Lambo to Caterham
Discussion
Hello all,
the idea of negligible depreciation and big smiles at sensible (ish) speeds has led me to Caterham.
I wanted to ask you whether I'm thinking along the right lines...occasional (very) track days but mainly I want something fun for when the sun comes out. I'm not technically minded so I don't want anything complicated or likely to give me grief.
I'm thinking about a 140bhp powered Roadsport that Caterham have on offer at the moment.
Anything to look for, any pitfalls? Am I looking at the wrong car? Any help appreciated chaps - point me in the right direction.
James
the idea of negligible depreciation and big smiles at sensible (ish) speeds has led me to Caterham.
I wanted to ask you whether I'm thinking along the right lines...occasional (very) track days but mainly I want something fun for when the sun comes out. I'm not technically minded so I don't want anything complicated or likely to give me grief.
I'm thinking about a 140bhp powered Roadsport that Caterham have on offer at the moment.
Anything to look for, any pitfalls? Am I looking at the wrong car? Any help appreciated chaps - point me in the right direction.
James
test drive an elise first
caterhams are generally rubbish for road use whereas the lotus, whilst ultra boring when pushing and on the limit, has a ride and fluidity far more suited to british road driving.
also caterhams require a fair bit of tinkering especially where the K series is invloved. senders and stuff are a constant PITA. So if youre not the beardy type then another reason to go look at an elise, the new mazda MX5, mini cooper or something of that ilk.
i personlly dont go for this "nothing handles better than a catreham" BS ..... my old mk2 golf GTI which cost me 1k was on the road as much fun as any caterham or lotus ive ever owned.
caterhams are generally rubbish for road use whereas the lotus, whilst ultra boring when pushing and on the limit, has a ride and fluidity far more suited to british road driving.
also caterhams require a fair bit of tinkering especially where the K series is invloved. senders and stuff are a constant PITA. So if youre not the beardy type then another reason to go look at an elise, the new mazda MX5, mini cooper or something of that ilk.
i personlly dont go for this "nothing handles better than a catreham" BS ..... my old mk2 golf GTI which cost me 1k was on the road as much fun as any caterham or lotus ive ever owned.
Jim, that Roadsport ought to be just right as a beginner Caterham for you. Not too hardcore and enough power. An Elise will be too sanitised for you, I bargain - essentially Elises are boring, capable, but boring...when compared to a Caterham. Any Caterham will feel special, take that from someone who also owns a 308. I love the 308, but it feels like driving a bathtub after my Caterham.
A K series in that tune won't give you any trouble either - we did plenty of miles lasy year in a 115bhp roadsport - it cruised for hours at about 100 mph, was driven throughout the year in wet and dry and never missed a beat.
Edited to add that don't gamble on it not depreciating though...
>> Edited by rubystone on Monday 22 August 21:26
A K series in that tune won't give you any trouble either - we did plenty of miles lasy year in a 115bhp roadsport - it cruised for hours at about 100 mph, was driven throughout the year in wet and dry and never missed a beat.
Edited to add that don't gamble on it not depreciating though...
>> Edited by rubystone on Monday 22 August 21:26
I agree with Ruby. Or possibly a "comfort spec" SLR to give additional poke.
By all means try an Elise and the others (not sure about the Cooper mind!), but a 7 is generally more alive IMO (all opinions
). For sunny weekend thrills, it's unbeatable on the road.
Depending on where you live, there are plenty of good specialists around who can help fettle the machine. But they're not hard cars to do work on and no matter how inept you think you may be, you'll fix the odd problem yourself in time.
By all means try an Elise and the others (not sure about the Cooper mind!), but a 7 is generally more alive IMO (all opinions
). For sunny weekend thrills, it's unbeatable on the road. Depending on where you live, there are plenty of good specialists around who can help fettle the machine. But they're not hard cars to do work on and no matter how inept you think you may be, you'll fix the odd problem yourself in time.
lambojim said:
This might sound an odd question but do you know how wide these things are?
Overall widths are: Roadsport/classic/Superlight - 1575mm
Fat boy SV - 1685mm
I'd recommend that you just do it: there are few motoring experiences that every petrolhead has to try in their lives, but I reckon driving a Caterham is one of them.
