1.8vvc or roadsport or superlight???
Discussion
well my search has now started , i have now seen 2 1.8 vvc cars which look very nice on here at the moment would these be a good first purchase, or would the 2 superlights on pistonheads at the moment although more expensive offer much more fun? or should I be sensible and just start with a standard 1600 roadsport , i keep telling myself it always a buyers market to control myself from making an impulse purchase , but i know the yearning will overcome me eventually,
is this a good time of year to buy or do more cars come out in the spring?
the more advice you chaps can give me the better
is this a good time of year to buy or do more cars come out in the spring?
the more advice you chaps can give me the better
usual thing with Caterham ownership is you think of upgrading bits on the car soon after owning it, so if you are the sort of person who likes buying bits and pieces go for any of the cars............ Howver I would go for a superlight, just make sure its a good one. Prices will rise a bit towards the spring
Jason,
There will be more cars around in the spring. PH has around 34 Caterhams for sale at the moment, but back in the summer it was around 60. I think it bottomed out last winter at around 13.
On the other hand, there will be more buyers around and prices may creep up.
As for your choice of car, you have to decide how you intend to use it. A Superlight would be fine for blatting and track days, but you would find a 1.8 5-speed better if you intend to use the car for touring.
As most people have said, the Superlights do hold their value well, but could you use a car with no carpets (the bare ali footwells can get a bit hot)or even no heater?
I recently bought a 1.6 Supersport 6-speed, which a previous owner had upgraded with Superlight suspension and big brakes; so most of the fun of a Superlight with the creature comforts of a Roadsport, and a damn sight cheaper than a Superlight!
You pays your money and you takes your choice. Whatever you buy, I doubt if you'll be disappointed.
There will be more cars around in the spring. PH has around 34 Caterhams for sale at the moment, but back in the summer it was around 60. I think it bottomed out last winter at around 13.
On the other hand, there will be more buyers around and prices may creep up.
As for your choice of car, you have to decide how you intend to use it. A Superlight would be fine for blatting and track days, but you would find a 1.8 5-speed better if you intend to use the car for touring.
As most people have said, the Superlights do hold their value well, but could you use a car with no carpets (the bare ali footwells can get a bit hot)or even no heater?
I recently bought a 1.6 Supersport 6-speed, which a previous owner had upgraded with Superlight suspension and big brakes; so most of the fun of a Superlight with the creature comforts of a Roadsport, and a damn sight cheaper than a Superlight!
You pays your money and you takes your choice. Whatever you buy, I doubt if you'll be disappointed.
canam said:
As most people have said, the Superlights do hold their value well, but could you use a car with no carpets (the bare ali footwells can get a bit hot)or even no heater?
Alan, haven't you come across the Caterham rubber mats?...so much better than carpets on that ali floor...
Some Superlights were specced with heaters too....but to fit one only costs £200 or so
rubystone said:
Alan, haven't you come across the Caterham rubber mats?...so much better than carpets on that ali floor...
Some Superlights were specced with heaters too....but to fit one only costs £200 or so
I was actually thinking of the tunnel walls, but I wouldn't have let the lack of carpets/heater put me off; as you say, easily upgraded. I was lucky, the one I bought was within walking distance of home and a spec that suited me as a beginner.
Hang on a minute; I never said my name was Alan! you have the advantage of me, sir.
Edited by canam on Friday 29th December 12:26
The non VVc engines are better to upgrade in terms of power, there is a limit on the VVc units, so the question is are you likely to be wanting a lot more power than they offer?
The superlight variants are indeed a good car and offer scope for performance upgrading and often are specced better like a LSD/ bigger brakes and adjustable platforms so if you are looking for a few trackdays then it is often better to start with a better specced car.
The superlight variants are indeed a good car and offer scope for performance upgrading and often are specced better like a LSD/ bigger brakes and adjustable platforms so if you are looking for a few trackdays then it is often better to start with a better specced car.
I've owned a Superlight, R500 and a VVC engined 7, which I still have. The VVC has the EU3 160 Trophy engine with a R500 exhaust and a little work done on breathing so probably running at around 170 BHP. It also has lots of track goodies fitted i.e. LSD, quick rack, R500 mags, Appolo, battery cut out, Straight cut box etc. I bought the VVC to replace the R500 as I found that to difficult to live with on the roads, but also feel it is quicker than my old SL (I suppose it's bound to with an extra 30BHP). I also think it has the edge on the SL when pulling away but once again the extra power, torque and long first gear help. Although I bought it for mainly road use the gearbox took some getting use to on the noise front, but I think it adds to the cars attraction and makes the blats a bit more special.
I think the thing that speaks volumes for me is that my previous three Caterhams were only kept for a year before selling them on where as the VVC is coming up to four years now and I'm still happy with it. It all boils down to horses for courses, the excellent thing about Caterhams is that you are able to own and move cars on for very little money until you find one that suits your needs
I think the thing that speaks volumes for me is that my previous three Caterhams were only kept for a year before selling them on where as the VVC is coming up to four years now and I'm still happy with it. It all boils down to horses for courses, the excellent thing about Caterhams is that you are able to own and move cars on for very little money until you find one that suits your needs
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