Yet another newbie....
Discussion
Have decided to buy a 7. Had been comparing a few cars but have made a decision today (discussed with and signed off by the wife too). Question now is which one.
It will mainly be used for road use but with the odd track day thrown in. Unusually, it is going to be used in winter too - certainly not every day but we only have one other car between us and so if my wife needs the BMW and I need to drive somewhere, the Caterham will have to be called into action.
I used to ride bikes and I am approaching the 7 as a 4-wheeled bike, rather than a normal car (surely a 7 can't be more miserable than a bike in the wet and cold?)
From my position of relative ignorance I was thinking Superlight R / R300.
Things I think I want are the 6 speed box, LSD, track day rollbar and an interior more likely to cope with crap weather (so no leather seats).
Thoughts?
From the cars available on PH these three caught my eye:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
If buying private, how do you get a PPI done (assuming a PPI is a good idea)? Other things to consider?
Apart from PH where else could I look?
It will mainly be used for road use but with the odd track day thrown in. Unusually, it is going to be used in winter too - certainly not every day but we only have one other car between us and so if my wife needs the BMW and I need to drive somewhere, the Caterham will have to be called into action.
I used to ride bikes and I am approaching the 7 as a 4-wheeled bike, rather than a normal car (surely a 7 can't be more miserable than a bike in the wet and cold?)
From my position of relative ignorance I was thinking Superlight R / R300.
Things I think I want are the 6 speed box, LSD, track day rollbar and an interior more likely to cope with crap weather (so no leather seats).
Thoughts?
From the cars available on PH these three caught my eye:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
If buying private, how do you get a PPI done (assuming a PPI is a good idea)? Other things to consider?
Apart from PH where else could I look?
I'd not buy an SLR without a dry sump unless I wasn't planning to ever track it. One of the cars in the link is an ex racecar too.
Given your car history, you should go for an SLR/R400...anything less and you will be upgrading it within a year.
As for PPI..doesn't exist in this world really. Better to buy from Caterham or a good indie such as Millwood if you want peace of mind. Or go to your local L7 Club meet and talk to owners and get a ride in some cars.
Given your car history, you should go for an SLR/R400...anything less and you will be upgrading it within a year.
As for PPI..doesn't exist in this world really. Better to buy from Caterham or a good indie such as Millwood if you want peace of mind. Or go to your local L7 Club meet and talk to owners and get a ride in some cars.
I'd not buy an SLR without a dry sump unless I wasn't planning to ever track it. One of the cars in the link is an ex racecar too.
Given your car history, you should go for an SLR/R400...anything less and you will be upgrading it within a year.
As for PPI..doesn't exist in this world really. Better to buy from Caterham or a good indie such as Millwood if you want peace of mind. Or go to your local L7 Club meet and talk to owners and get a ride in some cars.
Given your car history, you should go for an SLR/R400...anything less and you will be upgrading it within a year.
As for PPI..doesn't exist in this world really. Better to buy from Caterham or a good indie such as Millwood if you want peace of mind. Or go to your local L7 Club meet and talk to owners and get a ride in some cars.
R300CYA said:
That seems about perfect..but price too much?Schnellmann said:
That seems about perfect..but price too much?
I'm no expert, but have been looking for a decent Roadsport for the last 6 months. Dealers always seem to add 10-15% or even more to the price. I've heard of people advertising their cars that were then picked up by dealers who then readvertisers with a 10% mark up in price.carphotographer said:
I'm no expert, but have been looking for a decent Roadsport for the last 6 months. Dealers always seem to add 10-15% or even more to the price. I've heard of people advertising their cars that were then picked up by dealers who then readvertisers with a 10% mark up in price.
This is surely not unique to Caterhams...?The Green Tracksport is mine if you're interested!
I've owned if for three years and can't fault it, just time for a change (I had my first Caterham for 3 years too - Caterham Blackbird).
The Tracksport was a 30th Anniversary model of which they made very few. It was a track focused car when released though the first two owners both threw lots of cash at the car to make it suitable for the road too (full weather gear, uprated engine & clutch, LSD, 6speed, etc. etc.) I've also had it set up at DPR Motorsport and Rolling Road session at 'the two Steves' (no idea what their company name is), so it's running very nicely.
A friend of mine with an R300 (Teflon T) noted how rapid mine was when he took it for a blast as he was setting up his R300 and need a comparison of where his should be at!
Chris
Note to the comments above...Sevens & Classic have also approached me to sell the car so it may be off there soon!
I've owned if for three years and can't fault it, just time for a change (I had my first Caterham for 3 years too - Caterham Blackbird).
The Tracksport was a 30th Anniversary model of which they made very few. It was a track focused car when released though the first two owners both threw lots of cash at the car to make it suitable for the road too (full weather gear, uprated engine & clutch, LSD, 6speed, etc. etc.) I've also had it set up at DPR Motorsport and Rolling Road session at 'the two Steves' (no idea what their company name is), so it's running very nicely.
A friend of mine with an R300 (Teflon T) noted how rapid mine was when he took it for a blast as he was setting up his R300 and need a comparison of where his should be at!
Chris
Note to the comments above...Sevens & Classic have also approached me to sell the car so it may be off there soon!
Schnellmann said:
R300CYA said:
That seems about perfect..but price too much?Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff