Bugger, bugger, bugger - Roadsport v Superlight
Discussion
Well thought my sensible head had won - after driving the Roadsport 125 at the weekend was heading towards ordering a new car rather than a used one and have something for the spring...
Now they've just phoned up and offered me a Superlight with the 150 Sigma engine in it, but with the 'comfort' stuff too - heater/weather gear plus 6 speed box, uprated brakes .. for probably what I'd spend on speccing up a new 125... arrgh!
OK, may try and get over tomorrow to have a butchers/drive - but from you guys experince will an 'amateur' like me notice the differences - is the Superlight 150 a better ownership proposition, how does the 6 speed compare to the 5 speed etc. etc. - have some great driving roads round where I live so lots of road use, plus hope to use this as the entry to track days....
Now they've just phoned up and offered me a Superlight with the 150 Sigma engine in it, but with the 'comfort' stuff too - heater/weather gear plus 6 speed box, uprated brakes .. for probably what I'd spend on speccing up a new 125... arrgh!
OK, may try and get over tomorrow to have a butchers/drive - but from you guys experince will an 'amateur' like me notice the differences - is the Superlight 150 a better ownership proposition, how does the 6 speed compare to the 5 speed etc. etc. - have some great driving roads round where I live so lots of road use, plus hope to use this as the entry to track days....
I have had the six speed box and the 5x speed box.. The 6 Speed is far more on the button than the 5 speed. Although if you only want the car for touring, the 5 speed box is easier on the ear while at Motorway speed.
On the Sigma engine. the extra BHP is only at the top end of the revs from what I understand, so you will only get the benefit if you are giving it some. Combined with the 6 speed box over the 125bhp and 5 speed box there is a big difference. The Superlight version (If I am correct, may have changed recently) would also give you adjustable wide track suspension which would also be a big benefit.
But I would want to see the spec of both and know more about what you want to do with the car.
Personally I would go for the 150bhp, 6 speed, wide track superlight car over the 125bhp Roadsport if they are the same money. I think it would hold its value better.
But
Dave is correct that a Duratec would be a better option if it falls within your price.
Are you being offered this upgrade because Caterham have an order that has fallen through or they have surplus?
On the Sigma engine. the extra BHP is only at the top end of the revs from what I understand, so you will only get the benefit if you are giving it some. Combined with the 6 speed box over the 125bhp and 5 speed box there is a big difference. The Superlight version (If I am correct, may have changed recently) would also give you adjustable wide track suspension which would also be a big benefit.
But I would want to see the spec of both and know more about what you want to do with the car.
Personally I would go for the 150bhp, 6 speed, wide track superlight car over the 125bhp Roadsport if they are the same money. I think it would hold its value better.
But
Dave is correct that a Duratec would be a better option if it falls within your price.
Are you being offered this upgrade because Caterham have an order that has fallen through or they have surplus?
I've been casting my eye back towards Caterham ownership again. My favourite (out of Vx HPC, SLR, R500) was my k-series 1600 exec superlight. But I thought I'd focus on the new-worlde caterhams rather than the olde-worlde ones.
The problem is that there is in my mind some stigma associated with the sigma. I have absolutely no idea why. Just like my kids, haven't tried it but don't like it.
Once you get into the D world, it all gets much more expensive. If you have an R300, you might as well have an R400. I am not sure I want to get up to those pwoer levels again.
I suspect I'll be back with a 1600ss again for 12 or 13k!
Bert
The problem is that there is in my mind some stigma associated with the sigma. I have absolutely no idea why. Just like my kids, haven't tried it but don't like it.
Once you get into the D world, it all gets much more expensive. If you have an R300, you might as well have an R400. I am not sure I want to get up to those pwoer levels again.
I suspect I'll be back with a 1600ss again for 12 or 13k!
Bert
BertBert said:
I've been casting my eye back towards Caterham ownership again. My favourite (out of Vx HPC, SLR, R500) was my k-series 1600 exec superlight. But I thought I'd focus on the new-worlde caterhams rather than the olde-worlde ones.
The problem is that there is in my mind some stigma associated with the sigma. I have absolutely no idea why. Just like my kids, haven't tried it but don't like it.
Once you get into the D world, it all gets much more expensive. If you have an R300, you might as well have an R400. I am not sure I want to get up to those pwoer levels again.
I suspect I'll be back with a 1600ss again for 12 or 13k!
Bert
Graham - that blue Superlight? I knew that car before you bought it - nearly bought it myself actually! As you may know, I really rate the DR300 - enough power and nice torque spread but still revvy. Great car for consistent lappery on trackdays and yet still not too much of an animal - I put in far more consistent laps of Brands Indy in that car than in my R500 - OK so not as outrightly fast, but easier to drive nearer the limit that the R500. The problem is that there is in my mind some stigma associated with the sigma. I have absolutely no idea why. Just like my kids, haven't tried it but don't like it.
Once you get into the D world, it all gets much more expensive. If you have an R300, you might as well have an R400. I am not sure I want to get up to those pwoer levels again.
I suspect I'll be back with a 1600ss again for 12 or 13k!
Bert
rubystone said:
BertBert said:
I've been casting my eye back towards Caterham ownership again. My favourite (out of Vx HPC, SLR, R500) was my k-series 1600 exec superlight. But I thought I'd focus on the new-worlde caterhams rather than the olde-worlde ones.
The problem is that there is in my mind some stigma associated with the sigma. I have absolutely no idea why. Just like my kids, haven't tried it but don't like it.
Once you get into the D world, it all gets much more expensive. If you have an R300, you might as well have an R400. I am not sure I want to get up to those pwoer levels again.
I suspect I'll be back with a 1600ss again for 12 or 13k!
Bert
Graham - that blue Superlight? I knew that car before you bought it - nearly bought it myself actually! As you may know, I really rate the DR300 - enough power and nice torque spread but still revvy. Great car for consistent lappery on trackdays and yet still not too much of an animal - I put in far more consistent laps of Brands Indy in that car than in my R500 - OK so not as outrightly fast, but easier to drive nearer the limit that the R500. The problem is that there is in my mind some stigma associated with the sigma. I have absolutely no idea why. Just like my kids, haven't tried it but don't like it.
Once you get into the D world, it all gets much more expensive. If you have an R300, you might as well have an R400. I am not sure I want to get up to those pwoer levels again.
I suspect I'll be back with a 1600ss again for 12 or 13k!
Bert
It will always be the question how far you want to go. On one hand I know I don't have a 110% control over my 160 bhp Caterham at all times. On the on the other hand, you still get used to the power output. Especially on the straights of the track. 
Thinking about upgrading it to 185 only. Who knows what I'll think of that next year...
Thinking about upgrading it to 185 only. Who knows what I'll think of that next year...
Piers917 said:
BertBert said:
I am not sure I want to get up to those pwoer levels again.
Bert
Can I ask why BB? I have a Superlight at the moment but i'd love to have another 50bhp.Bert
Bert
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