Caterham K or Sigma
Caterham K or Sigma
As I’m sure you all know I’ve been looking at Caterhams and humming and hawing, seen a couple that I was interested in but they sold. I Seem to be right on the budget line between a slightly fruitier, K series or a Sigma 1600. The K series cars do seem to generally have a better spec are lighter and are often well prepped for track. So.... talk me into or out of a K series, I had ruled them out on the basis of reliability and parts supply but the Caterham groups seem to think the added niggles are worth it for the character of the engine.
I don’t mind the odd chunky (500-1000) repair bill now and then I always looked after the Exige with fluids after 3 or 4 hours on track so that’s not a problem. Car would be a keeper if the Caterham experience lives up to the hype!
So, talk me into or out of a K. Is it a stupid move?
I don’t mind the odd chunky (500-1000) repair bill now and then I always looked after the Exige with fluids after 3 or 4 hours on track so that’s not a problem. Car would be a keeper if the Caterham experience lives up to the hype!
So, talk me into or out of a K. Is it a stupid move?
Rawsco
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
Re: Caterham K or Sigma
Nothing wrong with a K series, I ran a 1.6 Roadsport A with about 145bhp as a track/competition car for a good few years, the engine was brilliant (better than the 1.8 I think).
I used to take that car to KH and drive it for a solid 4 hours at a time changing gear on the limiter every gear change, the only thing it needed was brake pads and fuel. I did this for years . . .
I'd get one with 6 speed box, a dry sump and larger front brakes (the small brakes struggle at KH if you can drive), get rid of the windscreen too.
Wish I'd never sold it really . . . far better track car than an Elise type car . . .
I used to take that car to KH and drive it for a solid 4 hours at a time changing gear on the limiter every gear change, the only thing it needed was brake pads and fuel. I did this for years . . .
I'd get one with 6 speed box, a dry sump and larger front brakes (the small brakes struggle at KH if you can drive), get rid of the windscreen too.
Wish I'd never sold it really . . . far better track car than an Elise type car . . .
- rossybee
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Re: Caterham K or Sigma
Spot on there. Take care of a K and you'll be fine - get oil temp up before thrashing.fd wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2020 1:37 pmNothing wrong with a K series, I ran a 1.6 Roadsport A with about 145bhp as a track/competition car for a good few years, the engine was brilliant (better than the 1.8 I think).
I used to take that car to KH and drive it for a solid 4 hours at a time changing gear on the limiter every gear change, the only thing it needed was brake pads and fuel. I did this for years . . .
I'd get one with 6 speed box, a dry sump and larger front brakes (the small brakes struggle at KH if you can drive), get rid of the windscreen too.
Wish I'd never sold it really . . . far better track car than an Elise type car . . .
Both my caterhams were Ks and the supposed HGF was non-existent.
Would have another aeroed K in a heartbeat
Ross
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1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
Re: Caterham K or Sigma
I thought HGF was a lotus /MG thing due to the mid mounting, hot engine bay and extra stress on the water pump at low revs with the resistance of the long hoses to the front. Reading through the Caterham groups there doesn’t seem to be many HGF complaints. I do like a revvy lump.
Rawsco
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
Re: Caterham K or Sigma
What you want is a Duratec. Miles more torque than the Sigma and much tougher than the K, and readily tuneable up to 220bhp if you want even more grunt.
By happy coincidence I happen to have a tiny mileage 2013 SV Roadsport Duratec 175 I am thinking of selling There could be a very good pre-Spring deal to be done for an SE member. PM me if you would like more details
By happy coincidence I happen to have a tiny mileage 2013 SV Roadsport Duratec 175 I am thinking of selling There could be a very good pre-Spring deal to be done for an SE member. PM me if you would like more details
Re: Caterham K or Sigma
I’d also ruled out a Westfield then came across this
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... w/10255215
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... w/10255215
Rawsco
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
- rossybee
- Posts: 10976
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Re: Caterham K or Sigma
Smells like a canoerawsco wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2020 7:37 pmI’d also ruled out a Westfield then came across this
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... w/10255215
Ross
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
Re: Caterham K or Sigma
I've owned both a Caterham and a Westfield. Probably shouldn't say this since I will be selling mine soon, but I don't think Caterhams justify the huge price premium over a Westfield. Westfields also have the distinct advantage of double wishbone IRS rather than the crude de-dion set up of a Cat (CSR excepted of course). The de-dion works well on track, much less so on your typical bumpy UK B road.
Having said that Caterhams inhabit a little bubble apparently immune to the normal laws of used car depreciation, so you can be pretty sure of getting back the extra outlay when you sell.
Having said that Caterhams inhabit a little bubble apparently immune to the normal laws of used car depreciation, so you can be pretty sure of getting back the extra outlay when you sell.
Re: Caterham K or Sigma
You certainly seem to get more performance per pound out a Westfield for sure, the double wishbone suspension is interesting. My fear was/is that the horror stories of build quality issues given they are kit cars was a real concern and that I should try and aim for a factory built Cat. But given It’ll be a track day car the Mazda running gear in that one I linked to is interesting as that seems to be pretty bomb proof for track work.
Rawsco
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
2021 - Tesla M3LR
2019 - Exige 410
Re: Caterham K or Sigma
A westfield is pretty much a kit car, a Caterham is, if factory built, not really a kit car. The amount of 'kit car' determines the amount of unreliability, difficult to solve problems and time not driving the car . . .rawsco wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2020 10:31 amYou certainly seem to get more performance per pound out a Westfield for sure, the double wishbone suspension is interesting. My fear was/is that the horror stories of build quality issues given they are kit cars was a real concern and that I should try and aim for a factory built Cat. But given It’ll be a track day car the Mazda running gear in that one I linked to is interesting as that seems to be pretty bomb proof for track work.
If you're really into endless f*cking about then a westy is fine, but if you want to thrash it on track, then . . . thrash it on track, a Caterham is the thing. Buy an ex racer . . . that's all it knows . . .
Don't be swayed by all the double wishbone bollocks, it may be great on a Lotus (who DO suspension) but the Caterham De-Dion is perfect on track when combined with a plate LSD.
I've driven lots of these things over the years, the Caterham is the hands down best track car . . . you will learn a lot driving one . . . you will probably realise how compromised an Elise or Elise variant really is as a track car . . .
Now must be a good time to buy, assuming anybody is selling . . .
- douglasgdmw
- Posts: 2754
- Joined: Thu Apr 27, 2006 1:31 pm
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Re: Caterham K or Sigma
Noticed this on collectingcars.com in case you did not manage to get anything yet:
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/199 ... r-7-sprint
Remember that on collecting cars the buyer pays the commission and not the seller ( 6% premium including VAT, minimum of £600, with a cap at £6,000)
George
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/199 ... r-7-sprint
Remember that on collecting cars the buyer pays the commission and not the seller ( 6% premium including VAT, minimum of £600, with a cap at £6,000)
George
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
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