First Caterham - buying advice…
Discussion
Something to think about when you do sit in cars to test the fit...
Nothing is "fixed" on a 7, and cars will differ. Seat adjustment will depend on where the holes have been drilled, what spacers have been used etc. The pedal box is very adjustable and it will take a bit of tinkering to get right. In short, don't immediately come to the conclusion that, for example, Tillets leave you sat too high, but too far away from the pedals, as the seats may be on spacers that can be removed and the pedals moved back.
Nothing is "fixed" on a 7, and cars will differ. Seat adjustment will depend on where the holes have been drilled, what spacers have been used etc. The pedal box is very adjustable and it will take a bit of tinkering to get right. In short, don't immediately come to the conclusion that, for example, Tillets leave you sat too high, but too far away from the pedals, as the seats may be on spacers that can be removed and the pedals moved back.
The comfort of the seat is surprisingly not what it looks like.
Back in the summer I borrowed one of Caterham's demo cars, drove it round Wales for 4 days sitting in the Tillet race seats. They are basically plastic shells with zero padding.
Very comfortable. No aches or pains.
The leather ones look soft and comfy but the race ones were fine. The car was on the lower profile tyres as well, the smaller wheels with higher profile tyres would make the ride even more compliant.
For road use you really don't need a high / racing spec. Standard everything is still bonkers fun.
Plus you can change pretty much any of it later on if you fancy.
The Caterham dealers offer demo cars, worth taking one for a day or two.
Back in the summer I borrowed one of Caterham's demo cars, drove it round Wales for 4 days sitting in the Tillet race seats. They are basically plastic shells with zero padding.
Very comfortable. No aches or pains.
The leather ones look soft and comfy but the race ones were fine. The car was on the lower profile tyres as well, the smaller wheels with higher profile tyres would make the ride even more compliant.
For road use you really don't need a high / racing spec. Standard everything is still bonkers fun.
Plus you can change pretty much any of it later on if you fancy.
The Caterham dealers offer demo cars, worth taking one for a day or two.
AinsleyB said:
The comfort of the seat is surprisingly not what it looks like.
Back in the summer I borrowed one of Caterham's demo cars, drove it round Wales for 4 days sitting in the Tillet race seats. They are basically plastic shells with zero padding.
Very comfortable. No aches or pains.
The leather ones look soft and comfy but the race ones were fine. The car was on the lower profile tyres as well, the smaller wheels with higher profile tyres would make the ride even more compliant.
For road use you really don't need a high / racing spec. Standard everything is still bonkers fun.
Plus you can change pretty much any of it later on if you fancy.
The Caterham dealers offer demo cars, worth taking one for a day or two.
Good stuff, and thanks to everyone for the advice - I’ve digested it all.Back in the summer I borrowed one of Caterham's demo cars, drove it round Wales for 4 days sitting in the Tillet race seats. They are basically plastic shells with zero padding.
Very comfortable. No aches or pains.
The leather ones look soft and comfy but the race ones were fine. The car was on the lower profile tyres as well, the smaller wheels with higher profile tyres would make the ride even more compliant.
For road use you really don't need a high / racing spec. Standard everything is still bonkers fun.
Plus you can change pretty much any of it later on if you fancy.
The Caterham dealers offer demo cars, worth taking one for a day or two.
Luckily(?!) my budget doesn’t stretch to high/racing spec. I’m more than happy to be aiming for the lower end of the “standard” power spectrum I’m certainly aware, and can vividly remember just how much even 100hp feels in a half tonne car.
Also looking forward to changing things up and tinkering as you say - my eldest is coming on 5, and I’m very much looking forward to afternoons spannering in the garage in the years ahead
timbob said:
Good stuff, and thanks to everyone for the advice - I’ve digested it all.
Luckily(?!) my budget doesn’t stretch to high/racing spec. I’m more than happy to be aiming for the lower end of the “standard” power spectrum I’m certainly aware, and can vividly remember just how much even 100hp feels in a half tonne car.
Also looking forward to changing things up and tinkering as you say - my eldest is coming on 5, and I’m very much looking forward to afternoons spannering in the garage in the years ahead
Tinkering is always going to be a big thing with any 7 owner, lots can be changed easily to trailer it to yourself.Luckily(?!) my budget doesn’t stretch to high/racing spec. I’m more than happy to be aiming for the lower end of the “standard” power spectrum I’m certainly aware, and can vividly remember just how much even 100hp feels in a half tonne car.
Also looking forward to changing things up and tinkering as you say - my eldest is coming on 5, and I’m very much looking forward to afternoons spannering in the garage in the years ahead
The 2 big things that can’t be changed are body width(SV/Standard) and axle (Live/De-dion). So those are the main requirements.
Engine/gearbox requirements are the second level decision, they can be swapped but depending on the swap, cost can be expensive.
Third level decision is stuff like lowered floors, suspension, LSD, wide track or narrow track, etc. Not cheap to change but not excessive in cost either.
S366 said:
Tinkering is always going to be a big thing with any 7 owner, lots can be changed easily to trailer it to yourself.
The 2 big things that can’t be changed are body width(SV/Standard) and axle (Live/De-dion). So those are the main requirements.
Engine/gearbox requirements are the second level decision, they can be swapped but depending on the swap, cost can be expensive.
Third level decision is stuff like lowered floors, suspension, LSD, wide track or narrow track, etc. Not cheap to change but not excessive in cost either.
Yes...but you very quickly get to the point it's just much more economical to upgrade to a different car. My first Caterham was a Sigma Roadsport 125, it was a great car but I ideally wanted more power, a track day roll bar, bigger brakes, wide track and 8" wheels at the back...costing that lot up was eye watering and it would have only ever bee a Roadsport with some tweaks. I ended up selling it for what I paid for it and bought an original (as in factory, not a tweaked R300) R400K for much less than it would have cost to upgrade the Roadsport, and it's a far more desirable car and a safer "investment".The 2 big things that can’t be changed are body width(SV/Standard) and axle (Live/De-dion). So those are the main requirements.
Engine/gearbox requirements are the second level decision, they can be swapped but depending on the swap, cost can be expensive.
Third level decision is stuff like lowered floors, suspension, LSD, wide track or narrow track, etc. Not cheap to change but not excessive in cost either.
Hard-Drive said:
Yes...but you very quickly get to the point it's just much more economical to upgrade to a different car. My first Caterham was a Sigma Roadsport 125, it was a great car but I ideally wanted more power, a track day roll bar, bigger brakes, wide track and 8" wheels at the back...costing that lot up was eye watering and it would have only ever bee a Roadsport with some tweaks. I ended up selling it for what I paid for it and bought an original (as in factory, not a tweaked R300) R400K for much less than it would have cost to upgrade the Roadsport, and it's a far more desirable car and a safer "investment".
Man maths doesn’t work that way though. I can never justify to myself spending £x on a Caterham so will buy one for less but then convince myself that it is perfectly ok to spend £x+ on upgrading my car. Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff