RE: New Caterham Seven revealed
Discussion
vrooom said:
what research&delevlopment cost? they used same chassis since the earth was created!
Ford fiesta ST with 182hp 1.6 ecoboost is £16,995. that came with roof, full doors, and creature comfort etc... and new panels etc etc that makes caterham look very bad value.
Economies of scale perhaps?Ford fiesta ST with 182hp 1.6 ecoboost is £16,995. that came with roof, full doors, and creature comfort etc... and new panels etc etc that makes caterham look very bad value.
A real life example of 'very bad value' as you put it... I paid £14.5k for a 2 year-old 7, ran it for 3 years and 10k miles, services and maitenance were about £1200, 4 tyres c£180, insurance was less than £250 per year. I sold it for £12.6k. This is before the 'value' of the pleasure from owning and driving it are added. This was 2002-2005, but even so, very good value for money I'd say.
suffolk009 said:
Everyone's overlooking the gearbox. Sooner or later the Type 9 will go way the same way as the Marina live axle.
Maybe the new engine (whatever it is) will have a suitably modern plain ordinary manual five speed gearbox. But then who makes inexpensive RWD cars these days?
Good suggestion!Maybe the new engine (whatever it is) will have a suitably modern plain ordinary manual five speed gearbox. But then who makes inexpensive RWD cars these days?
I wonder what gearbox would be used and how it would be packaged though? Especially one that could be used to drive the rear wheels?
otolith said:
Is the market for Caterhams really significantly limited by who can afford them, or by who (a) wants one and (b) can live with one?
Er.. maybe. Do they offer finance?I don't think a Caterham can really be a daily, so they cost even more because you have to have two cars to have one Caterham.
Unless of course they can just be driven day-in day-out with only the usual servicing you'd give any car? I mean, I can wear one of those biker rain suit things so rain isn't a problem. Shopping goes in the passenger footwell.
framerateuk said:
suffolk009 said:
Everyone's overlooking the gearbox. Sooner or later the Type 9 will go way the same way as the Marina live axle.
Maybe the new engine (whatever it is) will have a suitably modern plain ordinary manual five speed gearbox. But then who makes inexpensive RWD cars these days?
Good suggestion!Maybe the new engine (whatever it is) will have a suitably modern plain ordinary manual five speed gearbox. But then who makes inexpensive RWD cars these days?
I wonder what gearbox would be used and how it would be packaged though? Especially one that could be used to drive the rear wheels?
scarble said:
Er.. maybe. Do they offer finance?
I don't think a Caterham can really be a daily, so they cost even more because you have to have two cars to have one Caterham.
Unless of course they can just be driven day-in day-out with only the usual servicing you'd give any car? I mean, I can wear one of those biker rain suit things so rain isn't a problem. Shopping goes in the passenger footwell.
I say it on most Caterham threads so will here too - my 7 was my only car for 5 years and so far I've done over 80,000 miles in it since 2000 with the majority of those being in the first 8 years. Shopping can go in the boot and/or footwell. The roof is pretty effective (if fitted correctly) and servicing is basic as the car is simple and based on mainstream engines. It does require a bit of commitment but can be done.I don't think a Caterham can really be a daily, so they cost even more because you have to have two cars to have one Caterham.
Unless of course they can just be driven day-in day-out with only the usual servicing you'd give any car? I mean, I can wear one of those biker rain suit things so rain isn't a problem. Shopping goes in the passenger footwell.
I too had a Caterham for 3 years and 25k miles as an only car. Yes it took a certain amount of commitment. Yes there were times it was a PITA. But mostly it was fantastic. Surprising how much stuff you can squeeze in. The roof is great - though it gets hot inside with the roof up even if it is freezing outside.
Cost of ownership is ridiculously low. Depreciation is glacial or even non existent if you buy used.
Every petrol-head HAS to own a Caterham once in their life.
Cost of ownership is ridiculously low. Depreciation is glacial or even non existent if you buy used.
Every petrol-head HAS to own a Caterham once in their life.
Still putting my money on this one!(maybe not realistically, I know...) http://www.powertrain.renault.com/our-range/powert...
ewenm said:
I say it on most Caterham threads so will here too - my 7 was my only car for 5 years and so far I've done over 80,000 miles in it since 2000 with the majority of those being in the first 8 years. Shopping can go in the boot and/or footwell. The roof is pretty effective (if fitted correctly) and servicing is basic as the car is simple and based on mainstream engines. It does require a bit of commitment but can be done.
define commitment?
jensenhealey2 said:
bobberz said:
Yeah, my guess is any EcoBoost version would be at a much higher price point than this "entry-level" model. I quite like Caterhams.
Anybody know if they're available in the US? I know of at least one around me (a Superlight R with an SVT Zetec), but I don't know if he imported it.
There you goAnybody know if they're available in the US? I know of at least one around me (a Superlight R with an SVT Zetec), but I don't know if he imported it.
http://www.uscaterham.com/contact/contact.html
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff