New R400. £2k price reduction.

[Pugsey]

Picking my car up soon and just been told I've 'saved' £2k - woo hoo! Apparently Caterham are not doing trackday dampers (£1k) which they deem 'unnecessary' and the dry sump kit (£1k) 'hasn't been engineered yet'. They are confident that, even given heavy track use, the car will be fine without a dry sump and will be prepared to have 'a conversation' if this proves not to be the case. I'd rather have the dry sump frankly but, there it is. £2k should cover some track days and tyres etc. Which is nice.

Edited by Pugsey on Friday 6th July 11:55

[ewenm]

Any idea if the oil pressure sender is more reliable than the one on K-Series? I'd be watching the pressure pretty carefully on the first few trackdays...

[Dave J]

the duratec with the baffeled raceline wet sump pan (as fitted to the factory c400) is fine with slicks and oil pressure is maintained.

It is critical however that the oil level is maintained to prevent surge and loss of pressure.

the oil pressure sender is the same as the K series, but it is mounted in a dry, less exposed position.

I would suggest you also fit a bright 20psi oil pressure warning lamp in case of any incident or failier on track.

Dave

[ScottL]

Pugsey said:

Picking my car up soon and just been told I've 'saved' £2k - woo hoo! Apparently Caterham are not doing trackday dampers (£1k) which they deem 'unnecessary' and the dry sump kit (£1k) 'hasn't been engineered yet'. They are confident that, even given heavy track use, the car will be fine without a dry sump and will be prepared to have 'a conversation' if this proves not to be the case. I'd rather have the dry sump frankly but, there it is. £2k should cover some track days and tyres etc. Which is nice.

Just had the opposite experience with zee Germans - "sorry sir 1.5% price increase for your model year 08 RS".

So Pugsey how were Caterham to deal with? I was speaking to one of their lot at Goodwood the other week. Didn't seem the slightest bit interested in selling me a car. Turned out he was the sales director! Talk about leading by example...

Did they offer you a test drive? How long was the wait once you ordered?

[Murph7355]

ScottL said:

...Did they offer you a test drive?

They've always been offish in this regard IME.

Bought mine 11yrs ago and had to ask for one, then come back later to get a drive.

Salesman noted that they sell themselves...

Arrogant? Yup. Shitty? Yup. Did I still buy one? Yup. Doesn't make it right, but for many, if you want a car like this, only a Caterham will do.

Few, IMO, seriously consider something like a 997 GT3 OR a Caterham...and those who know a proper driver's car don't like chucking their towels on the sunbeds at 6am

[CanAm]

I found Dominic at Caterham South very helpful. Offered me a test drive without me asking and another (slower!) one for SWMBO to help convince her.

[ScottL]

Murph7355 said:

Few, IMO, seriously consider something like a 997 GT3 OR a Caterham...and those who know a proper driver's car don't like chucking their towels on the sunbeds at 6am

I'm not comparing a GT3 to a Caterham. The choice was a X-bow, CSR or Lotus 2-11. Ended up ordering a X-bow.

Quite fancy an R400 or a CSR while I wait the KTM.

Edited by ScottL on Saturday 7th July 13:40

[Murph7355]

ScottL said:

I'm not comparing a GT3 to a Caterham. The choice was a X-bow, CSR or Lotus 2-11. Ended up ordering a X-bow.

Quite fancy an R400 or a CSR while I wait the KTM.

Edited by ScottL on Saturday 7th July 13:40

I know - apologies, didn't want to come across as having a go at you, more Caterham!

Have you had a test drive of a X-bow? Is it any good?

I want it to be, just wish it could have been lighter...

[Pugsey]

Well I AM swapping from a 997GT3 to an R400! (Ok, sort of - I'm getting an AMV8 Roadster too although that might get chopped straight into an F430 but that another story! Both Anthony and Dom at Caterham very helpful. Ordered the car early this year - they held the price for me when it subsequently went up. Now dealing with Jean in admin and Tim at the factory as the car's being built and they're good news to. Makes me remember the days of Andy Noble and Jez Coates - ah, the memories and here I am having done a full circle! More excited about the Caterham than any car for a long time.

