Curious? Why no comments on R500 IRS?? (Independent Rear Suspension)

Curious? Why no comments on R500 IRS?? (Independent Rear Suspension)

Author
Discussion

TVR4500cc

Original Poster:

188 posts

175 months

Thursday 18th July 2013
quotequote all
So then. PX'd my R500 IRS into Bramley Cars Guildford several months ago. And no comments on PH about it!!! Did I miss them all???? Was built by Caterham senior development engineer for himself. It was awesome, but I was plagued with northern rainy weather so have an V10 R8 now. Shes up at what i'd say is a sensible price but no viewers?? Questions / comments anyone??? No association to Bramleys and car is theirs. Ashley

adsvx220

705 posts

182 months

Thursday 18th July 2013
quotequote all
There has been threads about this car on here before.

Cracking looking car and I bet the r8 is wonderful.

Adam

TVR4500cc

Original Poster:

188 posts

175 months

Thursday 18th July 2013
quotequote all
Thanks Adam. I will try search them out. Positive or negative? It was an amazing car, fast, compliant, not at all scary (try a Tuscan challenge car - which incidentally have been proven to be slower on road legal tyres) even economical!!! Best of everything and barely over £30k. Why no buyers out there? If you want a Caterham you'll not beat the drivability and value. Just be aware - rain really hurts your face!!!

mg2959

17 posts

129 months

Friday 19th July 2013
quotequote all
Lovely car, and yes a good price, in fact pretty much right on my budget. However for me it's a R500 and I suppose a little scary! Also it doesn't appear to have full screen and weather option which you'd have to factor another £1500 for. Does it have lowered floors? It doesn't specify. And lastly, although a minor point . . . Is I'm not that keen on the colour. That's just personal. If I'm going to spend that sort of money on what in essence is going to be a 'toy' then I want what I want.

nigelpugh7

5,996 posts

189 months

Friday 19th July 2013
quotequote all
Well I have looked at the advert, and thought its a great car too!

Personally I love that colour, it looks so great in real life, and its rare to see a Caterham in that's colour, and I really like that!

However, although its a good price, it is not a genuine standard R500, ie as it comes factory built from CC.

As I have sold each of my previous cars, such as my K Series R400, and my R500 Duratec, the number one question from prospective buyers, was always " it is a standard factory car isn't it?"

The other interesting thing, was very few of the buyers were people from the Lotus 7 Club, and most seemed to be buyers of other car Marque's, not real seven enthusiasts!

So despite the fact that I would consider your old car, I think most people who would most likely own it for less than a year, would be concerned about the resale value, and ease of resale too!

TVR4500cc

Original Poster:

188 posts

175 months

Friday 19th July 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for the comments.

Regarding stresses and the chassis, no issues and I had the carry fully checked over when I bought her, then I drove her over the moorland roads near me which are not billiard table flat so a good test.

Colour looks fantastic in the flesh, safer for the roads and people young and old always used to wave - they must have though I was Noddy.

Underneath / the engine bay incl. ally sides are all Matt black - so change of colour may not be too hard BUT I wouldn't.

Speak to the factory or Mic Attree, this was in effect factory built as the team at the time were interested in developing the R500 albeit as a personal project, at the same time as the Top Gear car and the consensus of those that drive her was she would be quicker.

Owain (senior development engineer) did a large report on the car as an engineering project. Any serious buyers need to research it's history, look at all the paperwork and drive her. PM me if you want a copy.

She is NOT scary!! Amazing traction and grip with in effect CSR set up (wide track, big wheels and tyres, AP brakes), tractable engine and flies when pushed.

Fun too if your in that kind of mood.

Seriously gents, don't miss this. I don't believe anyone has been to drive her??? I suspect she'd have sold if they had.

Searched old threads and only found comments from when Owain advertised her 2009 (rumour being he was encouraged to sell by factory as embarrassing for him to have a car they don't make - so he developed a supercharged R500 next - ring any bells??) Most people thought it was a fantastic car but £38k was perhaps too much for most, rightfully so.

Go take a look - you won't regret it, promise!

Regarding re-sale, Owain said he'd like to buy her back in the future, now he's working for Ricardo.

