Caterham - am I mad?
25 November 2002, 08:53 AM
#31
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The point I was trying to get across is, that if you get hit on a bike or in a Westfield/Caterham you might end up dead.
Nobody wants that, the safer the car the better. As the guy states the drivers are mad and dangerous round his way, it's not the fact you may be a good drive as it's always a loony car driver that makes the mistake.
At the end of the day you want a car that you can enjoy and be safe. That's what makes the VX220 better than the rest simply because it's safer (side impact bars/ABS/Etc.).
I would love a good bike or a single seater type affair, but I have family so cannot take the risk.
Regds,
Mantamagic
Nobody wants that, the safer the car the better. As the guy states the drivers are mad and dangerous round his way, it's not the fact you may be a good drive as it's always a loony car driver that makes the mistake.
At the end of the day you want a car that you can enjoy and be safe. That's what makes the VX220 better than the rest simply because it's safer (side impact bars/ABS/Etc.).
I would love a good bike or a single seater type affair, but I have family so cannot take the risk.
Regds,
Mantamagic
25 November 2002, 10:05 AM
#33
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mantamagic,
sorry mate, but in case you didn't notice you're sounding like complete to$$er on this thread...
yes teh vauxhall is a good car... so fcukin enjoy it then instead of trying to prove its better than an elise (it *Doesn't* handle the same), better than a caterham, better than a westfield. How old are you ? There is no better, just different people, different cars and different subjective agendas. Now shut the F up ... theres a good lad.
sorry mate, but in case you didn't notice you're sounding like complete to$$er on this thread...
yes teh vauxhall is a good car... so fcukin enjoy it then instead of trying to prove its better than an elise (it *Doesn't* handle the same), better than a caterham, better than a westfield. How old are you ? There is no better, just different people, different cars and different subjective agendas. Now shut the F up ... theres a good lad.
25 November 2002, 10:08 AM
#34
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That's what makes the VX220 better than the rest simply because it's safer (side impact bars/ABS/Etc.)
Den
25 November 2002, 10:46 AM
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I must admit, I did worry about safety in my Caterham a couple of years ago – so I went to test-drive an Elise. And while it drove ok, it wasn’t as much fun or as direct or as fast as my Caterham. So I guess it’s a personal choice – you can’t have everything. I really like Elise’s but they’re just so boring and slow compared to a Seven. Every time I drive it, it gives me a buzz. It’s simply awesome, it goes like stink, corners like it’s on rails and if it does get out of shape on a corner, it’s so easy to bring it back in line. It’s only a 1.6ss, 6-speed (less than 140 bhp), but you really don’t need any more power for the road. And on the track, I can get past VX220’s like they’re standing still. Not bad for a naff K-series!!!
[Edited by Dave_7 - 12/3/2002 2:00:21 PM]
[Edited by Dave_7 - 12/3/2002 2:00:21 PM]
25 November 2002, 11:45 PM
#39
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Dodge it would not make much difference to the way you drive, if anything the snow could provide extra traction instead of all them WET LEAVS we seem to be skating on 
This is what a typical blast in the westy sounds like
Pull up at house, call dodge
Wheel spin (not intentional) to the end of the road
Pull out of junction...Sideways.....continue sideways fro 50 yards... Stop.
Pull off sideways... continue side ways for another 70 yards, before stepping the tail out to turn the corner, then more sideways tail snaking up the road onto the A road.
NOW.. the A road way is the funny part, this is the only part the car straightens up, is very weird looking forwards in a westy, you spend so much of the time looking over your shoulder to drive hehe
This is what a typical blast in the westy sounds like
Pull up at house, call dodge
Wheel spin (not intentional) to the end of the road
Pull out of junction...Sideways.....continue sideways fro 50 yards... Stop.
Pull off sideways... continue side ways for another 70 yards, before stepping the tail out to turn the corner, then more sideways tail snaking up the road onto the A road.
NOW.. the A road way is the funny part, this is the only part the car straightens up, is very weird looking forwards in a westy, you spend so much of the time looking over your shoulder to drive
hehe
26 November 2002, 07:59 AM
#41
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Jackal, I do not take kindly to the remark about being a to$$er.
