Caterham Vs others?
Discussion
Quality and development are a major factor in the big 2 (caterham more than westfield) but thats not to say the lesser manufacturers are cheap copies 
My Stuart Taylor Locost 7 is a real hoot to drive, just lacks the refinement of the others that probably cost twice as much just for a basic model
Mike
My Stuart Taylor Locost 7 is a real hoot to drive, just lacks the refinement of the others that probably cost twice as much just for a basic model
Mike
Obviously this is only my opinion, though I do have experience of both cars, but I think the Caterham frame is superior to the Westfield. Finish also seems to be better on components. I'd be interested in a price comparison on similar specifications because people tell me that Westies are now creeping up to Caterham money.....
Personally I'd buy a Locost inspired chassis. Not so sophisticated perhaps, but the price difference....
Whoops, nearly forgot....what about a Libra?
Personally I'd buy a Locost inspired chassis. Not so sophisticated perhaps, but the price difference....
Whoops, nearly forgot....what about a Libra?
it's the name as far as I'm aware, it goes something like:
Lotus 7
Caterham
Westfield
Robin Hood
LoCost / Dutton...
For the major ones. Of course matters are confused by Caterham when they start making things like the wide bodies, the BEC, the R400, R500... But brand recognition/price is roughly in that order.
Why not look at something a little less silly such as the Marlin 5exi (bad name I grant), the GTM libra or similar or are you looking for a built car?
3 replies in 3 minutes
>> Edited by docevi1 on Sunday 5th September 20:51
Lotus 7
Caterham
Westfield
Robin Hood
LoCost / Dutton...
For the major ones. Of course matters are confused by Caterham when they start making things like the wide bodies, the BEC, the R400, R500... But brand recognition/price is roughly in that order.
Why not look at something a little less silly such as the Marlin 5exi (bad name I grant), the GTM libra or similar or are you looking for a built car?
3 replies in 3 minutes
>> Edited by docevi1 on Sunday 5th September 20:51
Wow, rapid response team is in tonight!
GTM libra's out as it needs to be roofless. Not a marlin fan i'm afraid.
It's basically a direct fight between Caterham and Westfield in my eyes as i find the dinensions of the others a bit odd.
I think i'll start another thread for the relitive merits of Pinto v Crossflow.
GTM libra's out as it needs to be roofless. Not a marlin fan i'm afraid.
It's basically a direct fight between Caterham and Westfield in my eyes as i find the dinensions of the others a bit odd.
I think i'll start another thread for the relitive merits of Pinto v Crossflow.
agent006 said:
I think i'll start another thread for the relative merits of Pinto v Crossflow.
I have had a Westfield several years ago, and now own a Tiger Supersix, both fitted with Pinto engines...
In addition I have owned two Granadas, and three Capris, plus a Sierra, clocking up around 400,000 miles without ANY problem whatsoever, just make sure the oil and filter are changed at service intervals, because camshafts have been known to wear because the spray bar gets blocked up, but I have never had a problem, and camshafts are cheap anyway...
Personally, I would NOT get a crossflow, the design is VERY dated now, Westfield advised me of this TWELVE years ago, why not consider a Zetec or even better a Duratec.......
However, if money is not a problem, go for a Caterham, they are the real thing and hold their value much better than anything else........
HTH.
ive got a tiger super 6 which is a se7en type car its pretty much the same apart from a bonnet buldge to fit the 2.1 pinto lump inside and the rear arches are a slightly different shape, ive had great fun in it adn it was half the price of a caterham bought it last year for £7000 it was 3 years old with 5k on the clock.
Here is my £0.02 but I am biased as I am building a Dax Rush;
Caterham and Westfield had well established products and suffer from trying to be a mainstream manufacturer. The kits bolt together in 100 hours or so, and there is little to differentiate examples of the marques. They also have fancy marketing and race series.
Next on the list I would put Dax. Cracking motor, not quite as expensive as the first two but very competent. Constanly developing the existing products. And you can slap in a V8
Then there is Tiger with the 6 and the CatE1 then the Avon. Starting to get to the mid point in price. Very able cars for a reasonable budget. Little on the small size for my fat ass.
Then you have the locosts, and MK and Stuart Taylor are well respected names. There is alot more to do here and we are talking in the region of 500 hours plus to build. You can chose to spend as much or as little as you like so there is a great diversity at this end.
Robin Hoods predate the locosts and are done on the cheap in my opinion, more of a rebodied Sierra, I think I'd rather go for a locost for the same money.
All IMHO
Caterham and Westfield had well established products and suffer from trying to be a mainstream manufacturer. The kits bolt together in 100 hours or so, and there is little to differentiate examples of the marques. They also have fancy marketing and race series.
Next on the list I would put Dax. Cracking motor, not quite as expensive as the first two but very competent. Constanly developing the existing products. And you can slap in a V8
Then there is Tiger with the 6 and the CatE1 then the Avon. Starting to get to the mid point in price. Very able cars for a reasonable budget. Little on the small size for my fat ass.
Then you have the locosts, and MK and Stuart Taylor are well respected names. There is alot more to do here and we are talking in the region of 500 hours plus to build. You can chose to spend as much or as little as you like so there is a great diversity at this end.
Robin Hoods predate the locosts and are done on the cheap in my opinion, more of a rebodied Sierra, I think I'd rather go for a locost for the same money.
All IMHO
Alex said:All open to interpretation and opinion. I only know what I read and heard that Robin Hood's were in a similar league to LoCost in idea...
it's the name as far as I'm aware, it goes something like:
Lotus 7
Caterham
Westfield
Robin Hood
LoCost / Dutton...
How do the lower priced 7alikes compare in terms of handling. Evo loves to go on about how fantastic the steering is on a Catervan, but is it so much better than a Westie or a Dax?
When it comes to looks though I think the Tiger 6 wins it, followed by, Caterham, Dax, Shawspeed, the rest (sorry but Westies are a bit uglier).
When it comes to looks though I think the Tiger 6 wins it, followed by, Caterham, Dax, Shawspeed, the rest (sorry but Westies are a bit uglier).
moomin said:
It's basically a direct fight between Caterham and Westfield
agent006 said:
Caterhams are out of my price range
errr, problem solved?!?
moomin
Hence me asking if westfields and the ilk are a bit dodgy. I think it seems to vary as to who built it, with how much cash and with how much taste.
Gassing Station | Kit Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff