Caterham virgin - purchase advise
Discussion
I want to buy a new factory built Caterham and am unsure which model to get and what bits to add on.
The main problem is that I live in Hong Kong and getting spares could prove frustrating. I am told that there are currently only about 10 sevens in HK. Reliability will unfortunately be my first priority. Hence a new factory built car. I will not take it on a track ( there are non in HK). Fortunately money is not a major problem .
My first thoughts were the Roadsports with a few upgrades , however, the CSR 200 ( is this more reliable than the 260 ? - and not as scary for a newbie )is appealing.
Options - Will the LSD be of any use when not on a track ?
Is the Superlight suspension worth having for road use. Does this lower the car at all - need to think about ground clearance for speed bumps.
Seats - Will the standard leather ones be best for road use? However, I like the look and image of the race seats. I have a 3 year old son and will need to use a booster seat - (Have read the thread on child seats already )
Stack display - Is this just a better looking set of instruments with some change up lights ? Worth the money ?
Thanks in advance
The main problem is that I live in Hong Kong and getting spares could prove frustrating. I am told that there are currently only about 10 sevens in HK. Reliability will unfortunately be my first priority. Hence a new factory built car. I will not take it on a track ( there are non in HK). Fortunately money is not a major problem .
My first thoughts were the Roadsports with a few upgrades , however, the CSR 200 ( is this more reliable than the 260 ? - and not as scary for a newbie )is appealing.
Options - Will the LSD be of any use when not on a track ?
Is the Superlight suspension worth having for road use. Does this lower the car at all - need to think about ground clearance for speed bumps.
Seats - Will the standard leather ones be best for road use? However, I like the look and image of the race seats. I have a 3 year old son and will need to use a booster seat - (Have read the thread on child seats already )
Stack display - Is this just a better looking set of instruments with some change up lights ? Worth the money ?
Thanks in advance
wong said:
I want to buy a new factory built Caterham and am unsure which model to get and what bits to add on.
The main problem is that I live in Hong Kong and getting spares could prove frustrating. I am told that there are currently only about 10 sevens in HK. Reliability will unfortunately be my first priority. Hence a new factory built car. I will not take it on a track ( there are non in HK). Fortunately money is not a major problem .
My first thoughts were the Roadsports with a few upgrades , however, the CSR 200 ( is this more reliable than the 260 ? - and not as scary for a newbie )is appealing.
Options - Will the LSD be of any use when not on a track ?
Is the Superlight suspension worth having for road use. Does this lower the car at all - need to think about ground clearance for speed bumps.
Seats - Will the standard leather ones be best for road use? However, I like the look and image of the race seats. I have a 3 year old son and will need to use a booster seat - (Have read the thread on child seats already )
Stack display - Is this just a better looking set of instruments with some change up lights ? Worth the money ?
Thanks in advance
LSD - depends how fast you drive. You'll notice it in tight turns, especially in the wet.The main problem is that I live in Hong Kong and getting spares could prove frustrating. I am told that there are currently only about 10 sevens in HK. Reliability will unfortunately be my first priority. Hence a new factory built car. I will not take it on a track ( there are non in HK). Fortunately money is not a major problem .
My first thoughts were the Roadsports with a few upgrades , however, the CSR 200 ( is this more reliable than the 260 ? - and not as scary for a newbie )is appealing.
Options - Will the LSD be of any use when not on a track ?
Is the Superlight suspension worth having for road use. Does this lower the car at all - need to think about ground clearance for speed bumps.
Seats - Will the standard leather ones be best for road use? However, I like the look and image of the race seats. I have a 3 year old son and will need to use a booster seat - (Have read the thread on child seats already )
Stack display - Is this just a better looking set of instruments with some change up lights ? Worth the money ?
Thanks in advance
Suspension - Personally, I prefer the superlight suspension (even for road use), although you wouldn't be unhappy with either. Not sure if it lowers the car or not.
Seats - I prefer the tillet seats (racing type) as you can feel the car more and they hold you in better (I'm quite thin so I move around on the flat leather seats). I don't find tillets uncomfortable, and I don't have much personal padding to rely on!
The leather ones are probably more comfortable (my gf preferred them), but I'd go for tillets every time. Tillets are better in the rain too as they just wipe clean.Stack - nice to have, the instruments are better to read and move in a nicer way (hard to describe!). I wouldn't say it's essential, but it's something I've always liked.
Hi Wong,
I just bought an R300 a few weeks ago, this replaces my previous fun car.
I travel to Kowloon in April each year, so if you need small carry able spares in the future, perhaps I might be able to help.
Sorry don't feel I know enough to comment on your questions, but the car is amazing, although not sure where you will be able to have much fun in HK though, although I've never left the city area.
Should be some good twisty roads somewhere....
Happy hunting.
I just bought an R300 a few weeks ago, this replaces my previous fun car.
I travel to Kowloon in April each year, so if you need small carry able spares in the future, perhaps I might be able to help.
Sorry don't feel I know enough to comment on your questions, but the car is amazing, although not sure where you will be able to have much fun in HK though, although I've never left the city area.
Should be some good twisty roads somewhere....
Happy hunting.
