Caterham Time…!
- Thread starter timbob
- Start date
Unless you're particularly hardcore, you won't be using it during late autumn, winter and early spring. That could mean up to 6 months sat under a car cover not being used, which generally comes with a whole bunch of issues related to damage from damp / condensation and degradation to the rubbery bits (thats before you even consider bodywork damage from being sat under a car covering through winter storms etc too)
Ah okay, thanks. Sounds like it's a case of "man up" and use it, or not have one if you can't keep it inside.
A friend and I rented a 310S SV at Donnington in 2018 and I've never been able to shake the desire to have one since.
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It's not a case of it being too cold (although it is, especially as many cars don't have a heater) but too dangerous too when the roads are so slippy, particularly in autumn when the roads are wet and covered in leaves. Sideways on every roundabout even at normal speeds loses its appeal very quickly. You could probably mitigate that by having a separate set of winter wheels, but then you've got to store them too.
It’s easier to store a set of wheels than a car though
A friend of a friend recently bought a stunning red and yellow 420S SV which isn’t helping my yearning!
Don’t forget they’re not really mass produced every day cars with decades of advancement in rustproofing etc, designed for driving through the winter weather day in, day out.
It’s a mild steel tubular frame (powdercoated, yes, but it can and will chip) which is going to be particularly susceptible to the winter salt on the roads. I don’t plan on driving mine through the winter!
It’s a mild steel tubular frame (powdercoated, yes, but it can and will chip) which is going to be particularly susceptible to the winter salt on the roads. I don’t plan on driving mine through the winter!
Seems like a shame not to use it for half the year :/ Can they not be weather sealed?
Associate
car covers temporary yes okay but they bring lots of issues for the car just sat under it for months.
the moisture will still be there and will create lots of problems.
the moisture will still be there and will create lots of problems.
I used mine all year around. Wore a proper hat, scarf and gloves and it was fine. Didn't take it out if there was salt on the roads, but a bit of frost was fine. Mine was only a 1.6 with 135bhp, so it wouldn't really slide around unprovoked.
Wouldn't want to mess around in a 620 in those conditions, but the lesser models are fine!
They can - in that you could liberally coat the chassis tubes in waxoyl (or similar)… but you’ve still got the various grit traps where the aluminium skin is folded and riveted, around the chassis. Any salt getting in there is only going to accelerate the bi-metallic corrosion.
You can use them all year round, but I’d wager even a 3 or 4 year old car used year round is going to be in a worse state than a 20 year old car that’s garaged and only used in the dry.
Soldato
That looks amazing.
I always look at these and think "I really need to own a Seven at some point"...then remember how little I used my Elise and realise it'll probably just end up as as garage ornament
I always look at these and think "I really need to own a Seven at some point"...then remember how little I used my Elise and realise it'll probably just end up as as garage ornament
Thanks for the info. So much to think about. These cars are so appealing because of the excitement they offer, whilst not crippling you with harsh depreciation.
I guess the sensible thing is to get something like an Elise S3, but I can’t imagine it gives you even half of the fizz.
Soldato
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- 23 Mar 2011
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How's the caterham going? Starting to think about this as an option for myself. Similar budget to the OP for something like this. Not really sure which is the go to model to aim for
Associate
Fantastic pictures guys.
Making me jump on Autotrader and search!
Making me jump on Autotrader and search!
Absolutely love it. Been out here and there in it every opportunity I’ve had, perhaps 10 or 12 times now, a few family members have had rides and the other Friday was lovely so I took it on the hour’s drive to work (the long way)!
Bit of tinkering in the garage already - new mirrors and mirror mounts, and gathered the bits together now to replace the perished steering arm gaiter. That’s this weekend’s job…
But in the main, just getting used to it and starting to get a feel for it, bit by bit. It steers like nothing else I’ve ever driven. The feel is amazing. And it’s so simple and mechanical - you can literally tell how coarse the stones are in the tarmac.
There’s no “go-to” model, I don’t think, but a huge variety. It feels like there’s plenty of power in mine (138hp) but I wouldn’t want it any slower. You can certainly tell when you’ve got a passenger - the difference is very noticeable. Mine will be about 600kg including myself as driver. With a heavier passenger, the weight is pushing 700kg and the power to weight (which is what it’s all about) goes from 230/tonne to under 200… I like the windscreen. With the side screens on as well it’s fairly civilised (comparatively…) and the leather seats are comfy. I think you need to decide what use you want out of it - a car for the road with a screen, side doors, leather seats, carpets and sensible tyres will be very different from a track toy, which will have carbon seats, an aeroscreen and minimum road legal tread cut slick tyres on it.
Once you’ve worked out what you want to use it for and the spec you’re looking for, it’s well worth sitting in one. I joined the owners club and went along to a meet up before I bought mine. I’m 5’9” and only 12 stone - I certainly wouldn’t want to be any fatter to fit in mine (which is an S3 chassis - the SV is wider).
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Why the sale?
Oh, I didn't realise you had sold yours already! Did you replace it with the Alpine?