My first Caterham

[moonshadow]

Hi Guys
It is my intention to purchase a Caterham next spring having just sold my Harley I am looking at a budget
of 12/13k is this realistic?

I read with interest you response to the other guy looking to buy, regarding pre sigma engines and aiming at
140bhp as a starting point, I see the sense in this as both my Harleys were bought stock, I tuned and big bored them as I went along.

My one point of concern at present is ground clearance where I live the council have installed speed bumps those big red bds with sharp angles, I am even careful taking our SUV over these

Thanks in anticipation

David

[Grubbster]

That budget could get you into an early K series, even the 1600 with 115 bhp is a reasonable way to start as you can build on it over time. Should be able to find a mechanically sound one OK. Regarding speed bumps - yes these can be a problem as can cats eyes believe it or not. If you have adjustable height dampers on a 7 (cheap enough to convert if not) then you can get a bit more ground clearance but you'll always need to be careful.

[moonshadow]

Cats eyes!! Jeez that's unreal.

[Grubbster]

IIRC my first Caterham had about 65mm under the sump before I fitted adjustable height dampers - less when braking hard! I've skimmed a few cats eyes but also know of 2 cracked sumps from hitting them!

[CaterBram]

Other point to consider is that Autumn is a buyers market as there are more around due to end of season and people wanting to move on after the summer, where as once the weather warms in the spring quite a few will go off the market as sellers decide that they will keep for another year.

If your used to a Harley all year round then the same goes for a Caterham, some of the best blats can be on cold crisp winters morning.

Just watch out for salt, snow & ice

[coppice]

K series has been around since 1993 so I am sure there will be something which suits your budget. Probably avoid 1.4 but 1.6 and 1.8 just fine.Mine has a lowered floor but with care have never grounded on speed bumps ;it's certainly driven across some very bumpy fields at race circuits without any issue at all. Cats eyes ??? As they rarely protrude more than a few mm where I live they must be different elsewhere or somebody is driving a lowrider Seven ...Look on blatchat for endless advice, some of which may even be consistent.Don't panic re - yaaawn- HGF

[HurryUpAndWait]

Cats eyes - can't say I've ever had a problem with them, nor speed bumps with enough care.

[V7SLR]

David, why not head down to the local L7C meet at the end of the month, pm me and I'll send you some details

Stu.

[moonshadow]

Thank you all for the reply's glad to hear the cats eyes are not that much of a problem;)

No I did not ride my Harley all year round it was a blue sky toy and the Caterham will probably be the same.
Yes I totally accept the logic of buying late in the year but my garage needs several mods before I can put a Caterham in there.

The last time I owned a Lotus was back in the seventies when I had Mk1 Elite S2, my next connection with Lotus was in the early nineties when I was service manager with Reynolds Lotus in Liverpool, the 7 has always been on my bucket list!!

David