I need to buy one...help please
Discussion
I am looking to scratch that itch that I have had for a long while. I want a Caterham and have no idea where to start, so help needed here please.I currently have a 3.2S porsche, and before that a TVR.
i have looked at the adds on here but I am not sure as to what model and engine size I should go for.
I have around 12k to spend so any helpfull tips and models to choose would be great.
Thanks madasafrog
i have looked at the adds on here but I am not sure as to what model and engine size I should go for.
I have around 12k to spend so any helpfull tips and models to choose would be great.
Thanks madasafrog
As CK says, get along to a few meets and have a chat to owners. Have a look at the Lotus 7 Club forum : http://www.blatchat.com/default.asp as well and consider joining the club. You can then ask questions and for assistance if you see a car and want help with a viewing.
T
T
Getting along to a meet is the best thing.
In the meantime you should be considering what you want to do with your Seven. i.e. do lots of tracks days or fun road toy with the odd track day or lots of touring. Reason being is that whilst all Sevens essentially look the same, the bits underneath (or indeed the lack of bits) helps focus the car into a track car or a road car.
It is fair to say that all Sevens are quite track focussed (compared to other cars) being one of the most widely raced cars ever but you need to consider things like the fact that a Roadsport SV with a 5 speed 'box and 15 inch wheels won't be the best track day car, likewise if it is just for fast road and touring then a stripped out highly strung Superlight Seven with a 6 speed box might well drive you bonkers if you want to go away for a long weekend with the wife - depends how hardcore and committed you are.
Also write down a wish list of the toys you want your Seven to have (LSD, tillet seats, heater etc) as it will be easier and cheaper to buy a Seven that has these things rather than upgrade yourself. Though upgraditis will strike you at some point, it is inevitable and unavoidable but all part of the fun.
Make sure you experience different cars too as they have very distinct characteristics.
E.g I wanted my Seven for fast road and touring and so chose a 2.0 HPC (budget similar to yours though this was 7 years ago). Bullet proof engine, loads of mid range grunt and plenty of power but will happliy deliver 30mpg when running along at 70mph.
A K-series car will be much more high revving, buzzy and you need to work the engine much harder to extract the power. K's have a few more potential woes too such as head gasket failure etc but that should not put you off. Hundreds of people have Ks and love them. It's all horses for courses.
Others might say that a X-Flow is dated techniology, too thirsty and also a bit leaky (oil wise) but you get what I would say is one of the cheapest and best sounding Sevens possible.
On the whole for your money you will easily find a decent K series Roadsport or VX car. Buy on spec and condition, watch for inflated prices at dealers (though I guess this rule applies everywhere!), and watch the smile get bigger and bigger across your face ;-)
Cheers
SS
Edit to add - if you are wanting a car mainly for track ddays then don't be afraid to look at ex race cars such as Academy or Graduate cars. Good value for money and usually a good spec.
In the meantime you should be considering what you want to do with your Seven. i.e. do lots of tracks days or fun road toy with the odd track day or lots of touring. Reason being is that whilst all Sevens essentially look the same, the bits underneath (or indeed the lack of bits) helps focus the car into a track car or a road car.
It is fair to say that all Sevens are quite track focussed (compared to other cars) being one of the most widely raced cars ever but you need to consider things like the fact that a Roadsport SV with a 5 speed 'box and 15 inch wheels won't be the best track day car, likewise if it is just for fast road and touring then a stripped out highly strung Superlight Seven with a 6 speed box might well drive you bonkers if you want to go away for a long weekend with the wife - depends how hardcore and committed you are.
Also write down a wish list of the toys you want your Seven to have (LSD, tillet seats, heater etc) as it will be easier and cheaper to buy a Seven that has these things rather than upgrade yourself. Though upgraditis will strike you at some point, it is inevitable and unavoidable but all part of the fun.
Make sure you experience different cars too as they have very distinct characteristics.
E.g I wanted my Seven for fast road and touring and so chose a 2.0 HPC (budget similar to yours though this was 7 years ago). Bullet proof engine, loads of mid range grunt and plenty of power but will happliy deliver 30mpg when running along at 70mph.
A K-series car will be much more high revving, buzzy and you need to work the engine much harder to extract the power. K's have a few more potential woes too such as head gasket failure etc but that should not put you off. Hundreds of people have Ks and love them. It's all horses for courses.
Others might say that a X-Flow is dated techniology, too thirsty and also a bit leaky (oil wise) but you get what I would say is one of the cheapest and best sounding Sevens possible.
On the whole for your money you will easily find a decent K series Roadsport or VX car. Buy on spec and condition, watch for inflated prices at dealers (though I guess this rule applies everywhere!), and watch the smile get bigger and bigger across your face ;-)
Cheers
SS
Edit to add - if you are wanting a car mainly for track ddays then don't be afraid to look at ex race cars such as Academy or Graduate cars. Good value for money and usually a good spec.
Edited by snapper seven on Thursday 1st December 13:56
snapper seven said:
Others might say that a X-Flow is dated techniology, too thirsty and also a bit leaky (oil wise) but you get what I would say is one of the cheapest and best sounding Sevens possible.
Absolutely bombproof too, and relatively easy to attack with spanners.And yeah, mine honks oil out of every mating surface. Smells lovely after a nice hot drive.
They're pretty bombproof really.....I was just unlucky.
My x/flow had a minor rebuild at 17k as the standard pistons/rings were breathing quite badly. It was re-bored to 1800 and had forged pistons fitted.....
This was then abused over 55k miles of trackdays, sprints, hillclimbs and touring with the rev limiter set at 7,200. It never leaked a drop of oil, but sadly came to an end due to overheating issues when touring abroad in 2010, see full story here.
Had it not been for the problems caused by overheating I'm pretty sure I'd still be thrashing the x/flow today, but I decided not to throw money at it and opted for a Zetec conversion. Strangely enough I do miss the 'character' of the x/flow.
My x/flow had a minor rebuild at 17k as the standard pistons/rings were breathing quite badly. It was re-bored to 1800 and had forged pistons fitted.....
This was then abused over 55k miles of trackdays, sprints, hillclimbs and touring with the rev limiter set at 7,200. It never leaked a drop of oil, but sadly came to an end due to overheating issues when touring abroad in 2010, see full story here.
Had it not been for the problems caused by overheating I'm pretty sure I'd still be thrashing the x/flow today, but I decided not to throw money at it and opted for a Zetec conversion. Strangely enough I do miss the 'character' of the x/flow.
Ex Academy cars a generally a great buy. Hardly any will have been used on road at all (so won't be covered in salt), and generally most will have been well spannered regularly (you'd be amazed what comes loose!). Don't be afraid if they've been crashed either. They're easy to repair, and a car with a long front is actually a tad stiffer than a standard chassis!
The Sigma is a great engine if you can stretch to it. Won't require rebuilding and now loads of upgrades for them up the the 140bhp Supersport spec which is great. Nice and revvy (red line is 7200), a good rush of power at the top end and they sound really good with the Supersport cams. Genuinely all the Caterham you need for the road and for most track days!
The Sigma is a great engine if you can stretch to it. Won't require rebuilding and now loads of upgrades for them up the the 140bhp Supersport spec which is great. Nice and revvy (red line is 7200), a good rush of power at the top end and they sound really good with the Supersport cams. Genuinely all the Caterham you need for the road and for most track days!
I agree with all that has been said above. I would just add that as this is your first 7, dont agonise for too long over the spec. You will not really know what you want until you own one. I would also recommend that you get one that is standard Caterham spec, ie engines and parts that have at one time been marketed by Caterham.
Makes it easier to sell when you have specced up your next one!
Angus
Makes it easier to sell when you have specced up your next one!
Angus
Do it I have had my supersport 1.8 k-series 6 speed wide track now for 2 yrs the drive/noise is brilliant the road handling is excellent 13in wheels paid £14.500.00 spent £2.500.00 sve/parts,windscreen,tyres 6yrs old avons 500 drive to midlands caterham for svc's. Summer top down a/b roads even shopping off load trolley to boot!
Get 1 SOON... Even the engine is a work of art...
Get 1 SOON... Even the engine is a work of art...
Thanks for the replys, you guys are just like the ones from the TVR forum, passionate about the car
which is great. Cannot wait to get to some of the local meets
My search has slowed a little due to Xmas and pressie buying etc but I am stil looking so if
anyone knows of a well sorted car for road use which has a goog history leave a message on here or PM me.
PS, finished work now until the new year, and had the top off the porsche today weather was fab.
Merry Christmas
Madasafrog
which is great. Cannot wait to get to some of the local meets
My search has slowed a little due to Xmas and pressie buying etc but I am stil looking so if
anyone knows of a well sorted car for road use which has a goog history leave a message on here or PM me.
PS, finished work now until the new year, and had the top off the porsche today weather was fab.
Merry Christmas
Madasafrog
Angus7 said:
I agree with all that has been said above. I would just add that as this is your first 7, dont agonise for too long over the spec. You will not really know what you want until you own one. I would also recommend that you get one that is standard Caterham spec, ie engines and parts that have at one time been marketed by Caterham.
Makes it easier to sell when you have specced up your next one!
Angus
Top advice, you will never quite know exactly what you want. I don't after nearly 20 years !Makes it easier to sell when you have specced up your next one!
Angus
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