Buying Advice

[6appeal]

I’ve had my head and heart on a Caterham for a while now... and I’ve decided on a 360r.

Mucho playing with the old pdf catalogue and the more recently the new online configurator I'm pretty much sure of my spec. (Inc as a big lanky beggar SV with lowered floor). Wanting a retro lotus JPS colour pallette.

Two questions...

The only aspect of spec I’m unsure of is seats. Any recommendations out of the carbon fibre minimalist or the leather seat option?

I’m East Midlands and the dealers that were, no longer exist. (Suppose Silverstone is my nearest dealer, although I’m frequently down South so could nip to Dartford.)... question is, are there deals to be done on new Caterhams? Or is it literally list price full stop? (I’d love to do the 2020 Academy, but don’t want the academy car).

[Roblot]

I have purchased several Caterhams both new and used (although I no longer have one as could not get on with the new generation cars ) and in my experience, especially with Caterham Cars, that there is no room for manoeuvre with regards to price. There may be a little flexibility with other dealers with getting a deal on some extras. Privately there is usually a deal to be done. I have been told that the reason for pricing is to keep a level playing field!

All the best with your prospective car.

[RobM77]

I'd recommend trying both seat options first. My Caterham had leather seats and I really liked them, although twice I borrowed an R300 for the day and spent pretty much the whole day in its tillet seat and loved them. Seats are a very personal thing though.

[VioletCat]

I purchased a 420R last October from Caterham Crawley and it’s list price or nothing. That being said they will buy it back and residuals are always very strong.
Mine is a standard chassis with lowered floors and I’m 6’3 and fit perfectly.
I have the carbon seats and love them. Driven up to 100 miles and not felt uncomfortable and for track use they are perfect.

I still smile every time I see the car let alone turn the key

[anonymous-user]

I'm prepared for the flaming, but here goes anyway.

Buy a Westfield, save a fortune, have just as much/ more fun for your considerably smaller outlay.

Of course you won't have the badge, and you won't have the opportunity to sneer at other 7 style cars, but that's only important if it matters to you. For me, it doesn't, and my 2.0 zetec 180 hp Westfield does everything I want and it's a hoot.

[6appeal]

Thanks for the replies. Appreciated.

[Gulf7]

I'll be ordering a 310R next Saturday - S3 chassis, lowered floors and leather seats.

The standard composite race seats are very nice, but aestheticly I think I want leather. My car will only be on track abut 50% of the time and I think leather seats will be nicer for road trips (even though they will have harnesses).

Edited by Gulf7 on Tuesday 16th July 09:22

Edited by Gulf7 on Sunday 21st July 17:37

[RobM77]

keirik said:

I'm prepared for the flaming, but here goes anyway.

Buy a Westfield, save a fortune, have just as much/ more fun for your considerably smaller outlay.

Of course you won't have the badge, and you won't have the opportunity to sneer at other 7 style cars, but that's only important if it matters to you. For me, it doesn't, and my 2.0 zetec 180 hp Westfield does everything I want and it's a hoot.

To anyone thinking that two cars that look the same are the same, read Mark Hales' "attack of the clones" article from a few years ago and make your own mind up based on that. Mark is about as reputable and accurate as journalists get, and for this feature he drove an R300 and many alternatives from other manufacturers.

[6appeal]

It’s a fair statement to make! Can’t fault you.

It’s a difficult one... but had my heart on one for the last 20yrs and now I’m 40 I think I’ll sell one of my motorbikes towards getting the Caterham kit to build at home over winter.

I need to get to Silverstone to have a sit in a few and decide.

Lol, aero suspension!? Carbon wheel arches!? Talk about a sweet shop. I would like some more funky switchgear. Nice if they had billet aluminium or something more tactile instead of plastic.

[HustleRussell]

keirik said:

I'm prepared for the flaming, but here goes anyway.

Buy a Westfield, save a fortune, have just as much/ more fun for your considerably smaller outlay.

Of course you won't have the badge, and you won't have the opportunity to sneer at other 7 style cars, but that's only important if it matters to you. For me, it doesn't, and my 2.0 zetec 180 hp Westfield does everything I want and it's a hoot.

Nobody is flaming you and I don't see anybody sneering.

Drop the inverse snobbery.

[andy97]

6appeal said:

......
(I’d love to do the 2020 Academy, but don’t want the academy car).

Have a look on the Caterham Graduates Racing Club website, and particularly their for sale page, buy a Graduates car (modified / improved above and beyond Academy spec) and go and race either with them or with the CSCC in Magnificent 7s (i race, or try to, in the latter).
The car will probably be road legal (or
Can be relatively easily be road legal) anyway and maybe cheaper to buy.

There will be plenty of people in the CGRC and CSCC who can help with advice/ mentoring on the racing and you can get your race license via someone like “The Motorsports School” at Mallory Park (and other circuits)

Edited by andy97 on Tuesday 16th July 10:33

[HustleRussell]

6appeal said:

Lol, aero suspension!? Carbon wheel arches!? Talk about a sweet shop. I would like some more funky switchgear. Nice if they had billet aluminium or something more tactile instead of plastic.

Get a second opinion on this but I reckon the big brakes are a worthwhile option. The FIA master switch is a good idea. Removable steering wheel is probably not necessary as far as getting in and out is concerned but like the FIA switch it can help in terms of security. Get 13" wheels.

The leather seats and the Tilletts are both great, the latter being better on track as they hold you tighter and enable the use of a crotch strap (6-point harness). The leather seats are padded so provide some insulation from the bumps and vibrations and from the cold. If you go for the Tilletts and later find them a bit too hardcore you can buy a padded insert which will help.

[RobM77]

HustleRussell said:

keirik said:

I'm prepared for the flaming, but here goes anyway.

Buy a Westfield, save a fortune, have just as much/ more fun for your considerably smaller outlay.

Of course you won't have the badge, and you won't have the opportunity to sneer at other 7 style cars, but that's only important if it matters to you. For me, it doesn't, and my 2.0 zetec 180 hp Westfield does everything I want and it's a hoot.

Nobody is flaming you and I don't see anybody sneering.

Drop the inverse snobbery.

Inverse snobbery is the only type of snobbery one really sees on a regular basis. I've never heard a Caterham owner sneering at a Westfield owner, or a Ferrari or Porsche owner sneering at an MR2 owner, despite spending a lot of time around all those groups of owners. The other way though? All the time.

[Piers84]

Thundersport based in Oxted still make the GT seats, which are worth a look at. Very comfortable and better looking than the standard leather seats.

[anonymous-user]

RobM77 said:

HustleRussell said:

keirik said:

I'm prepared for the flaming, but here goes anyway.

Buy a Westfield, save a fortune, have just as much/ more fun for your considerably smaller outlay.

Of course you won't have the badge, and you won't have the opportunity to sneer at other 7 style cars, but that's only important if it matters to you. For me, it doesn't, and my 2.0 zetec 180 hp Westfield does everything I want and it's a hoot.

Nobody is flaming you and I don't see anybody sneering.

Drop the inverse snobbery.

Inverse snobbery is the only type of snobbery one really sees on a regular basis. I've never heard a Caterham owner sneering at a Westfield owner, or a Ferrari or Porsche owner sneering at an MR2 owner, despite spending a lot of time around all those groups of owners. The other way though? All the time.

I was offering an alternative. But all the responses are about inverse snobbery and caterham owners not being snobs.

I think that says it all about caterham owners being snobs.

Personally I don't care if people buy a caterham or a Westfield or an MK or any other car, but it obviously worries caterham owners who are secretly worried they've paid a load of extra money they didn't need to.

For the absence of doubt, I've driven both a Caterham and a Westfield, I suspect the same is not true of the previous commenters.

Anyway, to the OP, buy what you like, it's your money. I'm outta here, as the responses have merely confirmed my previous experience of Caterham owners

[DoubleD]

keirik said:

RobM77 said:

HustleRussell said:

keirik said:

I'm prepared for the flaming, but here goes anyway.

Buy a Westfield, save a fortune, have just as much/ more fun for your considerably smaller outlay.

Of course you won't have the badge, and you won't have the opportunity to sneer at other 7 style cars, but that's only important if it matters to you. For me, it doesn't, and my 2.0 zetec 180 hp Westfield does everything I want and it's a hoot.

Nobody is flaming you and I don't see anybody sneering.

Drop the inverse snobbery.