I have given an opinion that is all.
Autocar magazine placed a comment against the Elise, stating that it provides more pleasure per mile than even a Caterham.
As the Vx220 has the Elise chassis, it is therefore a similar car. The k-series engine in the Elise sounds terrible when it is on song compared to the Ecotech 2.2 in the Vx220. As for the Caterham & Westfield, Westfield's generally handle better than Caterham's or so my friend tell's me who is a Westfield expert (he won a hill climb trophy last year).
There is one car in particular which I like, it's called a Megablade. It's literally a Westfield which has a motorbike engine.
Please respect any of the comments I or others have made, We are not by any means experts. At the end of the day whe are only trying to help.
Regds,
Mantamagic
I have given an opinion that is all.
Autocar magazine placed a comment against the Elise, stating that it provides more pleasure per mile than even a Caterham.
As the Vx220 has the Elise chassis, it is therefore a similar car. The k-series engine in the Elise sounds terrible when it is on song compared to the Ecotech 2.2 in the Vx220. As for the Caterham & Westfield, Westfield's generally handle better than Caterham's or so my friend tell's me who is a Westfield expert (he won a hill climb trophy last year).
There is one car in particular which I like, it's called a Megablade. It's literally a Westfield which has a motorbike engine.
Please respect any of the comments I or others have made, We are not by any means experts. At the end of the day whe are only trying to help.
Regds,
Mantamagic
26 November 2002, 09:43 AM
#42
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Westfield's generally handle better than Caterham's
And the Elise/VX220 *DO NOT* have side impact bars of any kind - or at least, when the 'Lotus Elise - Inside Story' video was made, they didn't. Side impact bars would add lots of weight to the chassis, and Lotus had enough trouble keeping weight down, due to the necessary strengthening at the rear of the car.
Den
[Edited by Dirty_Den - 11/26/2002 9:48:12 AM]
26 November 2002, 10:37 AM
#44
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Mantamagic,
okay apologies i was in a bit of a mood yesterday but today am full of love so will be more gentle ... and BTW, i didnt say you were a to$$er but said that you sounded like one which quite frankly you did.
Can you not see that your just inventing these ludicrous assertions in order to try and prove that your car is the best.... its pathetic. Every car has pros and cons and all men are different and look for a car to do different things and behave in different ways. One you get that into your head you'll realise that its futile to sit on any BBS defending your vauxhall or whatever else ... if you enjoy it then good for you. If you secretly don't then get rid of it and try something else.
just to clear up a few points as well:
1) Autocar may have said that and some may argue that its true (in fact on teh road i would say I'd probably agree in some ways) but on the track the reverse is most definitely true. Also, this statement doesn't prove one is better than the other... and it certainly doesn't back up your original advice that "caterhams are to be avoided". WHilst your VX220 is a great car, on teh track it would feel like a bus next to a caterfield so you see a lot of "what is best" is down to what the owner wants/expects from his car.
2) The elise and VX200 do NOT handle exactly the same. Firstly the vauxhall weight distribution is different and also teh front tyres mean that out of the box the VX220 understeers much more. Also, the steering is different.
3) The K series with a suitable sports exhaust doesn't in my opinion and in the opinion of thousands of others, "sound naff". The sound of my old 340r on full chat, not to mention the roar of my Superlight R off the pit wall at Spa was hardly *naff*. Try going to a caterham race meeting and see what I mean.
4) ABS does not necessarily mean safer. You can stop a car in a shorter distance without abs than with abs ... period. Also, the more aids we have in life, the less inclined will we be to learn how to drive properly. So the braking in your VX220 is not better... different yes and to suit a certain driver, but not better.
5) Westfield DO NOT categorically handle better than caterhams. Of course a lot of it depends on how these cars are set up cos there's night and day between something well setup and something thats a dog. But out of the box you will find that unbiased people (often people who dont own either but who are experienced drivers and have tried both) will mostly state that they are both very good with the notable exception that a Caterham turns in much better (sharper/keener) than a westfield... also theres a little more steering feedback in the caterham and its easier to exploit it to the absolute limits. Moreover, none of this matters cos most kit cars are modded to particular specification and there's plenty that can be done to a westy to get it as good as a caterham and better in other areas.. so its meaningless talk to be honest.
BTW: at the moment i dont any of these cars so am not defending "my car" (i actually own an EVOVII).
okay apologies i was in a bit of a mood yesterday but today am full of love so will be more gentle ... and BTW, i didnt say you were a to$$er but said that you sounded like one which quite frankly you did.
Can you not see that your just inventing these ludicrous assertions in order to try and prove that your car is the best.... its pathetic. Every car has pros and cons and all men are different and look for a car to do different things and behave in different ways. One you get that into your head you'll realise that its futile to sit on any BBS defending your vauxhall or whatever else ... if you enjoy it then good for you. If you secretly don't then get rid of it and try something else.
just to clear up a few points as well:
1) Autocar may have said that and some may argue that its true (in fact on teh road i would say I'd probably agree in some ways) but on the track the reverse is most definitely true. Also, this statement doesn't prove one is better than the other... and it certainly doesn't back up your original advice that "caterhams are to be avoided". WHilst your VX220 is a great car, on teh track it would feel like a bus next to a caterfield so you see a lot of "what is best" is down to what the owner wants/expects from his car.
2) The elise and VX200 do NOT handle exactly the same. Firstly the vauxhall weight distribution is different and also teh front tyres mean that out of the box the VX220 understeers much more. Also, the steering is different.
3) The K series with a suitable sports exhaust doesn't in my opinion and in the opinion of thousands of others, "sound naff". The sound of my old 340r on full chat, not to mention the roar of my Superlight R off the pit wall at Spa was hardly *naff*. Try going to a caterham race meeting and see what I mean.
4) ABS does not necessarily mean safer. You can stop a car in a shorter distance without abs than with abs ... period. Also, the more aids we have in life, the less inclined will we be to learn how to drive properly. So the braking in your VX220 is not better... different yes and to suit a certain driver, but not better.
5) Westfield DO NOT categorically handle better than caterhams. Of course a lot of it depends on how these cars are set up cos there's night and day between something well setup and something thats a dog. But out of the box you will find that unbiased people (often people who dont own either but who are experienced drivers and have tried both) will mostly state that they are both very good with the notable exception that a Caterham turns in much better (sharper/keener) than a westfield... also theres a little more steering feedback in the caterham and its easier to exploit it to the absolute limits. Moreover, none of this matters cos most kit cars are modded to particular specification and there's plenty that can be done to a westy to get it as good as a caterham and better in other areas.. so its meaningless talk to be honest.
BTW: at the moment i dont any of these cars so am not defending "my car" (i actually own an EVOVII).
26 November 2002, 10:38 AM
#45
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Mantamagic,
okay apologies i was in a bit of a mood yesterday but today am full of love so will be more gentle ... and BTW, i didnt say you were a to$$er but said that you sounded like one which quite frankly you did.
Can you not see that your just inventing these ludicrous assertions in order to try and prove that your car is the best.... its pathetic. Every car has pros and cons and all men are different and look for a car to do different things and behave in different ways. One you get that into your head you'll realise that its futile to sit on any BBS defending your vauxhall or whatever else ... if you enjoy it then good for you. If you secretly don't then get rid of it and try something else.
just to clear up a few points as well:
1) Autocar may have said that and some may argue that its true (in fact on teh road i would say I'd probably agree in some ways) but on the track the reverse is most definitely true. Also, this statement doesn't prove one is better than the other... and it certainly doesn't back up your original advice that "caterhams are to be avoided". WHilst your VX220 is a great car, on teh track it would feel like a bus next to a caterfield so you see a lot of "what is best" is down to what the owner wants/expects from his car.
2) The elise and VX200 do NOT handle exactly the same. Firstly the vauxhall weight distribution is different and also teh front tyres mean that out of the box the VX220 understeers much more. Also, the steering is different.
3) The K series with a suitable sports exhaust doesn't in my opinion and in the opinion of thousands of others, "sound naff". The sound of my old 340r on full chat, not to mention the roar of my Superlight R off the pit wall at Spa was hardly *naff*. Try going to a caterham race meeting and see what I mean.
