Advice for new members of the Caterham family!
Discussion
Having never owned a Caterham, nor having ever driven one, although always dreamt of the thrill of driving one, and more recently had some not so good dreams of sitting in a puddle during a downpour, I went to a showroom and bought one. Oops!
As a Caterham virgin, and having a virgin (Caterham) girlfriend, we were looking for any advice to enable us to make the most out of this great little car, from good roads to drive, how best to look after it, to best engine upgrades (we have started with a 120, original plan R300).
We were guessing here was a good place to start.
So, what is the best advice you have for a couple of relatively nervous fffirst timmmers ?
Thanks
Ben & Kat
As a Caterham virgin, and having a virgin (Caterham) girlfriend, we were looking for any advice to enable us to make the most out of this great little car, from good roads to drive, how best to look after it, to best engine upgrades (we have started with a 120, original plan R300).
We were guessing here was a good place to start.
So, what is the best advice you have for a couple of relatively nervous fffirst timmmers ?
Thanks
Ben & Kat
I was considering 10w40 to help squeeze her in?
Looking forward to the lack of comfort on some longer road trips. It can't me much worse than my trusty old landy and on a positive note we should get to our destination much quicker hence less time being uncomfortable.
We have considered getting in and out but not with the roof on. May make for some comical videos.
Compulsary go pro at the ready!
Looking forward to the lack of comfort on some longer road trips. It can't me much worse than my trusty old landy and on a positive note we should get to our destination much quicker hence less time being uncomfortable.
We have considered getting in and out but not with the roof on. May make for some comical videos.
Compulsary go pro at the ready!
battered said:
Get the driver upgraded before the engine, if his ego will stand it. Even a modest 7 is a fast car and it is very easy to start feeling invincible behind the wheel. Then you go into a corner a little bit quicker than is wise and you discover that you ran out of talent 20mph ago.
Very well put,Hi k20erham,
I was lucky enough to go out in a 300 super light with someone that is an expert driver, and noticed how hot the footwell got, as the wellies I was wearing began to soften. We will just have to get used to hot feet and cold heads. The footwell may be a good place to keep the chineese take-away warm on the way home.
Any tricks to avoid sweaty feet?
Noise is not an issue for me, it is part of the reason we bought it, and being used to an agricultural landrover it may even be quiet. Looking forward to the conversation whilst out on a long drive.
The Exige S2 sound fun, is it as fun as the Caterham, and is it any more practical?
Good Advice battered, Luckily age is beginning to take my edge away so more likely to run out of talent 19 mph ago although considering a couple of novice track days with a little tuition to get the most out of the car, although with a bit of Karting experience and a few months in it I'm sure next summer will be bundles of fun if we survive until then!
Something that is bugging me a bit, when it rains, is it worth using the roof or do we just get wet? Getting out through that tiny hole with a steaming exhaust to step over may be a bigger price to pay than getting mildly damp.
I was lucky enough to go out in a 300 super light with someone that is an expert driver, and noticed how hot the footwell got, as the wellies I was wearing began to soften. We will just have to get used to hot feet and cold heads. The footwell may be a good place to keep the chineese take-away warm on the way home.
Any tricks to avoid sweaty feet?
Noise is not an issue for me, it is part of the reason we bought it, and being used to an agricultural landrover it may even be quiet. Looking forward to the conversation whilst out on a long drive.
The Exige S2 sound fun, is it as fun as the Caterham, and is it any more practical?
Good Advice battered, Luckily age is beginning to take my edge away so more likely to run out of talent 19 mph ago although considering a couple of novice track days with a little tuition to get the most out of the car, although with a bit of Karting experience and a few months in it I'm sure next summer will be bundles of fun if we survive until then!
Something that is bugging me a bit, when it rains, is it worth using the roof or do we just get wet? Getting out through that tiny hole with a steaming exhaust to step over may be a bigger price to pay than getting mildly damp.
Skyedriver said:
battered said:
Get the driver upgraded before the engine, if his ego will stand it. Even a modest 7 is a fast car and it is very easy to start feeling invincible behind the wheel. Then you go into a corner a little bit quicker than is wise and you discover that you ran out of talent 20mph ago.
Very well put,Eagleboy33 said:
.
Any tricks to avoid sweaty feet?
Yes, remove the pedal box cover. If you are serious you can fit a NACA duct to each side panel to let air in.Any tricks to avoid sweaty feet?
[quote]
Something that is bugging me a bit, when it rains, is it worth using the roof or do we just get wet? Getting out through that tiny hole with a steaming exhaust to step over may be a bigger price to pay than getting mildly damp.
Congrats to both you and Kat on your new purchase Ben!
I just wanted to ask you what car it is you have ordered, you mention a 120, but I assume you mean a 160 yes?
Also ass far as fitting in, you won't have any problems, assuming you have the leather seats.
Not sure Kat will appreciate you sharing the photo of her derrière though, but she defintely won't. Have any issues,,as I am sure that close up does her now favours, she looks to be about 5'6 Ish? Same as Mrs P, and she loves going out in all my Caterhams over the years.
Only the more high end power cars have an issue with high footwell temps, if yours is a 160 you will have no problems.
And as far as the roof is concerned, as most have said we all pretty much never use them.
Go for a Oxted or Softbits half hood, it's all you ever need when getting caught in the rain.
Bet you can't wait to collect it, then you will be off looking for places to go.
Make sure you join the Lotus seven club, they have local meets and good events.
