What is the difference

[RobM77]

Marcellus said:

SO given my Budget, and location, if I were to buy a Factory Built Caterham would it be easier to get spare parts (even if I had to pay for shipping from Catherham themselves)?

Or do Caterham change/upgrade parts relatively frequently?

Caterhams are generally very reliable and their low weight means that things don't wear out. In the three years of owning my road going 7, I only needed to change a couple of wheel bearings and that was it - even the tyres never wore down.

If you're in Buckinghamshire, Caterham Midlands are that far really. Having said that, Caterhams are very easy indeed to work on, and Caterham Parts department are very quick and efficient at getting stuff to you.

Edited by RobM77 on Tuesday 16th October 11:14

[Snake the Sniper]

Rob, if you don't mind me asking how many miles did you do in those 3 years? God knows how you managed to get tyres to last 3 years! Or are you a cruising type?

[RobM77]

Snake the Sniper said:

Rob, if you don't mind me asking how many miles did you do in those 3 years? God knows how you managed to get tyres to last 3 years! Or are you a cruising type?

Not too many, I confess!! They were Avon ZR1s - absolutely no grip at all but lasted ages.

[Snake the Sniper]

Sounds a bit like the set I got with mine! Rock hard compared to the F1's I like and not a lot of grip. Still managed to get them nice and warm though. Just needed a bit of extra right boot.

[casbar]

Caterhams, are very reliable, but things do wear out.

I do about 7 trackdays a year in my R300 engined car. And things to break and things do need changing. If you track it a lot, then bushes will wear out, along with wheel bearings etc.

If you just use it on the road, then things will obviously last longer.

A set of soft tyres, will only last about 5000 road miles. This would be the same with any 7 type car that is used as it should be

[RobM77]

casbar said:

Caterhams, are very reliable, but things do wear out.

I do about 7 trackdays a year in my R300 engined car. And things to break and things do need changing. If you track it a lot, then bushes will wear out, along with wheel bearings etc.

If you just use it on the road, then things will obviously last longer.

A set of soft tyres, will only last about 5000 road miles. This would be the same with any 7 type car that is used as it should be

Blimey! Quick shower of commas there

[casbar]

[RobM77]

I had to read your post about eight times before I understood it!

I agree though the wear and tear does obviously depend on your use. My road going VVC Roadsport running Avons and doing 3,000 road miles and one trackday a year only ever needed two wheel bearings replaced. It ran on the same brake pads, tyres etc for the whole three years I owned it! I don't think anything ever broke and all my services were just basic costs. In contrast, my present Roadsport race car seems to digest bearings, brake pads and tyres rather quickly!

[Noger]

RobM77 said:

• The Caterham club is probably the best car club I've ever been involved with. This alone would swing it for me.

Your mileage may vary. Mine did. Still tearing themselves to bits on Blatchat I notice.

If you can avoid the politics (and there is loads) then you will get lots of answers.

[CanAm]

Marcellus said:

SO given my Budget, and location, if I were to buy a Factory Built Caterham would it be easier to get spare parts (even if I had to pay for shipping from Catherham themselves)?

Or do Caterham change/upgrade parts relatively frequently?

Marcellus,
There are now two Caterham Agents in France and a very Caterham friendly Lotus dealer in Switzerland so you should have no problems.

[lord summerisle]

if going to be living in france, and wish/need to register the car there it might be worth having a read of this thread: http://www.blatchat.com/T.asp?id=117840

[bertie]

Get a Caterham, it's the rel McCoy and it's engineered and set up properly.

And I speak having onwed Westfields and Caterhams