First Caterham - buying advice…
Discussion
So, I turn 40 this year and feel I’m due a mid-life crisis fun car.
I’ve hankered after a kit car ever since my college years when a few friends were into them. One mate built a Tiger Super 6 with a crossflow in it. A other built a Sylva Striker - and after my first passenger ride in this little 100hp rocket, I was hooked. Then his dad bought the rights (or something like that, I think) to sell the Fisher Fury in the early 2000s and I cadged a lift one day in a 170hp Vauxhall red top machine. A mate had a little Stuart Taylor (I think) with a Kawasaki ninja bike engine in it. I was sold for life, it seems…!
Anyway, fast forward 20 years and all my promises of a kit car by 30, a fun car before children etc etc have all evaporated in the seemingly ever increasing pace that the years are passing me by… I figure if I don’t do it now, the next time I think about it I’ll be 60, and will be limited by being able to climb in and out of the things…
I’m fortunately in a position where I have approximately £16k or so I could spend on a fun car. I’m not quite in a position (with young children) to take on the job just yet of a self-build project, (although that does remain the dream), so I’ve arrived at the prospect of a 2nd hand. Caterham as something that might fit the bill, and keep some decent resale value to help, should I want to go down the self build route later on.
Obviously this limits me to the lower, “entry level” end of the market, but that is more than fine with me. I recall the buzz of a car that light with just 100hp, so a standard 1.6 road sport with 135-140hp will be more than enough.
The question is where to go next? I see a couple of 7 specialists with multiple listings here on PH, as well as a smattering of specialist dealers across the country after a quick google. It looks like my budget is realistic for an entry level 7 and there seems to be a choice of a handful of cars to pick between.
I’m really after any recommendations of places to go, places to avoid, potential pitfalls in my plan, shortcomings in the models I’m looking at in my budget, things to look out for (or avoid altogether), or any general purchasing/test driving advice….
Thanks in advance!
I’ve hankered after a kit car ever since my college years when a few friends were into them. One mate built a Tiger Super 6 with a crossflow in it. A other built a Sylva Striker - and after my first passenger ride in this little 100hp rocket, I was hooked. Then his dad bought the rights (or something like that, I think) to sell the Fisher Fury in the early 2000s and I cadged a lift one day in a 170hp Vauxhall red top machine. A mate had a little Stuart Taylor (I think) with a Kawasaki ninja bike engine in it. I was sold for life, it seems…!
Anyway, fast forward 20 years and all my promises of a kit car by 30, a fun car before children etc etc have all evaporated in the seemingly ever increasing pace that the years are passing me by… I figure if I don’t do it now, the next time I think about it I’ll be 60, and will be limited by being able to climb in and out of the things…
I’m fortunately in a position where I have approximately £16k or so I could spend on a fun car. I’m not quite in a position (with young children) to take on the job just yet of a self-build project, (although that does remain the dream), so I’ve arrived at the prospect of a 2nd hand. Caterham as something that might fit the bill, and keep some decent resale value to help, should I want to go down the self build route later on.
Obviously this limits me to the lower, “entry level” end of the market, but that is more than fine with me. I recall the buzz of a car that light with just 100hp, so a standard 1.6 road sport with 135-140hp will be more than enough.
The question is where to go next? I see a couple of 7 specialists with multiple listings here on PH, as well as a smattering of specialist dealers across the country after a quick google. It looks like my budget is realistic for an entry level 7 and there seems to be a choice of a handful of cars to pick between.
I’m really after any recommendations of places to go, places to avoid, potential pitfalls in my plan, shortcomings in the models I’m looking at in my budget, things to look out for (or avoid altogether), or any general purchasing/test driving advice….
Thanks in advance!
Go to a dealer and have a sit in some cars. Decide if you want an S3 or an SV (people generally prefer the S3 if they can fit in one OK). Then you need to decide if you need lowered floors or not (if you are over about 5'10" you probably will) Think about what you'll use the car for (mainly road or track?) and look at the spec you need. Everything can be swapped/changed, some bits more easily than others.
Budget wise you're probably looking at a K series or Sigma Roadsport engine, 120-140bhp. 5 speed gearbox is generally better/more relaxed on road, 6 speed better on track (6th is roughly the same ratio as 4th on a 5 speed) and obviously the hardest thing to swap. More performance oriented cars will have wide track front suspension, bigger brakes, LSD and wider rear tyres, although cars without these are still very quick and great fun. If you are looking to track it you ideally want a car with a track day roll bar (extra diagonal braces) or a cage. Roll bar is a fairly easy swap, a cage is a bigger job and expensive. You need to decide whether you want Tillet hard race seats or leather. Ideally you want one with a windscreen and doors and a "half hood" (the standard Caterham full hood is a pain). If you want to go aeroscreen, it's much easier/cheaper to pick one up second hand than screen/doors.
Be aware a lot of "service history" may well be DIY'd and possibly not even recorded, but after looking at (and under) a few you will soon get a feel of what is a well loved car. Ignore previous owners, not really relevant in Caterhams.
Good luck!
Budget wise you're probably looking at a K series or Sigma Roadsport engine, 120-140bhp. 5 speed gearbox is generally better/more relaxed on road, 6 speed better on track (6th is roughly the same ratio as 4th on a 5 speed) and obviously the hardest thing to swap. More performance oriented cars will have wide track front suspension, bigger brakes, LSD and wider rear tyres, although cars without these are still very quick and great fun. If you are looking to track it you ideally want a car with a track day roll bar (extra diagonal braces) or a cage. Roll bar is a fairly easy swap, a cage is a bigger job and expensive. You need to decide whether you want Tillet hard race seats or leather. Ideally you want one with a windscreen and doors and a "half hood" (the standard Caterham full hood is a pain). If you want to go aeroscreen, it's much easier/cheaper to pick one up second hand than screen/doors.
Be aware a lot of "service history" may well be DIY'd and possibly not even recorded, but after looking at (and under) a few you will soon get a feel of what is a well loved car. Ignore previous owners, not really relevant in Caterhams.
Good luck!
I bought my first Caterham just over a year ago. The best advice I would give would be to look at many to understand the differences available. Work out what options you must have on the car and what could be easily added afterwards. And most importantly speak to local owners. My local group has a billion years worth of experience and have been a godsend.
I'd reccomend hiring one for the day. My dad and I hired a pair of them (an S3 and SV - both 125 Sigmas) from Caterham back when they were still based in Dartford.
It was brilliant to experience driving the cars for a day, but also being able to compare the different sized chassis and gearbox options.
I concluded an S3 would be fine, and I really wanted the 6 speed box. I found a car that matched the bill, and after a quick test drive I bought it!
Lots of the bolt on bits are quite easy and and not too expensive to change, so don't sweat the small stuff, but I'd try and figure out which seats are comfortable for you, and which chassis. The seats are an expensive swap and obviously the chassis size is crucial! There's also the lowered floor option (I have this, but I probably would have been fine without too).
It was brilliant to experience driving the cars for a day, but also being able to compare the different sized chassis and gearbox options.
I concluded an S3 would be fine, and I really wanted the 6 speed box. I found a car that matched the bill, and after a quick test drive I bought it!
Lots of the bolt on bits are quite easy and and not too expensive to change, so don't sweat the small stuff, but I'd try and figure out which seats are comfortable for you, and which chassis. The seats are an expensive swap and obviously the chassis size is crucial! There's also the lowered floor option (I have this, but I probably would have been fine without too).
timbob said:
BertBert said:
Where in the country are you OP?
Fairly central - in the Bedfordshire region.Thanks for all the advice so far chaps, I’ve started delving into the various options and specs that might be available to me, whilst resisting the urge to budget creep…
https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/clubs/27-northants...
I’m in North Herts, and we have a great Caterham Owners group across Herts, Beds, Cambs, Bucks and beyond.
Tupwood said:
Come and meet some local owners and have a chat about what you want, and how you plan to use it. Have a look at the Caterham and Lotus Owners Club website, and reach out to your local Area Representative (his name is Derek) and he’ll let you know when the next monthly meeting is. (Wednesday nights, venue on rotation).
https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/clubs/27-northants...
I’m in North Herts, and we have a great Caterham Owners group across Herts, Beds, Cambs, Bucks and beyond.
When I said my local group has a billion years of experience it is this group. But I do think they are getting fed up with my questions 😂https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/clubs/27-northants...
I’m in North Herts, and we have a great Caterham Owners group across Herts, Beds, Cambs, Bucks and beyond.
TimBob. I bought my first Caterham just this weekend, and you will be glad to know that it is by far the greatest car/fun I have ever owned!
I mirror what others have said and get nerdy on all the different models and variants. I spent over 8 months checking out cars as they came online and on sale and even made a spreadsheet of options, condition and cost. The variations are literally endless but you will soon get it. SuperSport, SuperLight, RoadSport, wide track, LSD, 5-6speed, colour, wheel (13 vs 15). Looking back on what initially caught my eye, was not what I ended up looking for and ending up with.
In the end I went for condition and history as much as anything. Didn’t have the LSD and 6 spd that I thought I wanted. But in the end ended up with an amazing Caterham.
Like buying a TVR, for me a car that comes with a book of receipts, recent upgrades/work and an enthusiast owner is absolutely priceless.
Join or log onto the Caterham Lotus club. Like Pistonheads full of helpful people and some cars for sale. GP7, Millwood and Turn7 are all good dealers who care about return customers. I saved a few K by buying private (off the owners club), but Sevens lose so little money it makes no difference to me. I’d have happily given my cash to a dealer.
Happy hunting!
I mirror what others have said and get nerdy on all the different models and variants. I spent over 8 months checking out cars as they came online and on sale and even made a spreadsheet of options, condition and cost. The variations are literally endless but you will soon get it. SuperSport, SuperLight, RoadSport, wide track, LSD, 5-6speed, colour, wheel (13 vs 15). Looking back on what initially caught my eye, was not what I ended up looking for and ending up with.
In the end I went for condition and history as much as anything. Didn’t have the LSD and 6 spd that I thought I wanted. But in the end ended up with an amazing Caterham.
Like buying a TVR, for me a car that comes with a book of receipts, recent upgrades/work and an enthusiast owner is absolutely priceless.
Join or log onto the Caterham Lotus club. Like Pistonheads full of helpful people and some cars for sale. GP7, Millwood and Turn7 are all good dealers who care about return customers. I saved a few K by buying private (off the owners club), but Sevens lose so little money it makes no difference to me. I’d have happily given my cash to a dealer.
Happy hunting!
Thanks for the continued input - I’ve been availing myself of the various forums etc.
I’m not discounting a car with a live axle (as the general consensus of opinion seems to be that whilst they may not be quite as refined as a de-dion car, they’re still a lot of fun in their own right), and there seem to be a few live axles cars in the price bracket I’m looking at.
When it comes to possible resale though, do people find live axled cars stick around longer as everyone wants a de-dion equipped car?
Similarly, what’s the view of the 8v Vauxhall engines? Perhaps the 1.6 may be a little underpowered versus my hopes/expectations, but I’ve spied a keenly priced 1.8 8v car (with a decent 135hp) in the classifieds. Worth a look, or is it the equivalent of buying a house cheap because there’s a pylon in the garden which you then can’t sell later when/if the time comes…?
I’m not discounting a car with a live axle (as the general consensus of opinion seems to be that whilst they may not be quite as refined as a de-dion car, they’re still a lot of fun in their own right), and there seem to be a few live axles cars in the price bracket I’m looking at.
When it comes to possible resale though, do people find live axled cars stick around longer as everyone wants a de-dion equipped car?
Similarly, what’s the view of the 8v Vauxhall engines? Perhaps the 1.6 may be a little underpowered versus my hopes/expectations, but I’ve spied a keenly priced 1.8 8v car (with a decent 135hp) in the classifieds. Worth a look, or is it the equivalent of buying a house cheap because there’s a pylon in the garden which you then can’t sell later when/if the time comes…?
