Sigma or VVC?

[Pat H]

Just put down a deposit on a new Caterham.

I can either have a 1.8 Rover VVC or a 1.6 Sigma for the same price.

I am unconvinced about the prospect of having the exhaust down the wrong side with the Ford engine and the Rover engine has more capacity and a few extra horses.

But I am advised that the Ford motor is stronger, more tractable, more tuneable and sounds better.

Or should I just sod it and buy an R400 Duratec?

I have previously owned a couple of Sevens and a TVR Griffith, so I am used to driving daft cars with plenty of power.

Car predominantly for road use, with the occasional track day, sprint or hillclimb.

[EddieSteadyGo]

Hi, just read your post, and I have a similiar quandary.

I took a test drive in a Duratec R400 a couple of weeks ago and absolutely loved it. I was very close to placing an order for a 245hp Ariel Atom but decided to try the R400 after all the recent rave reviews in Evo and Autocar.

Now, having read a bit more about the Caterhams, the 150hp sigma also looks really interesting. Personally I don't really want to buy a VVC k-series in a new car when the sigma ford engine is cheaper and fairly close on power.

To try to make the right choice, I'm planning another test drive in the Atom next weekend. Whilst the Atom is more expensive the total ownership costs should be similiar and the depreciation on the Atom will probably be a little lower. Then may even ask CC is I can test drive a sigma engined superlight.

But I have to say the Caterham R400 really shocked me in terms of how good it was on the road.

Cheers, Ed.