Value 1994 Caterham 7
Discussion
Hi . looking to buy a Caterham 7 . Have been offered a 1994 car with 12k miles . It has 1600 VX engine . All good condition never been tracked etc . is this a popular engine choice and what is a realistic price . I am normally a TVR man but looking for something different and Caterham's are a little unfamiliar to me ? thanks any advice welcome.
I think the 1600VX engine can be a little underwhelming , even in a lightweight Caterham. What's the horsepower output? 125bhp?
The 'red-top' VX engine, based on the 2-litre unit from the Vauxhall touring cars of the day were the ones to have.
Pre-1997 cars can suffer from less-than-ideal rust proofing on the chassis, and have a hand-brake that is buried under the passengers knees… Personally I ruled these out when seeking out my car, and went for a 1999 1.8-litre Rover K-series powered car with 140bhp. https://www.youtube.com/@SevenDrives
Track down a specialist dealer local to you and go a try a few different engine / chassis combinations. They are all unique, but you need to match that uniqueness to your needs and ambitions with the car.
The 'red-top' VX engine, based on the 2-litre unit from the Vauxhall touring cars of the day were the ones to have.
Pre-1997 cars can suffer from less-than-ideal rust proofing on the chassis, and have a hand-brake that is buried under the passengers knees… Personally I ruled these out when seeking out my car, and went for a 1999 1.8-litre Rover K-series powered car with 140bhp. https://www.youtube.com/@SevenDrives
Track down a specialist dealer local to you and go a try a few different engine / chassis combinations. They are all unique, but you need to match that uniqueness to your needs and ambitions with the car.
Well; I’ve got one. About 100bhp so if you want to chase hot hatches you’re going to lose. Track days remain great fun as the cornering ability of a 7 is quite amazing and what you lose on a long straight you more than gain in the corners. Handbrake under the dashboard is quite useless but I’ve never found it an issue, I don’t use a handbrake in more modern cars anyway. Engine pretty bulletproof, I return around 27 mph, need to use E5 fuel (well I do!). If you want a raw, great fun experience ANY 7 will offer that. And believe me sitting a few inches from the ground ANY powered 7 will give you a smile every time you drive it. It most definitely (for me) is not all about power. If you have a local club meet go along as owners are only too willing to offer advise and even rides, although the time of year might reduce your choice.
You need to evaluate a Caterham on condition, not mileage. The cars rarely get used in the same way a GT or hatchback might. I can rack up 6,000 miles per year when the sun shines, but not many do even half that.
Check underneath. Get the owner to jack it up / put it on stands. Look inside the boot, peel up the carpets if fitted. You can also see much of the inside once the bonnet has been removed. That's where any muck and lack of maintenance can see spotted.
£14K will give you access to a range of VX / Crossflow/ K-series and Sigma-powered ex-race cars. Drive as many as you can to find the best one for you.
Joining the Owners Club before you buy could be the best £55 you'll ever spend. Many cars change hands within the club…
https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/subscriptions/?reg...
Check underneath. Get the owner to jack it up / put it on stands. Look inside the boot, peel up the carpets if fitted. You can also see much of the inside once the bonnet has been removed. That's where any muck and lack of maintenance can see spotted.
£14K will give you access to a range of VX / Crossflow/ K-series and Sigma-powered ex-race cars. Drive as many as you can to find the best one for you.
Joining the Owners Club before you buy could be the best £55 you'll ever spend. Many cars change hands within the club…
https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/subscriptions/?reg...
I used to have a similar spec 8 valve Vauxhall Caterham, although mine was the 1800 version.
I built it from a kit back in 2002 & kept it for seventeen years. I can’t say I found it under-powered, although it was the quickest car I’d owned at the time. I loved the sound of the Weber carbs!
I think the main downside was the rear axle which Caterham sourced from the Morris Marina/Ital. It never felt quite up to the job & I broke a number of drive shafts. I think parts are becoming scarce for them these days.
Another disadvantage is they use 70 profile tyres & the choice is quite limited now in that size. They also have a foam insert in the sump, to prevent oil surge under hard cornering. The foam has to be replaced periodically, as it degrades with use & can clog the oil pickup. I think the same was true of some of the K series models.
If I was looking at Caterhams in that price range now, I’d probably avoid the live axle models.
I built it from a kit back in 2002 & kept it for seventeen years. I can’t say I found it under-powered, although it was the quickest car I’d owned at the time. I loved the sound of the Weber carbs!
I think the main downside was the rear axle which Caterham sourced from the Morris Marina/Ital. It never felt quite up to the job & I broke a number of drive shafts. I think parts are becoming scarce for them these days.
Another disadvantage is they use 70 profile tyres & the choice is quite limited now in that size. They also have a foam insert in the sump, to prevent oil surge under hard cornering. The foam has to be replaced periodically, as it degrades with use & can clog the oil pickup. I think the same was true of some of the K series models.
If I was looking at Caterhams in that price range now, I’d probably avoid the live axle models.
While ALL Caterhams are fun to drive, even/ especially [delete as appropriate] with less power.
I also agree that mileage on a Caterham is even less relevant than a standard car. For one the odometer wheel thingy is prone to failure, and, the mileage of those with any race history is questionable.
The earlier comment on parts supply is also worth considering. Does that make metric S3 cars easier or more economical to run?
My hunch is that £14k is a reasonable base price for a Vauxhall/ K-Series or even Sigma engined car. I paid that for an ex-academy Sigma car.
I also suspect world events will mean it is more a buyers than sellers market.
Enjoy the hunt!
I also agree that mileage on a Caterham is even less relevant than a standard car. For one the odometer wheel thingy is prone to failure, and, the mileage of those with any race history is questionable.
The earlier comment on parts supply is also worth considering. Does that make metric S3 cars easier or more economical to run?
My hunch is that £14k is a reasonable base price for a Vauxhall/ K-Series or even Sigma engined car. I paid that for an ex-academy Sigma car.
I also suspect world events will mean it is more a buyers than sellers market.
Enjoy the hunt!
Jack ketch said:
Well; I ve got one. About 100bhp so if you want to chase hot hatches you re going to lose. Track days remain great fun as the cornering ability of a 7 is quite amazing and what you lose on a long straight you more than gain in the corners. Handbrake under the dashboard is quite useless but I ve never found it an issue, I don t use a handbrake in more modern cars anyway. Engine pretty bulletproof, I return around 27 mph, need to use E5 fuel (well I do!). If you want a raw, great fun experience ANY 7 will offer that. And believe me sitting a few inches from the ground ANY powered 7 will give you a smile every time you drive it. It most definitely (for me) is not all about power. If you have a local club meet go along as owners are only too willing to offer advise and even rides, although the time of year might reduce your choice.
I also have 100hp vauxhall and can vouch for the fun they give, especially on track. Did a driver training day last year with some much newer and more powerful cars. Definitely slower on the fast sections (long straight with sweeping bend at end) but once the twisty stuff was introduced, it came into it's own. Only beaten in these sections by an Alpine and 911.Also agree with the "fun" these cars give. If the roads are dry and the sun is out, then there is nothing better. And remember, a 60mph corner, is 60mph corner - it just feels much better a few inches off the ground with no roof or doors.
Good luck with the hunt
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