Why are ex-academy cars cheap?

[Chris71]

I'm contemplating a '7 type car as my next purchase and for my budget I'm just starting to edge into lower Caterham territory. As well as the usual ageing x-flow cars there are some quite well-specced ex-Caterham Academy cars for sale at lowish prices.

Is there a specific reason for this, is it just the stigma of being an ex race car, or is there a real chance they might have been shunted?

ETA While we're talking about Caterhams, does anyone recognise this Vauxhall powered car out of the PH classifieds? http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1024576.htm Looks quite promising...

Edited by Chris71 on Monday 1st June 18:21

[Chris71]

Thanks.

I know this is going completely off topic relative to the thread title, but what exactly makes it as HPC and why is that good?

Sorry, excuse my naivety I know nothing about the Caterham models - are we talking live axle or IRS, for example? Anything special about them?

It seems like a good spec and quite affordable for a Caterham - is there a catch?

[Chris71]

True. You did indeed and it's a major concern. My local circuit is Bedford - 98dB IIRC - with Brands (also lowish) next round the M25. Is that likely to be a problem with other '7s do you think? Presumably there are some powertrains that are better than others in that respect?

Has the switch to IRS been quite a recent one with Caterham? (ie if I'm looking up to say £12k is it going to all be live axle cars?) And are 'must have' features which act as a real bonus?

Oh, and as a general point... just how bad is the weather gear on a Caterham? Can they be made completely watertight?

Thanks for the advice - some really useful stuff, apologies for the barrage of questions!

[Chris71]

ewenm said:

Chris71 said:

Has the switch to IRS been quite a recent one with Caterham? (ie if I'm looking up to say £12k is it going to all be live axle cars?) And are 'must have' features which act as a real bonus?

There are 3 suspension versions on 7s. The early ones have live rear axles, the more recent ones have a DeDion tube and the CSRs have IRS. I'd say you'd be looking at DeDion versions with "normal" engines (K-Series) or older live axles with more unusual or powerful engines.

Thanks how does that equate to the model names? Assuming the CSR isn't really an option in my budget that presumably leaves the Seven, Super Seven, Sprint, Super Sprint, Classic, Roadsport and HPC? Is there a good model guide or buyer's guide anywhere?

I have to be honest I've been a little sceptical about the price difference between the Caterhams and the various clones in the past. However, the sheer number of Caterhams out there gives you a much wider choice and the general standard does seem to be higher. I don't mind spending a bit more (compared to kit clone money) as long as I can get most of it back. Do you think there are any which represent particularly good value at the moment or even the potential to go up? Secondly, do you think regular track use will have an effect on the value (providing its maintained accordingly)?

And finally, do you think there are any models or features in particular to look out for on a road, track day, sprint and possibly autotest car?

ETA: Slightly random comment, but am I right in thinking that a limited slip diff is quite a rare option?

Hmm, another one that looks quite tempting:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1056246.htm

Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 2nd June 10:35