2002 Caterham 7 Roadsport 1.8 Supersport.
Discussion
Om said:
Still jealous. I salute your decision to SORN the 370z and overwinter the Caterham!!!
At the start of the year I looked at an 'early' Westfield with a 1.6 crossflow that had only done 40 miles in about as many years. It was lovely and in great nick but it was a narrow body so too short for me (very snug width ways as well). I had to take the seats out and remove the doors to be able to drive it so no end of man maths and seating ingenuity could make it work. It was fantastic to drive (in 1st and 3rd as that was all I could manage) even at the low speeds I felt safe at.
Anyway - back to winter driving - the seller, an octogenarian ex club racing driver it turned out, took me out for a spin to show me what I was missing. Death it seems. Narrowly. Late January, at dusk, with candle lights, greasy damp country roads, no doors (couldn't get my elbows in), no roof and every other car a land rover. Wheelspin out of the yard and drifting round the lanes at 50/60 with me very much feeling my mortality and close proximity to fence posts on the outside of bends. Particularly as I recalled the date stamps on the tyres... Equal parts exhilerating and petrifying. The sound, smell (and taste) from the carbs and exhaust/leg warmer was intoxicating and when I got back I was shivering - partly from the cold but also from fear.
I still really really want one though.
That sounds scary and exhilarating in equal measure Om! At the start of the year I looked at an 'early' Westfield with a 1.6 crossflow that had only done 40 miles in about as many years. It was lovely and in great nick but it was a narrow body so too short for me (very snug width ways as well). I had to take the seats out and remove the doors to be able to drive it so no end of man maths and seating ingenuity could make it work. It was fantastic to drive (in 1st and 3rd as that was all I could manage) even at the low speeds I felt safe at.
Anyway - back to winter driving - the seller, an octogenarian ex club racing driver it turned out, took me out for a spin to show me what I was missing. Death it seems. Narrowly. Late January, at dusk, with candle lights, greasy damp country roads, no doors (couldn't get my elbows in), no roof and every other car a land rover. Wheelspin out of the yard and drifting round the lanes at 50/60 with me very much feeling my mortality and close proximity to fence posts on the outside of bends. Particularly as I recalled the date stamps on the tyres... Equal parts exhilerating and petrifying. The sound, smell (and taste) from the carbs and exhaust/leg warmer was intoxicating and when I got back I was shivering - partly from the cold but also from fear.
I still really really want one though.
sideways man said:
Lee, you have a lot to answer for 
Been looking for a weekend car off and on, struggling to get excited by a mx5…
I read this thread, and I’m picking my caterham up tomorrow! 1.8 k series if anyone is interested.
I bet you're getting properly excited about tomorrow now. Please let me know how you get on with it, and I'm well chuffed for you for sure. Been looking for a weekend car off and on, struggling to get excited by a mx5…
I read this thread, and I’m picking my caterham up tomorrow! 1.8 k series if anyone is interested.
I've been watching the weather recently for an opportunity to get out in it, and that opportunity was today. It was only a trip to the shops, but I did really enjoy the drive there and back though. I went the long way back home down some nice country roads so I did open it up a bit.
I'm definitely really happy with it and it just puts a smile on your face for sure. An older chap and his missus walked past me as I was getting in it and he said "I like your wheels"...which I presumed he meant the car itself. So the car definitely seems to bring positive vibes from folk I think.
The was some weird stuff happening behind me where I'd parked up though, and people had their cars plugged in for some reason. I'm too old to understand why anyone would do that with a car though!
I just presumed that they were either tree huggers or tight gits in fairness! 
I'm definitely really happy with it and it just puts a smile on your face for sure. An older chap and his missus walked past me as I was getting in it and he said "I like your wheels"...which I presumed he meant the car itself. So the car definitely seems to bring positive vibes from folk I think.
The was some weird stuff happening behind me where I'd parked up though, and people had their cars plugged in for some reason. I'm too old to understand why anyone would do that with a car though!
I just presumed that they were either tree huggers or tight gits in fairness! 
cerb4.5lee said:
The was some weird stuff happening behind me where I'd parked up though, and people had their cars plugged in for some reason. I'm too old to understand why anyone would do that with a car though! I just presumed that they were either tree huggers or tight gits in fairness!
Maybe it's for camper vans? I just presumed that they were either tree huggers or tight gits in fairness! I went to Canada in July 1977 and every other space had a post with a pair of electric sockets.
Apparently they were for engine block heaters! But it isn't that cold yet.
Anyway I'm glad you got some decent weather to enjoy your new toy.
Good to hear that you’re still enjoying the car Lee. It’s about as far away from the M4 as you can get.
The picture of the wheel removed, reminded me of the fun we had hiding my fiends wheel when he drove to the office in his. I think the best hiding place was above one of the ceiling tiles….
The picture of the wheel removed, reminded me of the fun we had hiding my fiends wheel when he drove to the office in his. I think the best hiding place was above one of the ceiling tiles….
Court_S said:
Good to hear that you’re still enjoying the car Lee. It’s about as far away from the M4 as you can get.
The picture of the wheel removed, reminded me of the fun we had hiding my fiends wheel when he drove to the office in his. I think the best hiding place was above one of the ceiling tiles….
Thanks Sam. The picture of the wheel removed, reminded me of the fun we had hiding my fiends wheel when he drove to the office in his. I think the best hiding place was above one of the ceiling tiles….
That is a top class hiding place for sure!
Took it out for a 60 mile round trip run today(it hadn't been out of the garage since early November), and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was a bit cold though if I'm honest, and a hat and gloves would've improved things a bit I reckon.
I still can't get over how easy it gets down the road for something that doesn't have a lot of power(on paper). The lightweight certainly makes a difference for sure.
It could do with a good clean now, so that will be something that I will get stuck into next.
I still can't get over how easy it gets down the road for something that doesn't have a lot of power(on paper). The lightweight certainly makes a difference for sure.
It could do with a good clean now, so that will be something that I will get stuck into next.
Court_S said:
Good stuff; nice to see if getting used.
Looks like you had a better day than we did….it was nice for a wee while than bucketed it down (again).
Yes Sam and my missus was down south today, and she said that it was throwing it down there too. It has stayed dry all day here luckily though. Looks like you had a better day than we did….it was nice for a wee while than bucketed it down (again).
cerb4.5lee said:
Yes Sam and my missus was down south today, and she said that it was throwing it down there too. It has stayed dry all day here luckily though.
Good stuff. My mate whom,Ives Caterhams got caught in a summer downpour on his last one, sat in traffic with the roof at home. it took ages to get the water out of the footwell apparently.This must feel so different to the M4.
cerb4.5lee said:
Yes Sam and my missus was down south today, and she said that it was throwing it down there too. It has stayed dry all day here luckily though.
You were lucky with the weather Lee. It was dry all day in Surrey then a bit after 3 it started chucking it down - not Caterham weather at all!
Good to see you are still enjoying it.
Court_S said:
Good stuff. My mate whom,Ives Caterhams got caught in a summer downpour on his last one, sat in traffic with the roof at home. it took ages to get the water out of the footwell apparently.
Funnily enough Sam, I did end up driving down a road that was flooded(which frustrated me because I wanted the car to stay dry). As I was taking it really steady, a HGV was going the other way at speed and he drenched me! So I ended up with water in the passenger footwell too! Luckily it wasn't loads though, and it had dried up by the time I put it back in the garage. it took ages to get the water out of the footwell apparently.The Caterham made a guest appearance in the sun today. I enjoyed getting back in it, and the nice weather complimented it well I thought. I still can't get over how much get up and go it has, especially when you consider the size of the engine, and the bhp/torque being on the lower side of things too.
A lot of fun for sure.
A lot of fun for sure.
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