Another Caterham buying thought

[Alaskossie]

Not going to register in NJ, going to do what you and Karl have done.

 

I like the 2005 SV its the right color, has the 6speed box, lsd and brakes decent engine.

 

I can upgrade the seats, belts and suspension easily myself. It is a S3 SV but price is right.

 

no financing and I can upgrade as funds are available.

 

I do want to change the dash on it to the flat R500 dash with all the buttons and stack display or something similar.

 

Cyberbug,

 

Here's an anorak, hoping to de-confuse things. a bit... The S3 (i. e., Series 3) and the SV are two different Caterham models. The S3 is the traditional, narrow Seven chassis, close to the original Lotus 7 in size. The SV (also known as the "Fat Bastard") is the larger Seven, 4 inches wider across the cockpit, with proportions adjusted so well that it is hard to tell the difference unless it is parked next to a S3. Bo the S3 and the SV have deDion rear suspension.

 

The CSR is the fully-independent suspension Seven (inboard front suspension), with exterior and cockpit dimensions very close to the SV.

 

Hope this helps de-confuse.

[Guest Terry]

Cyberbug,

 

Here's an anorak, hoping to de-confuse things. a bit... The S3 (i. e., Series 3) and the SV are two different Caterham models. The S3 is the traditional, narrow Seven chassis, close to the original Lotus 7 in size. The SV (also known as the "Fat Bastard") is the larger Seven, 4 inches wider across the cockpit, with proportions adjusted so well that it is hard to tell the difference unless it is parked next to a S3. Bo the S3 and the SV have deDion rear suspension.

 

The CSR is the fully-independent suspension Seven (inboard front suspension), with exterior and cockpit dimensions very close to the SV.

 

Hope this helps de-confuse.

 

I'm confused

[Kitcat]

A problem w/the leather and cloth seats is they dont provide for an anchor strap. And a 4 point harness is pretty worthless with out that. In other words you should have a 5 point/6 point harness system, esp if you are tracking your car. You can put the anchor strap in front of the seat and flop it up over the front edge of the seat cushion. But that only provides the illusion of saftey as there is then so much slop in the anchor strap (due to compressing the soft seat cushion when stressed), that it serves no purpose.

 

So, if track days are part of your goal, I'd go w/a race seat design. I have Caterham's CF Tilet for myself and Tilet fiberglass for passenger. Both are very nice/ridiculously expensive.

 

As to leather vs. cloth, I loved my cloth Caterham seats. Very comfortable for touring. I think they grip your body better than leather and dont get as hot in the sun. They don't look as cool tho. I have done 650 mile jaunts in a day in my CF Tilets and they are ok, not great-the cloth Caterham seats are barco-loungers in comparison. I love the Tilets at the track, much better than cloth and of course, the anchor strap provides some security. (BTW-I am 5'9", 160 lbs).

[JohnCh]

Then a S3 it is. My suggestion even though I'm a racer is avoid the Carbon or composite seats unless you are less than 160 lbs, they are dreadful, the leather is the way to go.

 

I'm 190lb with a very bad back, and the MOG seats are the most comfortable place for me to sit. Better than the Porsches, the Sparcos in the Miata, and any chair in the house. To be fair, I do find the MOGs more comfortable than the Tillets, but there are a lot of people who swear by those too for long distance touring. Bottom line, this is definitely a YMMV kind of thing.

 

-John

[Cyberbug]

Then a S3 it is. My suggestion even though I'm a racer is avoid the Carbon or composite seats unless you are less than 160 lbs, they are dreadful, the leather is the way to go.

 

150lbs 5' 9"

[Croc]

A problem w/the leather and cloth seats is they dont provide for an anchor strap. And a 4 point harness is pretty worthless with out that. In other words you should have a 5 point/6 point harness system, esp if you are tracking your car. You can put the anchor strap in front of the seat and flop it up over the front edge of the seat cushion. But that only provides the illusion of saftey as there is then so much slop in the anchor strap (due to compressing the soft seat cushion when stressed), that it serves no purpose.

 

So, if track days are part of your goal, I'd go w/a race seat design. I have Caterham's CF Tilet for myself and Tilet fiberglass for passenger. Both are very nice/ridiculously expensive.

 

I can correct this misimpression. I have the leather loungers in my car. I also have the six point belts and use them on track. They are designed by Caterham to come out over the top of the seat base (between the backrest and the rear of the seat base). It then does up tightly without the lower seat cushion being part of the belt system.

 

I agree that if you are tracking go for the full six point harness as anything else is not as safe.

 

I used the SV sized Tillet (B2?) on a track day last year and like it for locating me in the car on the track but I hated it for long distances. The leather loungers are much nicer for touring.

 

There is also new Caterham GT sports seat which looks like a new compromise between the old leather seat and Tillets. Have not tried them myself.

 

http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/img/p/4815-5117-large.jpg

 

 

Blubarisax has a set of the SV sized Tillets to try out in his car. They are bigger than the standard S3 sized seats but will give you a taste of whether they are right for you.

Edited April 8, 2012 by Croc

[Guest Terry]

At Snetterton last week one of the cars that Caterham bought to the track was an R400 fitted with these seats, I drove it and the seats are great, however they aren't making them anymore.