How old is too old?
Discussion
For some reason I have been considering a Caterham for a few months now. However, having just had my 60th birthday was wondering at what age are you 'too old' and you start looking like a **** head when driving one? I'm carrying a few extra pounds, balding and my knees creak whenever I move. Teeth are in good nick though. I do like creature comforts but could make compromises for a short period of time.
Having previously owned a Defender I have a very comprehensive toolkit although my DIY skills are limited to looking at said toolkit, looking at car and then phoning a garage to do whatever needs doing.
I have a couple of other cars so this car would be restricted to the odd weekend blast, buying accessories and admiring in the garage.
Yes or no?
Having previously owned a Defender I have a very comprehensive toolkit although my DIY skills are limited to looking at said toolkit, looking at car and then phoning a garage to do whatever needs doing.
I have a couple of other cars so this car would be restricted to the odd weekend blast, buying accessories and admiring in the garage.
Yes or no?
You'd be about the mean age if you look at the Caterham and Lotus 7 Club demographic. As long as your body can cope then a Caterham 7 is like no other car on the road. If however you like you creature comforts then probably look elsewhere. I am 58 and sold my Blackbird powered car in 2021 and bought a duratec R500, both great cars and put a smile on my face when I get them on a derestricted country road. Hoping to do lots of trackdays next year.
Buy a car with a fly screen, don't wear a helmet and your teeth will soon be as knackered as the rest of you!
Seriously though, buy one, use it for a while and you probably won't lose much and you'll have had the experience. They're great and get under your skin.
You could hire one from Caterham if you just want drive of one.
Regards, DD33
Seriously though, buy one, use it for a while and you probably won't lose much and you'll have had the experience. They're great and get under your skin.
You could hire one from Caterham if you just want drive of one.
Regards, DD33
AVB said:
........having just had my 60th birthday was wondering at what age are you 'too old' and you start looking like a **** head when driving one? I'm carrying a few extra pounds, balding and my knees creak whenever I move.
Yes or no?
I am CONSIDERABLY older than you and have no trouble getting into or out of mine. Just don't buy a flying jacket (they're too bulky anyway) or helmet, and you won't look a prat. People will be more interested in the car than the driver.Yes or no?
AVB said:
....g just had my 60th birthday.. ....carrying a few extra pounds, balding and my knees creak whenever I move.
Sound like the monthly westfield meet I go to! Plenty of them are in there mid 70s.AVB said:
Having previously owned a Defender I have a very comprehensive toolkit
Mahahahah!But yeah, do it. Bought mine when I was 21, now 35.
Do it. I'm nearly 50 and love mine, I have a Defender too and in some ways they are very similar. Much more elbow room in a 7 though!
The guy who bought my previous 7 was approaching retirement, about to have a hip replacement, and bought it to tour Europe. The first time he ever drove a 7 was as he drove it away, we keep in touch and he loves it.
TBH a 7 is actually a surprisingly comfortable car. Being light, with compliant springs and tyres with actual sidewalls, the ride quality is very good indeed. Whilst an S3 is deliberately tight on the hips, it fits like a glove and there's absolutely stacks of leg room (although nowhere for your clutch foot to rest).
Just wear the right clothes and shoes, run with screen and doors or aero (but not just screen only), don't forget eye and ear protection, buy one and enjoy.
The guy who bought my previous 7 was approaching retirement, about to have a hip replacement, and bought it to tour Europe. The first time he ever drove a 7 was as he drove it away, we keep in touch and he loves it.
TBH a 7 is actually a surprisingly comfortable car. Being light, with compliant springs and tyres with actual sidewalls, the ride quality is very good indeed. Whilst an S3 is deliberately tight on the hips, it fits like a glove and there's absolutely stacks of leg room (although nowhere for your clutch foot to rest).
Just wear the right clothes and shoes, run with screen and doors or aero (but not just screen only), don't forget eye and ear protection, buy one and enjoy.
head whatever age you are. Thankfully you'll be driving the car so not able to see yourself from the outside. Age is a merely a number.
Having just bought my first (i'm mid 50's) i can honestly say i wish i had done it sooner. I may not drive it every day but on the occasions that I do, the enjoyment i get is better than any other car i have ever owned. Cannot imagine ever not having one in the garage for those rare dry & sunny days we sometimes get.
As suggested above, worth trying one out first and spending some time considering what is best for you and dont worry about losing money if you decide it really isn't for you.
Go for it!
Having just bought my first (i'm mid 50's) i can honestly say i wish i had done it sooner. I may not drive it every day but on the occasions that I do, the enjoyment i get is better than any other car i have ever owned. Cannot imagine ever not having one in the garage for those rare dry & sunny days we sometimes get.
