Roadsport SV 1.8K series test drive
Discussion
Hi,
I'm waiting and saving patiently for a weekend / fun car and my wait is nearly over. I moved house over the weekend and the day before the move, managed to persuade the wife to join me on a trip to Caterham. I wanted to test drive a Caterham to see if it's 'the one' so I can budget accordingly or take it off my very short list.
A salesman took me out on a variety of roads and reached decent speeds just driving the car at 6/10ths of his limit at some points. We swapped seats and I drove the car back. Every one of my preconceptions were dashed. I'm 6ft 3" and the car fitted like a glove - no over-stretching for the steering wheel, pedals in good position and comfy leather seats. I thought the ride might be a bit crashy and was worried in my advancing years that I may have missed the boat for something quite so sport but no - a really compliant ride - perhaps down to skilled suspension and dynamic setup together with a light car and sensible wheel sizes. Either way, seems perfectly suited to UK roads.
Next the steering - greeted with an unusually small steering wheel I thought it might be a bit twitchy. Steering is like a bike. I didn't really have to put in any input for minor changeS in direction, the car just dealt with it and only really had to put some lock in to change direction at junctions.
What a fabulous car!
Next, back to the showroom and wife has a go. Same reaction really. She admitted later in the day that she was just going to humour me on the trip but was genuinely impressed and has given the thumbs up / approval!
I thought the Caterham would be more of a track toy, whereas this model seemed perfect for touring / Europe with track days thrown in. I could see myself checking the weather forecast every day, then every hour on Friday like with my old motorbike so I could take it out on weekends.
My wife reckons I might need a punchier engine to keep me satisfied (missed opportunity for innuendo). When the time strikes, I'll go back and test some of the other models and the 6 speed box but I like the civilised manner and the linear, accessible performance - which can be reached more of the time.
There seems to be very few cars for sale which may just be down to this time of year, or just the low volume Caterham.
I just need to sell our other house now and then things can move forwards. I'll obviously have to test drive some rivals but thought I'd share my experience with you. Considering the purchase price isn't that much higher than a new everyday wagon, the service and treatment by the Caterham staff was second to none. A great introduction to the brand.
I'm waiting and saving patiently for a weekend / fun car and my wait is nearly over. I moved house over the weekend and the day before the move, managed to persuade the wife to join me on a trip to Caterham. I wanted to test drive a Caterham to see if it's 'the one' so I can budget accordingly or take it off my very short list.
A salesman took me out on a variety of roads and reached decent speeds just driving the car at 6/10ths of his limit at some points. We swapped seats and I drove the car back. Every one of my preconceptions were dashed. I'm 6ft 3" and the car fitted like a glove - no over-stretching for the steering wheel, pedals in good position and comfy leather seats. I thought the ride might be a bit crashy and was worried in my advancing years that I may have missed the boat for something quite so sport but no - a really compliant ride - perhaps down to skilled suspension and dynamic setup together with a light car and sensible wheel sizes. Either way, seems perfectly suited to UK roads.
Next the steering - greeted with an unusually small steering wheel I thought it might be a bit twitchy. Steering is like a bike. I didn't really have to put in any input for minor changeS in direction, the car just dealt with it and only really had to put some lock in to change direction at junctions.
What a fabulous car!
Next, back to the showroom and wife has a go. Same reaction really. She admitted later in the day that she was just going to humour me on the trip but was genuinely impressed and has given the thumbs up / approval!
I thought the Caterham would be more of a track toy, whereas this model seemed perfect for touring / Europe with track days thrown in. I could see myself checking the weather forecast every day, then every hour on Friday like with my old motorbike so I could take it out on weekends.
My wife reckons I might need a punchier engine to keep me satisfied (missed opportunity for innuendo). When the time strikes, I'll go back and test some of the other models and the 6 speed box but I like the civilised manner and the linear, accessible performance - which can be reached more of the time.
There seems to be very few cars for sale which may just be down to this time of year, or just the low volume Caterham.
I just need to sell our other house now and then things can move forwards. I'll obviously have to test drive some rivals but thought I'd share my experience with you. Considering the purchase price isn't that much higher than a new everyday wagon, the service and treatment by the Caterham staff was second to none. A great introduction to the brand.
Good stuff, no-one ever forgets their first drive in a Caterham!
The six speed is awesome, I have one in my car and wouldn't swap it for the world, but my car is strictly a toy to be used on a sunny day and put back in the garage. If you are touring then there is merit in the 5 speeder as 6th is the same ratio as 4th in the five speeder ie long journeys are more 'relaxed'.
Again engine size and therefore power is quite subjective. I wanted lots, but there are plenty of people who think 120bhp is enough. Bottom line is drive loads of cars at Caterham and make your mind up then. Just bear in mind that you may want more power after a few months of ownership, so best to get more than less if you are that way inclined.
This time of year isn't great for second hand cars, but no two Caterhams are the same, so once you're clear on the spec you want (research and getting along to a local meet to see a variety of cars are the only way you'll know) finding it may be tricky and you may have to compromise. That said you can change things and tinker to your hearts content once it's in your possession!
Good luck finding your car!
The six speed is awesome, I have one in my car and wouldn't swap it for the world, but my car is strictly a toy to be used on a sunny day and put back in the garage. If you are touring then there is merit in the 5 speeder as 6th is the same ratio as 4th in the five speeder ie long journeys are more 'relaxed'.
Again engine size and therefore power is quite subjective. I wanted lots, but there are plenty of people who think 120bhp is enough. Bottom line is drive loads of cars at Caterham and make your mind up then. Just bear in mind that you may want more power after a few months of ownership, so best to get more than less if you are that way inclined.
This time of year isn't great for second hand cars, but no two Caterhams are the same, so once you're clear on the spec you want (research and getting along to a local meet to see a variety of cars are the only way you'll know) finding it may be tricky and you may have to compromise. That said you can change things and tinker to your hearts content once it's in your possession!
Good luck finding your car!
I think you are already a Caterham addict!
He-he - cheers guys. GHibbet - read your review before I went. It looks like the first impressions are the same for most drivers new to Caterham.
You can probably tell that as a couple, my wife and I are both pretty relaxed, going for the test drive the day before our move. Her brother-in-law helped us move and found it amusing that we didn't start loading the van until 11am. I just watched a re-run of top gear this morning whilst having my all-bran (hardcore!) and it was the three musketeers commuting in an x-box, R500 and 3 wheeled Morgan. They got caught out in a torrential downpour of rain and May said to the camera - "come on Caterham, get a proper windscreen sorted and a heater". They should have explained it's available if you want it, maybe not on the R500 but I'm pretty sure most combinations are available.
One thing that perplexes me is the cost difference between models as you step up in BHP. I guess there aren't that many low-ish capacity natural aspirated engines with high bhp figures but plenty around the 200bhp mark. I know there are package differences so that must just be the way it is. I can imagine the power / performance of the higher BHP models must be addictive!
I'll have fun resurrecting this post when I've got the cash burning a hole in my pocket looking for the right model. Cheers.
You can probably tell that as a couple, my wife and I are both pretty relaxed, going for the test drive the day before our move. Her brother-in-law helped us move and found it amusing that we didn't start loading the van until 11am. I just watched a re-run of top gear this morning whilst having my all-bran (hardcore!) and it was the three musketeers commuting in an x-box, R500 and 3 wheeled Morgan. They got caught out in a torrential downpour of rain and May said to the camera - "come on Caterham, get a proper windscreen sorted and a heater". They should have explained it's available if you want it, maybe not on the R500 but I'm pretty sure most combinations are available.
One thing that perplexes me is the cost difference between models as you step up in BHP. I guess there aren't that many low-ish capacity natural aspirated engines with high bhp figures but plenty around the 200bhp mark. I know there are package differences so that must just be the way it is. I can imagine the power / performance of the higher BHP models must be addictive!
I'll have fun resurrecting this post when I've got the cash burning a hole in my pocket looking for the right model. Cheers.
There are lots of engines that knock out 200 bhp, but very few are naturally aspirated and don't weigh the same as a boat anchor. The choice for Caterham is to take a light engine and then tune it up to huge bhp. As soon as you go up the echelons of power you get into diminishing returns and each bhp become exponentially more expensive.
You also have to remember that things like the R500 come with carbon wings and nosecone, standard LSD, Stack (at least they used to), kevlar tillet race seats etc. All of these bits get added for performance or lightness, but aren't found as standard on an R300 or similar (at least they didn't used to be.)
You also have to remember that things like the R500 come with carbon wings and nosecone, standard LSD, Stack (at least they used to), kevlar tillet race seats etc. All of these bits get added for performance or lightness, but aren't found as standard on an R300 or similar (at least they didn't used to be.)
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