Roadsport SV

[sng45]

I want to buy myself an open top "Sunday afternoon" car - I've been considering a Morgan but visited a dealer this morning and had a good look around and although I didn't have a test drive I decided they probably weren't for me - which made me re-focus on a Caterham. I've had a lot of cars and have a few at the moment, I've never driven a Caterham and don't know too much about them. Of the cars I've looked at on line this evening the road sport SV at Chapman cars appeals to me.

http://www.chapmancars.co.uk/showroom/

( listed at £18,495)

They are a distance from me, I'm in Yorkshire they're in Kent so quite some distance for a test drive. Does anyone have one of these ? or driven one ?. The other car I'm interested in is also on their site, the "Anniversary model" - although at only 80bhp would that be too underpowered ? Also does anyone have experience of buying from this dealer ?

amongst other things I have a supercharged Elise 220bhp (which I'll keep and use alongside the Caterham) so I be interested to hear if anyone has driven both as a comparison.

Any advice welcome.

Thank you

[PeteSV]

Hi sng45

A friend has just posted their car in the classifieds on Friday. It's a good honest car that I've known for 9 years. Worth a consideration maybe.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Good luck with your search.

Pete

[V7SLR]

As minimum at least get a passenger ride in a Caterham. It'd also be worth joining the L7C so you can get in touch with some owners local to you.

[PAULJA]

Why not rent one for a day

http://www.blueskycaterham.co.uk

It's closer than Kent and you get to live with it for a day

[Steveh7]

Hi sng45,

I’ve got the car PeteSV mentioned above. I am in North Derbyshire and I would be more than happy to take you out in my Roadsport SV and let you have a proper look at it - no obligation. It’s been used for drives on the continent with mates and touring with my wife, camping trips etc and normally one track day a year. The SV is a good alround car.
Steve
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[sng45]

Thank you very much for the replies to my post. Steve, I'll send you a personal message regarding a potential visit to look at your car.

Regards

Steve

[sng45]

Steveh7 said:

Hi sng45,

I’ve got the car PeteSV mentioned above. I am in North Derbyshire and I would be more than happy to take you out in my Roadsport SV and let you have a proper look at it - no obligation. It’s been used for drives on the continent with mates and touring with my wife, camping trips etc and normally one track day a year. The SV is a good alround car.
Steve
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Tried to send you a message but apparently your account doesn't allow e-mails !

[mharris]

As above I'd recommend hiring one for the day. This will give you a good idea of what you like, and what options to look for. Or even if you want one at all.

From your description it sounds like you're looking a weekend toy to sit below your Elise in terms of "rawness".. I'd suggest that a Caterham may be the wrong side of what you're looking for.

[Roblot]

Just a quick one for what it is worth. I recently had 3 Caterhams within a 3 week period ! ( A 140 BPH 17 Y old 5 speed , followed by a new 360 S SV,5 speed Duratech, and finally a 2006 140 BPH 6 speed car.) I now have a supercharged Elise, bought in desperation after selling the Caterhams I could not live with the terrible (to me that is) diff wine and backlash and grinding sounds from the transmission. Many years ago I enjoyed Lotus 7 motoring in live axle cars which had none of the problems encountered in my later cars. There is no doubt that the actual driving experience in the Caterham was great if the noise issues can be ignored. Although the Elise is a hard ride, the transmission is quiet and for road trips the other creature comforts come in handy. If the Caterhams had acceptable transmission characteristics then I would not have bought the Elise. I think if the backlash and noises are not a problem for you then the Caterham range are great cars, also a good choice if the track is the main use; as had been said in this thread previously make sure you can live with all aspects of the Caterham experience, especially so in the newer cars.

[sng45]

Thanks very much for that - I have a supercharged Elise ( my sixth Elise) and really enjoy it. I think the advice regarding trying one (at length ) first is good, I think I'll focus on hiring one initially and see where I go from there.

Appreciate your comments

[Steveh7]

Hi sng45,
my email is [e-mail] if you want to get in touch about my SV. You’re welcome to come and take a look and a ride out - no obligation. If nothing else it might help you decide if a 7 is for you.
Steve