Caterham 7 RoadSport SV
Discussion
I'm excitedly and finally entering the world of Caterham ownership and thinking of purchasing this one:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/108705.htm
As I'm new to this world, just wondering if anybody has any comments thoughts on my choice, the price/spec etc... (I'm 6'2"
Thanks
www.pistonheads.com/sales/108705.htm
As I'm new to this world, just wondering if anybody has any comments thoughts on my choice, the price/spec etc... (I'm 6'2"
Thanks
Judging by what a dealer has offered me for this one () that's fairly priced. (I assume suffolk is a bit far from Brissle for you to come and see mine
) As far as spec goes the one you're looking at has pretty much everything going (a cigarette lighter??) barring more power, an LSD (neither of which are essential) and an apollo tank. The last one is essential if you want to go on track as it takes the froth out of the oil and prevents starvation. TBH it may well have one, but the owner forgot to mention it.
) that's fairly priced. (I assume suffolk is a bit far from Brissle for you to come and see mine) As far as spec goes the one you're looking at has pretty much everything going (a cigarette lighter??) barring more power, an LSD (neither of which are essential) and an apollo tank. The last one is essential if you want to go on track as it takes the froth out of the oil and prevents starvation. TBH it may well have one, but the owner forgot to mention it. Edited by mechsympathy on Thursday 9th November 11:03
Spec looks ok, lots of extra elec gizmo's which are ok as long as they don't go wrong. Cig lighter socket is good, as you can plug in a bty conditioner without removing the bonnet.
LSD and Apollo would be good, Apollo is a must in my oppionion, especially if you are going anywhere near a track and are running sticky tyres
LSD and Apollo would be good, Apollo is a must in my oppionion, especially if you are going anywhere near a track and are running sticky tyres
You should be fine with your height. I'm 6'5 1/2" and approx 19 stone and fit in a narrow bodied car OK. Granted, I've fitted the 50mm loewered floor and use a moulded foam seat with aeroscreen. I even have the pedals on the middle setting!!
Make sure you are happy with the level of your eye line compared to the top of the screen level. Also check you are OK with the hood up if you intend to use the car with the hood up?!
Make sure you are happy with the level of your eye line compared to the top of the screen level. Also check you are OK with the hood up if you intend to use the car with the hood up?!
Thanks for the info... I've driven it once - the sight line is no problem but the pedals were on the closest setting so the seller has had them moved back - I'm going to have another drive tomorrow... I'll find out about the LSD and apollo tank then. Unfortunately, Bristol is a little far away, but I'll be in contact if this one doesn't happen...
df 100 said:
OK, so... If the seller does not know if the car has LSD and an Apollo tank, please could you advise on how I can identify these. Apologies, but I'm new to this - but learning fast...
I can see how you'd forget stuff on the advert, but not knowing at all?? The apollo tank is towards the front left of the engine bay, it's an aluminium cylinder here:
I have no idea about the LSD I'm afraid.
df 100 said:
OK, so... If the seller does not know if the car has LSD and an Apollo tank, please could you advise on how I can identify these. Apologies, but I'm new to this - but learning fast...
er, jack the back of the car up and spin one wheel, if there is an LSD fitted the other wheel should go in the same direction if some resistance is applied. The degree to which the diffs offers resistance will depend upon 1) the type of LSD and 2) the setup 3) if its a plate diff, the amount of wear on the plates.
Or just see if you can donut the thing!
That will work, except, a ZF diff behaves the same as an open diff when the car is jacked up. A Quaiffe of AP diff will behave as you have suggested. So if you know you have a LSD then that's ok, but if you don't know, then if you have a ZF you won't be able to tell. You can also tell by looking into the diff with the drive shafts removed, but I thought that might be a bit over the top, when buying a car
Once again, thanks for the all the help. The seller has contacted Caterham. The LSD and Apollo tank are not on the original order - I guess it's unlikely that they were then added by the first owner but the guy at Caterham has told the seller how to identify if they are fitted or not... who knows, next week I might be the proud owner 
casbar said:
That will work, except, a ZF diff behaves the same as an open diff when the car is jacked up. A Quaiffe of AP diff will behave as you have suggested. So if you know you have a LSD then that's ok, but if you don't know, then if you have a ZF you won't be able to tell. You can also tell by looking into the diff with the drive shafts removed, but I thought that might be a bit over the top, when buying a car
If you have an assistant with you, they can hold one wheel stationary whilst you try and turn the opposite wheel forwards, even with a ZF, this should then try and also turn the other wheel in the same direction, or at least some resistance should be felt. This worked on my 964RS when I was contemplating whether the diff was 'cattle trucked'!
poopoo said:
Mechsympaty how much did a dealer offer you and who was it just out of interest??
PP.
PP.
It was Millwood motors who suggested they'd offer 15k if it was as I describe it, they seemed quite keen to come and have a look at it but I wanted to try and sell privately so didn't get them down.
df100,
You'll fit fine in that car! An SV has THE biggest leg room of any car I've ever driven or owned!!
In all seriousness the easiest way to tell if it has an LSD IS to try and do a donut!! If you can it has got one, if you go round about 270degrees and then sit there spinning one wheel it doesn't!
My Caterham is a very similar spec (though I've added appollo and LSD) and it is a lovely car both for fast road, touring holidays (3500 miles across USA last year...) and track days. I even sprinted in it last season and didn't do too badly!
You'll fit fine in that car! An SV has THE biggest leg room of any car I've ever driven or owned!!
In all seriousness the easiest way to tell if it has an LSD IS to try and do a donut!! If you can it has got one, if you go round about 270degrees and then sit there spinning one wheel it doesn't!
My Caterham is a very similar spec (though I've added appollo and LSD) and it is a lovely car both for fast road, touring holidays (3500 miles across USA last year...) and track days. I even sprinted in it last season and didn't do too badly!
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