New to Caterham
Discussion
Good evening all,
As the title states, I'm new to the Caterham brand.
I'm sort of looking for a little guidance to be honest.
I've test driven a 2018 academy with a 310 Upgrade from Woodcote & Copse, ( I hope I've not broken any PH rules by naming them) I've had an absolutely fantastic first experience from the people at W&C, thank you for accommodating me !
They were extremely helpful, answered my newbee (see dumb) questions and made me feel very welcome.
Also allowed me to take out their 2018 Caterham
Unfortunately once I was home, I realise spending 26K on a race track toy will most likely end up with me living by myself, in a bedsit above a chippy.
I do like chips.
However !
I need to rationalise, but I loved that car, not the climbing in through the roof bit, but I could get used to that if required, I now know you can get different roll cages and just bolt them in.
I'm now in the market for a sigma engined Caterham, the one I test drove was absolutely sublime.
The good part is; I'm a very capable engineer, re-building an engine or gearbox would not phase me at all, I've re-built plenty of motorcycle engines from the crank up.
So converting an ex racer to road would be no issue.
The difficult part is I only have about 14K to spend on a toy.
The question Is; Is this totally unrealistic ?
Thank you, any replies would be much appreciated.
As the title states, I'm new to the Caterham brand.
I'm sort of looking for a little guidance to be honest.
I've test driven a 2018 academy with a 310 Upgrade from Woodcote & Copse, ( I hope I've not broken any PH rules by naming them) I've had an absolutely fantastic first experience from the people at W&C, thank you for accommodating me !
They were extremely helpful, answered my newbee (see dumb) questions and made me feel very welcome.
Also allowed me to take out their 2018 Caterham
Unfortunately once I was home, I realise spending 26K on a race track toy will most likely end up with me living by myself, in a bedsit above a chippy.
I do like chips.
However !
I need to rationalise, but I loved that car, not the climbing in through the roof bit, but I could get used to that if required, I now know you can get different roll cages and just bolt them in.
I'm now in the market for a sigma engined Caterham, the one I test drove was absolutely sublime.
The good part is; I'm a very capable engineer, re-building an engine or gearbox would not phase me at all, I've re-built plenty of motorcycle engines from the crank up.
So converting an ex racer to road would be no issue.
The difficult part is I only have about 14K to spend on a toy.
The question Is; Is this totally unrealistic ?
Thank you, any replies would be much appreciated.
Sounds realistic. Pop over to racecarsdirect and there are a few Sigma cars for sale just above £14k.
For full disclosure, one of them is mine, as I’ve just moved up to a 420r with Sequential etc.
A few might have all the kit to switch to road use (mine does).
It’s lucky you’re handy with a spanner. Some may claim a race car can be converted to the road in a few hours, however, adding a windscreen is an engine out job (putting the washer bottle back).
For full disclosure, one of them is mine, as I’ve just moved up to a 420r with Sequential etc.
A few might have all the kit to switch to road use (mine does).
It’s lucky you’re handy with a spanner. Some may claim a race car can be converted to the road in a few hours, however, adding a windscreen is an engine out job (putting the washer bottle back).
WombleCate said:
Sounds realistic. Pop over to racecarsdirect and there are a few Sigma cars for sale just above £14k.
For full disclosure, one of them is mine, as I ve just moved up to a 420r with Sequential etc.
A few might have all the kit to switch to road use (mine does).
It s lucky you re handy with a spanner. Some may claim a race car can be converted to the road in a few hours, however, adding a windscreen is an engine out job (putting the washer bottle back).
Hi WombleCate, I don't believe I'm allowed to message directly yet, I've had a look on RCD. Do you have a direct link to your for sale add ?For full disclosure, one of them is mine, as I ve just moved up to a 420r with Sequential etc.
A few might have all the kit to switch to road use (mine does).
It s lucky you re handy with a spanner. Some may claim a race car can be converted to the road in a few hours, however, adding a windscreen is an engine out job (putting the washer bottle back).
Thank you.
You can get a road ready sigma engined car for around your budget, for example
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609075...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608295...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609075...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608295...
Hi BEZ1
I can't post a link to a car I'm selling nor can I see how to DM you, but, I'd be more than happy to chat.
We all seem to agree you're being realistic. I've taken a quick look at PH, RCD and AT and can see circa 4 Sigma-based cars that you could do a deal on a little above £14k. There are all awesome cars that could perform on the road and track.
The journey to the bedsit above the chippy is a very well worn one, I know many folk who are enjoying all the different stages. I'd happily share my experience with you. Likewise, if you think you might ever want to go racing the class representative (Tom) at CSCC would be a great person to speak to, or come along to a paddock (my season has come to a close with a new car to learn).
The one piece of advice I would give is to really think about how far you're likely to go along the road/ track/ race continuum before you buy. I bought a road/ track toy and have just finished three seasons of racing. There are hundreds of us who after 1 seasons of track days are having the time of our life racing, which can start out as inexpensive for a year or two... then if you want to continue learning year 3 and 4 can get more expensive.
Caterham's are very easy to work on and it is very easy to swap bits, most cars are triggers broom. They can all perform ok on road and track, however, the perfect setup for each is different (you do want a full cage on track and ideally an aero screen, while driving on road without a windscreen is only for the brave).
The Sigma car with an LSD is an awesome platform, however, the bits and pieces can add up (e.g. increasing power from 125 bhp (£3k), harness (£1k) wide track (£1k), cage (£1k), plumbed fire extinguisher (£1k) etc
So I would think about how much time you might want to spend on road/ track/ race (I'll get shot for saying this, but, if it is road only there are other cars I'd be looking at).
In short, you are close to being realistic, and, I can almost guarantee you will love it.
I can't post a link to a car I'm selling nor can I see how to DM you, but, I'd be more than happy to chat.
We all seem to agree you're being realistic. I've taken a quick look at PH, RCD and AT and can see circa 4 Sigma-based cars that you could do a deal on a little above £14k. There are all awesome cars that could perform on the road and track.
The journey to the bedsit above the chippy is a very well worn one, I know many folk who are enjoying all the different stages. I'd happily share my experience with you. Likewise, if you think you might ever want to go racing the class representative (Tom) at CSCC would be a great person to speak to, or come along to a paddock (my season has come to a close with a new car to learn).
The one piece of advice I would give is to really think about how far you're likely to go along the road/ track/ race continuum before you buy. I bought a road/ track toy and have just finished three seasons of racing. There are hundreds of us who after 1 seasons of track days are having the time of our life racing, which can start out as inexpensive for a year or two... then if you want to continue learning year 3 and 4 can get more expensive.
Caterham's are very easy to work on and it is very easy to swap bits, most cars are triggers broom. They can all perform ok on road and track, however, the perfect setup for each is different (you do want a full cage on track and ideally an aero screen, while driving on road without a windscreen is only for the brave).
The Sigma car with an LSD is an awesome platform, however, the bits and pieces can add up (e.g. increasing power from 125 bhp (£3k), harness (£1k) wide track (£1k), cage (£1k), plumbed fire extinguisher (£1k) etc
So I would think about how much time you might want to spend on road/ track/ race (I'll get shot for saying this, but, if it is road only there are other cars I'd be looking at).
In short, you are close to being realistic, and, I can almost guarantee you will love it.
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff