Advice on my first Caterham

[barchetta_boy]

hi guys,

After several years spent trying to make my Porsche 928 manual go round a track quicker, I have decided to get another car more suited for track work, and a Caterham seems to be the obvious choice.

I have a budget of £12k, which acorrding to a few hours spent browsing the classifieds, should see me into a 5-10 year old Roadsport, probably with a K series engine.

A couple of cars have caught my eye, and I'd very much welcome advice on whether they look like good buys, what models, mods etc I should be looking out for.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2753409.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2748054.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2755715.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2751932.htm

The last one is my favourite to look at, I think the 7 body looks best in silver, black or dark green with yellow. A couple of supplementaries, how important is an LSD and how important is Caterham factory build?

Many thanks in advnce for your help / opinions. Cant wait to get my first Caterham!

Joel

[Red Seven]

It's potentially cheaper to change the colour than it is to add the options!

I'd go go the 1600 supersport that has the 6 speed gearbox and the LSD.
The combination of the 1600SS and the 6 speed gearbox is ideal for both road and track, and the LSD make the car more driveable around the limit.

The standard 5 speed gearbox does not suit the 1600SS, particularly on track. 1st is way too low and fifth is way too high, and the gaps between the ratios do not suit the 1600SS engine which is happiest being reved to close to the 7600rpm limiter in each gear.

Six speed or LSD alone will cost more than it would to change the colour!

[CanAm]

I'd go along with Red 7. That Supersport has a great spec, especially the engine. Being a 97 kit build it shouldn't need a cat and emissions are "no visible" smoke only. (Make sure the V5 supports this), which makes it a beter buy than a factory build.
It has the 3.6 diff which makes the 1600SS slightly more relaxed for touring. Having said that, mine has the 3.9 with 6-speed and is as economical as most anything else on a long blat.

Alan

[grenpayne]

The green Supersport is thirded by me as well!

As said, the 6 speed box, LSD, adjustable suspension and nice engine upgrades such as verniers and forged pistons make it the car of choice. A respray is (I believe) about £800 which is a lot less than those upgrades as mentioned.

[barchetta_boy]

Thanks guys. Going to see the supersport on saturday morning. It will be the first caterham i have driven and indeed looked at. Will post an update on how I get on.

I guess with 152bhp it must have something close to 300bhp/ton right?

Joel

[timrw81]

Good luck. Driving a Caterham is an experience unlike any other. It MAY feel a little daunting because of the sensory bombardment and the sheer directness of everything. But let the car do its thing and it will become absorbing and confidence-inspiring in equal measure. Looking forward to hearing how you get on!

[Mostro]

grenpayne said:

A respray is (I believe) about £800 which is a lot less than those upgrades as mentioned.

How reliable is this quote? I'm also looking towards a first Caterham, and as the colour is important to me I'd rate that highly as a factor in my decision process. However, if £800 is realistic for a complete respray, I'd be more willing to go mainly for the spec first and plan for a colour change at a later date.

Edited by Mostro on Friday 13th May 13:09

[grenpayne]

I remember seeing that figure mentioned recently on Blatchat but a detailed search there should throw up some more info. The final price will obviously depend on colour/solid/metallic options too.

[dirtbiker]

It also depends if you're willing to do some of the prep work (stripping off the wings etc.) and if you want to do any of the flatting (sanding) yourself.

Another option would be a vinyl wrap (has been mentioned in this forum recently) but there are concerns about engine heat affecting the vinyl.

[thinfourth2]

My car on fleabay would be perfect for anyone wanting to buy a 7 and get a respray.

Good spec st colour

[Tango7]

Three of us have recently had cars fully resprayed by the usual places and they all seem to be about £800. Cars were stripped of front suspension, rear wings and scuttle off and obviously bonnet/nosecone/cycle wings loose. Inner panels were either removed or left loose to facilitate spraying under the trim strips. None of the cars had engines in as this was part of the winter refresh/rebuilds which also meant exhaust and primaries were removed from the car. Basically the cars were ready to be rubbed down, masked and sprayed. All three cars were metallic and one has a noseband which was an extra £40. It shoudn't be too onerous getting a car ready to this stage.

[Tango7]

Forgot to say that our cars had good alloy panelwork with zero/minimal work to get it ready for spraying. If a car is showing signed of corrosion in the usual places (behind exhaust / grot traps immediately adjacent to the pedal boxes), it would be a good idea to consider new sideskins otherwise you will only delay the inevitable if you try and fill and spray over them and this will end up a more costly option when you think about another respray in 2-3 years time!

[Mostro]

Interesting info on resprays, thanks all