Caterham's

[atolhurst]

Am thinking of buying one and would like some info about how they are to live with.

How tall can you be before it becomes completely impractical to drive? Are they unbearably noisy to take them on a motorway for example? And how effective are the covers you put on when it rains?

Finally, insurance. A rought idea about what i might expect to pay would be v helpful.

thanks.

[rugeleyboy]

sorry i am not gonna be much use to you but.......

jeremy clarkson drove one last week and he is over 6ft, i dont remember him complaining......ok he only drove it 20ft?

[tali122]

essentially they are 2nd cars best used for track days , excellent depreciation try this link http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/index.php?url=/car bycar/index.htm
ps i think the stig drove one and not clarkson, as for insurance try under a classic scheme

[rugeleyboy]

stig drove one from london whilst the other 3 built one.........then clarkson drove the one they built over the finnish/start line?

[furrycheeky]

I have driven one and the are fun to drive. A bit bone shaking on rough roads. You get no creature comforts on them and although I had "full weather gear" fitted it was never 100% waterproof. Yes they are noisy at times and you get almost nothing in terms of storage space.
I am 6`2" and the height waas not probs although my one had an adjustable pedal box on its full length.
Insurance is not bad as long as you go for a specialist company and stipulate a limited mileage per year.

[Toureman]

I drove a 150 BHP Caterham on a track day on Circuit Mon a few weeks ago, it was fantastic, I have never cornered so fast in my life before. I enjoyed the exhaust and tyre squeal, both were loud!

BUT, I would only drive one on the road on sunny days for fun, that is if I could afford to run it just as a fun car, they are not good for an everyday car, no luggage, very cramped but height is not a problem, I am 6ft. It would be very boring on a motorway keeping to 70mph.

Keep it on a track.

[wallis1007]

Got mine a short while ago.Totally impractical and so much fun. Not a car for running granny around. As has already been said, definitely a second car.Noisy? mine came with an intercom system so you can talk to the person sat next to you! But ear plugs work, and you really won't care about the noise anyway as you'll having to much fun.I've got mine on limited mileage ( 4000 ) and it costs a bit over �100. I have never had to use the cover yet but suspect it would keep out most of the rain. I'm 6ft and built like a brick outhouse and I have room to spare.If any of these cause any doubt then don't buy. If you do buy, then have everything checked that you possibly can. Get in touch with the club, they will help you no end. Chances are they will actually know the car you are buying. The only problems I have found so far is trying to get the smile off my face and the front end starts to lift at about 130 mph.