Finding the right one....

[rubystone]

Fescalisedportion said:

I had a look at this the other week, pristine and below your budget so plenty of cash for an LSD.
http://www.nutleysports.co.uk/index.php/showroom/3...

5 speed, big money for a '97, but then those guys always ask top money.

[Smitters]

rubystone said:

Fescalisedportion said:

I had a look at this the other week, pristine and below your budget so plenty of cash for an LSD.
http://www.nutleysports.co.uk/index.php/showroom/3...

5 speed, big money for a '97, but then those guys always ask top money.

Woah - that's £££ for the spec and mileage (though it's much better to buy on condition than mileage). As an example, Millwood have a similar car, ten years younger and half the miles for £2k more. I think unless the dealer has exactly the spec you're after and is local to you, so you can build a relationship, I would consider private sales. If you're taking it in to a garage to have something substantial like an LSD fitted then it's relatively small change to have a comprehensive service at the same time and get the peace of mind a dealer supplied car comes with, plus you're getting to know your local Caterham chap at the same time.

[LeeBG]

I had a look at that one too, and it is in very good condition. However, I dont want to get ripped off either.......


Any advice?

[SidewaysSi]

Most important to me was condition and evidence of proper maintenance. Some Sevens are driven very hard and are a bit of a mess. Personally I would be happier buying something I liked and then modifying it than a tattier car with the perfect spec.

[Smitters]

SidewaysSi said:

Most important to me was condition and evidence of proper maintenance. Some Sevens are driven very hard and are a bit of a mess. Personally I would be happier buying something I liked and then modifying it than a tattier car with the perfect spec.

Which goes to show there are cars for everyone! I bought a tatty car that was mechanically exactly what I wanted, but cosmetically lacking. It's easier to buy the car you really want than try to modify or improve something mechanically or cosmetically. The Caterham market isn't that big, ultimately, so you can get a good grip on what's a decent price by reading lots of ads and viewing some cars.

I would also suggest getting into Caterham groups on FB, and/or looking at Blatchat, the L7C forum for their for sale section. Placing a "wanted" may well turn up a car that isn't yet advertised.

Anecdotally, dealers seem to be pushing prices up, which in turn is dragging private prices up a bit too. In 2011 I got a 1.4 K series from a dealer, with full weather gear and creature comforts and a complete service history for under £10k. Someone's asking nearly £14k for a pretty similar car right now, privately.

ETA - I don't know either car/owner, but here's an example of the variations in the market.

K series 1.4

DVA K Series

Edited by Smitters on Tuesday 20th September 10:46

[Fescalisedportion]

LeeBG said:

I had a look at that one too, and it is in very good condition. However, I dont want to get ripped off either.......


Any advice?

Amazing condition for the age, they've had it a while, I felt they would certainly negotiate. Otherwise scan the ads daily, be prepared to move very quickly, I missed out on one car to a dealer within 2 hours of it going up for sale, I beat the same dealer to the car I eventually bought by minutes. Be prepared to compromise on some items of spec and colour, they can always be changed if necessary. Make a must have/would be nice list, research the cost of upgrades if you end up interested in a car that doesn't have exactly what you require.
Good luck!

[LeeBG]

Thanks for that. I am not against buying from a dealer, and hence paying a little more, as it will be my first Caterham and I like to have a little peace of mind. What I want to avoid is paying WAY over the top if possible.

I hear you with the making compromises though, seems next to impossible to find everything you want, and if you do it has already sold!

Best Regards, Lee

[xcentric]

or pick a reliable dealer, who wants you to come back time and again. You may pay a bit extra. bt not too much if they're a decent place.

ptsportscars is good.

[zetecherb]

The bonus I have is I work for Vent-Axia......If I look out the window next to my desk I can see the Caterham HQ car park. So I'm in caterham probably once a week but most of the cars they have are brand new.

I have however been told that the used car market is picking up though so we should see more used cars coming through Caterham. There pre used car package is extremely good.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:
81-point factory developed check
Service and preparation using only 100% Caterham parts
12 months parts and labour warranty
12 months Caterham Assistance cover
Caterham HPI certificate
Free MOT** for life of vehicle ownership
Trackday voucher for any Bookatrack event

12 months membership of the Seven Owners’ Club


PT Sports Cars still have the Silver Roadsport and the blue Superlight R but they both aren't floating my boat.

As with regards to joining groups on Facebook etc I'm only on "Caterham Talk" none of the other groups will allow me in because I don't currently own one grrr

[Barkalarr]

zetecherb said:

Afternoon All,

I have recently sold my MK1 Focus RS and am now on the looking out for a Caterham.

I've spent the last 5 years racing Alfa Romeos in UK and Europe and after my dad had an original R500 K Series years ago I've wanted a Caterham ever since.

Now I got a bit more financial backing I think it's time

Picking the right car has been a mission though. I've driven a few Roadsports and a Supersport, both extremely fun but they don't take my fancy as much as a superlight. I've narrowed my list down to either a R300 (K Series) or a Superlight R. Chapman Cars had a green Superlight R that sold a week before I sold me Focus and I was gutted. Southern Sky Motors sold a Orange R300 last weekend before I got to view it. I can't believe how fast these cars move.

So R300 or Superlight R I would much prefer a Superlight R is there anything I should look out for?

Thanks

Tom

Tom - Just send you a PM.

[DaveDalgarn]

Also missed out on the one at southern sky and the one at ck classic cars. Hopefully more come up over the next couple of months

[zetecherb]

Hi Dave,

Is that the Orange R300 and CK Classics?

[DaveDalgarn]

Yes it was exactly what I'm looking for

[zetecherb]

Damn I emailed about that one yesterday lol the blue superlight at Pt sports cars has also sold

[D7PNY]

If you are patient the right cars do come up eventually.

I Bought mine last year and had a specific spec list I wanted.

What I did though was break that down into 2 lists - One that consistet of game changers (ie, engine, gear box, diff spec) and the other that consisted of things that could be changed easily for little ££'s.

I ended up with a roadsport that was converted to supersport R spec a year old. With all the other upgrades its had in it's life I have ended up with essentially an R300k for a LOT less than what the real thing would cost.

All I've had to change since I got it is seats and roll bar but with selling old ones after wards the outlay hasn't been much.

Dave

[zetecherb]

D7PNY said:

If you are patient the right cars do come up eventually.

I Bought mine last year and had a specific spec list I wanted.

What I did though was break that down into 2 lists - One that consistet of game changers (ie, engine, gear box, diff spec) and the other that consisted of things that could be changed easily for little ££'s.

I ended up with a roadsport that was converted to supersport R spec a year old. With all the other upgrades its had in it's life I have ended up with essentially an R300k for a LOT less than what the real thing would cost.

All I've had to change since I got it is seats and roll bar but with selling old ones after wards the outlay hasn't been much.

Dave

I don't have a list as such but I have a couple of requirements....for example....

MUST
150bhp minimum
Standard (Not Modified)
Model Superlight (Superlight R, R300K, R400K)

IDEAL
12v Plug
heater
Weather Equipment
Black Pack (I believe all superlights have black pack)
Bright Coloured
Lowish Mileage
Tillets

Little things like 12v plug, heater I can do myself so isn't wouldn't be a deal breaker.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Hi I have just sent you a PM about my Cat that I have just purchased up for sale. Unfortunately I didn't read your post above needing weather gear. I don't suppose you would forego weather gear for an immaculate 280 bhp monster 2.3 Duratec that's just been run in for. I have just put it up for sale today on pistonheads.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Hi I have just sent you a PM about my Cat that I have just purchased up for sale. Unfortunately I didn't read your post above needing weather gear. I don't suppose you would forego weather gear for an immaculate 280 bhp monster 2.3 Duratec that's just been run in for. I have just put it up for sale today on pistonheads.

[tight fart]

For gods sake, just buy one, drive it, enjoy it, then upgrade it to what you've learnt!
It's not rocket science!,