Looking at Caterhams

[Henrico]

Hi,

I'm looking to get a Caterham in the near future an noticed this car in a few places:

It seems quite cheap, anyone know it's history or if it's a dog or not?

Cheers!
Henry

[nigelpugh7]

Henrico said:

Hi,

I'm looking to get a Caterham in the near future an noticed this car in a few places:

It seems quite cheap, anyone know it's history or if it's a dog or not?

Cheers!
Henry

Cant see any Caterham Photo in your thread Henry!!

[robmlufc]

Stealth Caterham!

[Henrico]

Oops! I meant this one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3846326.htm

[nigelpugh7]

Henrico said:

Oops! I meant this one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3846326.htm

Looks like a good price for the spec, it just seems to have a lot of miles.

Not a problem if its a car you will use a lot, and don't mind big miles in the first place.

See if you can find someone from the Lotus 7 club who is local to go with you for a test drive and look over?

[Henrico]

Thanks, I hear the K - Series is quite flaky when tuned this high too, should that be a consideration? If it was to go pop, I'm guessing it would be an expensive bill?

[nigelpugh7]

Henrico said:

Thanks, I hear the K - Series is quite flaky when tuned this high too, should that be a consideration? If it was to go pop, I'm guessing it would be an expensive bill?

Its probably the reason why the engine was rebuilt in the first place, so its worth checking out what another rebuild to this spec would cost.

I had a previous R400 K Series, that I built from new, only issues I had with that was the very poor map provided by CC in the first place.

A rolling road session with mapping transformed it though, and it has now done greater than 30K miles with Mark its new owner, who still says its one of the best caterhams he has ever owned.

Is there anything else of similar spec, with lower miles on PH for your budget?

[Henrico]

I'm pretty fussy so not really as far as I've seen, I'm after a six speed, lsd, hopefully wide track front suspension and over 150bhp ideally. An interesting colour is a bonus!

[adsvx220]

Good luck. I'm also out looking for a caterham. I have seen a couple I like including that yellow one you posted. It's just depends on when my car sells.

Adam

[Henrico]

Yeah they get snapped up really quick, going to Caterham South next saturday to see what they're all about. Good luck to you to ;-)

[WoodenOne]

I also have been checking the classified section on numourous occasions and find it interesting how some cars sell quickly and others (that in my interpretation look ok) just sit there for months. Prices and condition seem to be ok on average....

...just me thinking aloud )

[MadHatter7]

Henrico said:

Oops! I meant this one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3846326.htm

No problems with this car as it belongs to a club member i know well
This car has wanted for nothing and has been looked after regardless of cost
I have been lucky enough to drive it too, so i can give you the thumbs up if you are considering this 7
Buy with confidence

[VHPD]

Henrico said:

Thanks, I hear the K - Series is quite flaky when tuned this high too, should that be a consideration? If it was to go pop, I'm guessing it would be an expensive bill?

When you consider a Supersport revs to 7,600 on standard pistons I would rather be revving this one to 7,800 to 8,000 with the uprated internal bits.
With the Emerald ECU you can turn the rev limiter down to 7,600 and still have a great performing car if you are concerned.

I don't know the owner BTW but the spec looks good on paper

[Henrico]

Thanks for all the pointers chaps. The only downside I can see is it has only a 5 speed box. I heard the 6 speed is the way to go..

Edited by Henrico on Friday 18th May 23:08

[Eugene7]

I prefer the 5 speed, as the 5th gear is an overdrive. In the 6 speed 6th is 'top', same a 4th in the 5 speed box.

Most 5 speeds alos have non-standard ratios, so better suited to the 7.

The only time a 6 speed really is needed is in the lower power 7s, when the close ratios help.

[BertBert]

Eugene7 said:

The only time a 6 speed really is needed is in the lower power 7s, when the close ratios help.

I'm not sure that "need" comes into it. I'm a big fan of the 6 speed box and it worked very well indeed in my k-r500. Hardly a lower power 7.
It's much more about personal taste than "need"
Bert

[Eugene7]

True!

I really shouldn't have said 'need'!

[daemonoid]

Henrico said:

I'm pretty fussy so not really as far as I've seen, I'm after a six speed, lsd, hopefully wide track front suspension and over 150bhp ideally. An interesting colour is a bonus!

Out of interest, why have you set the 150bhp bar? Have you driven one yet? They're pretty nippy due to lack of weight anyway...

Remember also that peak bhp is not as fun as torque My Ducati has a mere 70bhp, but can out do much higher bhp bikes from the lights due to its massive torque (0-60 in 3.2s).

My academy caterham is on order for the 2013 season, test drive was disappointing in a straight line, but excellent round the corners. That's what a caterham is for after all.

[Henrico]

Well, 150 sounds like a good balance, not sure why!

I had a look at one last night actually, it was in great condition but the only thing was that the tacho was wavering and a bit inaccurate, the guy had a new tacho to put in but hadn't got round to fitting.

Would it be safe to risk it and get it fitted or could it be more serious? Any help appreciated greatly!

Cheers!

[VHPD]

Henrico said:

Well, 150 sounds like a good balance, not sure why!

I had a look at one last night actually, it was in great condition but the only thing was that the tacho was wavering and a bit inaccurate, the guy had a new tacho to put in but hadn't got round to fitting.

Would it be safe to risk it and get it fitted or could it be more serious? Any help appreciated greatly!

Cheers!

150 is a good balance IMO

If the Tacho was the only thing it sounds like a good car?