Caterham K-Series
Discussion
Please help.
i am dreaming of getting a 1.4L Caterham K-Series when i am 18,(3 years)
i was wondering what year the K-Series were made????
also how much BHP is it pushing out?
and i was looking on the net and found a 1.1L Engine, claims its for a K Series,
(would it be possible to swap the engine?)
also any ideas on how much it would cost to insure????
cheers
Autonotiv
i am dreaming of getting a 1.4L Caterham K-Series when i am 18,(3 years)
i was wondering what year the K-Series were made????
also how much BHP is it pushing out?
and i was looking on the net and found a 1.1L Engine, claims its for a K Series,
(would it be possible to swap the engine?)
also any ideas on how much it would cost to insure????
cheers
Autonotiv
100 - 130 bhp depending on spec.
Derived from the Metro engine.
Not a lot of torque and IMHO dynamically flawed with a 5 speed. Doesn't make the experience any less "unique" it's just that you'll find it isn't superfast in a straight line and you will be outrdragged by hot hatches.
Cheap way into Sevening but upgrade path is not worth it - go out and buy another 7 if you want more power.
No idea on insurance
Derived from the Metro engine.
Not a lot of torque and IMHO dynamically flawed with a 5 speed. Doesn't make the experience any less "unique" it's just that you'll find it isn't superfast in a straight line and you will be outrdragged by hot hatches.
Cheap way into Sevening but upgrade path is not worth it - go out and buy another 7 if you want more power.
No idea on insurance
Comes with either 100bhp or 128bhp (normal or Supersport specifications). The 128bhp is the one to go for if you can, this was developed by MG-Rovers Saturday club and is a buzzy little engine (best with the six speed box).
You are going to struggle to get insured on a Seven at 18 but there may be ways. I would suggest joining the L7Club as a first thing and maybe attending an owners club meeting.
You are going to struggle to get insured on a Seven at 18 but there may be ways. I would suggest joining the L7Club as a first thing and maybe attending an owners club meeting.
1.4K-Series is the cheapest to run and will probably be the cheapest to insure. It will do 40+mpg which will also save you money over an older crossflow engined car. Not sure if the 1.1 litre Metros were a K-Series, this engine has never been available in a Caterham.
Lotus 7 Owners club is at www.lotus7club.co.uk/
Lotus 7 Owners club is at www.lotus7club.co.uk/
rubystone said:This is mostly true but speed is all relative. When I think back to the nail I had as a first car I think I would have found a 1.4 Caterham quite nippy at that age.
Not a lot of torque and IMHO dynamically flawed with a 5 speed. Doesn't make the experience any less "unique" it's just that you'll find it isn't superfast in a straight line and you will be outrdragged by hot hatches.
You will get a lot more from the car with a 6 speed 'box though.
The K-Series Caterham was launched in 1991. Initially it was only available in 1.4 form but over the years various 1.6 and 1.8 versions were built.
For a first Caterham, a 1.4 would be fast enough, especially for a young driver. They can still do 0-60 in about 6.5 seconds but lack a bit of poke at the top end. On the other hand, highly tuned 1.8 Ks as fitted in the R500 and Superlight R are awesome engines.
I drive a fairly elderly 1.6 Crossflow car which has a broadly similar performance to a 1.4 K but sounds better (and has lousy fuel economics).
For a first Caterham, a 1.4 would be fast enough, especially for a young driver. They can still do 0-60 in about 6.5 seconds but lack a bit of poke at the top end. On the other hand, highly tuned 1.8 Ks as fitted in the R500 and Superlight R are awesome engines.
I drive a fairly elderly 1.6 Crossflow car which has a broadly similar performance to a 1.4 K but sounds better (and has lousy fuel economics).
Youhould find insurance very cheap compared to other performance cars so long as you go with a specialst insurer and a limited mileage policy.
My only other advice is if you can afford it - do it. It's a decision I've never regretted even though it cost far more than originally anticipated after I caught the track day bug.
My only other advice is if you can afford it - do it. It's a decision I've never regretted even though it cost far more than originally anticipated after I caught the track day bug.
lost my mojo said:
Could you not insure it under your mum or dads name may work out cheaper and have you as a named driver?
Not a good idea at all. The only way this could work out cheaper is if mum/dad were declared to be the owner/main user, and this would obviously NOT be the case here. So you are lying to the insurance company. Not only does this give the Insurer every chance to avoid paying any claims, they could also void the policy ab initio.
This is called 'obtaining insurance by deception' and can lead to prosecution.
Don't forget our young enthusiast is only 15 years old, so we are getting a bit ahead of ourselves here. If you can't afford to insure it, then set your sights a bit lower for a year or two, and build up a no claims discount on something rather cheaper to insure.
I first got into Caterhams at a motorshow when I was 16 (so in erm... 1992...). Wanted one ever since. At the age of 23 I could finally afford one so that became the first car I owned (and still own). However, I had built up a lot of experience as a named driver on my parents' car since the age of 17. It is possible to insure one as a youngster but not easy. At 23 my insurance was £1100 (male, no insurance history, parked on the street in N. London) so not bad compared to hot hatches. I have no idea if an under-21 can insure one as a daily driver...
Don't let people knock your dreams, just be prepared to pay for them
Don't let people knock your dreams, just be prepared to pay for them
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