MB

Ok, this is a subject I have zero knowledge of...

But my old man has been on about getting one for a few weeks now. He sold his Honda VFR bike the other day, as he's about to hit 60 He used to race at a good level, so a Caterham would be ideal - a bit like a 4 wheeled bike for him.

It would be for a bit of road fun and a the odd track day. I actually like the idea of sharing one with him

What I don't understand is all the various types / makes / engines available.

Lotus 7 seems a bit pricey!

Anyone got any advice on what to go for and what to pay second hand? Can't build one due to other stuff in his garage.

This isn't the result of going in an R500 yesterday, honest

chilled

It was an R400. 210bhp, and weights feck all.

Gaspode

Depends if you want a real one built by the factory, a kit built by Joe Punter, or a kit car like a Dax Rush, Robin Hood etc etc.

Caterhams second hand are always pricey. But when you sell it that's a good thing.



Westfield?? do a wide bodied version as well - which is a good bit more comfy if there are 2 of you in it at the same time.


If you are on a tight budget - a well pre built kit might be for you.
Some idea of budget may help.

Also Caterham do day hire so you can have a nice jaunt in the car.

BTW - They are all about as waterproof as the flat roof extention I have.

Give Dreamer a PM... she drives one of those bath tubs.

MB

400 / 500, whatever

Gaspode - ta. I'm sure Jo will be along with my enticing thread title GE2 also.

I'd rather not buy one which had been built by a punter, ideally.

Gaspode

If you do some digging....
On Ebay ( probably punter built ) Dax Rush V8

MB

Ah, they do an R500!

Think Mr B senior is quite up for it, chatting to him earlier. A shared track car

So i've noticed that Westfields are a fair bit cheaper than Caterhams across the board. Enlighten me?

I was laughing at some of the bhp specs of Caterhams on Pistonheads

I also see that Lotus 340R are coming down in price...

chilled

Caterham do the SV which is widebodied too. If your dad is the same size as you Mark, then a normal one will be fine.

My personal advice, having looked, if not actually bought.

Choose what you want to do with it, then choose the sort of engine you want.

Lots of factory built caterhams out there.

And if you fancy a project, you have a month off at a time, build one yourself.

MB

Well somewhere around 150 bhp would be ideal, but then you always wan't more. I think that would be enough to get you into trouble!

Budget won't be that high though, maybe 15k max.

Gaspode

Caterham is the real LOTUS 7 ( They own the rights to make it )
Westfield is another company that build a product quite like the LOTUS 7.
Then there are a plethora of imitators...

MB

Good points Mark - Mr B snr is a bit chunkier than me.

I forgot to ask why you discounted one as an option, and running a diesel daily driver?