4) ABS does not necessarily mean safer. You can stop a car in a shorter distance without abs than with abs ... period. Also, the more aids we have in life, the less inclined will we be to learn how to drive properly. So the braking in your VX220 is not better... different yes and to suit a certain driver, but not better.
5) Westfield DO NOT categorically handle better than caterhams. Of course a lot of it depends on how these cars are set up cos there's night and day between something well setup and something thats a dog. But out of the box you will find that unbiased people (often people who dont own either but who are experienced drivers and have tried both) will mostly state that they are both very good with the notable exception that a Caterham turns in much better (sharper/keener) than a westfield... also theres a little more steering feedback in the caterham and its easier to exploit it to the absolute limits. Moreover, none of this matters cos most kit cars are modded to particular specification and there's plenty that can be done to a westy to get it as good as a caterham and better in other areas.. so its meaningless talk to be honest.
BTW: at the moment i dont any of these cars so am not defending "my car" (i actually own an EVOVII).
okay apologies i was in a bit of a mood yesterday but today am full of love so will be more gentle ... and BTW, i didnt say you were a to$$er but said that you sounded like one which quite frankly you did.
Can you not see that your just inventing these ludicrous assertions in order to try and prove that your car is the best.... its pathetic. Every car has pros and cons and all men are different and look for a car to do different things and behave in different ways. One you get that into your head you'll realise that its futile to sit on any BBS defending your vauxhall or whatever else ... if you enjoy it then good for you. If you secretly don't then get rid of it and try something else.
just to clear up a few points as well:
1) Autocar may have said that and some may argue that its true (in fact on teh road i would say I'd probably agree in some ways) but on the track the reverse is most definitely true. Also, this statement doesn't prove one is better than the other... and it certainly doesn't back up your original advice that "caterhams are to be avoided". WHilst your VX220 is a great car, on teh track it would feel like a bus next to a caterfield so you see a lot of "what is best" is down to what the owner wants/expects from his car.
2) The elise and VX200 do NOT handle exactly the same. Firstly the vauxhall weight distribution is different and also teh front tyres mean that out of the box the VX220 understeers much more. Also, the steering is different.
3) The K series with a suitable sports exhaust doesn't in my opinion and in the opinion of thousands of others, "sound naff". The sound of my old 340r on full chat, not to mention the roar of my Superlight R off the pit wall at Spa was hardly *naff*. Try going to a caterham race meeting and see what I mean.
4) ABS does not necessarily mean safer. You can stop a car in a shorter distance without abs than with abs ... period. Also, the more aids we have in life, the less inclined will we be to learn how to drive properly. So the braking in your VX220 is not better... different yes and to suit a certain driver, but not better.
5) Westfield DO NOT categorically handle better than caterhams. Of course a lot of it depends on how these cars are set up cos there's night and day between something well setup and something thats a dog. But out of the box you will find that unbiased people (often people who dont own either but who are experienced drivers and have tried both) will mostly state that they are both very good with the notable exception that a Caterham turns in much better (sharper/keener) than a westfield... also theres a little more steering feedback in the caterham and its easier to exploit it to the absolute limits. Moreover, none of this matters cos most kit cars are modded to particular specification and there's plenty that can be done to a westy to get it as good as a caterham and better in other areas.. so its meaningless talk to be honest.
BTW: at the moment i dont any of these cars so am not defending "my car" (i actually own an EVOVII).
26 November 2002, 04:39 PM
#47
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I don't know if it's of any help, but westfields seem to be more popular over here among the hillclimb fraternity than caterhams. They also tend to have rover V8's in them and light up road tyres without even thinking about it! Having said that though, a high revving full hillclimb spec V8 on 10" slicks is most definitely the most awesome "real engine based" car I've ever seen or heard (1/4 mile sub 12 seconds on a non-straight road!)
I would think your biggest worry in portugal is other ***** not seeing you, so get a rally headlamp pod put on!
I would think your biggest worry in portugal is other ***** not seeing you, so get a rally headlamp pod put on!
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