First time Caterham buyer
Discussion
I'm looking to buy a used Caterham K series for about 14k,pretty much for road use,but the odd trackday a possibility (Probably a trip or two to The 'Ring aswell,awesome track!)Is there any great difference in performance between the 1.8 and 1.6? Also is the 6 speed box a must on the 1.6? Can you get away with a 5 speed on the 1.8 because of the extra torque?
I'm also a bit concerned about insurance.I'm 33 which shouldn't be a problem but i've also got several points on my license (8 to be exact!) and having had a company car for years i have zero no claims.
The other problem is lack of garage.Is it worth lashing out on renting one,or is a top notch cover a viable alternative?
Any help from you guy's would be much appreciated!
Cheers
Piers
I'm also a bit concerned about insurance.I'm 33 which shouldn't be a problem but i've also got several points on my license (8 to be exact!) and having had a company car for years i have zero no claims.
The other problem is lack of garage.Is it worth lashing out on renting one,or is a top notch cover a viable alternative?
Any help from you guy's would be much appreciated!
Cheers
Piers
There isn't a massive difference in power between the 1.6 and 1.8. The 1.8 is advantageous for tuning though and has a bit more torque. I would recommend the 6 speed box or at least a close ratio 5 speed (this would be modified as not a standard from Caterham) as 1st gear on the 5 speed is very low.
No claims not a problem really as a specialist insurance policy such as that from Egger Lawson doesn't take no claims into account - the points might be an issue but ring a few places (Egger Lawson, MSM, Adrian Flux, Footman James, etc.). Not having a garage could make the insurance a bit more, but a good waterproof, breatheable cover would be fine. Some people park their cars on the street without issues.
Log onto www.blatchat.com/ to get more details - you need to be a member to post but you can browse and search without membership.
No claims not a problem really as a specialist insurance policy such as that from Egger Lawson doesn't take no claims into account - the points might be an issue but ring a few places (Egger Lawson, MSM, Adrian Flux, Footman James, etc.). Not having a garage could make the insurance a bit more, but a good waterproof, breatheable cover would be fine. Some people park their cars on the street without issues.
Log onto www.blatchat.com/ to get more details - you need to be a member to post but you can browse and search without membership.
I have recently had almost exactly this dilemma.
On the basis of 4 test drives of 15mins or so each, the standard 1.6 with 5spd box felt great, until I drove the standard 1.6 with 6spd which convinced me 6spd was a must have. A 6spd supersported 1.6 confirmed this, it just felt to be a lot more fun.
The car I went for in the end is a standard 1.8 6spd. This somehow feels much faster than the others including the supersported 1.6. Not sure if it actually is faster but I put the difference down to the extra torque, maybe because I am generally driving lower down the rev range then I'm meant to.
Having had it a few weeks I think a 5 spd in a 1.8 would probably have been plenty of performance and a bit more comfortable.
In terms of absolute excitement though I'd guess the 6 spd has to win regardless of engine size.
On the basis of 4 test drives of 15mins or so each, the standard 1.6 with 5spd box felt great, until I drove the standard 1.6 with 6spd which convinced me 6spd was a must have. A 6spd supersported 1.6 confirmed this, it just felt to be a lot more fun.
The car I went for in the end is a standard 1.8 6spd. This somehow feels much faster than the others including the supersported 1.6. Not sure if it actually is faster but I put the difference down to the extra torque, maybe because I am generally driving lower down the rev range then I'm meant to.
Having had it a few weeks I think a 5 spd in a 1.8 would probably have been plenty of performance and a bit more comfortable.
In terms of absolute excitement though I'd guess the 6 spd has to win regardless of engine size.
I'd always want the 6 speed for sure.
On engines, the 1.6 is a sweeter engine,revs nicer, feels smoother, especialy with the supersport.
Given the choice of a standard 1.8 or a 1.6 supersport, I'd have the 1.6 supersport.