Here's a picture of mine to make your wait even harder!
I just wanted to ask you what car it is you have ordered, you mention a 120, but I assume you mean a 160 yes?
Also ass far as fitting in, you won't have any problems, assuming you have the leather seats.
Not sure Kat will appreciate you sharing the photo of her derrière though, but she defintely won't. Have any issues,,as I am sure that close up does her now favours, she looks to be about 5'6 Ish? Same as Mrs P, and she loves going out in all my Caterhams over the years.
Only the more high end power cars have an issue with high footwell temps, if yours is a 160 you will have no problems.
And as far as the roof is concerned, as most have said we all pretty much never use them.
Go for a Oxted or Softbits half hood, it's all you ever need when getting caught in the rain.
Bet you can't wait to collect it, then you will be off looking for places to go.
Make sure you join the Lotus seven club, they have local meets and good events.
Here's a picture of mine to make your wait even harder!
CanAm said:
Most people wear earplugs in Caterhams. It's highly recommended.
Definitely this.If you are going for the full hood, practise getting in in private, or alternatively invite all your mates around to watch for a good laugh. There is a technique to getting in with the hood on, but we'll wait for the go pro vid before telling you ;-). There is a half hood available which many swear by. You will also need to practise putting the hood on. Again there is a technique :-).
Take it easy at first. Even a low powered Caterham is a different beast than normal cars. Also not that you may need to alter your driving style, it's highly possible some other drivers won't see you, even if you are in a bright orange Caterham !
Lastly, take the car on a track to find the limits, not on the open road. An airfield track day can be a good place to start as there is very little to hit if you get too excited :-)
Lastly, enjoy !
Just remember how much "go" there is under your right foot.
I got in mine yesterday for the first time in a month and I'd almost forgotten how fast you actually go at full throttle! (and I've owned the car for 4 years).
Things you might find useful:
The full hood is fine, and does a good job of keeping the rain out and heat in (especially if you use the car in the winter). I was absolutely convinced there was nothing wrong with it until I finally bought a half hood out of curiosity. I've since remove the hood sticks and the full hood hasn't been used since. I always keep the half hood in the boot just in case (along with a spare throttle cable and a roll-up toll bag).
Consider getting a small pack away cover for the car when you're parked up for the day/night. The long nose cover from soft bits is great as it keeps the rain out of the bonnet vents. It also has a shiny side to keep the heat out on warm days.
As far as your feet getting hot, they do tend to warm up, especially for the driver if it's a Sigma/Duratec. Mine's alright most of the time, but if I have a trackday on a very hot day (approaching 30 degrees), then I can only do 10/15min sessions as my feet get to boiling point! (although on a hot day, the tyres probably need a cool down after that time anyway).
I got in mine yesterday for the first time in a month and I'd almost forgotten how fast you actually go at full throttle! (and I've owned the car for 4 years).
Things you might find useful:
The full hood is fine, and does a good job of keeping the rain out and heat in (especially if you use the car in the winter). I was absolutely convinced there was nothing wrong with it until I finally bought a half hood out of curiosity. I've since remove the hood sticks and the full hood hasn't been used since. I always keep the half hood in the boot just in case (along with a spare throttle cable and a roll-up toll bag).
Consider getting a small pack away cover for the car when you're parked up for the day/night. The long nose cover from soft bits is great as it keeps the rain out of the bonnet vents. It also has a shiny side to keep the heat out on warm days.
As far as your feet getting hot, they do tend to warm up, especially for the driver if it's a Sigma/Duratec. Mine's alright most of the time, but if I have a trackday on a very hot day (approaching 30 degrees), then I can only do 10/15min sessions as my feet get to boiling point! (although on a hot day, the tyres probably need a cool down after that time anyway).
All great advice, Thank you!
I am beginning to understand from your experiences that the loud pedal is loud and fast.
Nigelpugh7,I had imagined that a 1600 k series with only 120 bhp would be managable although it is beginning to sound like it deserves more respect than I first thought. Yours looks stunning. Getting rather impatient now! Is the lotus club realy worth doing?
Skyedriver, I think I will save the higher speeds for the track, road kitty litter made of kerbs and lampposts is not appealing!
GC8, I don't think I will be driving it in wellies unless the foot well gets as wet as the landy!
The half hood topic keeps cropping up with the same answer, sounds like a must.
Battered, does that mean take boys out in the sunshine and girls in the rain? I'm kind of looking forward to the cold wet days!
Canam, I love the noise bu will make sure I have ear plugs with me and pink fluffy ear muffs for the driver.
This is already a much better experience than buying a "normal" car and we have'nt even got it yet.
I am beginning to understand from your experiences that the loud pedal is loud and fast.
Nigelpugh7,I had imagined that a 1600 k series with only 120 bhp would be managable although it is beginning to sound like it deserves more respect than I first thought. Yours looks stunning. Getting rather impatient now! Is the lotus club realy worth doing?
Skyedriver, I think I will save the higher speeds for the track, road kitty litter made of kerbs and lampposts is not appealing!
GC8, I don't think I will be driving it in wellies unless the foot well gets as wet as the landy!
The half hood topic keeps cropping up with the same answer, sounds like a must.
Battered, does that mean take boys out in the sunshine and girls in the rain? I'm kind of looking forward to the cold wet days!
Canam, I love the noise bu will make sure I have ear plugs with me and pink fluffy ear muffs for the driver.
This is already a much better experience than buying a "normal" car and we have'nt even got it yet.
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