As suggested above, worth trying one out first and spending some time considering what is best for you and dont worry about losing money if you decide it really isn't for you.
Go for it!
One other thing to think about, generally people LOVE Caterhams. People will flash you out, or let you overtake, they will point and wave, especially kids who seem to really identify with them (might be the size and the cartoonish minimalist design). Often people in different focused fast cars will wave, as do a lot of bikers. I think the famous Top Gear R500 lap has a lot to answer for, people love a small mad British giant-killer that's properly fast for a fraction of the price of a supercar.
The "what will people think" is, to be honest, irrelevant. People might think you are a bit of a "coffee bean shaker" in an M3, fast Audi, Porsche etc, but totally the opposite in a Caterham. I'd say probably 60% of the time I fill up with fuel, someone will come over to chat about the car, or give a nod or thumbs up or something. The ownership experience really is quite unlike any other car I've owned.
The "what will people think" is, to be honest, irrelevant. People might think you are a bit of a "coffee bean shaker" in an M3, fast Audi, Porsche etc, but totally the opposite in a Caterham. I'd say probably 60% of the time I fill up with fuel, someone will come over to chat about the car, or give a nod or thumbs up or something. The ownership experience really is quite unlike any other car I've owned.
Hard-Drive said:
One other thing to think about, generally people LOVE Caterhams. People will flash you out, or let you overtake, they will point and wave, especially kids who seem to really identify with them (might be the size and the cartoonish minimalist design). Often people in different focused fast cars will wave, as do a lot of bikers. I think the famous Top Gear R500 lap has a lot to answer for, people love a small mad British giant-killer that's properly fast for a fraction of the price of a supercar.
The "what will people think" is, to be honest, irrelevant. People might think you are a bit of a "coffee bean shaker" in an M3, fast Audi, Porsche etc, but totally the opposite in a Caterham. I'd say probably 60% of the time I fill up with fuel, someone will come over to chat about the car, or give a nod or thumbs up or something. The ownership experience really is quite unlike any other car I've owned.
+1 for everything you’ve said. I recently jumped ship from a 997.2 Turbo into a 420R. In the Porsche everything thinks you’re a knob. In the Caterham I get nothing but smiles. I felt really self-conscious at first as everybody stares but then you realise the car makes people grin. Driving through London the car gets photographed frequently, people give me the thumbs up and you always get let out of side streets. I’ve had one or two throbbers in large gangster spec 4x4s drive up my tail then overtake just to prove a point but it’s fine. I just let them get on with it. The "what will people think" is, to be honest, irrelevant. People might think you are a bit of a "coffee bean shaker" in an M3, fast Audi, Porsche etc, but totally the opposite in a Caterham. I'd say probably 60% of the time I fill up with fuel, someone will come over to chat about the car, or give a nod or thumbs up or something. The ownership experience really is quite unlike any other car I've owned.
I’m 56 and I find it such a cosy place to be when I’m driving. Saying that, I’d certainly steer clear of bucket seats - the standard Caterham leather seats are extremely comfortable. It’s a bit of a faff at the beginning getting used to the harnesses but you soon get used to it.
As others have said, hire one for a weekend. I was bought a weekend hire as a present last summer. Within 60 seconds of driving it I knew I had to have one. It was like nothing I’d ever driven before. About as analogue as driving gets and it’s such an event starting the engine and setting off. The Caterham club is fantastic and organises so many events. It’s a great community. I joined in September and can’t wait until the spring when I can start to meet some of the members in my area.
Oh yes, get some hearing protection! I’ve had custom ear plugs made, which are brilliant. Without them your ears will be ringing for as long as your grin lasts!
Thanks for all the reassurance. The only obstacle now is persuading my wife that her car will be evicted from the garage whilst my two stay inside! Apart from that she’s given it the green light.
How much do prices go up in the spring? I’ve seen a couple at specialist dealers that I have my eye on but not sure whether to wait. I am very impulsive and normally if I want something I want it now regardless of the impracticalities. I know renting one makes sense but that means I would definitely need to wait until the spring.
The lack of range in the prices has surprised me. A 2003 car or 2017 car have only a 2 grand or so difference. No other make would be like that.
Thanks again.
How much do prices go up in the spring? I’ve seen a couple at specialist dealers that I have my eye on but not sure whether to wait. I am very impulsive and normally if I want something I want it now regardless of the impracticalities. I know renting one makes sense but that means I would definitely need to wait until the spring.
The lack of range in the prices has surprised me. A 2003 car or 2017 car have only a 2 grand or so difference. No other make would be like that.
Thanks again.
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