First caterham
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm looking to gain some advice from all you experts out there. I'm looking at taking the plunge and buying a caterham in the near future, I've read quite a lot over the years and subscribe to Evo, however what I'm missing is real owners advice on what my first car should be. My budget is reasonably flexible.
I'm looking to gain some advice from all you experts out there. I'm looking at taking the plunge and buying a caterham in the near future, I've read quite a lot over the years and subscribe to Evo, however what I'm missing is real owners advice on what my first car should be. My budget is reasonably flexible.
In reality no one can tell you what the best first Caterham is for you, since that will depend on many factors, and even then, having decided that you want a fire-breathing one, you may test a Roadsport 125 or even the new 3 cylinder 160 and decide that that, afterall is what you want.
The best advice is to go and drive one. If your budget is flexible, then can I suggest you go to Caterham and hire one from them for a weekend. If you buy from them, you'll get the hire cost refunded against the purchase (if new, I believe).
Things to think about:
- Is it just a toy?
- Will you be tracking it?
- Is touring on the agenda?
- Will there regularly be a passenger?
- Have you had high-performance cars before?
- What's your build?!
For reference, mine, which is my first is a 200bhp Superlight R300. It is ballistic and hugely fun, and hugely fast.
The best advice is to go and drive one. If your budget is flexible, then can I suggest you go to Caterham and hire one from them for a weekend. If you buy from them, you'll get the hire cost refunded against the purchase (if new, I believe).
Things to think about:
- Is it just a toy?
- Will you be tracking it?
- Is touring on the agenda?
- Will there regularly be a passenger?
- Have you had high-performance cars before?
- What's your build?!
For reference, mine, which is my first is a 200bhp Superlight R300. It is ballistic and hugely fun, and hugely fast.
I agree with the above.
The other advice to to go along to an Area Meeting of The Lotus 7 Club and chat to members. At this time of year there will be lots of cars in the car park and you can find out what a variety of owners think. You may end up more confused, although you will be better informed.
Area Meetings schedule: http://www.lotussevenclub.com/AreaMeetings/AreaMee...
The other advice to to go along to an Area Meeting of The Lotus 7 Club and chat to members. At this time of year there will be lots of cars in the car park and you can find out what a variety of owners think. You may end up more confused, although you will be better informed.
Area Meetings schedule: http://www.lotussevenclub.com/AreaMeetings/AreaMee...
Honestly, there is no one answer that anyone can give you. If you subscribe to Evo you'll have understood a lot over the years about 7s and their fortés. They're quick, yes - extremely, mind-bendingly quick in some cases - but really they're all about a pretty indescribable driver connection and constantly thrilling and detailed feedback. I've personally never driven a car that inspires such confidence. You reach the point, after not that long, where (in the dry) you're not too concerned whether the wheels are gripping or slipping because you know the car will remain balanced and float through the corner. After feeling that for the first time you will be hooked for life.
Recommending a particular power output is pointless as its so subjective when you get behind the wheel. There is no substitute for doing just that and getting some test-drives.
The rest depends on how many 'comfort' options you want. Windscreen and doors are the more sensible option in our climes but dull the experience a little compared to an aeroscreen. With an aeroscreen you feel more connected to the car and your surroundings but weather equipment means you can drive it more of the time in more comfort.
Seats-wise, again is down to what your rump and back prefer. Tilletts allow you to feel more feedback through your body and make you feel more hardwired into the car. Leather seats are more popular because people seems to find them more comfortable for longer periods - and they're not as freezing cold on a crisp January morning as the fibreglass or carbon Tilletts.
The rest really is tweaking according to taste but the best advice would be to go to a Caterham showroom, sit in as many different cars with different combinations of options as you can and then test drive as many as they'll allow you to.
Good luck!
Recommending a particular power output is pointless as its so subjective when you get behind the wheel. There is no substitute for doing just that and getting some test-drives.
The rest depends on how many 'comfort' options you want. Windscreen and doors are the more sensible option in our climes but dull the experience a little compared to an aeroscreen. With an aeroscreen you feel more connected to the car and your surroundings but weather equipment means you can drive it more of the time in more comfort.
Seats-wise, again is down to what your rump and back prefer. Tilletts allow you to feel more feedback through your body and make you feel more hardwired into the car. Leather seats are more popular because people seems to find them more comfortable for longer periods - and they're not as freezing cold on a crisp January morning as the fibreglass or carbon Tilletts.
The rest really is tweaking according to taste but the best advice would be to go to a Caterham showroom, sit in as many different cars with different combinations of options as you can and then test drive as many as they'll allow you to.
Good luck!
timrw81 said:
...You reach the point, after not that long, where (in the dry) you're not too concerned whether the wheels are gripping or slipping because you know the car will remain balanced and float through the corner. After feeling that for the first time you will be hooked for life.
Beautifully put. 
I'll echo the comments above that you should go and hire one. I did and would have been happy to buy a 125 Roadsport as a result. Ended up with a 140 and couldn't be happier.
Had a fantastic drive on the weekend and I can't imagine any other car coming close to the fun I had in the 7.
Mine does a mix of trackdays and touring so it's got all the important trackday parts (LSD, 6 speed box, big brakes, trackday roll bar) but also has the weather kit, leather seats and heater (the latter being something I would recommend regardless of use). I don't have any problems with the 6 speed box for touring, it's a bit of a pain on motorways if you're on a long trip, but it more than makes up for it once you find a good road.
Had a fantastic drive on the weekend and I can't imagine any other car coming close to the fun I had in the 7.
Mine does a mix of trackdays and touring so it's got all the important trackday parts (LSD, 6 speed box, big brakes, trackday roll bar) but also has the weather kit, leather seats and heater (the latter being something I would recommend regardless of use). I don't have any problems with the 6 speed box for touring, it's a bit of a pain on motorways if you're on a long trip, but it more than makes up for it once you find a good road.
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff