Caterham choice

[yellow elan]

I have a 1969 lotus elan which after 10 years I am thinking of selling and buying a Caterham. I am 63 years old bit of middle age spread and feeling my age!. I am torn between a 310 and a 360 wide body with an s pack as a weekend toy with no track days. They both appear to have very similar performance so which is the best car for my use. Luckily the elan has gone up in value and I have a budget up to about 33k I don't want a car which is lumpy in traffic but I want something which is fun
Would anybody have any comments please- thanks
Alun

[Trackdayguy]

Someone else asking the same questions.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

In the end its all about personal choice, I have owned both a Sigma & Duretec powered cars. The Sigma is more spirited, the 360 is is less frantic. Me I'd by the 360 SV

Terry

[HustleRussell]

The 310 would be powerful enough but IMO the Duratec is a better installation, behaves nicely and has any-gear torque. It's unfussy to drive. An R300 with the Duratec engine and the AP brakes was the closest Caterham I have driven to feeling almost like a 'production' car.

[haddock]

I’ve got a 1970 Lotus Elan and just built a Caterham 360 R.
I chose the Duratec because it was different to the Elan.
The Duratec is turbine like, the Sigma more like the Twin Cam.
So I’d choose the Sigma if you want to be reminded of the Elan and a Duratec for a change

[HustleRussell]

I think both Ford engines lack character, they feel ‘brawny’ rather than top-endy and exciting like a twin cam. I’m sure throttle bodies and cams on either engine would balance this out a bit. However if you want to be reminded of the twin cam, the K-series is a closer fit than either Ford engine in my opinion.

[Glug69]

Sigma 150 is top endy, it really comes alive between 5500 and 7500rpm, the standard Sigma does feel more brawny though.

[HustleRussell]

Glug69 said:

Sigma 150 is top endy, it really comes alive between 5500 and 7500rpm, the standard Sigma does feel more brawny though.

I think I had a 'supersport' which is the 140. The various states of tune of the Sigma / Sigma VCT are quite confusing!

[andy97]

HustleRussell said:

I think both Ford engines lack character, they feel ‘brawny’ rather than top-endy and exciting like a twin cam. I’m sure throttle bodies and cams on either engine would balance this out a bit. However if you want to be reminded of the twin cam, the K-series is a closer fit than either Ford engine in my opinion.

How about buying the mega graduate one advertised here at £10950 and getting it road registered and MoT'd (the previous owner of mine did just that without any difficulty.
https://www.cgrc.uk/forsale.asp

You could then maybe keep the Elan and have your cake and eat it. I am sure that the Elan will continue to rise in value and the Caterham probably wont depreciate!

[HustleRussell]

andy97 said:

HustleRussell said:

I think both Ford engines lack character, they feel ‘brawny’ rather than top-endy and exciting like a twin cam. I’m sure throttle bodies and cams on either engine would balance this out a bit. However if you want to be reminded of the twin cam, the K-series is a closer fit than either Ford engine in my opinion.

How about buying the mega graduate one advertised here at £10950 and getting it road registered and MoT'd (the previous owner of mine did just that without any difficulty.
https://www.cgrc.uk/forsale.asp

You could then maybe keep the Elan and have your cake and eat it. I am sure that the Elan will continue to rise in value and the Caterham probably wont depreciate!

A Mega will be lumpy in traffic and a bit hardcore with the straight cut 'box

[andy97]

HustleRussell said:

A Mega will be lumpy in traffic and a bit hardcore with the straight cut 'box

I have a standard Type 9 available!

Swap the cams for something more tractable?

I would be trying to keep the Elan as well!

[yellow elan]

thanks for all your replies, lots to think about. trouble with the elan it was getting more and more pampered and driven less and less. Did 200 miles last year and I love it dearly but what is the point?