Used R500 Duratecs, would you?

[grenpayne]

Now I'll be honest I'm not quite yet in the market for another 7 (I really miss my old R300 but our house renovation is taking priority for now), but I'm not that far away and I'm keeping a very close eye on used and new prices. There's a few used, low mileage R500 Duratecs in the classifieds for ~£37k which bearing in mind a new 420R with equivalent equipment (6 speed box, big brakes, RBTBs etc) is now £45k this seems quite cheap. Any thoughts?

[grenpayne]

Interesting reply DCL! In what way would you do it differently?

Part of me is suspicious that R500D prices aren't where I thought they should be (hence the question) especially as a friend had one from new and ending up sending the car back and getting a brand new replacement due to all the issues he had with it.

[grenpayne]

Fair enough, and fits with what I'd heard rumoured. That said, they look like a bit of bargain right now if you're willing to make some mods and get them remapped.

[grenpayne]

justleanitupabit said:

What are you adding to a 420 to get it to £45k?

Basic 420 is 27k, R- Pack is 4k and even if you get Caterham to build it you're still only at £34k - £35k actually because there's the £800 OTR pack which isn't optional for factory cars.

What what are you speccing up to get an extra 9k out of?

Basic car £27k
R-Pack £4k
Factory Build £3k
OTR Pack £0.8K

Just curious.

As you say:

Basic car £27k
R-Pack £4k
Factory Build £3k
OTR Pack £0.8K

As I mentioned above to get the 420R to an equivalent equipment spec as the R500Ds came you need to add:

6 Speed box £2.5k
Big Brakes £0.7k
Master Cylinder £0.1k
RBTBs + map £4.1k
13" wheels £0.2k
Shift Lights £0.3k

That adds an extra £7900 plus you'll definitely need some paint and possibly doors and a windscreen. Which makes around £45k (or at least it does when I spec all the nice bits!)

Edited by grenpayne on Monday 13th June 19:58