Buying 1st Caterham

[beaslwd]

Considering buying first caterham. Which is the one to go for, I want something with plenty of poke and have been advised to go for an HPC model. Can't find too many up for sale on the net. Better to go for a newer model, K series 1.8/1.6?

Any help advise gratefully recieved....

[mikee]

what's your budget?

what do you want to use it for? Mainly road or track or a bit of both?

[PooPoo]

My personal opinion is you need at least 140bhp. I have the 1.8k xpower in my SV. If you intend to race everywhere get a six speed box. If you want to go touring get a five speed.

These cars arnt cheap but if you can push get a R300 for ballistic fun.

[R300 CYA]

second the R300 theory, mines nick named Bonkers

[jackal]

Go for a Duratec powered car, times have moved on
Huge acceleration, huge torque, huge reliability

[beaslwd]

cheers for the advice.

think the bank manager's generous enough to let me spend £15-£18k, mainly road use with a few track days thrown in when I've found my feet.

is the extra space worth it in the SV?

>> Edited by beaslwd on Friday 3rd February 18:25

[R300 CYA]

Depends on your size apparently?

[R300 CYA]

as a more serious point they are definately more spacious, they do weigh more than a standard car so probably not quite as quick, I would suggest a trip to caterham or somewhere like millwoods and have a sit in a few and see what suits

[pesmo]

What is the percieved weight penalty between a standard chassis and an SV ?

[R300 CYA]

according to CC website there is 25kg difference between an r300 and an r300 sv so 5% heavier.Not much difference really, depends what your using the vehicle for to how much difference it will make i suppose.

[tony wright]

What's your size?

I'm 6'medium/large build and have no problems what so ever in a standard chassis. Not sure about the SV but it's the feet space that I find restrictive.

[PooPoo]

Im 6'03, 17 stone so need the SV really. Its more comfortable if you happen to go touring. Best of both worlds?