Many people prefer the Tillets to Leather seats for comfort (myself included). I've had a number of 400 mile trips with no adverse side effects! They work well for people of light to medium build. Best to try some if you can.
All Caterhams tend to require some tinkering but are pretty reliable and take a lot of punishment if well maintained... However, in remote places it is always worth having unique Caterham specific spares such as clutch cables and throttle cables. For reliability it is probably best to go for one of the more standard spec Ford engines such as the 1.6 Sigma in 125bhp guise or the 2 litre Duratec in 200bhp (CSR 200) guise. Not really sure how many bespoke parts the 150bhp Sigma has but probably a safe bet also... However, if you've no previous Caterham experience even the 125bhp version will seem insanely fast with far more scope for driver upgrading than car upgrading - many owners never get near the performance potential of their cars. Indeed, the lesser powered cars can be as much if not more fun most of the time with a more delicate performance/handling balance.
If you're worried about ride height, make sure you specify adjustable platforms so you can adjust the ride height. I find my car very compliant on the road, expecially when its on its 14" wheels with 60 profile tyres (probably best road compromise), with no rear anti roll bar, the thinnest of front anti roll bars and standard narrow track Bilstein suspension. In spite of being good on the road its not a bad compromise on the track either. Having said that, 13" wheels particularly on lightweight CR500 tyres do make the car feel a whole lot more agile than any other combination, particularly good for track use.
Only other must have in my opinion is an FIA rollbar. The standard one is less than reasssuring. If you go for more power, then big brakes are a good idea!
All Caterhams tend to require some tinkering but are pretty reliable and take a lot of punishment if well maintained... However, in remote places it is always worth having unique Caterham specific spares such as clutch cables and throttle cables. For reliability it is probably best to go for one of the more standard spec Ford engines such as the 1.6 Sigma in 125bhp guise or the 2 litre Duratec in 200bhp (CSR 200) guise. Not really sure how many bespoke parts the 150bhp Sigma has but probably a safe bet also... However, if you've no previous Caterham experience even the 125bhp version will seem insanely fast with far more scope for driver upgrading than car upgrading - many owners never get near the performance potential of their cars. Indeed, the lesser powered cars can be as much if not more fun most of the time with a more delicate performance/handling balance.
If you're worried about ride height, make sure you specify adjustable platforms so you can adjust the ride height. I find my car very compliant on the road, expecially when its on its 14" wheels with 60 profile tyres (probably best road compromise), with no rear anti roll bar, the thinnest of front anti roll bars and standard narrow track Bilstein suspension. In spite of being good on the road its not a bad compromise on the track either. Having said that, 13" wheels particularly on lightweight CR500 tyres do make the car feel a whole lot more agile than any other combination, particularly good for track use.
Only other must have in my opinion is an FIA rollbar. The standard one is less than reasssuring. If you go for more power, then big brakes are a good idea!
I can think of few enjoyable places to use a 7 in HK.
7 owner for 11yrs and have spent nearly 2yrs in HK over time (never with the 7).
There's probaby a reason why there are so few over there
Appreciate your enthusiasm for the marque. But personally I wouldn't bother. Especially if you're worried about the cost of spares/servicing etc.
7 owner for 11yrs and have spent nearly 2yrs in HK over time (never with the 7).
There's probaby a reason why there are so few over there
Appreciate your enthusiasm for the marque. But personally I wouldn't bother. Especially if you're worried about the cost of spares/servicing etc.
It's a sort of mid life crisis I suppose. Have twins on the way and already have a 2 1/2 yr old son. Currently run an Impreza turbo, but will be getting a 7 seater people carrier. So , that allows me the option of a silly 2nd car. Have thought about a 10 yr old 911, new Mini cooper S, MX 5 ETC, but then I thougt why not go all the way and get a really silly , fun car.
Thanks for the replies. There are a few routes in the New Territories of HK where there are lots of twisties (and hills ) and not much traffic.
Will get in touch with the Caterham HK branch.
Thanks for the replies. There are a few routes in the New Territories of HK where there are lots of twisties (and hills ) and not much traffic.
Will get in touch with the Caterham HK branch.
Have to agree, I've had an Elise, and then an Esprit, currently running a micra for everyday and then went all the way silly with the R300.
Nothing I have driven compares in any way to the visceral experience of the 7,
far more exciting than any of your options list.
Just thinking about the car makes me giggle.
Nothing I have driven compares in any way to the visceral experience of the 7,
far more exciting than any of your options list.
Just thinking about the car makes me giggle.
IMHO only spec options that you can't do easily afterwards.
You WILL get a bout of upgraditis, infection comes as standard. Having to take the car to bits because the only upgrade you have left if buried deep inside can be tiresome. So leave a few things to satisfy the urge to upgrade later.
To be honest most people would not notice an LSD or not on the road 90% of time. Particularly not in the first months or years of ownership. The main use is to make donuts easier !
You WILL get a bout of upgraditis, infection comes as standard. Having to take the car to bits because the only upgrade you have left if buried deep inside can be tiresome. So leave a few things to satisfy the urge to upgrade later.
To be honest most people would not notice an LSD or not on the road 90% of time. Particularly not in the first months or years of ownership. The main use is to make donuts easier !
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff