Have you or would you…
Discussion
Two weeks ago during a trip back to the UK (I’m working in Oz at the moment), I hired a Roadsport 125 for the day. The weather was dreadful and I’ve never had so much fun. I was so shocked at just how fast and aggressive a 125 feels, particularly in the wet with it sliding around (I’d previously only driven an Elise 111S and Honda S2000 in anger). Since then, I can’t think of anything but Caterhams; and while I always knew I’d get one at some point in my life, I now feel like I have to have one ASAP. The problem is that I have no garage and only on street parking (albeit down a quiet cul-de-sac). I really want a Sigma 140 fully kitted out for road use with full weather gear, heater etc.
The question is, have you or would you use this type of Caterham every day without a garage? My plan is for this to be a long term partner for when I return to the UK permanently. In 3-5 years I’ll most likely have a garage to keep it in, I just don’t think I can wait that long.
The question is, have you or would you use this type of Caterham every day without a garage? My plan is for this to be a long term partner for when I return to the UK permanently. In 3-5 years I’ll most likely have a garage to keep it in, I just don’t think I can wait that long.
Edited by Moggie25 on Tuesday 13th May 04:56
Quite a few people are "crazy" enough to go this route. I found this blog quite inspiring.
http://www.mycaterham.com/
It's (or was) their only car, and they even load furniture into it. They're my heros. :-)
http://www.mycaterham.com/
It's (or was) their only car, and they even load furniture into it. They're my heros. :-)
I think my only concern would be the condition of the car after a couple of years of being stored outside. It would definitely need a re-skinning sooner than a garaged car.
I don't think it's an ideal "only" car either. I have full respect for anyone who wants to give it a go, but it would be a bit much for me. I went for a drive on the weekend all over South Wales in the most horrendous weather. I ended up not taking the Caterham and used my other car instead. I wouldn't have wanted to do that drive in the Caterham to be honest! In the dry however, it's glorious to be in!
I don't think it's an ideal "only" car either. I have full respect for anyone who wants to give it a go, but it would be a bit much for me. I went for a drive on the weekend all over South Wales in the most horrendous weather. I ended up not taking the Caterham and used my other car instead. I wouldn't have wanted to do that drive in the Caterham to be honest! In the dry however, it's glorious to be in!
Mine was my only car for 5 years, parked on the street in London (N5). I didn't use it everyday but averaged 10,000 miles a year in it over those 5 years. It does need closer attention paid to maintenance as the car will be wet more often than if it is garaged.
IMO it's a young person's game though. I was mid-20s when I had it as my only car. Now in my late-30s I wouldn't want it as an only car.
IMO it's a young person's game though. I was mid-20s when I had it as my only car. Now in my late-30s I wouldn't want it as an only car.
framerateuk said:
I think my only concern would be the condition of the car after a couple of years of being stored outside. It would definitely need a re-skinning sooner than a garaged car.
I don't think it's an ideal "only" car either. I have full respect for anyone who wants to give it a go, but it would be a bit much for me. I went for a drive on the weekend all over South Wales in the most horrendous weather. I ended up not taking the Caterham and used my other car instead. I wouldn't have wanted to do that drive in the Caterham to be honest! In the dry however, it's glorious to be in!
From your experience of owning one, what makes it such a bad experience to drive in the wet? Is it the water getting into the drivers area, lack of visibility with the doors and hood on, or the fact that the wet roads make it difficult to find grip and risking spinning?I don't think it's an ideal "only" car either. I have full respect for anyone who wants to give it a go, but it would be a bit much for me. I went for a drive on the weekend all over South Wales in the most horrendous weather. I ended up not taking the Caterham and used my other car instead. I wouldn't have wanted to do that drive in the Caterham to be honest! In the dry however, it's glorious to be in!
I too am planning to buy a Caterham in the near future and am weighing up buying one for around 15k or going for a brand new Supersport. If I send more on a new one, I would really want to be able to get out there on weekends all year round. As an ex-biker, I don't mind getting cold and wet. Just wondered if these cars are really that difficult to control in the wet.
You haven't said whether it would be your only car or just an option every day. To some extent it depends what your average daily driving entails. I wouldn't fancy a 50 mile motorway commute or an urban crawl in one but on the other hand a 20 mins B road trip to a workplace with secure/covered parking could appeal. Certainly in the summer months.
I'd agree with Ewen that it's more suited to a carefree younger lifestyle; there's an age where you appreciate heated seats and a stereo on a cold morning! Personally I'd also prefer to keep the Seven as the special event that it is rather than make it so familiar every day that it just becomes the inevitable pain.
I'd agree with Ewen that it's more suited to a carefree younger lifestyle; there's an age where you appreciate heated seats and a stereo on a cold morning! Personally I'd also prefer to keep the Seven as the special event that it is rather than make it so familiar every day that it just becomes the inevitable pain.
assadahmed said:
From your experience of owning one, what makes it such a bad experience to drive in the wet? Is it the water getting into the drivers area, lack of visibility with the doors and hood on, or the fact that the wet roads make it difficult to find grip and risking spinning?
I too am planning to buy a Caterham in the near future and am weighing up buying one for around 15k or going for a brand new Supersport. If I send more on a new one, I would really want to be able to get out there on weekends all year round. As an ex-biker, I don't mind getting cold and wet. Just wondered if these cars are really that difficult to control in the wet.
I didn't say it was a bad experience I too am planning to buy a Caterham in the near future and am weighing up buying one for around 15k or going for a brand new Supersport. If I send more on a new one, I would really want to be able to get out there on weekends all year round. As an ex-biker, I don't mind getting cold and wet. Just wondered if these cars are really that difficult to control in the wet.
, it's just hard work compared to a normal car. The lightweight nature of the car means it jumps around more, and on wet roads, standing water can be quite a hazard. I've driven it a lot in the wet, but if it was hammering down outside, I wouldn't decide that it was a good time to go for a drive, I'd stick to the other car instead. It's most noticeable on motoways or dual carriageways where everyone else is flying along in the wet, while you're having to be very aware of where the streams of water are. It's not difficult, you just need to be aware and be willing to take it slow.As far as the hood goes, it's fine! I have no problems, you get a bit damp, but then it's that sort of car anyway.
framerateuk said:
I didn't say it was a bad experience , it's just hard work compared to a normal car. The lightweight nature of the car means it jumps around more, and on wet roads, standing water can be quite a hazard. I've driven it a lot in the wet, but if it was hammering down outside, I wouldn't decide that it was a good time to go for a drive, I'd stick to the other car instead. It's most noticeable on motoways or dual carriageways where everyone else is flying along in the wet, while you're having to be very aware of where the streams of water are. It's not difficult, you just need to be aware and be willing to take it slow.
As far as the hood goes, it's fine! I have no problems, you get a bit damp, but then it's that sort of car anyway.
Thanks for that. Thats just what I expect it to be like. I plan to get one specifically for road trips and blasts on weekends. With the weather in the UK the weekend can start well but the next day it can rain all day!, it's just hard work compared to a normal car. The lightweight nature of the car means it jumps around more, and on wet roads, standing water can be quite a hazard. I've driven it a lot in the wet, but if it was hammering down outside, I wouldn't decide that it was a good time to go for a drive, I'd stick to the other car instead. It's most noticeable on motoways or dual carriageways where everyone else is flying along in the wet, while you're having to be very aware of where the streams of water are. It's not difficult, you just need to be aware and be willing to take it slow.As far as the hood goes, it's fine! I have no problems, you get a bit damp, but then it's that sort of car anyway.
Just waiting for my knee to heal properly after knee surgery and I will start looking seriously. Been wanting one for over a year now but issues at work meant I was not able to splash out. Now that work issues are sorted, its time to spend!
Mostro said:
You haven't said whether it would be your only car or just an option every day. To some extent it depends what your average daily driving entails. I wouldn't fancy a 50 mile motorway commute or an urban crawl in one but on the other hand a 20 mins B road trip to a workplace with secure/covered parking could appeal. Certainly in the summer months.
It would be 'my' only car but the wife has a Golf. My commute currently consists of 7 miles of B road to a secure multi-story car park. I guess the real question is how well the car is likely to hold up being constantly exposed?Edited by Moggie25 on Wednesday 14th May 07:50
framerateuk said:
assadahmed said:
From your experience of owning one, what makes it such a bad experience to drive in the wet? Is it the water getting into the drivers area, lack of visibility with the doors and hood on, or the fact that the wet roads make it difficult to find grip and risking spinning?
I too am planning to buy a Caterham in the near future and am weighing up buying one for around 15k or going for a brand new Supersport. If I send more on a new one, I would really want to be able to get out there on weekends all year round. As an ex-biker, I don't mind getting cold and wet. Just wondered if these cars are really that difficult to control in the wet.
I didn't say it was a bad experience I too am planning to buy a Caterham in the near future and am weighing up buying one for around 15k or going for a brand new Supersport. If I send more on a new one, I would really want to be able to get out there on weekends all year round. As an ex-biker, I don't mind getting cold and wet. Just wondered if these cars are really that difficult to control in the wet.
, it's just hard work compared to a normal car. The lightweight nature of the car means it jumps around more, and on wet roads, standing water can be quite a hazard. I've driven it a lot in the wet, but if it was hammering down outside, I wouldn't decide that it was a good time to go for a drive, I'd stick to the other car instead. It's most noticeable on motoways or dual carriageways where everyone else is flying along in the wet, while you're having to be very aware of where the streams of water are. It's not difficult, you just need to be aware and be willing to take it slow.As far as the hood goes, it's fine! I have no problems, you get a bit damp, but then it's that sort of car anyway.
ewenm said:
Mine was my only car for 5 years, parked on the street in London (N5). I didn't use it everyday but averaged 10,000 miles a year in it over those 5 years. It does need closer attention paid to maintenance as the car will be wet more often than if it is garaged.
