Caterham or Westfield
Discussion
Quality and badge reputation, basically.
Try asking here. You won't get a balanced answer, but it will be entertaining.
There's no doubt that, all things being equal, the Caterham is a slightly better car than a Westfield SE/SEi, but (having owned both) I'd agree that the cost difference is disproportionate.
Try asking here. You won't get a balanced answer, but it will be entertaining.
There's no doubt that, all things being equal, the Caterham is a slightly better car than a Westfield SE/SEi, but (having owned both) I'd agree that the cost difference is disproportionate.
Let the games begin.Furyblade_Lee said:
If I could afford, I would choose the Caterham everytime. But I am basing that on looks and history only, not dynamically. I think the Caterham is far better looking. If I was basing my choice on dynamics alone, the choice would have a Sylva badge on it.....
Yep. I'd agree totally with that. I even prefer the looks of the Sylva to the Caterham.But if it's a straight comparison between Westfield and Caterham, and putting to one side appearance (which is always going to be subjective), I think you've got to acknowledge that Caterham has a slight edge in both quality and driving dynamics, out of the box.
Ironically, my personal preference is for the softer dynamics of the IRS Westfield for road use, but most people prefer the sharper set-up of the Caterham, and it can't be argued that it has better steering feel.
CraigyB said:
Reading the other posts, they seem light on facts, high on opinion.
Discussion of things like handling and steering feel always seems opinionated, until you actually experience the cars in question. Then it becomes surprisingly clear.If you drive them back-to-back, the difference in feel is quite distinct.
Similarly, build quality... it might seem a matter of opinion, but if you park a Westfield next to a Caterham, then look at the quality of design and accuracy of manufacture, you'll see clear differences. A good place to start is at the wheelarches and wings. You won't find a Westfield with a constant gap around the tryes at the rear wheelarches, simple because the rear mouldings wont allow it. Similarly, if you look at the front wings on a clamshell-winged Westfield, you'll find that they are markedly asymmetrical.
There is a lot of unsubstantiated opinion from people who haven't owned or driven both marques - and who will usually defend their chosen marque to the death - but that's not to say that there aren't clear differences between them in terms of quality and handling.
It the Caterham worth the extra? Now that is a matter of personal opinion...
It came down to cost for me. I wanted a new car, had limited mechanical knowledge (a lot more now though!!) and wanted to build it myself. Westfield had excellent customer support and a good build manual which in my eyes elevated them above the other kit manufacturers (I did seriously consider a tiger though too). In the end money reared it's ugly head and for £18k I bought a brand new Westfield to build, a similarly specced Caterham would have cost me £28k, I could have had any number of other seven type replicas for less than I paid for my Westie. Caterhams do hold their value better too.
Furyblade_Lee said:
If I could afford, I would choose the Caterham everytime. But I am basing that on looks and history only, not dynamically. I think the Caterham is far better looking. If I was basing my choice on dynamics alone, the choice would have a Sylva badge on it.....
Good boy!!!!
cozmic said:
Furyblade_Lee said:
If I could afford, I would choose the Caterham everytime. But I am basing that on looks and history only, not dynamically. I think the Caterham is far better looking. If I was basing my choice on dynamics alone, the choice would have a Sylva badge on it.....
Good boy!!!!Why buy a Caterham? Heritage old boy!
Why buy a Westfield? Almost the same as a caterham (99% there), quicker than a caterham 9 times out of ten, less than half the price, bike engines aplenty.
Why buy a Sylva/Fisher? Will leave the above for standing in the vehicle dynamics area, far easier to setup, better suspension design. Support is not great, but then, it's a kitcar, not a BMW.
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