Quick turn over, low mileage?
Discussion
I’ve been toying with the idea of buying a new 420R for about six months now, but I’m still on the fence. One thing I keep noticing is how many very low mileage, often nearly new cars come up for sale- and to be fair just sit when they're the wrong side of £45k
I appreciate that for most people these are second or third cars that only come out in good weather, so low mileage is to be expected. But the Caterham community seems like a pretty close knit one, so I wondered if there’s a general consensus on why so many are moved on so quickly.
Is the idea of owning a Caterham sometimes better than the reality, as can happen with a lot of hobbies and purchases? Or is there another common theme for them being moved on so quickly with such little use?
Any input welcomed
Thanks
I appreciate that for most people these are second or third cars that only come out in good weather, so low mileage is to be expected. But the Caterham community seems like a pretty close knit one, so I wondered if there’s a general consensus on why so many are moved on so quickly.
Is the idea of owning a Caterham sometimes better than the reality, as can happen with a lot of hobbies and purchases? Or is there another common theme for them being moved on so quickly with such little use?
Any input welcomed
Thanks
Purchasers tend to fall into one of three camps ...
- Long time always wanted one and will keep it until forced not to drive it anymore. These will be a variety of new and older but well looked after cars, often long term C&L7C members who enjoy the social aspect of the car as well as the driving;
- Always been on the radar but not a particular desire over other open top cars. They'll buy fairly randomly and might keep it a couple of years;
- Went on a driving experience and drove one having never actually been in a Caterham, have money burning a hole and buy a top spec car ... these usually get sold after 12 months of sitting in the garage realising that in real life it isn't really for them and they go back to a GT3 or other similar much heavier rocketship.
If you "get" the Caterham thing though there's nothing that is comparable, all its' foibles fade into irrelevance and it becomes a family member. Very few drives won't make you grin.
- Long time always wanted one and will keep it until forced not to drive it anymore. These will be a variety of new and older but well looked after cars, often long term C&L7C members who enjoy the social aspect of the car as well as the driving;
- Always been on the radar but not a particular desire over other open top cars. They'll buy fairly randomly and might keep it a couple of years;
- Went on a driving experience and drove one having never actually been in a Caterham, have money burning a hole and buy a top spec car ... these usually get sold after 12 months of sitting in the garage realising that in real life it isn't really for them and they go back to a GT3 or other similar much heavier rocketship.
If you "get" the Caterham thing though there's nothing that is comparable, all its' foibles fade into irrelevance and it becomes a family member. Very few drives won't make you grin.
V7SLR said:
Purchasers tend to fall into one of three camps ...
- Long time always wanted one and will keep it until forced not to drive it anymore. These will be a variety of new and older but well looked after cars, often long term C&L7C members who enjoy the social aspect of the car as well as the driving;
- Always been on the radar but not a particular desire over other open top cars. They'll buy fairly randomly and might keep it a couple of years;
- Went on a driving experience and drove one having never actually been in a Caterham, have money burning a hole and buy a top spec car ... these usually get sold after 12 months of sitting in the garage realising that in real life it isn't really for them and they go back to a GT3 or other similar much heavier rocketship.
If you "get" the Caterham thing though there's nothing that is comparable, all its' foibles fade into irrelevance and it becomes a family member. Very few drives won't make you grin.
Very well put.- Long time always wanted one and will keep it until forced not to drive it anymore. These will be a variety of new and older but well looked after cars, often long term C&L7C members who enjoy the social aspect of the car as well as the driving;
- Always been on the radar but not a particular desire over other open top cars. They'll buy fairly randomly and might keep it a couple of years;
- Went on a driving experience and drove one having never actually been in a Caterham, have money burning a hole and buy a top spec car ... these usually get sold after 12 months of sitting in the garage realising that in real life it isn't really for them and they go back to a GT3 or other similar much heavier rocketship.
If you "get" the Caterham thing though there's nothing that is comparable, all its' foibles fade into irrelevance and it becomes a family member. Very few drives won't make you grin.
There was an article in the Caterham Club magazine a few years ago that made reference to a customer survey Caterham had conducted. They found the average length of ownership of a new Seven was eighteen months.
In our local club area group, there’s a constant revolving door of new owners who appear, introduce themselves & their new car, dominate the WhatsApp group chat for six months or so with constant questions & then disappear, never to be seen again.
As a hopelessly addicted long term owner, I do find it all rather bemusing. I can’t imagine how anyone could buy a Seven, drive it for a few months & then think “Nah, I think I’ll swap it for a Boxter….”
It frazzles my brain.
In our local club area group, there’s a constant revolving door of new owners who appear, introduce themselves & their new car, dominate the WhatsApp group chat for six months or so with constant questions & then disappear, never to be seen again.
As a hopelessly addicted long term owner, I do find it all rather bemusing. I can’t imagine how anyone could buy a Seven, drive it for a few months & then think “Nah, I think I’ll swap it for a Boxter….”
It frazzles my brain.
Sat in my first Caterham at the Earls Court Motor Show - 1999/2000 I think.
Hired one for a weekend in Scotland in Spring 2016, then again for the NC500 (+ we did a bit extra) in 2017. Bought mine, a 1999 Supersport 140 in 2018. I'm not in to modified cars, but I have evolved my Caterham to suit my driving pleasure.
They are a marmite experience, which you either love or hate. If it is a poor fit physically or with your lifestyle, then I can see how the appeal will fade rapidly. If you 'get' the Owners Club ethos, and enjoy a group blat, the Caterham will become part of your family.
It is more about you, as a driver and person, than the car. It either fits, or it doesn't.
Join me for a drive here: https://www.youtube.com/@SevenDrives
Hired one for a weekend in Scotland in Spring 2016, then again for the NC500 (+ we did a bit extra) in 2017. Bought mine, a 1999 Supersport 140 in 2018. I'm not in to modified cars, but I have evolved my Caterham to suit my driving pleasure.
They are a marmite experience, which you either love or hate. If it is a poor fit physically or with your lifestyle, then I can see how the appeal will fade rapidly. If you 'get' the Owners Club ethos, and enjoy a group blat, the Caterham will become part of your family.
It is more about you, as a driver and person, than the car. It either fits, or it doesn't.
Join me for a drive here: https://www.youtube.com/@SevenDrives
After wanting a Caterham for 20 plus years I finally bought a new 420R in June this year
Whilst I love the car I am not getting to drive it as much as planned, as life and work seem to get in the way - however hopefully will retire in a couple of years which should give me much more time for a few adventures as I would love to do a trip round Spain and Portugal - just need to persuade Mrs K to actually get in the car...
One of the things I didn't realise is that I have a group of friends that I go for an annual euro bike trip with but don't yet have any pals with Caterhams or similar which would get me out more regularly
Plan to do some track days once it has been run in which I am really looking forward to plus my youngest will start driving in 18 months who is very keen to do some track days/racing
Whilst I love the car I am not getting to drive it as much as planned, as life and work seem to get in the way - however hopefully will retire in a couple of years which should give me much more time for a few adventures as I would love to do a trip round Spain and Portugal - just need to persuade Mrs K to actually get in the car...
One of the things I didn't realise is that I have a group of friends that I go for an annual euro bike trip with but don't yet have any pals with Caterhams or similar which would get me out more regularly
Plan to do some track days once it has been run in which I am really looking forward to plus my youngest will start driving in 18 months who is very keen to do some track days/racing
Tupwood said:
Sat in my first Caterham at the Earls Court Motor Show - 1999/2000 I think.
Hired one for a weekend in Scotland in Spring 2016, then again for the NC500 (+ we did a bit extra) in 2017. Bought mine, a 1999 Supersport 140 in 2018. I'm not in to modified cars, but I have evolved my Caterham to suit my driving pleasure.
They are a marmite experience, which you either love or hate. If it is a poor fit physically or with your lifestyle, then I can see how the appeal will fade rapidly. If you 'get' the Owners Club ethos, and enjoy a group blat, the Caterham will become part of your family.
It is more about you, as a driver and person, than the car. It either fits, or it doesn't.
Join me for a drive here: https://www.youtube.com/@SevenDrives
I've enjoyed your YouTube channel Hired one for a weekend in Scotland in Spring 2016, then again for the NC500 (+ we did a bit extra) in 2017. Bought mine, a 1999 Supersport 140 in 2018. I'm not in to modified cars, but I have evolved my Caterham to suit my driving pleasure.
They are a marmite experience, which you either love or hate. If it is a poor fit physically or with your lifestyle, then I can see how the appeal will fade rapidly. If you 'get' the Owners Club ethos, and enjoy a group blat, the Caterham will become part of your family.
It is more about you, as a driver and person, than the car. It either fits, or it doesn't.
Join me for a drive here: https://www.youtube.com/@SevenDrives
One of the things I didn't realise is that I have a group of friends that I go for an annual euro bike trip with but don't yet have any pals with Caterhams or similar which would get me out more regularly
This will make a big difference to the whole Caterham experience. Join the CL7C (https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/ ) and they will put you in touch with your local area rep (or 2 or 3) and then see who's nearby. Local groups ought to be quite active, and if yours seems a little lacking, ask around in my experience someone is usually up for a Sat / Sun morning breakfast blat we had 7 cars out today in Herts / Cambs / Essex.
This will make a big difference to the whole Caterham experience. Join the CL7C (https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/ ) and they will put you in touch with your local area rep (or 2 or 3) and then see who's nearby. Local groups ought to be quite active, and if yours seems a little lacking, ask around in my experience someone is usually up for a Sat / Sun morning breakfast blat we had 7 cars out today in Herts / Cambs / Essex.
Edited by Tupwood on Saturday 25th July 18:22
Tupwood said:
One of the things I didn't realise is that I have a group of friends that I go for an annual euro bike trip with but don't yet have any pals with Caterhams or similar which would get me out more regularly
This will make a big difference to the whole Caterham experience. Join the CL7C (https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/ ) and they will put you in touch with your local area rep (or 2 or 3) and then see who's nearby. Local groups ought to be quite active, and if yours seems a little lacking, ask around in my experience someone is usually up for a Sat / Sun morning breakfast blat we had 7 cars out today in Herts / Cambs / Essex.
Thanks have joined and will get outThis will make a big difference to the whole Caterham experience. Join the CL7C (https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/ ) and they will put you in touch with your local area rep (or 2 or 3) and then see who's nearby. Local groups ought to be quite active, and if yours seems a little lacking, ask around in my experience someone is usually up for a Sat / Sun morning breakfast blat we had 7 cars out today in Herts / Cambs / Essex.
Edited by Tupwood on Saturday 25th July 18:22
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