R400 or R500

[subirg]

All

I've been considering what toy car to get for simply ages. Have considered everything from 550s, to GT3s to R500s, R400s, CSRs, M3s etc etc. At the end of the day, I have decided that an R400 or R500 prob comes closest to fitting the bill. Hence, I have a couple of questions for you all!

1. What would you chose? R400 or R500? Mainly to be used for short country lane blasts or track days. Not many miles a year. Plus the odd 100 mile trip now and then during the summer.

2. I'm looking for a good clean R400 or R500. Have looked around and there aren't many being advertised at the moment (unsurprisingly I guess!). Does anybody know of a good car that's worth looking at?

Thanks all!

[ewenm]

Personally I'd go for an R400. I've not driven either though. I'm basing my decision on reports that the R400 is a better balance of power for UK roads and the R500 needs more maintenance as the engine is that bit more delicate in the higher state of tune.

However, I'm sure some owners can provide more accurate info.

[casbar]

Go to www.blatchat.com and do a search in techtalk. This has been discussed hundreds of times. I would go with a R400, But I would really like a R400 with a Duratec engine

[jackal]

subirg said:

All
I'm looking for a good clean R400 or R500. Have looked around and there aren't many being advertised at the moment (unsurprisingly I guess!). Does anybody know of a good car that's worth looking at?

i will be putting up my duratec R500 for sale very soon
same deal but more torque and a lot less stressed
its in showroom condition & the exterior is as new
mail me if you are interested

Edited by jackal on Tuesday 16th January 13:33

[James.S]

Rich

Did you get any pics done?

Cheers

James SHarrock

[murph7355]

subirg said:

...

The same subirg as on clubscud?

You really have been having conundrums on which car to buy! But for a track/short blat toy you've just about made the right call.

R400 if I were you. On the road it's plenty quick enough (any 7 at this level is "too quick" to be used 10/10s on the road). On track it's not *that* much slower than the R500. IAn R400 will be cheaper to buy and run.

Make sure you are careful when you buy - the k-series has its shortcomings. Buy wisely and you'll be OK. Buy unwisely and you'll wish you'd bought a 550 for the cheaper running costs

[jackal]

james, nope... didnt get the chance,we have a 3 weeks old baby keeping us very busy

did you get my emails ? my main address is bouncing i think. i can get you pics if still interested.. or have you gone onto the Radical idea now ?

Edited by jackal on Tuesday 16th January 19:38

[subirg]

Subirg on ClubScud is indeed one and the same... And yes - the decision making process has taken the best part of a year. In fact it started when I parted company with my faithful 355... ah - what a car that was, and certainly the best sounding car I have ever heard on the road (and in tunnels!)! Still, I'm sure I'll something red in the garage one day soon, but in the meantime I want to get a caterham. Basically, the clincher was when I drove a Superlight at Bedford Autodrome. What a blast! The best fun on 4 wheels I have ever had!

R400 seems to get lots of praise for reliability. R500 seems to need a lot more tlc, but with careful maintenance it can be done quite reasonably. Easily cheaper than an Fcar anyway! The R500 appeals because it's rare and because it has a certain aura about it. I'm less keen on having an R500 with a Duratec because that makes the car un-original. Some people don't mind that, but I would...

Please keep your views coming in! I think this debate still has lots of mileage!

[James.S]

Rich,

I am still interested, we have been having probs with our new spam filter, please resend. FYI I am wanting to run a radical alongside the RS this year. i have got an itch to learn to drive a car with downforce. And you know what itches are like.

On the subject of the R400/R500 debate.....

A 120bhp Roadsport is too quick for roads if driven at 10/10ths.
A K series R500 will be overpriced and a bitch to sell and is no quicker than a 400
A K series R400 is as fast as a 500 and if it has a track spec and is a good "bright" colour will sell fast.
A K series R300 is a great all rounder and good models dont last that long.
A Dura R series while being a great set of parts will not attract the intrest of a good R400. Rightly or Wrongly.

If you follow the hype you'll go 500, if you follow your brain a 300 or 400.

PS, I have had K series 500 & 400 and a Roadsport race car. My next caterham will be something like Jackal's.....a Dura R

Edited by James.S on Tuesday 16th January 20:56

[James.S]

PS

Congrats Richard........how long before a nice SUV

[MikeE]

...or how about an R400 Duratec in a very bright colour?

[subirg]

Isn't the new R400 Duratec powered? No price info on Caterhams web-site, but could you get a new R400 with Duratec, and then upgrade the engine in future if the 'itch' strikes?

Ps: on the subject of cars with downforce - I have a westy XTR2. Not as well engineered as a radical, but half the price. Hiyabusa engine is awesome, sequential box fantastic. Downforce not as great as radicals, but it's definitely there. You notice it most in high speed bends, and the sensation is just amazing! Go for a radical if you have the chance - it will blow your mind on the track!!!!!! Great fun too - but not as sideways as a caterham clearly.

[ewenm]

Yes, I believe the latest R400s are Duratecs, see here: www.caterham.co.uk/assets/html/showroom/superlight.html

All engines are upgradable The usual decision is whether it is a Caterham-approved upgrade or not. Caterham are generally unwilling to take a non-Caterham approved upgraded car as part-ex if you want to change the car. I don't care about that but then my 7 has done close to 100,000 miles and is probably going to be an automotive "Trigger's broom"

[mikee]

But if you want to upgrade an R400 Duratec then you're probably want to go to a 2.3l which means you through away the Caterham block and numorous other bits!

[ewenm]

mikee said:

But if you want to upgrade an R400 Duratec then you're probably want to go to a 2.3l which means you through away the Caterham block and numorous other bits!

Rahter than "throw away" I suspect you'd be able to sell on the old engine to someone else.

[mikee]

sorry about the spelling, was under pressure to finish the post as my boss was approaching my desk

Yep that's true but then I say that it's a bit more than an upgrade, it's a replacement engine, in which case why not just buy the car with the engine you want in the first place?

...and I say this from experience, I have a 2.0l 230bhp Duratec in my R400 - I'm now faced with replacing the engine with a 2.3l block in order to get more power - just wish I'd insisted on a 2.3l in the first place, would have made it a simple pistons, rods, cams and porting exercise

[jackal]

mike

the quote i had to upgrade my 2.0 to a 2,3 was very cost effective
certainly way way cheaper than the sorts of money that people used to throw at the K series

mind you my cams and head are already up to spec so it was only a matter of rods/pistons/block

[James.S]

Wow, how much power do you want??

[mikee]

Rich,

I think you basically have the same 230bhp spec I have, so I'd be interested in the spec and quote you had, could you send it to me? What sort of power was that going to give you?

cheers,
Mike

[mikee]

James - it's addictive and you soon get used to 230bhp, looking for 280bhp now