Another: which car (Caterham only). Sorry.

[gianlu]

Right, here it goes, long-ish story:
I've had a 7 before, caterham K series, '99 5 speed, VHPD fettled by DVA about 200+hp. Loved it. But because after a while I get itchy to change, I've sold it. On the back of a post here so not even advertised.

I've had a long string of modifies Elises and 340r, k series, toyota s/c, honda s/c, audi.

And now I want another Caterham.
I'm not going to ask K Series or Duratec, anyone has its merits, flaws. I'm merely trying to understand, if I keep it 3/4 years with 2/3000 miles per year which one can the more expensive (maintenance and depreciation). Excluding major things going wrong.

K series R500 - one big downside, there are 0 in the market. There was a nice superlight on FB group which seem to have disappeared.

Duratec R500. There are 3/4.

cheaper(sequential)


more expensive (and possibly best looked after)

How much more expensive is a sequential to maintain? I would use it for track days/spirited drive, no traffic, so sequential not a problem, but a bit worried by a regular rebuild (?)
Second one, perfect example, but I can't help but feeling that unless I wait for a restricted audience in a restricted niche, I will lose a lot come resale time.

There a couple of alternatives in between, literally...2. 2009 cars, similar money, similar mileage.


Any tip from whoever has been there?

ta

[Amris]

if you are not going to keep the car long, I would avoid a sequential box. Whilst really fun the market place isn't so keen on them so might take longer to shift. So much so that i have heard of dealers changing the gearbox to sell off R500D stock. As a result i would opt for a manual, market price is around 35-38k for a Duratec.

[gianlu]

Thanks Amris, that was my worry. Said so I think a 500 with sequential showed up last week on the calssifieds and was gone in a few days. But yes, Oakmere one has been sitting there for a while.

[Darumvej]

I think the second car is a bit of a bargain have you read all of the spec, it even has a carbon bonnet.

The spares alone are worth quite a few thousand pounds, you could revert to standard and sell the fancy stuff.

[anonymous-user]

Darumvej said:

I think the second car is a bit of a bargain have you read all of the spec, it even has a carbon bonnet.

The spares alone are worth quite a few thousand pounds, you could revert to standard and sell the fancy stuff.

It's also had a hard life with issues going all the way back to its build. Lots of nice goodies but nothing special at heart.

[gianlu]

I did, and the fact that the cost was over 60k. But the fact that it has been unsold a while makes me think that people might not appreciate enough all the nice bits.
Does anyone has experience with caterham directly on ore owned? Any room for negotiation?

ETA; scratch that, just seen the other post from realist, thanks for the info 👍

[JustCallMeMac]

Couple of manual examples here, (unless sold), for pretty much market value when you take their various options in to account.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

No vested interest on my part apart from having a manual R500D myself and loving it!

[gianlu]

I love the colour on the roulette green, but despite saying manual is actually sequential. If sequential the oakmere one is cheaper and from a dealer (if that counts for anything).

Which makes the white one the only manual under 40 at the moment. Owner is on Seloc so I'll ask him more Q's.

Is the lack of "newish" higher powered caterham (r300+) because the new sales have declined or no one sells in this period?

I've started to look at the 620r sold by caterham as well. Mission budget creep

[cseven]

There is an r500 K on the caterham website if of interest?

[Oysterman]

Hi , when I collected my R500 from Oakmere recently I looked at the sequential model you have mentioned and I believe they were going to respray It as it looked a little less than perfect .

[gianlu]

If it was a K series, what would the "beards" reccomend:

Original R500 http://uk.caterhamcars.com/pre-owned/1978-r500

or Last superlight rs with VHPD https://www.facebook.com/groups/403110953197008/pe...

I've emailed twice Caterham about the 620r and got f**k all back. I'm glad they have the "enquire about this car" on their website

[Krismuss]

That Superlight R is an amazing car

Went out for a quick blat in it last night to drop my daughter at Cadets about 2 miles away...took me a surprisingly long time to get home!

It will break my heart if I have to sell her.

Chris

[gianlu]

Hi Chris, good to find you here too. I'm not quite sure if you have made your mind up as yet?

If not, what do you think of this?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[madda]

https://youtu.be/c4c4yrtdim0

Curve ball...