Opinions of my first Caterham
Discussion
Looking to buy my first Caterham. I live in Finland and there's all sorts of issues but that's another story. Basicly you can register a pre -91 car or maybe a pre -96 car.
I have followed the classifieds for many months and this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1926775.htm is the best contender now. Overall it seems to be in a good shape and the spec seems good. The engine is built by Robert King and it has been driven 18 000 miles since. How long can you expect a tuned crossflows to last? Anything special I should check before buying?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I have followed the classifieds for many months and this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1926775.htm is the best contender now. Overall it seems to be in a good shape and the spec seems good. The engine is built by Robert King and it has been driven 18 000 miles since. How long can you expect a tuned crossflows to last? Anything special I should check before buying?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Looks a good spec
1700,Roger King is an ace when it comes to engines. Wide track too. But for 11,995 you could probably get a superlight
This is pretty nice too : http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2403884.htm
I have an ex-Graduates racer crossflow 1600 for 5 years, and do all my own servicing , and the great thing about it is - the engines are pretty bulletproof, an all ancillaries are cheap (alternator £40-50, starter motor 30-40). And you can have a great time.
PM me your number if you want a quick chat.
Also worth joining the Lotus Seven Club BEFORE buying as there is all sorts of help available .
1700,Roger King is an ace when it comes to engines. Wide track too. But for 11,995 you could probably get a superlight
This is pretty nice too : http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2403884.htm
I have an ex-Graduates racer crossflow 1600 for 5 years, and do all my own servicing , and the great thing about it is - the engines are pretty bulletproof, an all ancillaries are cheap (alternator £40-50, starter motor 30-40). And you can have a great time.
PM me your number if you want a quick chat.
Also worth joining the Lotus Seven Club BEFORE buying as there is all sorts of help available .
This one looks good too - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2261518.htm- Leather S type seats too - which are lovely on long journeys, polished/black wheels.
Bahnstormer said:
Looks a good spec
1700,Roger King is an ace when it comes to engines. Wide track too. But for 11,995 you could probably get a superlight
This is pretty nice too : http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2403884.htm
I have an ex-Graduates racer crossflow 1600 for 5 years, and do all my own servicing , and the great thing about it is - the engines are pretty bulletproof, an all ancillaries are cheap (alternator £40-50, starter motor 30-40). And you can have a great time.
PM me your number if you want a quick chat.
Also worth joining the Lotus Seven Club BEFORE buying as there is all sorts of help available .
I think that the price is a bit on the high side too mainly when compared to newer cars. But that said the spec is really good.1700,Roger King is an ace when it comes to engines. Wide track too. But for 11,995 you could probably get a superlight
This is pretty nice too : http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2403884.htm
I have an ex-Graduates racer crossflow 1600 for 5 years, and do all my own servicing , and the great thing about it is - the engines are pretty bulletproof, an all ancillaries are cheap (alternator £40-50, starter motor 30-40). And you can have a great time.
PM me your number if you want a quick chat.
Also worth joining the Lotus Seven Club BEFORE buying as there is all sorts of help available .
That's good to hear that parts are not expensive. The engine produces 154hp, is it still bulletproof?
Bahnstormer said:
This one looks good too - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2261518.htm- Leather S type seats too - which are lovely on long journeys, polished/black wheels.
Yeah, looks good and the price seems cheap. Only problem is that it's too new, damn Finnish regulations.
Andrew "Vinnie" Barriskell is a friendly Caterham owner in Finland. http://www.barriskell.com/garage/
Hi marginal,
I built two 1700 super sprint spec cars in the late 80's and early ninties. I sold them both before I put many miles on them, for no other reason than my financial circumstances at the time.
When I bougt the kits the guys at Caterham told me to expect to do major work on the engine after around 25,000 miles. As has been said here already, the kent engine is a very strong unit. But they were originally designed for power outputs up to about 84bhp. Both my cars were put on a rolling road and showed well over 100bhp at the wheels. This equated to about 140bhp at the flywheel apparently. As I mentioned above, I sold my cars well before 25,000 miles so cannot speak from first hand experience. But I felt sure of what I was told by CC at the time.
Not sure if any of this helps with your decision. I welcome any comments from those who may know better and those with first hand experience.
Good luck
Michael
I built two 1700 super sprint spec cars in the late 80's and early ninties. I sold them both before I put many miles on them, for no other reason than my financial circumstances at the time.
When I bougt the kits the guys at Caterham told me to expect to do major work on the engine after around 25,000 miles. As has been said here already, the kent engine is a very strong unit. But they were originally designed for power outputs up to about 84bhp. Both my cars were put on a rolling road and showed well over 100bhp at the wheels. This equated to about 140bhp at the flywheel apparently. As I mentioned above, I sold my cars well before 25,000 miles so cannot speak from first hand experience. But I felt sure of what I was told by CC at the time.
Not sure if any of this helps with your decision. I welcome any comments from those who may know better and those with first hand experience.
Good luck
Michael
Edited by KAR 120C on Tuesday 18th January 23:50
The 254 cam is a bit of a screamer. I had a 244 in my ~155bhp RKE 1700. The 234 is the standard ~135bhp Caterham fit.
Can't remember the bhp for the 254 but it's higher with inevitably less bottom end.
If it's for the road only I think you should def have a test drive.
Other than that RKE engines are very good but it's probably getting due a refresh soon if not already done.
There will be forged pistons and a goodie spec as long as you arm & costing an arm and a leg new.
The standard SS pistons are generally good for about 20K miles and the usually breaks down between rings = lots of smoke and sick running to follow.
Can't remember the bhp for the 254 but it's higher with inevitably less bottom end.
If it's for the road only I think you should def have a test drive.
Other than that RKE engines are very good but it's probably getting due a refresh soon if not already done.
There will be forged pistons and a goodie spec as long as you arm & costing an arm and a leg new.
The standard SS pistons are generally good for about 20K miles and the usually breaks down between rings = lots of smoke and sick running to follow.
Edited by Yellow 7 on Tuesday 25th January 14:44
Thanks for your comments.
The car is now sold so I'll have to find another car.
This http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2403884.htm seems otherwise nice but the transmission is a straight cut 4 speed. Any idea how much it would cost to change the transmission to something which would be more suited for road use?
The car is now sold so I'll have to find another car.
This http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2403884.htm seems otherwise nice but the transmission is a straight cut 4 speed. Any idea how much it would cost to change the transmission to something which would be more suited for road use?
Yellow 7 said:
The 254 cam is a bit of a screamer. I had a 244 in my ~155bhp RKE 1700. The 234 is the standard ~135bhp Caterham fit.
Can't remember the bhp for the 254 but it's higher with inevitably less bottom end.
If it's for the road only I think you should def have a test drive.
Other than that RKE engines are very good but it's probably getting due a refresh soon if not already done.
There will be forged pistons and a goodie spec as long as you arm & costing an arm and a leg new.
The standard SS pistons are generally good for about 20K miles and the usually breaks down between rings = lots of smoke and sick running to follow.
Can't remember the bhp for the 254 but it's higher with inevitably less bottom end.
If it's for the road only I think you should def have a test drive.
Other than that RKE engines are very good but it's probably getting due a refresh soon if not already done.
There will be forged pistons and a goodie spec as long as you arm & costing an arm and a leg new.
The standard SS pistons are generally good for about 20K miles and the usually breaks down between rings = lots of smoke and sick running to follow.
Edited by Yellow 7 on Tuesday 25th January 14:44
The more BHP the more stress on a crossflow, but you can always upgrade things - the thing you have to think about is sometimes it's worth paying a bit more for a car with a fast engine and other matched components (so you don't end up upgrading so much , there's nothing left of the original car !). The best advice is take someone with you who knows Sevens - get one YOU like, and get out there and drive it !
Mine has 110BHP, and I don't think I could drive it any faster !!! (Allegedly !)
Mine has 110BHP, and I don't think I could drive it any faster !!! (Allegedly !)
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