Classic Rover vs. Roadsport Ford
Discussion
Mine is probably a familiar tale: I used to own a 1.4 K series when I was a lad. Sold it 10 years ago due to growing family/business/house. But the urge has returned (well it never really left).
So I download the Caterham price list and I'm looking at a Roadsport plus options. I noticed this: If you up-spec a Classic with weather equipment, heater, carpets, plus 1.6 K series, you end up with a car that's almost identical to a basic Roadsport, but £2600 less. The only difference seems to be Rover 1.6 (120bhp) vs. Ford 1.6 (125bhp). £2600 seems a lot between similarly powered engines. Have I missed something?
Of course the temptation to upgrade the Ford to 150bhp or 175bhp is enormous, in which case the above comparison goes out the window.
So I download the Caterham price list and I'm looking at a Roadsport plus options. I noticed this: If you up-spec a Classic with weather equipment, heater, carpets, plus 1.6 K series, you end up with a car that's almost identical to a basic Roadsport, but £2600 less. The only difference seems to be Rover 1.6 (120bhp) vs. Ford 1.6 (125bhp). £2600 seems a lot between similarly powered engines. Have I missed something?
Of course the temptation to upgrade the Ford to 150bhp or 175bhp is enormous, in which case the above comparison goes out the window.
Well, if it were me, I'd use the £2600 to go for the 6-speed gearbox, ditch the weather gear (apart from the heater) and use that cash to pay for the Superlight suspension and then you've got a fine car for the price of a bog-standard Sigma Roadsport. You can still get the Supersport power upgrade for about £900 ish, and you've now got a car that is close to a Superlight mechanically.
Add on a LSD (you've probably already decided on racing 4-point harness and FIA roll bar) and youre nearly there.
Add on a LSD (you've probably already decided on racing 4-point harness and FIA roll bar) and youre nearly there.
I'm glad the decision isn't mine to make but obviously as a K series owner I'm concerned about the long term prospect of the K although the apparent similarity with the Chinese built N series offers the prospect that the engine has a long-term future.
On the other hand (for those with upgraditis) not so much seems to be happening with the Sigma and perhaps it will remain so if all the 'serious' people go for the Duratec.
On the other hand (for those with upgraditis) not so much seems to be happening with the Sigma and perhaps it will remain so if all the 'serious' people go for the Duratec.
It is widely believed in the racing community that the Fords are actually less powerful than the Rovers, despite the bhp claims. Certainly the Sigmas are slower round a track, despite having more torque, and when we rolling-roaded 3 of each back to back the Ks had more bhp.
Not sure that really helps you much! Are Caterham still selling the Rover engine in new cars btw?
Not sure that really helps you much! Are Caterham still selling the Rover engine in new cars btw?
coyoteracer11 said:
Are Caterham still selling the Rover engine in new cars btw?
It seems so:-http://www.caterham.co.uk/assets/html/showroom/cla...
I'm somewhat confused about relative weights. I'm sure Caterham said the Sigma was 10kg lighter than the K however, on their current figures the Sigma powered Roadsport is 550kg and the K powered Classic is 525Kg which, if the engine weight info is right suggests the Roadsport has 35kg more gear on board than the Classic. The quoted difference used to be 10kg when Classic and Roadsport were both K powered
Edited by Colin Mill on Sunday 5th September 20:52
porson11 said:
Mine is probably a familiar tale: I used to own a 1.4 K series when I was a lad. Sold it 10 years ago due to growing family/business/house. But the urge has returned (well it never really left).
So I download the Caterham price list and I'm looking at a Roadsport plus options. I noticed this: If you up-spec a Classic with weather equipment, heater, carpets, plus 1.6 K series, you end up with a car that's almost identical to a basic Roadsport, but £2600 less. The only difference seems to be Rover 1.6 (120bhp) vs. Ford 1.6 (125bhp). £2600 seems a lot between similarly powered engines. Have I missed something?
Of course the temptation to upgrade the Ford to 150bhp or 175bhp is enormous, in which case the above comparison goes out the window.
Worth noting that the Sigma has limited scope to upgrade (as already stated above). The Duratec engines however have much more scope. You will struggle to find a reputable source who can get more than about 160 bhp out of a Sigma engine. That is the engine I have in mine. Next time I will be going for a Duratec.So I download the Caterham price list and I'm looking at a Roadsport plus options. I noticed this: If you up-spec a Classic with weather equipment, heater, carpets, plus 1.6 K series, you end up with a car that's almost identical to a basic Roadsport, but £2600 less. The only difference seems to be Rover 1.6 (120bhp) vs. Ford 1.6 (125bhp). £2600 seems a lot between similarly powered engines. Have I missed something?
Of course the temptation to upgrade the Ford to 150bhp or 175bhp is enormous, in which case the above comparison goes out the window.
Therefore if you think you may choose to upgrade the engine in the future, and looking at your alternatives, you may be better off with the K. Would I buy an engine which has gone out of production in this country though.....? Probably not but that is just me.
Edited by huwp on Sunday 5th September 20:43
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