it said you didn't accept messages so if you are interested message me with a contact email.

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Friday 25th September 2020
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Lewboy95 said:
Yea wasnt sure about the cage, couldn’t imagine my mum or girlfriend clambering in
I agree with Ash - if the car will get used mostly on the road, don't get one with a cage.

I would also recommend getting one with a screen and weather gear, plus a FIA rollover bar - they come with an additional brace that is useful for track work, are more substantial and taller (can still be used with weather gear).

Don't worry about age or mileage. Condition is imperative.

The orange one seems like the best option of those linked to IMO.

Lewboy95

Original Poster:

25 posts

42 months

Friday 25th September 2020
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Great advice, Good to know about the fia bar. Thanks

BertBert

18,954 posts

210 months

Friday 25th September 2020
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Lewboy95 said:
And how easily are roll cages removed for day weekend use but added for a track day??
Not in the slightest! A completely vile thing putting a cage in that you don't do lightly!

Lewboy95

Original Poster:

25 posts

42 months

Friday 25th September 2020
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BertBert said:
Not in the slightest! A completely vile thing putting a cage in that you don't do lightly!
Again thanks for the info, will need to take the cage into consideration

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Friday 25th September 2020
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Lewboy95 said:
BertBert said:
Not in the slightest! A completely vile thing putting a cage in that you don't do lightly!
Again thanks for the info, will need to take the cage into consideration
If you've never had a 7, and want to use it mainly on the road and for OH's to go with you, just dismiss any with a cage!

I had one put on mine and whilst it's amazing for the track, it's totally unnecessary for the road, and much more of an incumbrance.

You can switch between a screen and aeroscreen quite easily to give you a different feel. But tbh even with that I wear a helmet in mine now (no screen)...the times I've had stones pinging off it will mean I'll never do anything other.

If you have normal sized feet, you'll be wearing race boots (/very narrow shoes), you'll probably have/want a removable steering wheel to carry around and a lid...it all just erodes the "get in and drive" bit.

My car started out with screen and weather gear. It was my only car for ages and I drove it everywhere. That's not the case now (in the interests of transparency, mainly for the last 8yrs down to lack of time due to having kids....they're just starting to show a big interest in the cars now so will be getting it back on the road fully next year with a fair wind. But in its current guise it will be unlikely to be used for the supermarket run. May pick them up from school in it though biggrin).

Lewboy95

Original Poster:

25 posts

42 months

Friday 25th September 2020
quotequote all
Murph7355 said:
If you've never had a 7, and want to use it mainly on the road and for OH's to go with you, just dismiss any with a cage!

I had one put on mine and whilst it's amazing for the track, it's totally unnecessary for the road, and much more of an incumbrance.

You can switch between a screen and aeroscreen quite easily to give you a different feel. But tbh even with that I wear a helmet in mine now (no screen)...the times I've had stones pinging off it will mean I'll never do anything other.

If you have normal sized feet, you'll be wearing race boots (/very narrow shoes), you'll probably have/want a removable steering wheel to carry around and a lid...it all just erodes the "get in and drive" bit.

My car started out with screen and weather gear. It was my only car for ages and I drove it everywhere. That's not the case now (in the interests of transparency, mainly for the last 8yrs down to lack of time due to having kids....they're just starting to show a big interest in the cars now so will be getting it back on the road fully next year with a fair wind. But in its current guise it will be unlikely to be used for the supermarket run. May pick them up from school in it though biggrin).
Thanks, maybe I’ll get one with a cage just to stop my mum getting in

Lewboy95

Original Poster:

25 posts

42 months

Friday 25th September 2020
quotequote all
ash73 said:
You could get a brand new one of these for the same budget

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/mk-indy...

Bike engine maybe not ideal for cruising around Scotland, but worth a look.
I’ll give that a read thanks

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Friday 25th September 2020
quotequote all
ash73 said:
You could get a brand new one of these for the same budget

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/mk-indy...

Bike engine maybe not ideal for cruising around Scotland, but worth a look.
Ooof. Can of worms smile

(Alikes always look a little odd/off to me. Quite often good value, but if you want Levis, you want Levis smile).

Tupwood

162 posts

67 months

Saturday 26th September 2020
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What experience do you have driving Caterhams on the road? Your choice of model will be steered by the 'fit' for you and your dad – S3 body versus SV wider & longer body. If you haven't already put some miles in, I recommend chatting to Boyd Stokes at https://www.openroadhire.co.uk and take one of his out for a few days.

Power is subjective, and everyone views this differently. The upgrade path for different engines is quite stark though – Sigma / Duratec / K-Series etc. It's worth noting what you can (and can't do) easily to the model(s) you are considering buying.

Wheel size, and subsequent tyre-sidewall depth can also make a huge difference to the feel and ride of the car. These are relatively easy to change after purchase, but for potholed bumpy roads I would look for 13" inch wheels and deeper, more flexing tyres than say 15" and skinny rubber.

Drive lots of different ones, and then try to pick one that ticks the most of your personal boxes. The rest you can change later, for a price.


Glenn T

25 posts

107 months

Tuesday 29th September 2020
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As previous post says it really depends on what youll use it for.

If you are big (tall or errr wide) you might need to consider an SV.

Also Tillet seats are surprisingly comfortable, but you get and extra inch or two around hips and shoulders with leather seats.

Power and ease of upgrade, sigma costs c £2500 to get from 135 to 152 bhp, but to get above that is very expensive (ie 175bhp through premier power costs £8k!!!). In other words if you think you’ll at some point want more thaN 150bhp, don’t buy a sigma.

Kseries for £25k will get you more power, but obviously it’ll be an older car.

You might Get lucky and find a Duartec with 180bhp (c £3000 to take it to 210hp) but they are tough to find for £25k (I know I’ve just bought one for £26k). However there was an r400 Duartec for sale in Scotland for £25k a few weeks ago, it needed tidying up (a few chips and stone rash etc.) and Autumn- winter is a buyers market.

At the end of the day, don’t be put off, you’ll love whatever you buy and even if you did end up upgrading, they hold their value pretty well anyway.

Lewboy95

Original Poster:

25 posts

42 months

Wednesday 30th September 2020
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Thanks everyone, a lot of information and advice to help.

ghibbett

1,900 posts

184 months

Wednesday 30th September 2020
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ash73 said:
That one looks great!

Lewboy95

Original Poster:

25 posts

42 months

Wednesday 30th September 2020
quotequote all
ash73 said:
Yea that’s one of the of ones I have saved, thanks