TVR gone, now the hunt for a Caterham begins.
Discussion
Just sold my 450 Chimaera, always wanted a Caterham, will start looking with a 15-20k budget.
Would be interested to hear any ones observations who has previously jumped from TVR to Caterham, or the other way for that matter.
Was very strange to see my car driving off, such a large part of my life after completing a body off nut and bolt re build on it.
Would be interested to hear any ones observations who has previously jumped from TVR to Caterham, or the other way for that matter.
Was very strange to see my car driving off, such a large part of my life after completing a body off nut and bolt re build on it.
Hi Piers, I'm based in Derbyshire but always up for a road trip for the right car. SV wouldn't be my first choice, i'm 5'9" and average build, standard car would be fine for me i'm sure. I'm pretty open minded on spec, but definitely cycle wings ( sorry personal preference)
Use would be a mixture of road/track.
Cheers Paul.
Use would be a mixture of road/track.
Cheers Paul.
So I am not that familiar with 7 specialists in your area. I would suggest you contact Andy Noble at Sevens and Classics at Brands Hatch. OK it’s a fair journey but these guys know their stuff and are all ex senior Caterham people. They normally have a really good selection of 7’s or will find one to suit. They have looked after my car for a fair few years and I recommend them. Piers
I would try both for size, depending where in Derbyshire you live there are two Lotus 7 club meets either:
The Kings Arms in Hathern, LE125LD Held every 2nd Thursday of the month. @ 8pm
The Ladybower inn S33OAX Held on the 7th of every month.@ 7pm
Maybe not many cars at this time of year but you can turn up and have a chat and may hear about cars coming up for sale, I have bought from both a dealer and private and as with TVR there are many types of owners, some just drive others treat them as their baby you can tell instantly with these cars and can have a good deal buying private.
The Kings Arms in Hathern, LE125LD Held every 2nd Thursday of the month. @ 8pm
The Ladybower inn S33OAX Held on the 7th of every month.@ 7pm
Maybe not many cars at this time of year but you can turn up and have a chat and may hear about cars coming up for sale, I have bought from both a dealer and private and as with TVR there are many types of owners, some just drive others treat them as their baby you can tell instantly with these cars and can have a good deal buying private.
Darumvej said:
I would try both for size, depending where in Derbyshire you live there are two Lotus 7 club meets either:
The Kings Arms in Hathern, LE125LD Held every 2nd Thursday of the month. @ 8pm
The Ladybower inn S33OAX Held on the 7th of every month.@ 7pm
Maybe not many cars at this time of year but you can turn up and have a chat and may hear about cars coming up for sale, I have bought from both a dealer and private and as with TVR there are many types of owners, some just drive others treat them as their baby you can tell instantly with these cars and can have a good deal buying private.
That sounds like a really good idea, thanks very much for the information. Much appreciated.The Kings Arms in Hathern, LE125LD Held every 2nd Thursday of the month. @ 8pm
The Ladybower inn S33OAX Held on the 7th of every month.@ 7pm
Maybe not many cars at this time of year but you can turn up and have a chat and may hear about cars coming up for sale, I have bought from both a dealer and private and as with TVR there are many types of owners, some just drive others treat them as their baby you can tell instantly with these cars and can have a good deal buying private.
Paul.
I have had three Caterhams now, first a 1.6k 120bhp which i duly upgraded to 135bhp with cams, a lovely revvy engine, somewhat let down by a 5 speed gearbox. 17 years later i purchased a 1.6 sigma, 135bhp 5 speed and again duly cammed it to 150bhp. Next upgrade was to a Duratec 180bhp and again cammed it to 210bhp.
Having relentlessly gone up the power range and having tracked all these cars, i would say the 310 (150bhp) sigma was the nicest to drive, an engine that loves to rev, plenty of power without being crazy. I suspect this engine with a six speed gearbox would be the sweet spot in the range. Whilst the Duratecs are hugely powerful and grunty, in the real world they arent much faster, you simply have to lift your foot earlier before reaching stupid speeds. The sigma allows a lot more redlining of the engine and this is where the enjoyment is. Just my opinion but now having 210bhp, realised its great on track but much more than needed for road work.
Having relentlessly gone up the power range and having tracked all these cars, i would say the 310 (150bhp) sigma was the nicest to drive, an engine that loves to rev, plenty of power without being crazy. I suspect this engine with a six speed gearbox would be the sweet spot in the range. Whilst the Duratecs are hugely powerful and grunty, in the real world they arent much faster, you simply have to lift your foot earlier before reaching stupid speeds. The sigma allows a lot more redlining of the engine and this is where the enjoyment is. Just my opinion but now having 210bhp, realised its great on track but much more than needed for road work.
Similar to me... started with 165 bhp 2.0Vxi, then to 190bhp SLR, then 230bhp R500, then to 135bhp k-series with 6-speed box. That was by far the best fun on the road. Although on track I also found it fab fun, didn't need the high bhp to enjoy myself on track. All personal taste though.
Quite sad to think the 6 speeder has had its day though.
Bert
Quite sad to think the 6 speeder has had its day though.
Bert
Thanks everyone for the information posted, its really useful and appreciated. It was one of the things that i enjoyed about TVR ownership, the friendly and helpful owners, and based on the replies and e mails I've received in response to my initial question Caterham owners are very similar.
Paul.
Paul.
Good luck with your search. 
I am relatively new to Caterham ownership and forgive me if you already know but one of the things that surprised me when learning about these cars is that the gearbox choice is a bigger factor than you would think. This is because the 6-speed box is quite unusual compared to the 5-speed options (and all normal cars!) - the gear ratios are really, really close, so 1st is very tall but 6th is still shorter than the 5-speeds' 5th gear!
People always think of a 6-speed as offering extra cruising ability but for Caterham it's the opposite. I thought it worth mentioning given you're used to a big torquey engine where you might not need to change gear that often. A Caterham 6-speed needs a lot of gear changes (or block shifting)! The first time I drove one was hiring a Bookatrack Caterham at an Oulton Park track day and by the afternoon I realised I was changing gear around 25 times per lap.
I reckon that's twice as many as a Trev or typical sports car would need.
But for older 5-speed cars, a common criticism is that 1st gear is overly short and that the gap to 2nd is too large. However, it makes 1st gear easier around town and 5th gear might make for slightly more relaxed cruising.
You might need to try a few to see what suits you and your usage.
I am relatively new to Caterham ownership and forgive me if you already know but one of the things that surprised me when learning about these cars is that the gearbox choice is a bigger factor than you would think. This is because the 6-speed box is quite unusual compared to the 5-speed options (and all normal cars!) - the gear ratios are really, really close, so 1st is very tall but 6th is still shorter than the 5-speeds' 5th gear!
People always think of a 6-speed as offering extra cruising ability but for Caterham it's the opposite. I thought it worth mentioning given you're used to a big torquey engine where you might not need to change gear that often. A Caterham 6-speed needs a lot of gear changes (or block shifting)! The first time I drove one was hiring a Bookatrack Caterham at an Oulton Park track day and by the afternoon I realised I was changing gear around 25 times per lap.
I reckon that's twice as many as a Trev or typical sports car would need.But for older 5-speed cars, a common criticism is that 1st gear is overly short and that the gap to 2nd is too large. However, it makes 1st gear easier around town and 5th gear might make for slightly more relaxed cruising.
You might need to try a few to see what suits you and your usage.
6th gear in a six speed is the same ratio as 4th in a five speed box. I think this suits the revy K series engine, but may not be as good in the torquey Ford engine. I have a six speed K engine and cruising at high speed can be tiring. The 5th gear in a five speed is excellent for cruising.
You're find that everyone will have their own ideal spec., and a lot of owners will have different opinions.
The basics , 135-150 bhp, 13" wheels and new grippy tyres ( ZZS for example ).... and that's it really..... there's 7's I've seen with tyres that are 6 years old plus - get them changed.
I've got an original Superlight that has 135 bhp, 6 speed gear box, LSD, wide track, big brakes, lots of carbon and for me the perfect 7. I've driven more powerful 7's, 210bhp plus and just didn't enjoy the experience half as much
The basics , 135-150 bhp, 13" wheels and new grippy tyres ( ZZS for example ).... and that's it really..... there's 7's I've seen with tyres that are 6 years old plus - get them changed.
I've got an original Superlight that has 135 bhp, 6 speed gear box, LSD, wide track, big brakes, lots of carbon and for me the perfect 7. I've driven more powerful 7's, 210bhp plus and just didn't enjoy the experience half as much
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