Thanks - very quick!
I've read on other threads a few of you warning against the 5 speed box on the 135bhp and 160 bhp raodsport cars?
Because the cars unlikely to be track day warrior I'm thinking of going for the Roadsport, maybe a 160bhp to give it some real poke.
Anything wrong with 5 speeders or anything else I need to look out for?
I'm going to take a trip to Caterham this week and try a few cars out so I'll keep you posted.
Jim
I've read on other threads a few of you warning against the 5 speed box on the 135bhp and 160 bhp raodsport cars?
Because the cars unlikely to be track day warrior I'm thinking of going for the Roadsport, maybe a 160bhp to give it some real poke.
Anything wrong with 5 speeders or anything else I need to look out for?
I'm going to take a trip to Caterham this week and try a few cars out so I'll keep you posted.
Jim
lambojim said:You'll be thankful for the six speed when the track day bug bites (it will once you've tried it in a Caterham
Anything wrong with 5 speeders or anything else I need to look out for?
) and when upgradeitis hits (again, it will). Having a drive in a few is a good way to make your mind up.
rubystone said:Always happy to take people out for passenger rides but be careful, it has been known to be an expensive experience: so many have rushed straight to Caterham and placed an order .....
What you want to do is butter up that nice Mr Copp and blag a ride in his SLR at the next track day he takes part in - he seems very happy to take anyone out with him
In fact, if you're anywhere near Silverstone tomorrow (Wednesday) evening, come and find me.
jeremyc said:
there are few motoring experiences that every petrolhead has to try in their lives, but I reckon driving a Caterham is one of them.
'few' ??? ahh yeah, i mean if you ever get the chance to drive a 250GTO, a 993 RSR, a 968 turbo, johnny herberts old 962, a DB4 GT Zagato, a 250 GT California Spider, an S4 sprint FHC, esprit sport 300, a Miura SVJ Jota, a Bugatti type 37, McLaren F1 longtail, a '73 rs, a 1973 Bora... well don't bother 'cos the caterham kit-car will be far far more memorable.
joking aside, please don't tell me that this place is blatchat all over again ?
you said:
"occasional (very) track days"
"I'm not technically minded so I don't want anything complicated or likely to give me grief "
based on that, i'm of the opinion that ,for you, there are other alternatives worthy of investigation. I've watched similar people to you go into caterham ownership and it didnt last very long. The phrase "dont want any grief" certainly sets the alarm bells ringing. I'm also trying to help you in suggesting that the quality of used cars out there can vary enourmously, get an expert check things over properly.
>> Edited by jackal on Tuesday 23 August 16:30
"occasional (very) track days"
"I'm not technically minded so I don't want anything complicated or likely to give me grief "
based on that, i'm of the opinion that ,for you, there are other alternatives worthy of investigation. I've watched similar people to you go into caterham ownership and it didnt last very long. The phrase "dont want any grief" certainly sets the alarm bells ringing. I'm also trying to help you in suggesting that the quality of used cars out there can vary enourmously, get an expert check things over properly.
>> Edited by jackal on Tuesday 23 August 16:30
Hi James,
Driving a Caterham on the road it not to everybodys taste, but it sure brings a smile to my face (which is what it is all about). I see that you are in London, I live in Carshalton, if you fell like a blat then please drop me an email. I know a good route around some of Surreys best "back roads" which also happen to end at one of the best real ale pubs in the area.
You can see my car here www.su77on-se7ens.com/4616/4643.html , I must update my web site
.
Feel free to contact me, I am always up for a chat / drive.
All the best.
Doug.
Driving a Caterham on the road it not to everybodys taste, but it sure brings a smile to my face (which is what it is all about). I see that you are in London, I live in Carshalton, if you fell like a blat then please drop me an email. I know a good route around some of Surreys best "back roads" which also happen to end at one of the best real ale pubs in the area.
You can see my car here www.su77on-se7ens.com/4616/4643.html , I must update my web site
. Feel free to contact me, I am always up for a chat / drive.
All the best.
Doug.
