Hired a Caterham this week
Discussion
Hello all, thought I'd post up a few thoughts following a Caterham Hire this week incase it helps anyone else considering hiring/buying.
Bit of a backstory, I've been through quite a few cars but with a young expanding family priorities change and have just recently sold my McLaren 540C. I really wasn't using it enough to justify the ownerships costs and it was a real shame leaving it in the garage all the time
As a stop gap and something a bit more practical I bought a Renault Sport Megane which is a fantastic car. Does everything well, very well, apart from that 'special' feeling. That is a bit harsh as it's such a great car but I really miss the event of driving something different. I'm looking for something I don't feel guilty about leaving in the garage for a lot of the year, but also something I can use when needed.
I've been considering a Caterham for a while now and felt it best to hire one so I could get a good feeling for one and see how it fits with our lifestyle.
I booked a two day hire with Highland Caterham Hire up in Elgin, who were fantastic to deal with. Highly recommended. Very reasonable rates and 120 miles allowed per each day booking. I've reviewed HCH separately so will keep this to my thoughts on the car itself.
First up, getting in is much easier than thought with the roof off. Quite interesting with the roof on! Very lotus like. One good thing with having a two day hire meant I managed to get about three of the four seasons being in Scotland
Once in the driving position is fantastic. Initial drive off it becomes quickly clear how communicative everything is. It took me a while to become comfortable driving it, as it is so different to most cars.
I took a drive around the Malt Whisky Trail and it was fantastic with the roof off taking in all the distillery smells. Couldn't resist stopping off for a bottle. The attention the car gets is unreal. I didn't think so many people would ask questions, or even just be polite and want to chat.
Once home, I even managed to get my five year olds car seat into it and so the school run. Brilliant experience and my wee boy absolutely loved it. I was swamped with other kids having a look at it and must have 10 or so of his friends have a seat in it. A real supercar levels of attention /experience . These are not for people who want to go about unnoticed.
This was really handy to know, as I wouldn't be planning on regular school runs with it but makes it a bit more justifiable if it's a bit more useable.
The car sounded fantastic, I think this was the 1.6 sigma with 140bhp. It was quick, but not as quick as I thought it would be. Oddly I found it better when moving and accelerating through the gears, rather than being quick from a standstill. Much harder to drive quickly point to point in comparison to the Megane.
Although on the flip side, I couldn't believe how aloof the Megane felt when I got back in it. So high up, huge steering wheel, everything very light to the touch. Considering the Megane is a highly rated hot hatch, it just shows how useable it is day to day.
I got caught in rain shower at one point and found the roof easy enough to put on, but driving with it on was not nice. Steaming up, felt like a tent on the roof and a lot of wind etc. The mirrors are absolutely terrible aswell, which is a nice quirk. The rear view just vibrates the whole time, and the two door mirrors can't stay in one position over 40mph!
Final thoughts.. absolutely loved it and pretty much convinced myself I want to get one. This particular car may be for sale soon but I think I'd want to freshen it up with a respray. Any idea on costs for a full body respray including a few body work corrections? Also, with it being a hire car the mileage is high, but it has been looked after. How does higher mileage affect resale on these? I'm quite tempted if I'm honest.
It would need to be an SV for me with lowered floors. HCH also had an S3 in which I had a seat in but I found it very tight. The cars look very similar in size from the outside but it's amazing how much more space the SV has.
I'll add some pics..
Bit of a backstory, I've been through quite a few cars but with a young expanding family priorities change and have just recently sold my McLaren 540C. I really wasn't using it enough to justify the ownerships costs and it was a real shame leaving it in the garage all the time
As a stop gap and something a bit more practical I bought a Renault Sport Megane which is a fantastic car. Does everything well, very well, apart from that 'special' feeling. That is a bit harsh as it's such a great car but I really miss the event of driving something different. I'm looking for something I don't feel guilty about leaving in the garage for a lot of the year, but also something I can use when needed.
I've been considering a Caterham for a while now and felt it best to hire one so I could get a good feeling for one and see how it fits with our lifestyle.
I booked a two day hire with Highland Caterham Hire up in Elgin, who were fantastic to deal with. Highly recommended. Very reasonable rates and 120 miles allowed per each day booking. I've reviewed HCH separately so will keep this to my thoughts on the car itself.
First up, getting in is much easier than thought with the roof off. Quite interesting with the roof on! Very lotus like. One good thing with having a two day hire meant I managed to get about three of the four seasons being in Scotland
Once in the driving position is fantastic. Initial drive off it becomes quickly clear how communicative everything is. It took me a while to become comfortable driving it, as it is so different to most cars.
I took a drive around the Malt Whisky Trail and it was fantastic with the roof off taking in all the distillery smells. Couldn't resist stopping off for a bottle. The attention the car gets is unreal. I didn't think so many people would ask questions, or even just be polite and want to chat.
Once home, I even managed to get my five year olds car seat into it and so the school run. Brilliant experience and my wee boy absolutely loved it. I was swamped with other kids having a look at it and must have 10 or so of his friends have a seat in it. A real supercar levels of attention /experience . These are not for people who want to go about unnoticed.
This was really handy to know, as I wouldn't be planning on regular school runs with it but makes it a bit more justifiable if it's a bit more useable.
The car sounded fantastic, I think this was the 1.6 sigma with 140bhp. It was quick, but not as quick as I thought it would be. Oddly I found it better when moving and accelerating through the gears, rather than being quick from a standstill. Much harder to drive quickly point to point in comparison to the Megane.
Although on the flip side, I couldn't believe how aloof the Megane felt when I got back in it. So high up, huge steering wheel, everything very light to the touch. Considering the Megane is a highly rated hot hatch, it just shows how useable it is day to day.
I got caught in rain shower at one point and found the roof easy enough to put on, but driving with it on was not nice. Steaming up, felt like a tent on the roof and a lot of wind etc. The mirrors are absolutely terrible aswell, which is a nice quirk. The rear view just vibrates the whole time, and the two door mirrors can't stay in one position over 40mph!
Final thoughts.. absolutely loved it and pretty much convinced myself I want to get one. This particular car may be for sale soon but I think I'd want to freshen it up with a respray. Any idea on costs for a full body respray including a few body work corrections? Also, with it being a hire car the mileage is high, but it has been looked after. How does higher mileage affect resale on these? I'm quite tempted if I'm honest.
It would need to be an SV for me with lowered floors. HCH also had an S3 in which I had a seat in but I found it very tight. The cars look very similar in size from the outside but it's amazing how much more space the SV has.
I'll add some pics..
Gulf7 said:
Get a half hood for driving in the wet and a shower cap for parking. Much more convenient than the full hood.
The half hood particularly is easier to put on, doesn't ruin the shape of the car and doesn't steam up. Shower caps come in long and short nose varieties.
I think it probably was a half hood, with the click connectors at the back? The half hood particularly is easier to put on, doesn't ruin the shape of the car and doesn't steam up. Shower caps come in long and short nose varieties.
Glad you enjoyed it!
On the mirrors front, there are a few options.
I 3D printed and fitted the 'Eccles' mirror designs, which let you attach SPA racing mirrors. I went for the larger type with a convex lens. Huge improvment!
Seen here (not mine!)
https://cat310s.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2...
On the mirrors front, there are a few options.
I 3D printed and fitted the 'Eccles' mirror designs, which let you attach SPA racing mirrors. I went for the larger type with a convex lens. Huge improvment!
Seen here (not mine!)
https://cat310s.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2...
Gulf7 said:
Yeah that was the one. Definitely the half hood. At least it's easy to put on.. framerateuk said:
Glad you enjoyed it!
On the mirrors front, there are a few options.
I 3D printed and fitted the 'Eccles' mirror designs, which let you attach SPA racing mirrors. I went for the larger type with a convex lens. Huge improvment!
Seen here (not mine!)
https://cat310s.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2...
Thanks. I suspect if (when!) I end up getting one there will be plenty of questions about little modifications. It wasnt so much the mirror itself, it's more that it gets bent out of shape every time the door is opened.. On the mirrors front, there are a few options.
I 3D printed and fitted the 'Eccles' mirror designs, which let you attach SPA racing mirrors. I went for the larger type with a convex lens. Huge improvment!
Seen here (not mine!)
https://cat310s.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2...
mcg_ said:
I hired that one too! I struggled to get comfortable in that one though as I'm 6ft6.
Anyway end result was about 6 months later I bought this. Love it. (this has a tillet seat and I've had the peddles pushed back so I'm comfortable in it).
I now have
That looks great. I'm about 6'1 and found it just about perfect size wise. And also confirmed the S3 was far too small. Anyway end result was about 6 months later I bought this. Love it. (this has a tillet seat and I've had the peddles pushed back so I'm comfortable in it).
I now have
cliffords said:
Nice write up and pictures.
Not wanting to be a party pooper but I am not sure the 5 year old in the car seat in the front, so to speak, is legal . You might just want to check that out before you buy , if it's part of the plan.
Interesting point. Not sure what wouldn't be legal about it? Genuinely interested. He's been in the front of many of my previous two seat cars. Not wanting to be a party pooper but I am not sure the 5 year old in the car seat in the front, so to speak, is legal . You might just want to check that out before you buy , if it's part of the plan.
I did however feel extremely aware of how exposed it is. Absolute lack of any protection. Much more heightened awareness when he was with me. But either way, it certainly wouldn't be a regular thing. Was nice to do it as a once off and see that it was actually possible
I explored the option of a Caterham last year, hiring from a company in Perth. I managed to drive both an SV and S3 during my hire, finding the SV easier for me. It prompted me to go and buy a 140 Roadsport SV and I love it. Lowered floors and a 4 point harness enhance the experience.
I was up at LossieFest earlier this year and Highland Caterham Hire had an S3 on display. Unfortunately nobody was near the car to chat but I know they have a good reputation and if you were to buy a car from them it would be a good choice. Good luck in your search!
I was up at LossieFest earlier this year and Highland Caterham Hire had an S3 on display. Unfortunately nobody was near the car to chat but I know they have a good reputation and if you were to buy a car from them it would be a good choice. Good luck in your search!
You may still get wet with a half hood.
If you unzip the rear window and put the fan and heated windscreen on, you will get much less / or no misting up at all.
My first 7 was my only car for 3 years, so de misting it was / is possible.
There are lots of engine flavorrs to pick from, so perfomrance to suit you can easily be found. Everyone has a different opinion about the best to get, its personal so try a few.
Standard mirrors are pants, there are some much better non standard versions available that mount on the screen/door hinge that dont vibrate.
You can get a full re-spray from the bloke that sprays the standard 7s for about £2k.
If you unzip the rear window and put the fan and heated windscreen on, you will get much less / or no misting up at all.
My first 7 was my only car for 3 years, so de misting it was / is possible.
There are lots of engine flavorrs to pick from, so perfomrance to suit you can easily be found. Everyone has a different opinion about the best to get, its personal so try a few.
Standard mirrors are pants, there are some much better non standard versions available that mount on the screen/door hinge that dont vibrate.
You can get a full re-spray from the bloke that sprays the standard 7s for about £2k.
I reckon they are much less mileage sensitive. Quite a few of the potential customers know they can be self build by people who are mechanically minded.
They are simple to sort and fix and bits are cheap, so anything that wears out is an easy, cheap fix - compared to other performance cars.
They are also so light they don't stress much.
They are simple to sort and fix and bits are cheap, so anything that wears out is an easy, cheap fix - compared to other performance cars.
They are also so light they don't stress much.
justin220 said:
Yes that's the big attraction. Hopefully quite depreciation proof aswell
Interesting your current car is a Megane. I've had my 7 for around 12 years. Alongside it I've had a Megane 250 Cup, a Clio 220 Trophy and currently a Megane 280 Cup.Yes it does feel like a bus after the 7, but I still like the feel of the Megane. It's just different. The 250 Cup was easily my fav, but probably through some rose tinted specs, and I think the 280 is probably the better all rounder.
I used to do a few trackdays in the 250 Cup. It was expensive to run thanks to the tyres and brakes. The 7 is sooo much cheaper. Sets of tyres last many trackdays and I've only changed the brakes twice.
I will say, the Megane does come into its own when you've been to a trackday that's a fair distance away and you can turn on the A/C and relax on the way home. I don't look forward to the drive home in the 7 after a trackday!
justin220 said:
cliffords said:
Nice write up and pictures.
Not wanting to be a party pooper but I am not sure the 5 year old in the car seat in the front, so to speak, is legal . You might just want to check that out before you buy , if it's part of the plan.
Interesting point. Not sure what wouldn't be legal about it? Genuinely interested. He's been in the front of many of my previous two seat cars. Not wanting to be a party pooper but I am not sure the 5 year old in the car seat in the front, so to speak, is legal . You might just want to check that out before you buy , if it's part of the plan.
I did however feel extremely aware of how exposed it is. Absolute lack of any protection. Much more heightened awareness when he was with me. But either way, it certainly wouldn't be a regular thing. Was nice to do it as a once off and see that it was actually possible
The problem (certainly with an S3) is seat width. The one thing that is narrow enough - a simple old fashioned booster cushion - is no longer sold as they don’t meet current regs. If you have an old one, or can find one second hand, they are still legal to use however. You then have the issue of getting the harness tight enough over the body.
I took my near-enough 5 year old (and very tall for his age) for a ten minute trip around the block during the summer as he was desperate for a ride in daddy’s “racing car”, and an old booster cushion strapped to the seat with a pillow down the back worked well, and I could get the harnesses tight.
There are those on the forums who swear by a particular Volvo seat - it’s a full base and back/head restraint affair with built in child size harnesses, but it’s nearly £300…
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