[subirg]

Pugsey said:

Well I AM swapping from a 997GT3 to an R400! (Ok, sort of - I'm getting an AMV8 Roadster too although that might get chopped straight into an F430 but that another story! Both Anthony and Dom at Caterham very helpful. Ordered the car early this year - they held the price for me when it subsequently went up. Now dealing with Jean in admin and Tim at the factory as the car's being built and they're good news to. Makes me remember the days of Andy Noble and Jez Coates - ah, the memories and here I am having done a full circle! More excited about the Caterham than any car for a long time.

My story's similar - been dealing with Dom (sales) and Jean (production). Both been great. Ordered mine a while ago - similar to Pugsey from memory. Just got my proforma through, so only a couple of weeks to go until the magic pick up day! Can't wait!

ps: I did consider a GT3 too, but then I went on the Palmer day at Bedford. The 911s they have are not GT3s, but were still quite fun. The Caterham on the other hand was in fairly basic Superlight spec, but put the biggest smile on my face of the entire day (apart from the FPA single seater...). So... the order went to Caterham. And yes - they were pleasant to deal with and did give me a test drive.

[Pugsey]

subirg said:

Pugsey said:

Well I AM swapping from a 997GT3 to an R400! (Ok, sort of - I'm getting an AMV8 Roadster too although that might get chopped straight into an F430 but that another story! Both Anthony and Dom at Caterham very helpful. Ordered the car early this year - they held the price for me when it subsequently went up. Now dealing with Jean in admin and Tim at the factory as the car's being built and they're good news to. Makes me remember the days of Andy Noble and Jez Coates - ah, the memories and here I am having done a full circle! More excited about the Caterham than any car for a long time.

My story's similar - been dealing with Dom (sales) and Jean (production). Both been great. Ordered mine a while ago - similar to Pugsey from memory. Just got my proforma through, so only a couple of weeks to go until the magic pick up day! Can't wait!

ps: I did consider a GT3 too, but then I went on the Palmer day at Bedford. The 911s they have are not GT3s, but were still quite fun. The Caterham on the other hand was in fairly basic Superlight spec, but put the biggest smile on my face of the entire day (apart from the FPA single seater...). So... the order went to Caterham. And yes - they were pleasant to deal with and did give me a test drive.

Hi subirg - let me know when you get a pick up date - it looks like we may coincide.

[subirg]

Pugsey - I'll let you know dates when they get confirmed. Looking like 28th July kind of territory! Can't wait!

[ScottL]

subirg said:

I did consider a GT3 too, but then I went on the Palmer day at Bedford. The 911s they have are not GT3s, but were still quite fun.

The Palmersport 911's are basic 996 carerra 2 tiptronics with psm...eg wallowy old barges - a million miles away from a GT3. Do me a favour and come out on track in a GT3. Totally difference experience.

PS - what did you think of the XRK's?

[subirg]

ScottL said:

subirg said:

I did consider a GT3 too, but then I went on the Palmer day at Bedford. The 911s they have are not GT3s, but were still quite fun.

The Palmersport 911's are basic 996 carerra 2 tiptronics with psm...eg wallowy old barges - a million miles away from a GT3. Do me a favour and come out on track in a GT3. Totally difference experience.

PS - what did you think of the XRK's?

You're right - they are basic 996 C2s, but they have been tweaked in the handling and braking departments and you can turn off the PSM (as I did last time I was there). However, I'm sure they're nowhere near the class of a GT3. And the tiptronic is useless... Having said that, I'd be well up for coming out on track in a GT3 and hope I get the chance soon!

As for the XKRs - oh dear... Lovely engine, ok in the corners, but - the traction control system is an utter nightmare. It's a very clever system that works on all sorts of parameters like amount of throttle, lateral-g, and steering wheel angle. The net result of this is that your average fat-cat is not going to bin it into a hedge, but the net result for the rest of us is that you cannot get the back end to move around. Worse still, if the steering angle applied is considered too much by the computer, then it won't give you full throttle until you straighten up the wheel. All very frustrating...

Roll on R400. No aids in that beasty...! Also - no excuses if you trash it... (not wishing to tempt fate!)...