40k for a Caterham, worth buying new?

[nigelpugh7]

Master Bean said:

I did change my mind. I wonder if mr 135 did buy his 420? Is the advice given in ph useful? Hmm.

There’s lots of threads on here like that, then we never hear from the OP again.

Lots of people ping me direct on here for advice on R500 620R purchases etc, ie what options and spec etc.

But they always seem to do it in private, perhaps they don’t want to share what they choose with the public!

[Runningretailer]

http://uk.caterhamcars.com/pre-owned/1981-new-420r

I had a R400 12 years ago and regularly wish I hadn't sold it.

This beauty keeps tempting me back, adding it all up it seems to be list price and I'm sure a deal could be done. Seems to have been around for a while considering the waiting list Caterham talk about; is there anything missing on the spec?

[KN02LEY]

When Wheeler Dealers did a deal with Caterham, there was lots of comment to the effect that Caterham very rarely do deals.

[AndrewGP]

I think the accepted rule with CC is that you may get some stuff thrown in for free, but you very rarely (if ever) get anything knocked of the price. I certainly didn't when I bought mine! I asked a couple of times and was told 'that's the price, like it or lump it'

[BigCol]

AndrewGP said:

I think the accepted rule with CC is that you may get some stuff thrown in for free...(

That’s the way to negotiate generally... get added value... £100-worth of goodies will cost Caterham (guess!) £60... £100 off costs them £100! (ignoring the VAT element of course!)

[G-jd8pu]

I had exactly the intention and went to caterham to look at a 2nd hand 360r , when I came away I asked them for a trade in price on the same spec and the drop in value was too high. After that I bought a ten year old k series and a Porsche 996 for the same total spend , never been happier the caterham is fantastic car and scary fast on the road, the engine character of the k series is fabulous especially after throttle bodies and emerald ecu has been added, frankly the speed of a 420r must be difficult to exploit on the open road. And I get to scratch the 911 itch I have had as well, both bargain buys!

[scatty72]

http://uk.caterhamcars.com/pre-owned/1889-620s-sv

Good evening chaps.

A bit of a lurker here and on the Facebook caterham page. I've just put my Exige S up for sale and hoping to clamber into a 420r myself.

I noticed the 620s above for sale, and realised it was the press car on all vids I've seen. Weirdly I've also seen it In the flesh at bookatrack on one of there open days. I thought it was gorgeous in that colour scheme, I kind of fell in love with it, I didn't realise it was the same car until I did a bit of digging.

It's a great price, but my question is would it be a risk, ragged senseless, difficult to shift on if we didn't get on with each other??

Is it a no no buying a press car.

Any help is much appreciated.

[Master Bean]

I have an the autocar magazine blue supersport. Nobody told me this when I bought however it seems it pretty good nick and has been reliable over the past year. I think all Caterham's are ragged aboard so people expect nothing less.

[ceebmoj]

ghibbett said:

There's no point wanting a balls-out mega experience and then fitting the windscreen, doors and carpet. It's like ordering a red hot curry and then eating it smothered with cooling yogurt.

Get rid of the screen, doors and carpet, put an aeroscreen on and then laugh when other people say their M235i's are quick and 'an experience'.

ok so mine was a cheap imposter copy, but. This all the way home.

[coppice]

My first Seven was an ex press car and in the ten years I had it was just fine with no serious issues at all. Re windscreens and doors - it's a personal thing. it isn't compulsory to be a hairy arsed hard man spitting gravel out of your teeth . I had both and in 100k miles did not feel too much of a jessy .

[nigelpugh7]

scatty72 said:

http://uk.caterhamcars.com/pre-owned/1889-620s-sv

Good evening chaps.

A bit of a lurker here and on the Facebook caterham page. I've just put my Exige S up for sale and hoping to clamber into a 420r myself.

I noticed the 620s above for sale, and realised it was the press car on all vids I've seen. Weirdly I've also seen it In the flesh at bookatrack on one of there open days. I thought it was gorgeous in that colour scheme, I kind of fell in love with it, I didn't realise it was the same car until I did a bit of digging.

It's a great price, but my question is would it be a risk, ragged senseless, difficult to shift on if we didn't get on with each other??

Is it a no no buying a press car.

Any help is much appreciated.

I’m sure it will actually be a very good car, despite the fact that it’s been used for promo work.

Chances are Caterham have fixed any small issues and made any repairs needed over the course of its promo work, so it’s pro as good as a new car, albeit with some miles on it.

My own 620R is the best caterham I have ever owned, and feels bombproof, so I would say if you like the car and the colour hits go for it.

Good luck! And if you buy it we expect to see you on the 620 Owners Group on Facebook very soon!

[scatty72]

Thanks Nigel, useful info.


Just joined the Facebook group. I shall lurk until the exige gets sold...

[nigelpugh7]

scatty72 said:

Thanks Nigel, useful info.


Just joined the Facebook group. I shall lurk until the exige gets sold...

No worries buddy, let us know on the group if there is anything we can offer in terms of advice!

[anonymous-user]

ceebmoj said:

ghibbett said:

There's no point wanting a balls-out mega experience and then fitting the windscreen, doors and carpet. It's like ordering a red hot curry and then eating it smothered with cooling yogurt.

Get rid of the screen, doors and carpet, put an aeroscreen on and then laugh when other people say their M235i's are quick and 'an experience'.

ok so mine was a cheap imposter copy, but. This all the way home.

Naaaaah. If we’re talking 210bhp + there’s no noticeable difference in performance on the road with or without a screen, and much safer and more comfortable with.

On the track it is noticeable so you need both options.

[PhilEroo]

http://uk.caterhamcars.com/pre-owned/1889-620s-sv
I think the engine blew on this car....?
Please check.

[CycleSi]

I am fairly certain this was the car that EVO magazine had on their fleet and it went bang at Bedford.

That said, I am sure the engine would have been rebuilt/replaced since and have a warranty.

[nigelpugh7]

I’m pretty sure it was the one that had an engine issue in the hands of Evo magazine.

A Caterham employee told me they had run it dry of oil, so that could have happened to any Caterham loaned to the press wher they just use and abuse it on track, with very little in terms of preventative maintenance!

However it would not put me off buying the car if the price is right, I’m sure CC would have done a full rebuild of the engine, so in some respects it would be better than a new car!

[LB14]

I thought the one that went bang in Evo’s hands was a 420R?

Or has it happened twice??

[framerateuk]

Master Bean said:

I have an the autocar magazine blue supersport. Nobody told me this when I bought however it seems it pretty good nick and has been reliable over the past year. I think all Caterham's are ragged aboard so people expect nothing less.

Mine was an ex-Caterham demo car, and as far as I can tell it was also used at Autosport one year as a drift car.

Aside from some worn seats and a worn gearstick bush it's been absolutely faultless.

It's paintwork wasn't exactly A1 rated (probably due to loads of people using it and getting in and out of it), but mechanically it's been fantastic!

[573]

LB14 said:

I thought the one that went bang in Evo’s hands was a 420R?

Or has it happened twice??

Evo's was a 420r. It also wasn't an SV.