Whilst I suspect that jackal practices being contrary as often as possible, and I don't agree with much of what he says (Mini Cooper?), he does make some valid points.
1) I do believe that everyone should drive a Caterham at least twice - once on the road and once on track - (and yes, I think a drive in one stands every chance at being one of the most memorable drives you have), but you really, REALLY have to want one to keep it long term.
Caterham used to hire them for weekends. I'd definitely advocate this route if there's even a trace of doubt in your mind that you'll fall in love with it.
Too many people buy without enough thought/desire. IMO, this has been the joint biggest factor in the (relative) demise of used values (the other joint one being Caterham's insistence to mess around with specs every 5mins over the last 4 years or so).
2) Quality of used AND new cars is variable. You have to look at them, and buy, carefully.
3) Buy wisely. Which probably means avoiding Caterham themselves (though they will inevitably have some good cars). If you were to buy a comfort spec SL privately for 14-15k, you're not going to lose much money if you don't like it. Similarly a 16-18k SLR is unlikely to lose much either.
Get into the 20s and you're going to start having difficulty shifting it unless you have plenty of time and patience.
Of course all of the above applies to ANY sports car of ANY make. And the rawer they get, the more so.
1) I do believe that everyone should drive a Caterham at least twice - once on the road and once on track - (and yes, I think a drive in one stands every chance at being one of the most memorable drives you have), but you really, REALLY have to want one to keep it long term.
Caterham used to hire them for weekends. I'd definitely advocate this route if there's even a trace of doubt in your mind that you'll fall in love with it.
Too many people buy without enough thought/desire. IMO, this has been the joint biggest factor in the (relative) demise of used values (the other joint one being Caterham's insistence to mess around with specs every 5mins over the last 4 years or so).
2) Quality of used AND new cars is variable. You have to look at them, and buy, carefully.
3) Buy wisely. Which probably means avoiding Caterham themselves (though they will inevitably have some good cars). If you were to buy a comfort spec SL privately for 14-15k, you're not going to lose much money if you don't like it. Similarly a 16-18k SLR is unlikely to lose much either.
Get into the 20s and you're going to start having difficulty shifting it unless you have plenty of time and patience.
Of course all of the above applies to ANY sports car of ANY make. And the rawer they get, the more so.
I guess a lot of people on PH aren't aware of the trials and tribulations Jackal had with his Superlight R - In fact I am pretty sure I recall him stating that he'd never buy another Caterham again....
I'm not blinkered to the faults of a Caterham - they are bloody expensve for what they are and they do corrode, but if bought right they hold their value and to my mind they reward the driver hugely without him even having to break the law.
BUT I challenge any petrolhead to not get totally blown away when they drive a Caterham. Even that embittered, cantaknerous, contrary, hard faced PHer - Iguana confesses that a humble Caterham Roadsport was the best blaanced car he'd ever driven on track and it felt so controllable - and he's got what must be one of the most sorted track biased Mark 2 Golf 16 valves around.
So, Lambojim, go and buy yourself a Caterham - as Murph say, a Superlight gives you the best spec and the least depreciation of all the models. Run it for a year (you need to learn how to drive the things, for all the reasons Jackal states in the Radical thread) and if you don't like it, sell it on...then you can move on to a 2.7RS or 250 GTO - if you have the odd £100k/£700k lying around
I'm not blinkered to the faults of a Caterham - they are bloody expensve for what they are and they do corrode, but if bought right they hold their value and to my mind they reward the driver hugely without him even having to break the law.
BUT I challenge any petrolhead to not get totally blown away when they drive a Caterham. Even that embittered, cantaknerous, contrary, hard faced PHer - Iguana
confesses that a humble Caterham Roadsport was the best blaanced car he'd ever driven on track and it felt so controllable - and he's got what must be one of the most sorted track biased Mark 2 Golf 16 valves around. So, Lambojim, go and buy yourself a Caterham - as Murph say, a Superlight gives you the best spec and the least depreciation of all the models. Run it for a year (you need to learn how to drive the things, for all the reasons Jackal states in the Radical thread) and if you don't like it, sell it on...then you can move on to a 2.7RS or 250 GTO - if you have the odd £100k/£700k lying around
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