Keep the comments coming gents.

Ashley

Se7enheaven

1,709 posts

163 months

Friday 19th July 2013
quotequote all
Hi Ashley,

As you know I was very interested in your old car. I decided against it eventually and ended up with an R400 K series instead.
It is certainly now advertised at an attractive price. I think it has sat long enough to show it was strong money. But again who is to say with it being the only one of its kind ?
I reckon it will go soon , but as mentioned maybe not to the purist. I don't mean that in a bad way, but again the uniqueness will deter some diehards I think.

Bet you miss her , especially now we have had a Summer !

James.S

585 posts

211 months

Friday 19th July 2013
quotequote all
It is a cracking car, I made an offer on it when it first went up which was turned down.

Only one reason it hasn't sold - too expensive. I don't think it would be around long around the 32k mark.

J

TVR4500cc

Original Poster:

188 posts

175 months

Friday 19th July 2013
quotequote all
She is indeed a cracking car and I do miss her. Thankfully I now have 525 ponies to take my mind of it, and my face no longer stings when out driving in the rain.

If anyone drove her, especially with previous Caterham DD experience what did you think??

Is it possible CC didnt want to u turn on their DD use? Wonder if the new CC Alpine will be DD or IRS :-)

Ashley

DJWuk

1,670 posts

180 months

Friday 19th July 2013
quotequote all
nigelpugh7 said:
So despite the fact that I would consider your old car, I think most people who would most likely own it for less than a year, would be concerned about the resale value, and ease of resale too!
Nail, head. Currently considering selling the R300 for an R400, 500 or CSR260. Saw the advert for this car and got excited, but then saw the non standard stuff and had exactly the thoughts Nigel mentioned above. I keep my cars less than 12 months and a bit like this dealer is experiencing, I reckon it could be hard to move on.

However , get a well informed 7 enthusiast who wants a keeper , I'm sure it will sell.

James.S

585 posts

211 months

Friday 19th July 2013
quotequote all
Just noticed it has been dropped to sub £32k.


mickrick

3,700 posts

172 months

Saturday 20th July 2013
quotequote all
I wanted an IRS put in my SV but Arch weren´t interested in doing it for me.

I´ve never understood why Caterham have stuck with a design from 1894.

Se7enheaven

1,709 posts

163 months

Sunday 28th July 2013
quotequote all
So has it been sold now ?

nigelpugh7

5,996 posts

189 months

Sunday 28th July 2013
quotequote all
http://www.bramleyweb.co.uk/carsales/details/Cater...

Advert says its under offer?

Never really sure what that means? Are they waiting for funds to clear from the person who has made an offer?

Or just don't think they are a real buyer?

Se7enheaven

1,709 posts

163 months

Sunday 28th July 2013
quotequote all
Ah ok.
I didn't check their site, only PH.
Let's hope we get a post from the "potential" buyer

TVR4500cc

Original Poster:

188 posts

175 months

Sunday 28th July 2013
quotequote all
I think under offer means they are holding the car for a potential buyer, deposit placed or gentlemans agreement subject to seeing px, etc. They did this for 2 weeks for me until I could drive down to see their R8 and they could see my R500 IRS. Hopefully she'll have a new owner soon, and be out kicking ass on a trackday near you soon (something I never did but I'm sure she will fly!!!). Watch this space as they say.

James.S

585 posts

211 months

Monday 29th July 2013
quotequote all
You never had it on a circuit - that is one hell of a missed opportuninty.

Sid123

255 posts

176 months

Tuesday 30th July 2013
quotequote all
Couldn't agree with you more Mr S!

TVR4500cc

Original Poster:

188 posts

175 months

Tuesday 30th July 2013
quotequote all
Been there did that with my Griff then Tuscan Challenge car. R500 was always intended as a road car for me - it was massively quick across country. Never have so many cars pulled over to let me past and seemingly been happy to do so - very strange. That NEVER happened in the GT3.

You are of course right - I should have tracked her just once to see. Sorry gents.

nigelpugh7

5,996 posts

189 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
As we are discussing colours on the other thread, and Dayglo yellow in particular, I thought I would ask you if your car suffered any of the paint fade that has been mentioned?

Thanks in advance!