Caterham newbie / another 'which 7?' thread

[PeteSmiffy]

The black/yell RS 120 from CC has been sold!!!

On the plus side, the metallic green Supersport 135 at S&C is back from the paint shop and ready to view/drive on Saturday!! Callum also informed me that it will also be fitted with two new rear wings before it is sold. This HAS to be the new front runner now...

Wonder if he can throw in some nice seats?? Ever been known before?

Edited by PeteSmiffy on Wednesday 12th March 16:10

[framerateuk]

You can change the seats quite easily. Just keep an eye on ebay/blatchat. Lots of people switch leather for tillets and vice versa

[S1X OK]

I thought that black and yellow one would be out the door pretty quick. In my experience, nobody 'throws in' anything. But, as framerateuk says, keep an eye on BlatChat. I picked up an excellent pair of leather seats for my S3 for a very fine price.

[PeteSmiffy]

Don't suppose you know what they roughly go for? Ditto 13" superlight wheels?

[thequietone]

Was over at CC south tody having a mooch - was really busy! Few other owners in 7's looking around too, we all come out when the sun's about!

Spotted this which may be of interest. Seemed tidy, LOTS spec 1.8 140, 6speed, big brakes, wide track and a smattering of carbon. Wouldn't tell me the price!?

Don't think it hit their site yet.

[framerateuk]

PeteSmiffy said:

Don't suppose you know what they roughly go for? Ditto 13" superlight wheels?

The wheels don't go cheap. Usually about £500 for a set used, in need of a good refurb.

I bought some Compomotive CXRs instead. Good quality paint job that shouldn't flake, and about 5kg a wheel. I've not yet had my tyres fitted to them, but I'll get some pics up when I do

[framerateuk]

ghibbett said:

@Framerate - keep your eye on Blatchat for an Aeroscreen. Last weekend I collected a RiF carbon aeroscreen with full carbon Spa mirros. Just need the Caterham to fit it to now

I'm keeping my eye out

I'm looking to get a clear perspex screen though as I'm a bit of a short arse and fear a composite/carbon one might be a bit of a hindrance!

[PeteSmiffy]

thequietone said:

Was over at CC south tody having a mooch - was really busy! Few other owners in 7's looking around too, we all come out when the sun's about!

Spotted this which may be of interest. Seemed tidy, LOTS spec 1.8 140, 6speed, big brakes, wide track and a smattering of carbon. Wouldn't tell me the price!?

Don't think it hit their site yet.

Thanks for the heads up! I think is the one Dominic told me about over the phone this morning, if it is, he mentioned £15,495. Thinks it's on 20k odd miles though. But yes... of high interest indeed

Edited by PeteSmiffy on Wednesday 12th March 17:03

[thequietone]

Yep, has done IRO 27k. That's only 1600 per annum though.

I'll take higher mileage but LOADS more spec any day of the week!

Let us know how you get on!

[PeteSmiffy]

thequietone said:

Yep, has done IRO 27k. That's only 1600 per annum though.

I'll take higher mileage but LOADS more spec any day of the week!

Let us know how you get on!

So I make that circa 1998?

[ghibbett]

PeteSmiffy said:

The black/yell RS 120 from CC has been sold!!!

I knew it looked a bargain

[Smiffy7]

Granted, you did, and the more I looked around the more I agreed. Hey, at least its made my choice that bit easier! :-)

Edited by Smiffy7 on Wednesday 12th March 21:37

[ghibbett]

That 1.8k 140 looks of interest. Need more details to pass judgement on value, but I know from experience that it's a fun combo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRo-Pn1RSi0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffqVgp1w5h8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEH2cAlEzPs

[SidewaysSi]

Always seems odd how 20k is high miles. Maybe if thrashed on track without proper maintenance, however 3k + miles per year is fine.

Also remember they pick up stone chips when you so much as look at it.

Fine if you are a polisher but if you want to drive it, i wouldn't get something low miles and too pristine as it will spoil your enjoyment of it. Sevens can be easily rebuilt too

[Smiffy7]

Ghibbett - cool vids and car, and nice looking roads too!

Si, your right, 25k is nothing really, but when you compare it to what you can get...
For me, I'm going to get 4-5 years good use out of this car (hopefully, touch wood) and I would like minimum depreciation. Preferably without the need to rebuild it I'm assuming therefore that mileage will play its part?

[SidewaysSi]

Smiffy7 said:

Ghibbett - cool vids and car, and nice looking roads too!

Si, your right, 25k is nothing really, but when you compare it to what you can get...
For me, I'm going to get 4-5 years good use out of this car (hopefully, touch wood) and I would like minimum depreciation. Preferably without the need to rebuild it I'm assuming therefore that mileage will play its part?

Fair enough but depends what you deem is "good use". If you use it on tracks and airfields, it will pick up stonechips. If you use it for touring, it will pick up miles etc. Buying for instance a 15k miler, using it lightly e.g. 3k miles a year and after 5 years it will have 30k and therefore will it really be "unsellable"?!

Another thing to think about is a lot of people will buy a Seven, really use it however they so wish and love the thing. That can mean losing sight of ownership timelines they had at the start, rebuilding it and keeping it forever...

[framerateuk]

Don't worry about mileage. All cars depreciate. Once you work out how much you spend on tyres, servicing, parts and repairs, the amount the car has depreciated will be minimal in comparison.

Enjoy it and drive it as much as you can, and don't let mileage put you off. Mileage is no indication of condition or servicing. People are far too mileage focused in the UK. I'd rather a 30k car with full history of servicing and repairs than a 5k car that was built and then not serviced because the "mileage wasn't high enough".

[Smiffy7]

Thanks guys, all valid points and noted.

I'm guessing I should also not worry too much about any superficial body repair work, as is the case with the 2 cars at S&C? Assuming high quality of finish of course...

[Smiffy7]

Errrrr, hello! Do we have a new contender??

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

Can anyone with a trained eye offer any further info on this one which is not mentioned in the ad? What are the HPC wheels like? Wide tracked? Lowered floors?

Bit of a pain in the arse being in Cheshire!!

Edited by Smiffy7 on Thursday 13th March 11:07

[Smiffy7]

So, I've received an email from the owner of the private yellow Roadsport 140. The guy would appear to be quite old from his Hotmail profile picture, late 50s at least. He has owned it 2 years, he isn't that mechanically minded but simply loves the car and loves driving it in his words. The car has had no major work done but obviously has been well maintained with FSH. The body work, wishbones and underside of floor are all mint. No lowered floors. He didn't know what suspension was on it, nor what the tyres were but he informed me that 2 were brand new. He will provide 12 months tax and MOT for the buyer. He then added "I mistakenly advertised it for 2 days before I went away then withdrew it as I had 4 phone calls - 2 from southern dealers, which makes me feel it's under-priced!! But I will stick with price!"

Does this one look like a good deal to you folks? Looking around, and based on my rather limited knowledge, I'd say probably about the right price for a private sale?

Edited by Smiffy7 on Thursday 13th March 14:13