Buying my first Caterham
Discussion
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
Morning all.
Now I'm a bit new to this so please be gentle. I've had 911s for years now as weekend cars, including a GT2 and GT3 of late. Fantastic cars, but I'm finding the power pretty unexploitable on the road unless travelling at insane speeds.
Having enjoyed a 190bhp Exige in the past which I loved, I am edging towards a Caterham as an extension of the same idea. I did the Caterham experience at Silverstone this week which was great, and also took a Supersport R out of the road for a half hour test drive.
The original plan was to keep my GT3 until spring and then swop it for something at about 20k. However having seen a couple of older 1.6 litre engines Vauxhalls running on carbs like the ones attached I wondered whether this might be a good place to start.
It will be used mainly for short (1 hr) blasts and perhaps a couple of track days per year
Any thoughts welcome!!
Thanks
James
Morning all.
Now I'm a bit new to this so please be gentle. I've had 911s for years now as weekend cars, including a GT2 and GT3 of late. Fantastic cars, but I'm finding the power pretty unexploitable on the road unless travelling at insane speeds.
Having enjoyed a 190bhp Exige in the past which I loved, I am edging towards a Caterham as an extension of the same idea. I did the Caterham experience at Silverstone this week which was great, and also took a Supersport R out of the road for a half hour test drive.
The original plan was to keep my GT3 until spring and then swop it for something at about 20k. However having seen a couple of older 1.6 litre engines Vauxhalls running on carbs like the ones attached I wondered whether this might be a good place to start.
It will be used mainly for short (1 hr) blasts and perhaps a couple of track days per year
Any thoughts welcome!!
Thanks
James
James
Like you i've just ordered my first Caterham after months of deciding what to buy. Like you i've had an array of cars but nothing puts a grin on yer face like a Caterham - except maybe a bike. Some great advice on here, and at the showrooms (Midlands were great) but here was my thinking :-
- SV or not; as this is the only thing you can't change at a later date.
Being 5'9" i have opted not to go for SV. May be a bit cramped on long journeys, with no luggage space but as a biker i can live with tha, and saves me £3k.
- Mainly track or mainly road ?
For me mainly road with odd track days, so have opted for Roadsport with a few extras (harnesses, wide-track and uprated brakes to come, wheels etc)
- What sort of power are you looking for ?
My road car is an AMG merc with 500hp - So i knew that if i went for the Sigma 140hp i'd soon be wanting more, so i've gone for the Duratec 175 which can be upgraded in the future.
So my 'newbie' advice would be choose the chassis, engine and gearbox carefully - the other stuff can be changed relatively easily (without taking out a 2nd mortgage)
Of course budget will also be a factor - but sod that, you only live once :-)
Andy
Like you i've just ordered my first Caterham after months of deciding what to buy. Like you i've had an array of cars but nothing puts a grin on yer face like a Caterham - except maybe a bike. Some great advice on here, and at the showrooms (Midlands were great) but here was my thinking :-
- SV or not; as this is the only thing you can't change at a later date.
Being 5'9" i have opted not to go for SV. May be a bit cramped on long journeys, with no luggage space but as a biker i can live with tha, and saves me £3k.
- Mainly track or mainly road ?
For me mainly road with odd track days, so have opted for Roadsport with a few extras (harnesses, wide-track and uprated brakes to come, wheels etc)
- What sort of power are you looking for ?
My road car is an AMG merc with 500hp - So i knew that if i went for the Sigma 140hp i'd soon be wanting more, so i've gone for the Duratec 175 which can be upgraded in the future.
So my 'newbie' advice would be choose the chassis, engine and gearbox carefully - the other stuff can be changed relatively easily (without taking out a 2nd mortgage)
Of course budget will also be a factor - but sod that, you only live once :-)
Andy
That looks good value. If it is in good condition you can't really go wrong as I can't see it losing any more value over time.
If you plan to go & have a look, take a decent torch & something to lie on & have a good close look underneath. Mild surface corrosion on the chassis tubes is nothing to worry about & can be sorted out later, it could be a bargaining point. Sometimes however the powder coating can really start falling off & if the corrosion is really bad probably best to walk away.
It is sure to sound good with those carbs hanging out the side!
If you plan to go & have a look, take a decent torch & something to lie on & have a good close look underneath. Mild surface corrosion on the chassis tubes is nothing to worry about & can be sorted out later, it could be a bargaining point. Sometimes however the powder coating can really start falling off & if the corrosion is really bad probably best to walk away.
It is sure to sound good with those carbs hanging out the side!
t guards for example.I have the same model, if exploitable is what you want you can't do much better. Only 100bhp but still a rapid car and provided you don't over-tyre it, they are just so fun and alive.
The weak point is the rear axle which is out of a Morris Ital, but with some precautions you won't have any trouble. The engines are very tough too.
The weak point is the rear axle which is out of a Morris Ital, but with some precautions you won't have any trouble. The engines are very tough too.
James,
I'd recommend joining the Lotus Seven Club and getting along to your local area meeting. They are always a great group of guys and will give you as much advice as you can handle. Give you a chance to poke around a few cars too, if they are brave enough to bring them out in this weather that is.
Bradders.
I'd recommend joining the Lotus Seven Club and getting along to your local area meeting. They are always a great group of guys and will give you as much advice as you can handle. Give you a chance to poke around a few cars too, if they are brave enough to bring them out in this weather that is.
Bradders.
Thanks chaps. I've spoken to the very helpful chap who owns the car. He's only had it a few weeks, but his wife has made her feelings on the car clear, so its on its way!
It needs a service - any suggestions in the Marlow area?. The petrol gauge seems optimistic and runs out on a quarter, and there is a little rust on the rails(?) near the passenger door.
I've just read the post above suggesting the handbrake could be in an odd place and the passenger footwell may be 'short'. I'll check this with him, as I anticipate spending some time in the passenger side on track days.
Anything else I should check guys?
Thanks
James
It needs a service - any suggestions in the Marlow area?. The petrol gauge seems optimistic and runs out on a quarter, and there is a little rust on the rails(?) near the passenger door.
I've just read the post above suggesting the handbrake could be in an odd place and the passenger footwell may be 'short'. I'll check this with him, as I anticipate spending some time in the passenger side on track days.
Anything else I should check guys?
Thanks
James
Caterham petrol gauges are always a bit 'iffy', once ours gets below 1/2 full it drops like a stone. I have a similar age one with a short passenger footwell and hand brake under the dash. From a handbrake point of view I can just release it with the harness on but I try not to use it. While my wife hasn't complained about the short footwell, I have relocated the battery next to the heater, an easy job and plenty of room for a Banner battery. This leaves room to quite easily extend the footwell, although I haven't got to it yet. Hope this helps.
Neil
Neil
James, as for the servicing, this place isn't too far from you (it's in Ashford, Middlesex) and is always totally recommended on here and Blatchat(I had mine serviced there earlier this year and James was excellent).
http://www.jameswhiting.com/index.html
Cheers,
Jon
http://www.jameswhiting.com/index.html
Cheers,
Jon
Was in a similar position to you a few years ago, coming from a 997 GT3 . Bought a 2006 caterham 140bhp that was basically Superlight spec. Loved it . Did about 5k miles in a year.
Then proceeded to 2003 R300, which is probably the sweet spot for the road. Just do it, you won't regret it
Dave.
Then proceeded to 2003 R300, which is probably the sweet spot for the road. Just do it, you won't regret it
Dave.
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