Inverse snobbery is the only type of snobbery one really sees on a regular basis. I've never heard a Caterham owner sneering at a Westfield owner, or a Ferrari or Porsche owner sneering at an MR2 owner, despite spending a lot of time around all those groups of owners. The other way though? All the time.

I was offering an alternative. But all the responses are about inverse snobbery and caterham owners not being snobs.

I think that says it all about caterham owners being snobs.

Personally I don't care if people buy a caterham or a Westfield or an MK or any other car, but it obviously worries caterham owners who are secretly worried they've paid a load of extra money they didn't need to.

For the absence of doubt, I've driven both a Caterham and a Westfield, I suspect the same is not true of the previous commenters.

Anyway, to the OP, buy what you like, it's your money. I'm outta here, as the responses have merely confirmed my previous experience of Caterham owners

I think this post just confirms what others were saying.

[RobM77]

keirik said:

RobM77 said:

HustleRussell said:

keirik said:

I'm prepared for the flaming, but here goes anyway.

Buy a Westfield, save a fortune, have just as much/ more fun for your considerably smaller outlay.

Of course you won't have the badge, and you won't have the opportunity to sneer at other 7 style cars, but that's only important if it matters to you. For me, it doesn't, and my 2.0 zetec 180 hp Westfield does everything I want and it's a hoot.

Nobody is flaming you and I don't see anybody sneering.

Drop the inverse snobbery.

Inverse snobbery is the only type of snobbery one really sees on a regular basis. I've never heard a Caterham owner sneering at a Westfield owner, or a Ferrari or Porsche owner sneering at an MR2 owner, despite spending a lot of time around all those groups of owners. The other way though? All the time.

I was offering an alternative. But all the responses are about inverse snobbery and caterham owners not being snobs.

I think that says it all about caterham owners being snobs.

Personally I don't care if people buy a caterham or a Westfield or an MK or any other car, but it obviously worries caterham owners who are secretly worried they've paid a load of extra money they didn't need to.

For the absence of doubt, I've driven both a Caterham and a Westfield, I suspect the same is not true of the previous commenters.

Anyway, to the OP, buy what you like, it's your money. I'm outta here, as the responses have merely confirmed my previous experience of Caterham owners

You were offering an alternative, yes, but that's not really what we were criticising; you were also stating that there's next to no difference between a Caterham and a Westfield, which isn't strictly true. Caterham aren't just lining their pockets with gold when they charge a lot more, in most informed people's opinion you do get a better product if you spend more money. As an unrelated side point, you also get access to one of the best owners' clubs out there.

[HustleRussell]

So determined to be a victim that he has actually marginalised himself

[RenPug]

6appeal said:

I’ve had my head and heart on a Caterham for a while now... and I’ve decided on a 360r.

Mucho playing with the old pdf catalogue and the more recently the new online configurator I'm pretty much sure of my spec. (Inc as a big lanky beggar SV with lowered floor). Wanting a retro lotus JPS colour pallette.

Two questions...

The only aspect of spec I’m unsure of is seats. Any recommendations out of the carbon fibre minimalist or the leather seat option?

I’m East Midlands and the dealers that were, no longer exist. (Suppose Silverstone is my nearest dealer, although I’m frequently down South so could nip to Dartford.)... question is, are there deals to be done on new Caterhams? Or is it literally list price full stop? (I’d love to do the 2020 Academy, but don’t want the academy car).

Where in East Midlands? Depending on location why not pop along to one of the monthly meets and have a look at multiple different combinations.

I go to Yorkshire South and Derbyshire North which is held at Ladybower Inn on the 7th of each month. There is also one in Loughborough and one in South Derbyshire that I know of.

Check the locations on https://www.lotus7.club/forum everybody is welcome regardless of being a club member or not.

[RenPug]

HustleRussell said:

Get a second opinion on this but I reckon the big brakes are a worthwhile option. The FIA master switch is a good idea. Removable steering wheel is probably not necessary as far as getting in and out is concerned but like the FIA switch it can help in terms of security.

I can't make my mind up on the removable steering wheel, on one hand if leaving the car somewhere for a period of time it's a great theft deterrent. On the other I end up taking it off and carrying it around even when popping in a supermarket for ten minutes but this time it's because I'm paranoid somebody will steal the wheel for a laugh and leave me stranded. Not sure if it's better or worse than having a fixed wheel.