Caterham Hire - Advice

[Buds]

So I've been lurking around PH for a few months now searching through the forums finding out all I can about Caterhams. I've finally taken the plunge and I have booked a Roadsport 140 for a days hire from Caterham South. It looks like I couldn't have booked a worse week for the weather with torrential wind and rain forecast for the entire day.

My intention was to try the car for a day and if I liked it then test drive a Supersport R with a view to ordering one for next year. Does anyone have any advice on what to look out for with the car and/or where are some good places to drive to on my first drive out?

Cheers

[Camoradi]

You could head westwards onto the A272 towards Petersfield, and then over the South Downs at Harting and back via Arundel area.

I hired a Caterham in terrible weather before buying one and it was the cars behaviour on wet roads and the effectiveness of the weather gear which made the difference over other similar cars for me, so at least you are getting the whole experience!

Take some ear defenders. It gets noisy with the roof up. Hope you manage to get the top off at some point

[ghibbett]

Keep away from Motorways (especially if it's wet), find some quiet, well-sighted B-roads and enjoy it. And unless it's pi55ing it down, get the roof down as often as possible.

[nikond300]

I hired the 140 only a few weeks ago and was blessed with a rather warm day, brother and I took it down to Brighton called in at the Devil's Dyke for lunch , pottered over to Battle for afternoon tea which became an ice cream Sunday and then back to Crawley

Loved the car and only managed to get 142 miles done in the day ... note to selves ... must try harder

the team at Crawley were great

massive thanks to Dominic and everyone

[Buds]

I hired the 140 yesterday and the weather was dreadful BUT the car was wonderful. I was sun chasing all day so any planned routes went completely out of the window, I ended up going North to Dorking then South to Winchester and then through to South Downs. I too was amazed that I only managed 128 miles!

This was my first drive of a 7 and I have to say I was very impressed. I virtually never saw a dry road and most of them was covered in wet leaves, I was very cautious at the start but the end of the day I was getting more and more confident with a few controllable slides here and there. I popped the roof on and off again several times during the day in a matter of minutes. When it was on the car was bone dry and very warm (I wish I had worn a T-Shirt), although the car is a little nosier with the roof up I didn't find it too intrusive. I enjoyed the car the most with the roof down, simply listening to the noise and taking in the full experience.

My theory was if I liked it on a day like yesterday then I will love it on a dry, sunny day. I didn't like it yesterday - I loved it!

All in all a great day and I am looking forward to testing and hopefully ordering a Supersport R in the very near future. Many thanks to the team at Caterham South - great people, great service.

[ghibbett]

Thanks for sharing your experience

They are indeed great fun! And on a sunny day - or even better at dusk and into a warm, clear night - they are really something special. Here's a little sunny day blatting video I made when I last hired one (before buying my current SuperSport): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqy3P3CDmt0

[Buds]

Ahhh I know you, (not literally), its the peashooter exhaust man. Your videos keep us non Caterham owners sane whilst we make up our minds/wait for delivery. Thank you.

[mharris]

ghibbett said:

Thanks for sharing your experience

They are indeed great fun! And on a sunny day - or even better at dusk and into a warm, clear night - they are really something special. Here's a little sunny day blatting video I made when I last hired one (before buying my current SuperSport): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqy3P3CDmt0

Hey, I just replied to your Supersport video on youtube asking about your wing mirror mounts. Didn't think, I should have just asked here instead
Nice little video by the way.

Edited by mharris on Thursday 9th October 15:34

[ghibbett]

Buds said:

Ahhh I know you, (not literally), its the peashooter exhaust man. Your videos keep us non Caterham owners sane whilst we make up our minds/wait for delivery. Thank you.

Well that's a new one but thanks for the positive comments. I need to capture some new video soon. Perhaps it's time for a winter blat video?

mharris said:

Hey, I just replied to your Supersport video on youtube asking about your wing mirror mounts. Didn't think, I should have just asked here instead
Nice little video by the way.[/quote=mharris]

Hi there

Are you a memeber of the L7C? A member on there has been selling little machined nylon blocks that form a carrier to mount SPA (& others) mirrors to the bottom door hinge. They were only something like £12/pair. I could put you in touch if your interested?

[mharris]

ghibbett said:

Hi there

Are you a memeber of the L7C? A member on there has been selling little machined nylon blocks that form a carrier to mount SPA (& others) mirrors to the bottom door hinge. They were only something like £12/pair. I could put you in touch if your interested?

Hey

I've paid my L7C membership, but I'm still waiting for my member pack and PIN to come through.
That sounds exactly what I'm looking for. Have seen old threads with rumours about this sort of thing but didn't realises they were still being made.

Yes could you please put me in touch? Either that or give me a link to the thread and I'll have a look once I finally get my PIN.

[ghibbett]

Hi Martyn,

Can't seem to PM you the info - can you try PM'ing me and I will let you know the contact details.

Cheers,