Help for a newbie

[pugwash]

Hi Alan,  welcome.

I have a 2012 Supersport with a similar but not identical to the car in the ad.  SV, lowered floors etc.  I built mine in 2012 and had Caterham IVA it.  As has been previously stated, it makes no difference whether you home build or factory build for the registration to be a normal one and not Q.  The original supersports came on 13inch wheels, bilstein shocks, had the LSD as standard and also had a bespoke dash layout with the minor instruments clustered and the switches in a single group.  Carbon dash was an option but they only came in standard layout and not the Supersport version.  
The whole sprint ratio story is interesting and caused a few ructions at the time as the linked thread shows.  Mine came with a standard 5 speed Ford box and a quicker diff, and was one of the first to use the BMW casing rather than the Ford.  I did chase Caterham on the box issue.  Initially they said it was short production run and there were none left, but on chasing they did say that if I really wanted I could swap my box for the "sprint" box as they would find me one.  I had built the car by then and when I looked at the ratios there wasn't much in it so I decided to stick with what I had.  There was a story going around that in order to market such a low 0-60 time they had used "sprint" ratios in the demonstrator but never really intended these to be in full production.  Not sure if that's true or not.
They also came with tillets as standard with an option on leathers.  The GT seats were an option but were supposed to be a lot heavier and so I stuck with the standard leather seats.  Supersports all had black packs as standard, and a smaller suede steering wheel with Supersport in the middle.

Of course then as now you can order any options you like on a Caterham to personal taste and all Caterham's are excellent, regardless of what you get.  So that could be a Supersport or perhaps a Roadsport (hence the 15 inch wheels) with some Supersport bits on it.  

Not sure if any of this helps but let me know if I can be of any assistance.

Mark.

[Tazio]

I wouldn't get hung up on a specific car at this stage Alan, especially as the dealer has limited experience of Caterhams, if you are insistent on an SV, the 2.3 Duratec at Millwood would in my eyes be a better bet, and Jon the proprietor of Millwood is one of the good guys.

 

Sit in a few, ride in a few, don't let your heart rule your head....yet.

[K7 VCT]

The first time you drive one you will be smitten. .....

View, drive as many as you can, every car is different

[andy_harries]

"I'm in Hemel so perhaps once the lock down is sorted I could pop over?"

 

Of course, no problem.  I'll send you my mobile number so we can arrange logistics

[John Vine]

Lots of good advice above.

Clearly this dealer is not very knowledgeable about Caterhams, and certainly doesn't understand the Q-plate system.  No mainstream Caterham dealer is going to list every cost-option, especially the "Fully removable Wet Weather Gear" (which few owners will be likely to use anyway, favouring the half-hood instead).  I suspect he's simply trying to justify his price.  (Question to Sigma owners: Is £25K correct for this car?)

Like others have said, try not to get hung up on a particular car, especially so early in your research.  See and try a variety if you can, and concentrate on the established and well-known Caterham dealers.  They advertise regularly in LF and will be known personally to Club members.     

If, for the present, you do want to pursue this car, I would suggest you ask the dealer for the Reg # (why is he hiding it?).  With that, you can establish its MOT history and tax status.  1500 miles over 6+ years is not very encouraging news.  It suggests a few short journeys with long gaps in between.  If for some reason he won't divulge the Reg # over the phone, ask for the VIN.  With that, you can approach the Caterham archivist, who'll be able to confirm details of the actual model and spec. 

Good luck in your hunt!

JV

 

[Toughie]

I was a Sigma owner.  A Roadsport 140 SV with full weather gear, heater, standard roll bar.  I bought it in 2016 for £23,000. 

'Course, as I say above, I didn't have the common sense then to join the club first and ask around.

Dunno about the price now, but I would have thought that a bit high. 

[AlanO]

Thanks for the offer Stephen, I may well get back in touch once we are out of lockdown. I take your point about an S3 and suspect that would be a better fit for me, it's just that I have to take my other half in the equation!  Heaven knows how you cope with those speed bumps down Berko High St by the way :-)

[AlanO]

Thanks. Yes, I had a response from the dealer re gearbox and diff (Titan), but I'd decided already not to pursue it.  Going to be patient and wait for lockdown to end.

[K7 VCT]

By yourself a 270 with the tivct sigma and get it up to the 310 spec with a lighter flywheel, you will love the revs.....

[ScottR400D]

#34 ....or a 420 which revs even higher! 

[Golf Juliet Tango]

Heaven knows how you cope with those speed bumps down Berko High St by the way :-)

    Well as it is a 20mph speed limit it isn't much of a problem! 

[heptagon]

I'm also looking at coming back into a Caterham and would vote for going to one of the well known Specialists, I personally get wary of anything appearing elsewhere with random dealers.  Someone who knows the cars will give you proper after sales help and probably buy it back off you when you come to move on eventually 

[Piers300]

Re your first post about needing an SV and being 14 st 6. I was 16 st 4 and 5ft 10 and fitted snugly into an S3. You are firmly placed and don’t get any movement when attacking corners. Since retiring, I’ve slimmed down to 12st 12 andat nearly 70, can still get in and out with the roof up. Your idea to wait till the end of the virus problem is good. Then visit the dealers and sit and drive a few and then make the decision. Don’t buy the first car you find that you like. There is always something better out there. My advice is contact Sevens & Classics at Brands Hatch. They are all experts and Ex Caterham people. Andy Noble is the man to contact.

[AlanO]

Thanks Piers300, that's sound advice which I will take. (as is the advice from others which is being digested and taken onboard). Our ages are pretty similar, I'm just a few years younger, so welcome your comment about a standard chassis although I have to assume I'll have a passenger - that may turn out to be inaccurate but for the purposes of me obtaining 'approval' to get a Cat I have to talk about 'our' car and plan accordingly ;-).

[John Vine]

...but for the purposes of me obtaining 'approval' to get a Cat...

Or you could do what I did when I bought my first 7 in 1999:  "Well, darling, if not a Caterham, then I'm toying with the idea of getting another motorbike".

JV

[Piers300]

Alan - Thank you for your message. I'm now 34 years into Caterham ownership, so I have had a go at most things 7 oriented. I did say the S3 was snug and with a passenger, your shoulders may be touching. I would not have it any other way ! However, my wife has never complained and we have been on some long trips to France etc. When I ordered my first 7 in June 1984 (Delivered in Aug 85), no such thing as an SV existed, so I have never been in an SV. However, I do have friends with the SV and they are very happy with them. Each to their own, hence trying each variant for size. I fully understand getting your wife on board with the purchase. However, it is only on Holiday Trips that my wife has joined me, so my local outings (Blats) with Kent 7 friends is normally a solo event. One thing that may help you is to buy the book, "The Magnificent 7" by Chris Rees. I think it is on it's third edition. This book details all the Caterham Models ( Plus Lotus 7) and will give you a good understanding of the variations in specifications.

[AlanO]

Or substitute "another motorbike" with "another wife" ;-)

[AlanO]

Piers - I ordered the book yesterday!! Spent all this afternoon watching YouTube build videos and reading more build blogs.

[Piers300]

Alan, I can assure you that the wait in getting a 7 is worth it.

Once the book arrives, this gives you the ammunition to find what really suits you.

For me the following things are important:

Roll Bar - If you intend to do track days then you need the FIA approved version.

Having a Full Hood is good, even if you never use it.

Seats - Leather or Tillets. You need to try them all. Don't underestimate the Tillets, they are very comfortable, but get very cold in the winter. You can get seat inserts to keep your bum warm. Your wife will prefer the leather seats. Mine does.

Gearbox. 5 Speed for touring. Caterham's 6 speed box 6th gear is the same as a five speed 4th gear, so cruising can get tiresome. So 5th on a 5 speed is a good overdrive gear for long distance. Ear plugs needed for any trip. I now have to wear hearing aids. I can's say the 7 has damaged my hearing but it has not helped.

Quick release Momo steering wheel is useful but not essential. The other wheel used is MotaLita. Both are nice.

Tonneau cover is useful. Easy to put on and keeps prying eyes out of the car.

Always have a spare clutch cable and throttle cable in the car. I've broken a number over the years.

Wheels - 13 or 15" Anthracite are the one's to get otherwise Minilite style. 14" wheels, tyre availability is limited as far as selection goes.

Four point seat belts essential. You just feel safer strapped in.

Soft Bits for Sevens (SBFS) Short or long rain cover recommended. It packs up very small and the long one keeps the rain off the engine area when parked overnight, Have a look at their web site, they do good bits for 7's

SBFS Half hood recommended. My wife likes this when raining.

Heated front windscreen good if you use the full hood.

Limited Slip Differential - great if you do track days. However, for road use nice but not essential.

Dry sump - great to have for track days. 

Lowered floors are great. I don't have them but have driven an R300D with them and really appreciated them.

If you get into touring with your wife, intercoms are useful. Plus you can use a Radio (Walkie Talkie) to talk to other 7's

Having a heater is very beneficial. Your wife will like it.

Big brake kit. My car has it as standard but my old 7 stopped fine.

After 1985, most 7's had the De Dion set up. Live axle (Marina) on earlier models. I've had both and prefer the De Dion.

You will need a fully automatic battery charger to connect to the battery when in the garage.  CTEK 5 amp is the one to get. The integral car alarm discharges 24/7 and will flatten a battery in 4 weeks or less.

Hope this helps. If some of  these items are included with what ever you buy, then great.

 

 

 

[Billy.Whizz]

I would like to get that book, I've seen it on Amazon for around £25. Is that about the right price, also it's In hardback 4th edition (2018), does anyone know if this is the current issue please.

Thanks.Bill.

[AlanO]

I've ordered it via WH Smiths, 4th ed. £26 + p&p

[AlanO]

Yes,thanks with you on all of that except perhaps the lowered floor (I'm too short), dry sump and LSD (very little if any track days planned although I appreciate that might change). For people's amusement I confess to already owning a CTEK5 charger as it's needed for our caravan (go on have a laugh).

[Billy.Whizz]

Thanks Alan, bit cheaper on Amazon then and free postage.

[Geoff Brown]

With a higher power Duratec models (300/400/500/620) there is one 'extra' that you do not need & that is a heater. In winter your feet are pleasantly warm after about 20 miles. The rest of you will be dressed accordingly any way.

Unfortunately in summer the feet bake at about gas mark 6 even with primary wrapping.

Also not having a heater sheds weight of at least a kilo!

Beware of the BMW/Titan LSD !!

[John Vine]

With a higher power Duratec models (300/400/500/620) there is one 'extra' that you do not need & that is a heater.

Well, Geoff, here's one R400D owner who'd disagree with that!  For me, it's probably down to history.  In my youth, I rode bikes for five years in all weathers, followed by a couple of old bangers.  It wasn't until I was on my third car that I actually had a heater.  It was sheer luxury, and has probably scarred me for life.

JV