Seven Sprint

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Discussion

AG8

Original Poster:

31 posts

198 months

Saturday 7th January 2017
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Some advice please from the experts not having ever owned a Caterham before.

1) With a run of only 60 is this likely to be a good investment.

2) Kept outdoors would you recommend a cover or only for the winter months.

Many Thanks

shrink1061

102 posts

90 months

Saturday 7th January 2017
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The sprint is a marketing excersise and a waste of money.

You could buy a 160S and spec it to sprint level for less money.

I can't imagine the current sprint will be worth much more than any other 160S in a few years. Too much gimic.

It's also (imho) not a great caterham. Combine slow engine with clamshell wings and a bench seat. It's just a bit odd.

If you want a caterham experience and don't mind slow, get a 160S

If you want something that'll hold its value, get a 620R. But make no mistake, any caterham will lose money from new. It'll just do it slowly. A car is rarely an investment.

If you want a fun caterham without breaking the bank? Get a 310R it's cheaper than a sprint and technically better in every way in my opinion.

Lastly, if you can't keep it garaged, especially in winter. I wouldn't get a caterham. Damp and big temperature swings will not be your friend. Particularly not if you care about future value.

Edited by shrink1061 on Saturday 7th January 17:45

Master Bean

3,517 posts

119 months

Saturday 7th January 2017
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It won't be an investment but it will hold it's value well like other Caterhams. I'd suggest a cover all year round and if possible a trickle charger would be good. Hope you enjoy your new car.

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 7th January 2017
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Are you aware of a Sprint for sale? I understood the 60 sold out very quickly and from that point of view it may well turn out to be a reasonable investment but possibly academic.

As for keeping a Seven outside, I wouldn't do that even in the summer. They have little protection from the elements and would suffer badly. Again that's my opinion; some do, perhaps, keep them outside but I wouldn't touch one that had lived that way. I've not yet seen an outdoor cover that would serve that well in the UK either.





justleanitupabit

201 posts

106 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
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shrink1061 said:
The sprint is a marketing excersise and a waste of money.

You could buy a 160S and spec it to sprint level for less money.

I can't imagine the current sprint will be worth much more than any other 160S in a few years. Too much gimic.

It's also (imho) not a great caterham. Combine slow engine with clamshell wings and a bench seat. It's just a bit odd.

If you want a caterham experience and don't mind slow, get a 160S

If you want something that'll hold its value, get a 620R. But make no mistake, any caterham will lose money from new. It'll just do it slowly. A car is rarely an investment.

If you want a fun caterham without breaking the bank? Get a 310R it's cheaper than a sprint and technically better in every way in my opinion.

Lastly, if you can't keep it garaged, especially in winter. I wouldn't get a caterham. Damp and big temperature swings will not be your friend. Particularly not if you care about future value.

Edited by shrink1061 on Saturday 7th January 17:45
I had a poke around at one at Caterham South - very pretty little thing - would I want one? No but its not supposed to be a track weapon.

As a nod to its past its brilliant, the clams, colours, lower power and bench seat and so on are closer to the archetypal 7 than a 620.

downsman

1,099 posts

155 months

Wednesday 11th January 2017
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As has been said, if you haven't got a garage, don't buy any Caterham as an investment. The way they are built and the complete lack of rust/corrosion prevention leaves them very vulnerable. Even under a cover, I think it would start to look tatty after only a couple of years.

They tend to suffer just by being driven too! My five year old Seven has done 28000 miles and there are loads of chips/tiny dents in the alloy skin. It still looks Ok but a polisher would be horrified. I just drive it and enjoy it and to hell with the retained value.

I do like the idea of the 160 model, but the gear ratios don't sound good from what I have read. In my opinion, the Sprint looks great, but you'd regret not buying something better to drive like a 270S for quite a lot less money.

AG8

Original Poster:

31 posts

198 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
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Good feedback chaps thanks. Reality will be the car will be kept outside, this firm looks decent as an outdoor cover:

http://www.specialisedcovers.com/stormshield-plus-...

Purchase not made as an investment rather to enjoy the car. That said you want to look after it so retain the value you can.

shrink1061

102 posts

90 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
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A cover ain't gonna do it in the UK mate. Within a couple of years you'd start seeing rot on a brand new car.

It needs to be inside and dry.

I live in a flat in a city centre. I now rent a garage in the city to keep the caterham in. I'd rather not, but keeping it outside In uk will let damp get to it

Edited by shrink1061 on Thursday 12th January 18:46

85Carrera

3,503 posts

236 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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AG8 said:
1) With a run of only 60 is this likely to be a good investment.
Isn't it 60 here and 60 to Japan (contrary to how they were originally pitched here), in which case picking up a Japanese import in a few years time could be a cheap way into one. Having said that, I saw it in the flesh at the Revival I can't see any justification for the price differential between this and the 160 on which it is based. I did ask the salesman to explain it to me, but he couldn't

Master Bean

3,517 posts

119 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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It's 60 in total. The Japanese do seem to like the British 7 a lot though.

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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Master Bean said:
It's 60 in total. The Japanese do seem to like the British 7 a lot though.

Yes, them and the French are the biggest markets after the U.K.

85Carrera

3,503 posts

236 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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Master Bean said:
It's 60 in total. The Japanese do seem to like the British 7 a lot though.
So is this statement from the Lotus 7 Owner's Club magazine incorrect?



Stridey

342 posts

106 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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I believe the small(er) dimensions (narrower than standard) and engines fit into the 'K' car refs of Japan, deliberately, to make it more sellable in that market.
A bit like the Cappuccino and various others from the past.
It's A lovely looking thing, but to my mind the Suzuki three pot and turbo don't appeal, but for some it may. I'm sure some will argue that Colin Chapman would be pleased, some that he's rolling in his grave.
I. Think it appeals to Morgan lovers, but represents a lower price point while maintaining desirability. And to those who would not consider a used Caterham.
I think residuals will be strong.

snapper seven

713 posts

213 months

Friday 20th January 2017
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You could always consider something like this too?

http://www.carcoon.com/carcoon-double-skin-outdoor

I own a Carcoon Veloce and am impressed with it. Would offer much more protection than just a cover.
Thing with a cover, I think, is you could only put it on if the car was clean otherwise I think it would rub the grit into the body as the wind blows it about a bit.