If you're after a torquey engine with quiter cruising the 1.8 5 speed is better, but IMHO you've missed the point of a Caterham then.
On engines, the 1.6 is a sweeter engine,revs nicer, feels smoother, especialy with the supersport.
Given the choice of a standard 1.8 or a 1.6 supersport, I'd have the 1.6 supersport.
If you're after a torquey engine with quiter cruising the 1.8 5 speed is better, but IMHO you've missed the point of a Caterham then.
Thanks for the advice chaps.It's looking like a 1.6 supersport with 6 speed box.
I've been looking around in the various classified sections and it seems hard to find what you want at the right price.There always seems to be a hitch! I think patience is gonna be required to find the right one.The Caterham dealers seem to be quite pricey,is it worth paying the extra for peace of mind? Or is a private buy with an inspection the best route?
Cheers
I've been looking around in the various classified sections and it seems hard to find what you want at the right price.There always seems to be a hitch! I think patience is gonna be required to find the right one.The Caterham dealers seem to be quite pricey,is it worth paying the extra for peace of mind? Or is a private buy with an inspection the best route?
Cheers
The very best thing you can do is join the L7 owners club.
The Classifieds in the mag and on Blatchat are a good source, as of course are the classified here
Caterham themselves are obviously pricey, some of the other dealers like Milwood are cheaper but Caterhams are simple cars so Private is the way to go IMHO.
The Classifieds in the mag and on Blatchat are a good source, as of course are the classified here
Caterham themselves are obviously pricey, some of the other dealers like Milwood are cheaper but Caterhams are simple cars so Private is the way to go IMHO.
I was in exactly the same situation as you 6 months ago. Ended up with a 1.6 superlight, (6 speed box etc std)
Fab car and never looked back. Take your time and you'll find one for your budget, I bought private and got it inspected with no issues.
That millwoods car has been hanging around for a while, looked at it myself, back then I think it was £16.5K?? They do use it as their hire car though?? (whether that should should out you off?)
Fab car and never looked back. Take your time and you'll find one for your budget, I bought private and got it inspected with no issues.
That millwoods car has been hanging around for a while, looked at it myself, back then I think it was £16.5K?? They do use it as their hire car though?? (whether that should should out you off?)
Thanks for the advice chaps,really do appreciate it.I'm definitely gonna take my time on this one,no point rushing into a buy and then finding out it's a can of worms!
The Millwood car does look very tidy,and i'm definitely tempted,but finding out it's a hire car has put me off slightly....as we all know hire cars are generally the fastest on the road!
The Millwood car does look very tidy,and i'm definitely tempted,but finding out it's a hire car has put me off slightly....as we all know hire cars are generally the fastest on the road!
I think you should very easily get a nice car for that money, prices having been dropping off plenty lately due to model launches, the end of the racing season and the end of Summer. Blatchat is the place to spend hours researching.
I am now biased, but if I was buying again (on my second one currently) I would buy privately. You will save a couple of grand and many of these cars have been pampered to a ridiculous extent. You really won't believe the condition of many cars out there.
You might pop along to your local area L7 club meet. Lots of enthusuastic chaps with beards will love to show you their cars and take you out for rides.
I am now biased, but if I was buying again (on my second one currently) I would buy privately. You will save a couple of grand and many of these cars have been pampered to a ridiculous extent. You really won't believe the condition of many cars out there.
You might pop along to your local area L7 club meet. Lots of enthusuastic chaps with beards will love to show you their cars and take you out for rides.
rubystone said:
You might pop along to your local area L7 club meet. Lots of enthusuastic chaps with beards will love to show you their cars and take you out for rides.
Clearly you've never been to a meet then Jimmy - or if you have, you've mistaken your Caterhams for Morgans...
Aye at the Yorkshire meet i popped along to at Cracoe in August there was only one person with a beard (me) tho i seem to remember 2 in sandles... tho i didnt ask for a ride, but they kindly talked to me for a bit about their cars and the club.
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