I have been Offered......... can you help?

[nashman]

Morning good people. My first post as I am completely new to Piston Heads and in particular Caterhams. More precisely buying one.

Now to the question: A friend of mine (mate of a mate really) has been building a Cat forthe last 18 months with his son, with the intention of his son using it when he passed his test! His son has now passed his test and bought a Fiesta! (go figure). The cat is 95% complete (aren't they always) but has not been SVA'd at this point. It has a x-flow engine and the bits that are complete are well finished but it is still a little way off.

He is asking £4k for it and has offered me first refusal. I know this is a difficult question but is it worth £4k in an unfinished non SVA'd state?

Any / all advice welcome

Thanks.........Neil

[Gingerbread Man]

What needs to be bought/ fitted for it to be finished?

4K isn't a lot of money for Caterham ownership.

[Furyous]

Need to see the spec.......

[Tango7]

Are you sure its a Caterham or maybe a sevenesque copy, that he calls, generally, a Caterham.

Getting a Xflow car through an SVA is quite difficult but if its genuine and mainly/95% all there it will certainly be worth £4k but be prepared for some work

[nashman]

All valid points! I'm on it re the spec etc. I will return.

Regards...............Neil

[nashman]

OK all. Things are now a whole lot clearer on this. The spec speaks volumes:

MK Indy Chassis
MK Indy panels predominately (ali sides are homemade)
1300 x-flow +90 bore (this was for cheaper insurance for son)
A3 cam + xr2 valveset
Sierra 5 speed box and diff (not LSD)
Sierra brakes (Discs front and drums rear) Fiat PRV for brake bias adjust
Mexico manifold
Std Sierra carb (but has injector manifold which was something he was moving towards)
Wiring complete
Needs trimming for SVA (IVA)
15" Ford wheels (XR2 I think)

He is open to offers from me but would SVA / IVA if money wasn't acceptable and then put it on the open market.

So what do we think its worth ans should I be even considering it?...... Anyone.

Regards.......Neil

[Goochie]

This car was finished with an SVA, with a bigger engine and was only £500 more than that:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/976026.htm

I think you should be looking to knock £500 off his price.

[Gingerbread Man]

I don't think the 1.3L engine will blow you away.

As mentioned, 2L one above for £500 more less the completion and sva to be done.

[nashman]

Tango7 said:

Are you sure its a Caterham or maybe a sevenesque copy, that he calls, generally, a Caterham.

Getting a Xflow car through an SVA is quite difficult but if its genuine and mainly/95% all there it will certainly be worth £4k but be prepared for some work

Sorry, question from this reply re x-flow and getting it through an SVA? Is that to do with emissions or something else?

Thanks......Neil

[Tango7]

Sorry Neil for the delay in reply!

My comment was based on the general difficulty getting a brand new Caterham through SVA isn't necessarily a straightforward process and can be delayed by several re-tests so imagine what a car that isn't new throughout is going to be like. A friend puchased a Xflow Caterham in 2006 after it had just been SVA'd (1988 car that was finally built 17 years later and SVA'd in its 18th year) and Caterham had to provide a lot of support to get this through the test at the time. Personally I think I would spend a little bit more and get something that's already registered and road legal.

T

[nashman]

Thanks T. Having spent some time with Chris (the guy who built the car) last week I feel very comfortable with his ability and the car is superbly finished with some great detail work. Having also discussed the engine, box and diff configuration and the new IVA requirements he is being realistic in that the £4k previously discussed is a little optimistic and it looks like its on the table for discussion.

Does anyone have a feel for the offer I should be pitching. My gut feel is £2,750 and stick at £3k tops?

Anyone????????????

[Goochie]

nashman said:

Thanks T. Having spent some time with Chris (the guy who built the car) last week I feel very comfortable with his ability and the car is superbly finished with some great detail work. Having also discussed the engine, box and diff configuration and the new IVA requirements he is being realistic in that the £4k previously discussed is a little optimistic and it looks like its on the table for discussion.

Does anyone have a feel for the offer I should be pitching. My gut feel is £2,750 and stick at £3k tops?

Anyone????????????

Your offer sounds very reasonable to me.

[Wanchaiwarrior]

It may also be woth asking over at locostbuilders.com in the MK Indy section for their advice.

HTH

Jamie

[nashman]

Good advice Jamie, I've just posted on there.

Thanks.........Neil