First Caterham buy
Discussion
Hi All,
I hope to get your advice on a first Caterham buy. I'm looking for a car for fun afternoons and my first trackday steps.
I'm able to do basic mechanics myself so oil/filter changes are ok as are breakpads/starter motors etc. I think head gaskets and carb tweeking is beyond me though.
I can see xflows going for £7-8k and Ks going for £9-£10k. So advice please, would I be happy with an aging xflow or should I save up a while longer and go for a newer K series or VX?
Any guidance appreciated.
Cheers
I hope to get your advice on a first Caterham buy. I'm looking for a car for fun afternoons and my first trackday steps.
I'm able to do basic mechanics myself so oil/filter changes are ok as are breakpads/starter motors etc. I think head gaskets and carb tweeking is beyond me though.
I can see xflows going for £7-8k and Ks going for £9-£10k. So advice please, would I be happy with an aging xflow or should I save up a while longer and go for a newer K series or VX?
Any guidance appreciated.
Cheers
No right answer to this really. Have a look on Blatchat for some opinions! You won't be able to post unless you join the club (which is highly recommended) but you can search and read.
I would go for a newer K series car but there is nothing wrong with the Crossflow cars. Carb tweaking isn't that difficult to master and you can buy a tool to help you - plenty of owners can show you how to do it.
Best thing to do is get along to your local meet and blag a few rides in different cars so you can get a feel for them - most owners are more than happy to take people for a drive. Where are you based? A list of meetings is here.
I would go for a newer K series car but there is nothing wrong with the Crossflow cars. Carb tweaking isn't that difficult to master and you can buy a tool to help you - plenty of owners can show you how to do it.
Best thing to do is get along to your local meet and blag a few rides in different cars so you can get a feel for them - most owners are more than happy to take people for a drive. Where are you based? A list of meetings is here.
If you're based in Bucks, I guess that Paul Marriott may be the guy to contact. He's into tuned Ks though...when they don't break...do go along to the meeting, Paul's a top man and you're bound to find a mixture of all types at the meeting. The members will be happy to take you out in their cars too and let you get a feel for each one.
The most likely place for rust is where the chassis runs between the sideskins and the footwells - normally visible as bubbling of the paintwork. The rear of the chassis underneath the car is also a good place to check.
Penn sevens is on Saturday and there is usually a good turnout there (I won't be there this weekend) with a variety of cars.
Penn sevens is on Saturday and there is usually a good turnout there (I won't be there this weekend) with a variety of cars.
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff