Why can't I find a caterham to buy?

[RZSupra]

I've been scouring the classifieds here, blatchat and autotrader for over two months and still not found the right one. I am looking to spend up to 12K and the only must haves are K series engine or newer and road legal.

Ideal car would have 6 speed gearbox, LSD, wet weather gear, heater and 1.8VVC.

Am I seeking the holy grail or is it the time of year or....?

If anyone is thinking of selling please let me know.

[MarchHare]

Caterham Cars have a 1.8 VVC with just 7,200 miles on their website for £13,495.

A LSD/6 speed/VVC combo is probably relatively rare as the more track focused LSD and six speed box is probably more common in something like the (more expensive) superlight spec. I think you'll struggle to find these for under £15k, even now, particularly with a 1.8 K series. You might find an earlier 1.6 closer to your price.

[RZSupra]

I definitely don't need to have a 1.8VVC! I would be happy with a roadsport or ex-academy car just as long as it's in fine fettle.

I would prefer to buy privately rather than from a dealer.

Anyone else got suggestions or know of hidden gems?

[Gingerbread Man]

I brought a 1999 1.8 VVC, 6 speed box, weather gear and a heater for a smidge under 12K.

It has no LSD thought. Took me a while to find but it came through. Not asmany people seem to be selling at the moment.

One tip though. I posted a wanted post in the for sale section saying that I wanted the above spec car for that money. I did get a few phone calls and a heads up to the one being listed that I ended up buying.

Worth a punt.

[BertBert]

try:

http://www.blatchat.com/T.asp?id=146173
http://www.blatchat.com/T.asp?id=159373
http://www.blatchat.com/T.asp?id=161686

No specific recommendations, just a quick search of blatchat.

Bert

[Gingerbread Man]

BertBert said:

try:

http://www.blatchat.com/T.asp?id=146173
http://www.blatchat.com/T.asp?id=159373
http://www.blatchat.com/T.asp?id=161686

No specific recommendations, just a quick search of blatchat.

Bert

Middle and bottom link are for the same car.

[RZSupra]

Thanks for the blatchat links. I have tried looking through their For Sale section but it's a mess and I gave up after 5-6 pages. God only knows why they don't have a separate Cars for sale section rather than a large jumble sale!

I will also try a wanted advert on PH.

Any more thoughts?

[Murph7355]

RZSupra said:

Thanks for the blatchat links. I have tried looking through their For Sale section but it's a mess and I gave up after 5-6 pages. God only knows why they don't have a separate Cars for sale section rather than a large jumble sale!
...

You must want a car reeeeeeeal bad

Seriously, spend a couple of hours wading through there, Pistonheads and the various dealers. Make some calls, narrow the selection and off you go.

Unless you just want someone to chuck their car at you

[RZSupra]

Someone chuck your car at me

[Murph7355]

RZSupra said:

Someone chuck your car at me

Sadly it was on page 7 and then I withdrew it

Good luck with your search. And trust me, they're well worth a few extra mouse clicks

btw, Caterham themselves have a few on that aren't too far beyond your budget. I'm sure in these hardened times that even they'll negotiate.

[7 Sevens]

Talking of which has anyone had any luck negotiating those Caterham list prices down?

[taffyracer]

7 Sevens said:

Talking of which has anyone had any luck negotiating those Caterham list prices down?

£500 voucher before xmas or £350 cash off list was best price I was offered, there's a £1500-£3,000 mark up on most cars on their site so wouldn't bother!

[RZSupra]

They certainly look way over-priced to me.

[BertBert]

But the OP is right, there seems to be less Caterhams for sale especially in the private market.
Bert

[Mr POD]

BertBert said:

But the OP is right, there seems to be less Caterhams for sale especially in the private market.
Bert

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=101&t=627507&nmt=Oh No, Its Going To Have To Go!!

Buy this one. At least the seller is honest about the faults.

[7 Sevens]

Thanks taffy, I didn't think they were interested in reducing those prices.

A lot of cars seem to be going abroad at present which is going to reduce our choice. I've just taken a deposit on mine and I had about a dozen French enquires.

Is the VVC spec a heavier car than say the 1.6 rover supersport? I thought they were near 550kg so perhaps the power/weight is similar between models. Sorry for the slight Hijack.

[BertBert]

7 Sevens said:

Is the VVC spec a heavier car than say the 1.6 rover supersport? I thought they were near 550kg so perhaps the power/weight is similar between models. Sorry for the slight Hijack.

The VVC engine per se won't affect the overall weight much per se, it's the spec of the car that really does it. Carbon v fibreglass, screen v no screen, tillet seats v leather ones etc.

Mind you I have lost track of what is happening in the chassis dept regarding weight. Are there different chassis like there used to be in the original R500 days?

Bert

[EVS777]

You've just got to keep looking every day! I spent about a month checking all the classifieds , eventually a 1.6 SS '98 ,widetrack ,6sp,heater,blackpack, 15" anthracites, a bit of carbon! only thing it never had was a LSD, but as it'll do most miles on the road it not an issue! The Car looked right and luckily only had to travel just over an hour to see it. Previous owner was asking 12k and I had it for less than that!Just be patient and try and get a car where the previous owners have bought all the expensive bits!My car has a few minor issues but a few hundred quid and it'll be tip top! for the Spring.
Anyway good luck! hope You find the right car!

Al Evs.

[will_]

BertBert said:

But the OP is right, there seems to be less Caterhams for sale especially in the private market.
Bert

Time of year though - there are up to 70 odd cars on the market in the summer, and about half that usually in the winter. Seems about right with 33 cars in the classifieds. OP might just have to wait a couple of months to tease a few more cars onto the market.

[will_]

7 Sevens said:

Thanks taffy, I didn't think they were interested in reducing those prices.

A lot of cars seem to be going abroad at present which is going to reduce our choice. I've just taken a deposit on mine and I had about a dozen French enquires.

Is the VVC spec a heavier car than say the 1.6 rover supersport? I thought they were near 550kg so perhaps the power/weight is similar between models. Sorry for the slight Hijack.

When I sold my Roadsport the only serious enquiries came from abroad, and I sold it to a chap from Norway. I'd imagine that the pound being where it is more cars will be going to Europe for a while.