Caterham R400 K-series

[yoda]

I’ve been looking for a fast K series Caterham for quite a while and came across the perfect car. 2003 Caterham R400 Superlight, 2 owners and 6k miles from new. Ordered with pretty much every option ticked - 1.8 K-series on roller barrels, dry sump, LSD, carbon wings, carbon dash, carbon/kevlar seats, stack dash, brake upgrade, R500 MB mag wheels, keyless ignition and a heater.

it’s about 220bhp, under 500kg and the K series engine loves to rev. It’s a hoot to drive and very lively when pushing on. I love it.

Perfect timing for a winter hack!

[hot66]

Very nice Feroz that will be quick

[johnM]

Lovely car Feroz, always really loved the way Caterhams drive, there is nothing like it!!

Ive had 6 years and 40000 miles in Caterhams and had so much fun in them. Enjoy!!

[Mike]

That looks great fun, wonder if you could get away with a smaller front plate though.....

[one-two]

Fabulous!

[dragonfly]

That looks superb, and it must go like a rocket with those specs.

[inaglasshouse]

Looks good Feroz.
Winter hack, you say... will be a bit frisky in the rain?

[johnM]

Looks good Feroz.
Winter hack, you say... will be a bit frisky in the rain?

One on my most exciting drives to work was one winters morning. Looked out of the window and was a good couple of inches of fresh snow. Thought I’ll take the Caterham!! Went the back lanes and it was all virgin snow and was sideways all the way to work and finished off with a bag full of donuts in the works car park. Happy days!!

[markm]

Nice car Feroz. I had a R500 K series caterham in the same colour, lamborghini burnt orange I believe. Crackin car, did Le Mans in it 3 times, had an absolute blast in it. For me, the K series cars are better than the later Duratec engined ones, as you say, the K series is a screamer of a engine and thats where the fun is.

Driving one in the wet certainly does test your reflex reaction time

[yoda]

Thanks guys. Yes, it is properly quick and the feeling is exaggerated by the exposure and low seating position. Is fast, feels twice as fast! It's really nice to drive at sensible speeds though as there is still plenty to do and the car is very responsive. I just enjoyed being out on a dry evening with the open air smells and sounds around me.

Mike - you'll be happy to know some new plates are on my to do list including a smaller front plate.

In reality I am not going to use it when there is salt on the roads so not a winter hack. I agree with John though, you can have a real giggle in the wet or if slippery. I drove it home with my daughter and the roads were quite greasy. Little inputs of gas and steering was all that was needed to drive down the lanes crossed up everywhere. My daughter thought it was hilarious and it made oversteer easy to explain.

[911hillclimber]

Hillclimb it?
I've only been in one on a sprint track once as a passenger driven by the owner who is a semi-pro instructor for tracks etc.
Could not get over the suppleness of the suspension, the insane level of grip and the brakes....analogue hardly describes it.

Great experience. Keep it nice and loose no money.

[anglophone1]

I’ve always fancied one Feroz but doubt whether I could get in it, let alone get out!
When I did hillclimb school at Gurston Down in Jaffa 911 a couple of years back, half the cars were Caterhanms.
C

[yoda]

I do like the idea of hill climbing and will probably try the Prescott school and some others. It seems like there is a lot of waiting around and then you have a minute of fun and then another long wait. I'll definitely have a go but I think a few trackdays may be more my thing.

[210bhp]

The waiting around is where all the great comradery and inter-run teasing happens Feroz. It’s great fun.

Nice purchase by the way. Looks great.

Regards
Mike

[911hillclimber]

I organise and run the hillclimb school at Loton Park hill climb, 8 runs a day.
Many do not take the 8th run as they are too knackered.

Time spent in the paddock at a hill climb event will put your social skills to the test too, bantam does not cover it.
Do a school, I did Prescott in 1991 and was hooked.