Where do I start - with this, perhaps?
Discussion
After retiring nearly 3 years ago at the start of the pandemic, I’m now looking forward to owning a fun car to enjoy the Perthshire roads and beyond this summer. I was looking for a classic but decided it might spend more time in the garage rather than having something I want to just go out and drive. I’ve no experience with Caterham cars, previous ownership does include Golf GTi/R/R32 and BMW M3s, but their appeal is drawing me in and I think it’s ticking all the necessary boxes. I want something fairly simple to maintain, not going to depreciate greatly, put a smile on my face and match my skill level. After reading numerous threads on here, I decided my main priorities are 150bhp(ish), full screen, heater, lowered floor (I’m 6’ tall), leather seats and no more than £25k. This car seems to fit the bill and appears to have been previously owned by a PH enthusiast!
https://www.gpsevens.co.uk/portfolio-item/caterham...
Here in Perth, there is no local dealer so I’m resigned to the fact I will probably have to travel to find the right car. Based on my criteria and being a Caterham virgin, does the linked car fit the bill or is it missing something fundamental to my needs? Incidentally, I am thinking to hire a Caterham from a local hire company to experience the Caterham bug but I am tempted by the vehicle at gpsevens.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
https://www.gpsevens.co.uk/portfolio-item/caterham...
Here in Perth, there is no local dealer so I’m resigned to the fact I will probably have to travel to find the right car. Based on my criteria and being a Caterham virgin, does the linked car fit the bill or is it missing something fundamental to my needs? Incidentally, I am thinking to hire a Caterham from a local hire company to experience the Caterham bug but I am tempted by the vehicle at gpsevens.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
My advice is always drive one first for at least an hour before parting with serious money. As wonderful as they are the rawness can be too much for some.
Also depending on your build (I.e. you have large muscles or have eaten too many pies and pizza in the past!) you may find an S3 chassis restrictive compared to an SV chassis,, so you should try to compare both
Also depending on your build (I.e. you have large muscles or have eaten too many pies and pizza in the past!) you may find an S3 chassis restrictive compared to an SV chassis,, so you should try to compare both
Edited by agatebox on Friday 13th January 13:58
Caterhams are superb but as above, not for everyone. I adored mine, wife hated it. Not so much of a trouble as it was my sunny weather, go for a blast by myself type of car.
I used mine a lot but I still only covered a few thousand miles. On tours I would say I got wet at least one in every two, plus it gave you a bit of anxiety on stuff you've planned in advance if the weather started to look iffy. Yes you can wrap up, yes you can carry a spare full face if required but believe me, getting caught in a downpour is no fun whatsoever. You and the car dry out quickly but visibility is atrocious.
You also need to drive defensively, people are not conditioned to look out for small cars like a Caterham never mind just how ignorant other road users have become in their 2 ton + tanks. Overtaking isn't always as easy as you'd imagine as you sit so low that on undulating roads (which you actively seek out of course) you really struggle to see past bigger cars. I once got stuck behind an Asda delivery van on my favourite road as I just couldn't see past him for long enough if a brief overtaking spot emerged.
In the end, the wife was so nervous of me being killed/injured by someone else in it I sold up.
Think of it as a motorbike for car guys and you won't go far wrong. I'm still of the opinion there's nothing else out there like them, exemplified by the fact I still don't know what to replace it with
I personally don't think hiring one will really let you see if you like one enough but luckily they're pretty much depreciation proof-if you buy right you can try one for a year and if you don't like it, sell it on at minimal loss-if someone said you could hire a Caterham for a year for two grand it'd seem like a good deal!
I used mine a lot but I still only covered a few thousand miles. On tours I would say I got wet at least one in every two, plus it gave you a bit of anxiety on stuff you've planned in advance if the weather started to look iffy. Yes you can wrap up, yes you can carry a spare full face if required but believe me, getting caught in a downpour is no fun whatsoever. You and the car dry out quickly but visibility is atrocious.
You also need to drive defensively, people are not conditioned to look out for small cars like a Caterham never mind just how ignorant other road users have become in their 2 ton + tanks. Overtaking isn't always as easy as you'd imagine as you sit so low that on undulating roads (which you actively seek out of course) you really struggle to see past bigger cars. I once got stuck behind an Asda delivery van on my favourite road as I just couldn't see past him for long enough if a brief overtaking spot emerged.
In the end, the wife was so nervous of me being killed/injured by someone else in it I sold up.
Think of it as a motorbike for car guys and you won't go far wrong. I'm still of the opinion there's nothing else out there like them, exemplified by the fact I still don't know what to replace it with
I personally don't think hiring one will really let you see if you like one enough but luckily they're pretty much depreciation proof-if you buy right you can try one for a year and if you don't like it, sell it on at minimal loss-if someone said you could hire a Caterham for a year for two grand it'd seem like a good deal!
Thanks for the replies. I weigh 80kg so I’m thinking an S3 will be fine. I take on board the comments about being seen and seeing around objects which did surprise me. My wife has already declared it’s not for her so the passenger seat wouldn’t get much wear during my ownership.
I think I will be patient and go for a day experience just to get a taster. At least it will tell me if it’s definitely not for me. Any comments on the car I linked? Just to get an idea of specs, engine etc.
I think I will be patient and go for a day experience just to get a taster. At least it will tell me if it’s definitely not for me. Any comments on the car I linked? Just to get an idea of specs, engine etc.
Scaleybrat said:
Thanks for the replies. I weigh 80kg so I’m thinking an S3 will be fine. I take on board the comments about being seen and seeing around objects which did surprise me. My wife has already declared it’s not for her so the passenger seat wouldn’t get much wear during my ownership.
I think I will be patient and go for a day experience just to get a taster. At least it will tell me if it’s definitely not for me. Any comments on the car I linked? Just to get an idea of specs, engine etc.
I’m almost 90kg, so you’ll be fine in an S3. That’s a good spec and 140bhp will give you plenty of overtaking opportunities. The full hood is a bit of a faff to erect, so I would get a half-hood with Easy-In option on the driver’s side. Much quicker to erect and far less claustrophobic. Available from Caterham or SoftBitsForSevens.I think I will be patient and go for a day experience just to get a taster. At least it will tell me if it’s definitely not for me. Any comments on the car I linked? Just to get an idea of specs, engine etc.
Hire one for the weekend first!
There are at least three specialist Caterham hire companies in Scotland, and its a great excuse to 'try before you buy'. I had a weekend in the Highlands in my first hired Caterham, then a longer trip to do the NC500 the following year.
Now I have my own, but the Scottish roads are a long, long, way to go for a Blat.
There are at least three specialist Caterham hire companies in Scotland, and its a great excuse to 'try before you buy'. I had a weekend in the Highlands in my first hired Caterham, then a longer trip to do the NC500 the following year.
Now I have my own, but the Scottish roads are a long, long, way to go for a Blat.
Tupwood said:
Hire one for the weekend first!
There are at least three specialist Caterham hire companies in Scotland, and its a great excuse to 'try before you buy'. I had a weekend in the Highlands in my first hired Caterham, then a longer trip to do the NC500 the following year.
Now I have my own, but the Scottish roads are a long, long, way to go for a Blat.
Based on earlier advice in this thread, my plan is to hire from 7 Ecosse for a day and see how it goes. There are at least three specialist Caterham hire companies in Scotland, and its a great excuse to 'try before you buy'. I had a weekend in the Highlands in my first hired Caterham, then a longer trip to do the NC500 the following year.
Now I have my own, but the Scottish roads are a long, long, way to go for a Blat.
911sse said:
Do Revolutions in Perth not sell and service Caterhams? Might not be a franchised dealer (anymore?) but plenty seem to pass through the website and the last time I was there (few years now) they had a few hanging around.
Looks like they mainly deal with Morgan but they do have one Caterham currently in stock. I’ll keep one eye on them but think it’s along shot. Edited by 911sse on Friday 13th January 20:43
I looked at that car at GP Seven last week. Personally I wanted a different colour and it was slightly more than I wanted to pay. I’m slightly chunkier than you (but shorter) but fitted in fine. Speak to Antony Paine at GP. He is a very nice bloke and more than happy to talk you through everything.
I think that car is nice and a good spec for what you are wanting. Definitely try before you buy but odds on that you'll love it!
Regarding the cautionary tale above, I don't really experience much of those things. Yes it's a small car and you should be defensive, but I can't remember an incident that I've thought I'd not been seen. Same with overtaking, I don't find it particularly hard to see if it's clear or not any worse than any other car. But everyone's experience is different!!
Regarding the cautionary tale above, I don't really experience much of those things. Yes it's a small car and you should be defensive, but I can't remember an incident that I've thought I'd not been seen. Same with overtaking, I don't find it particularly hard to see if it's clear or not any worse than any other car. But everyone's experience is different!!
Regarding being seen by other drivers, the first thing I did when joining the Caterham fold was to upgrade all my lights to LEDs. And have them on at ALL times. I drive defensively but have always done that anyway - I used to ride motorbikes and it’s the only way to stay alive in the long term.
At first you feel vulnerable but you soon get used to it and it goes completely out of the window once you get onto the open roads, where suddenly the car makes complete sense.
At first you feel vulnerable but you soon get used to it and it goes completely out of the window once you get onto the open roads, where suddenly the car makes complete sense.
Scaleybrat said:
Thanks for all the advice and comments. Decided now to wait until I can go on an experience session (hopefully in April) and then go from there. Nothing has put me off and most of the comments have increased my curiosity to drive an S3.
I’m 6 foot 2 and 95kg. I assumed I’d need a wider chassis. I tried both sizes and much preferred the S3. It felt snug without being uncomfortable, completely at one with the car. Saying that, it was too snug with the bucket seats so I have the standard leather ones. They’re really quite comfortable and I don’t plan to track the car that much. The wider chassis was too spacious and I felt I’d lost some connection with the car. I have the lowered floors, which was a must given my height. I hired a 360R from Silverstone for a weekend as I really wanted to ‘live with it’ for a while, including driving it in heavy traffic, in the dark and on different types of road, including a few hours on the motorway. I felt it gave me a really good taste of what I was letting myself in for. It clearly left an impression as I stuck a deposit on a 420R the following weekend! Shame the summer ended the day after I picked it up!
Looks a nice car, although to me the price seems maybe a little punchy considering it appears to be a Rosdsport upgraded to Supersport spec in engine only (i.e. no LSD and therefore 3.92 final drive).
However GP Sevens get a lot of very good press and you should be confident buying from them.
But first, and to echo others on here, please hire one first. Boyd Stokes runs Highland Caterham Hire (up in Elgin) and has a number of Sevens you can hire. He's a good chap and worth calling at the least.
However GP Sevens get a lot of very good press and you should be confident buying from them.
But first, and to echo others on here, please hire one first. Boyd Stokes runs Highland Caterham Hire (up in Elgin) and has a number of Sevens you can hire. He's a good chap and worth calling at the least.
Chubbyross said:
I’m 6 foot 2 and 95kg. I assumed I’d need a wider chassis. I tried both sizes and much preferred the S3.
Those are my stats…. it’s your shape that matters! An S3 is a painful interference fit across my hips, so I have an SV. Lowered floors were also a must as I am long in the body.Best thing for OP, awkward though it’d be, is to visit a dealer or a local meet with a selection of cars to try: S3/SV, standard/lowered floors, different seats (my GT seats are worth every penny)
7Ecosse are located close to me and they have a S3 and an SV, so I should get the opportunity to compare. Thanks again for the additional comments and advice. Reading various forums, one concern I have is there doesn’t seem to be a recognised Caterham service centre in Scotland. It’s something I’m going to have to consider if I decide to purchase a car.
BigCol said:
Chubbyross said:
I’m 6 foot 2 and 95kg. I assumed I’d need a wider chassis. I tried both sizes and much preferred the S3.
Those are my stats…. it’s your shape that matters! An S3 is a painful interference fit across my hips, so I have an SV. Lowered floors were also a must as I am long in the body.Best thing for OP, awkward though it’d be, is to visit a dealer or a local meet with a selection of cars to try: S3/SV, standard/lowered floors, different seats (my GT seats are worth every penny)
The one seat I didn’t try was the GT. Do they pinch your hips or are they quite flat like the standard leather ones? I’ve heard they’re the best you can get for Caterham. They sound like a cross between bucket and standard. Is that right?
Pflanzgarten said:
Caterhams are superb but as above, not for everyone. I adored mine, wife hated it. Not so much of a trouble as it was my sunny weather, go for a blast by myself type of car.
I used mine a lot but I still only covered a few thousand miles. On tours I would say I got wet at least one in every two, plus it gave you a bit of anxiety on stuff you've planned in advance if the weather started to look iffy. Yes you can wrap up, yes you can carry a spare full face if required but believe me, getting caught in a downpour is no fun whatsoever. You and the car dry out quickly but visibility is atrocious.
You also need to drive defensively, people are not conditioned to look out for small cars like a Caterham never mind just how ignorant other road users have become in their 2 ton + tanks. Overtaking isn't always as easy as you'd imagine as you sit so low that on undulating roads (which you actively seek out of course) you really struggle to see past bigger cars. I once got stuck behind an Asda delivery van on my favourite road as I just couldn't see past him for long enough if a brief overtaking spot emerged.
In the end, the wife was so nervous of me being killed/injured by someone else in it I sold up.
Think of it as a motorbike for car guys and you won't go far wrong. I'm still of the opinion there's nothing else out there like them, exemplified by the fact I still don't know what to replace it with
I was never so terrified as I was being caught in a downpour on the motorway. Visibility was terrible and I couldn't go quickly due to aquaplaning, so trucks were all around me and their wheels looked huge.I used mine a lot but I still only covered a few thousand miles. On tours I would say I got wet at least one in every two, plus it gave you a bit of anxiety on stuff you've planned in advance if the weather started to look iffy. Yes you can wrap up, yes you can carry a spare full face if required but believe me, getting caught in a downpour is no fun whatsoever. You and the car dry out quickly but visibility is atrocious.
You also need to drive defensively, people are not conditioned to look out for small cars like a Caterham never mind just how ignorant other road users have become in their 2 ton + tanks. Overtaking isn't always as easy as you'd imagine as you sit so low that on undulating roads (which you actively seek out of course) you really struggle to see past bigger cars. I once got stuck behind an Asda delivery van on my favourite road as I just couldn't see past him for long enough if a brief overtaking spot emerged.
In the end, the wife was so nervous of me being killed/injured by someone else in it I sold up.
Think of it as a motorbike for car guys and you won't go far wrong. I'm still of the opinion there's nothing else out there like them, exemplified by the fact I still don't know what to replace it with
Mine was 270hp so overtaking was easy, but was still difficult to see past cars for safe opportunities
I eventually got rid as the opportunities for diving it were limited, but its the car I regret selling the most.
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