WombleCate said:
To echo an earlier comment, and, try and predict what you’ll want to use it for. The ideal spec for early morning blat/ touring/ track/ race do differ.
I anticipate using it for weekend morning fun drives, occasional summer sunny Friday drives to work, warm evening country pub outings, and a car to travel to events in - trips to Goodwood FoS/airshows, that sort of thing.I do live quite close to Bedford autodrome, so I expect I might take it out on the odd track day or two as well, but that’s of secondary importance to a fun road car really. Certainly at this stage.
So I think I’m leaning more towards the leather “full” seats rather than the plastic shells, full windscreen, heater, no roll cage type of car. I’m also only 5”9’ and twelve stone, so no need for an SV or lowered floors.
timbob said:
I figure if I don’t do it now, the next time I think about it I’ll be 60, and will be limited by being able to climb in and out of the things…!
I think you’ll find there’s an awful lot of Caterham owners over 60! 
My advice would be try to hire one for at least a couple of hours (a 20 minute test drive around the block isn’t really enough IMO) with as close as possible to your perceived spec, e.g chassis size, flooring arrangement/roughly the same engine power, seat type etc.
Having hired what I thought would be my “ideal” car I ended up buying something completely different.
Good luck in your quest.
timbob said:
I anticipate using it for weekend morning fun drives, occasional summer sunny Friday drives to work, warm evening country pub outings, and a car to travel to events in - trips to Goodwood FoS/airshows, that sort of thing.
I do live quite close to Bedford autodrome, so I expect I might take it out on the odd track day or two as well, but that’s of secondary importance to a fun road car really. Certainly at this stage.
So I think I’m leaning more towards the leather “full” seats rather than the plastic shells, full windscreen, heater, no roll cage type of car. I’m also only 5”9’ and twelve stone, so no need for an SV or lowered floors.
Without wishing to put a spanner in your search, I’d definitely advise sitting in cars with and without lowered floors. I’m exactly the same height and weight as you, and my first 7 had standard floors, whereas my current one has lowered floors. To my surprise, I very much prefer the latter. Completely subjective I know, but the feeling of sitting in the car, rather than on the car is very real so it’s worth trying both out. I do live quite close to Bedford autodrome, so I expect I might take it out on the odd track day or two as well, but that’s of secondary importance to a fun road car really. Certainly at this stage.
So I think I’m leaning more towards the leather “full” seats rather than the plastic shells, full windscreen, heater, no roll cage type of car. I’m also only 5”9’ and twelve stone, so no need for an SV or lowered floors.
The good news is most things on a 7 can be changed (including the floors) if you don’t find the perfect combination of options. Yes it will cost money to change but it can be done. Best of luck with your search, they’re amazing little cars.
[quote=timbob]
I anticipate using it for weekend morning fun drives, occasional summer sunny Friday drives to work, warm evening country pub outings, and a car to travel to events in - trips to Goodwood FoS/airshows, that sort of thing.
Agree with the suggestions to try out different specs. My personal views are:
For mainly fun country roads and a little “track work”, I’d definitely recommend a windscreen. When we switched to an aero screen driving on the road lost some appeal.
I’ve found the Tillett seats comfortable for a couple of hours, and, have heard they’re more comfortable than leather on a long drive (haven’t tried them myself).
The cage also gives me more confidence than a track day bar.
Enjoy the search
I anticipate using it for weekend morning fun drives, occasional summer sunny Friday drives to work, warm evening country pub outings, and a car to travel to events in - trips to Goodwood FoS/airshows, that sort of thing.
Agree with the suggestions to try out different specs. My personal views are:
For mainly fun country roads and a little “track work”, I’d definitely recommend a windscreen. When we switched to an aero screen driving on the road lost some appeal.
I’ve found the Tillett seats comfortable for a couple of hours, and, have heard they’re more comfortable than leather on a long drive (haven’t tried them myself).
The cage also gives me more confidence than a track day bar.
Enjoy the search
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