IMO it's a young person's game though. I was mid-20s when I had it as my only car. Now in my late-30s I wouldn't want it as an only car.
Glad to hear there are a few brave enough. Were there any specific issue you had with the car? I’m late 20's so see this as an ideal time before kids come along and steal my money!IMO it's a young person's game though. I was mid-20s when I had it as my only car. Now in my late-30s I wouldn't want it as an only car.
Intoxicating aren't they... Doesn't seem to matter what you come from if you are the right kind of person a 7 will get get you
I used my 7 to get to and from work everyday for a couple of years, but I cheated as it was from garage to undercover parking. That made it much easier and meant I did most journeys with the hood off.
For a real long term insight have a look here (a few years ago now) but the experience will be the same...
http://www.strangely.org/owned/
I helped the keep his car going at times, we did lots to it - fitted Tillets, tried to fix the dreaded K series starter click etc, patched up exhaust, diagnosed head gasket failure (it was serviced at James Whiting's).
Eventually it had head gasket failure, was then tuned up and failed again...
The car has now sat in the garage for what 10 years + without turning a wheel. It will be a barn find one day...
However before that, the owner reported some glorious drives as well as some spills.
I used my 7 to get to and from work everyday for a couple of years, but I cheated as it was from garage to undercover parking. That made it much easier and meant I did most journeys with the hood off.
For a real long term insight have a look here (a few years ago now) but the experience will be the same...
http://www.strangely.org/owned/
I helped the keep his car going at times, we did lots to it - fitted Tillets, tried to fix the dreaded K series starter click etc, patched up exhaust, diagnosed head gasket failure (it was serviced at James Whiting's).
Eventually it had head gasket failure, was then tuned up and failed again...
The car has now sat in the garage for what 10 years + without turning a wheel. It will be a barn find one day...
However before that, the owner reported some glorious drives as well as some spills.
Moggie25 said:
ewenm said:
Mine was my only car for 5 years, parked on the street in London (N5). I didn't use it everyday but averaged 10,000 miles a year in it over those 5 years. It does need closer attention paid to maintenance as the car will be wet more often than if it is garaged.
IMO it's a young person's game though. I was mid-20s when I had it as my only car. Now in my late-30s I wouldn't want it as an only car.
Glad to hear there are a few brave enough. Were there any specific issue you had with the car? I’m late 20's so see this as an ideal time before kids come along and steal my money!IMO it's a young person's game though. I was mid-20s when I had it as my only car. Now in my late-30s I wouldn't want it as an only car.
If doing it again I'd like to think I'd be much more fastidious about cleaning out the grot traps, specifically the lower outside chassis rails alongside the sideskins and down the outside of the footwells. I'd also get it up on a lift somewhere every autumn and waxoyl/POR15 the chassis to help protect it. Mechanically it was pretty reliable - I'm firmly of the opinion that they respond better to mileage than to sitting in the garage. Now that it does spend most of it's time garaged and with very few miles per year, there is always something going wrong
I just need to drive it much more!Mostro said:
It's presumably very similar to the difference between being on a fast road bike in the dry and in the wet...
Yep I would imagine so.I have to admit, I've never found the car twitchy or unpredictable in the wet, but I've heard so many horror stories of people spinning and crashing than I tend to really slow down and just use the torque to pull me through. I did have a "moment" on a wet trackday at Pembrey when I hung onto the 2nd gear for a bit too long, but I should clearly have short shifted in the conditions and revving the nuts off the car was probably not the best idea.
I have to say though, I think it's down to the setup of the car. Mine is very planted and balanced. It doesn't easily loose grip on the rear, even with the 6" wheels all round, while others say their cars are quite twitchy. I think the suspension setup for a daily drive 7 would be closer to mine than a more "mobile" setup.
It you really want to make it work, you might be able to, but I've never liked doing it even with old air cooled 911s which are much much easier to live with. I find the joy of driving a proper sports car at the weekend gets somewhat diminished if you have spent the week struggling and cursing it as its not really fit for being stuck in traffic, has no sat nav, radio, phone etc etc.
I'd get a cheap <1k golf or something to run along side it. I think you'll enjoy the Caterham much more, it will remain in better condition, will cost less to insure and the money saved in these two factors will pay for the Golf.
I'd get a cheap <1k golf or something to run along side it. I think you'll enjoy the Caterham much more, it will remain in better condition, will cost less to insure and the money saved in these two factors will pay for the Golf.
I did it with one of the dodgy powdercoat cars as well. It too needed to be rechassied afterwards. I used it for my everyday car through two winters doing about 32k miles in 18 months. It was fun, but got really tiresome. I pretty much hated it by the end. Having a three hour drive home at the end of a day on customer site in mid-winter in the rain is not fun.
It was only when I got another car and my next 7 was a toy that I got the love back!
Bert
It was only when I got another car and my next 7 was a toy that I got the love back!
Bert
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