Which Caterham do i go for?

[alanp]

I will be buying secondhand, but which model?
It will be a pure toy for mainly fast road use and a few trackdays. I think the 1.8 supersport with 6 speed would be the very thing, but any advice would be welcome. Thanks in advance

[DavidP]

Good choice Alan
How much are you looking to spend?

[domster]

Superlight R if you can afford it.

Superlight (1.6) if you can't.

These are much better dynamically than the standard 1.8s, good value if you were going to load up your 1.8 with 6 speed box and a few options anyway, and will hold their value much better come resale time.

I'd advise getting the windscreen/weather gear as an option, definitely go for paintwork and maybe comfy seats if you have a bony ar5e or do a lot of time on the road.

Rgds
Domster
(Ex owner of two prev Caterhams)

[alanp]

Ideally as little as possible! but around £18k ish

[anonymous-user]

if its still there, the black 1.6 superlight at caterham with the white stripe! yum!
I think the sort of price range you are looking at is full of exotica, plenty of 1.8 supersports and a few older 2L vauxhall engined cars. Having done plenty of research myself (as i hope to be buying one within a year or so) i think that a 1.6 superlight is the only choice! I would be surprised if you dont find a few around 18k but if you struggle the 1.8SS would be a more than adequate alternative!

good luck!


try the lotus 7 club website www.blatchat.com

[nmlowe]

Why not have a break from the norm. and for your £18k get an Ariel Atom?

[JonRB]

I test drove a 1.8 VVC last August and accidentally bought a Chimaera 500 instead. Oops.

[MikeE]

Funny, I test drove a Superlight 1.6 and ditched the Tuscan (which feels like a barge in comparison ) for the Caterham - great fun laying waste to all those Elises/Imprezzas/Chimps at trackdays as well...

Mike.

[mel]

How tall and fat are you?

At 6'2" and 16 stone I can't even get in a standard one without taking the steering wheel off, and had to drive it with either no shoes or plymsols/race booties needless to say I didn't keep it long. But they are damm good fun I must admit

[Fatboy]

Don't they do an 'sv' or something Caterham which is basically a bit longer and (more importantly) wider for us more pie-happy types?

IIRC Russell Bulgin from EVO reviewed it a while ago?

[domster]

Almost read that as 'SUV' and had an image of the Caterham Cayenne appear in my mind.... ;-))))

The SV is a bit wider and longer. I am 6'1" and fit in normal ones (even short cockpit models), although it should be noted that it tends to be the adjustable leather seats that take up a lot of the cockpit space - bench seats grant you an extra 3 inches m'lud. I'm not saying it's comfortable on long journeys mind you...

[AndrewD]

Go for the Superlight R, no question. Serious, serious huge fun (especially if you run it on ACB10's or slicks ). And don't bother with a windscreen, the aeroscreen is the one to go for.

Andrew
Yellow Superlight R and ex 3 times TVR-owner (though my girlfriend still has one!)

[456mgt]

I would go for the SLR too. I had one last year and it was a total blast. Just so exhilarating, and the crackling & popping you get on the over-run is addictive as hell.

[alanp]

Thanks for the top advice chaps 1.6 Superlight with weather kit and competiton exhaust was purchased this morning Sorry pablo its was the one you suggested!
Only problem is I cant wait to collect it now and am going to have to recalibrate my brain to drive it properly, roll on the summer

[domster]

Nice one Alan - you've made a really good choice there. Especially re the aeroscreens, although I did drive my sevens for 2.5 years as an only car, including commuting, so I appreciate a hood and wipers...

Rgds
Domster