Supersport R

[tomwoodis]

scatty72 said:

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

Evening folks,

Could I ask people’s opinions on the above car. I’ve been to view and bar the stripes I like it. It’s been for sale since sept I think.

I’d kind of had my heart set on a 420r, but this seems to have everything except the 420r badge. I’m just concerned it may be harder to sell on if I didn’t like it compared to a 420. Is it a lesser model?? Or just an older version. Would an r400 be s better buy.. questions questions....

Any opinions and views greatly received... thanks

This is what I had in mind.

I've got one of these (standard S3 chassis rather than SV) which I bought new as a kit back in 2013 so hopefully some of the below is useful to you.

At the time, the 420R model didn't exist in the range, they had the SSR and above it the R400. I lusted after an R400 at the time and had money been no object I'd have gone for one but I couldn't quite stretch that far, the price differential back then being something like £6k I think it was.

I concluded that I could start with the SSR and upgrade over a few years which, sure enough, is what I've now done.

Some of the key Differences In the SSR spec back then vs an R400 would have been:

Gearbox - SSR 5 speed, R400 6 speed
Dash layout - SSR standard layout / R400 bespoke layout
SSR 180hp - standard plenum + Cams / R400 standard plenum + Upgraded Cams and ECU map (210hp)

The R400 also had a lot more carbon bits as standard such as wheel arches and dash which were optional additions on the SSR.

The R400 was also dry sumped as standard I think back then.

So, in terms of extras this has had over and above the base spec SSR (would be Interesting to see if these were added from new or more recently):

6 speed gearbox
R400 cam upgrade
Throttle bodies
Carbon cycle wings

None of this is cheap. The gearbox upgrade back then was about 2.5k from memory. Having just had the throttle bodies and Cam upgrade added to mine I can also confirm these are not cheap either at over £4k fitted. Carbon not sure on but again worth having. PM me if you want more details as I have a recent invoice for much of what's been added to yours.

So i agree with you, it's virtually an R400. It's missing the dry sump which you could add I guess and the dash is different but who cares.

In answer to your Q, I can't see why you'd struggle with resale unless the performance upgrade has been done by someone who isn't Caterham? If it was done by caterham then the setup is bread and butter R400 spec Duratec engine + throttle bodies upgrade which is a sought after combo.

If you like it then go for it. I do agree though, the white stripes need to go.

Tom

[upsidedownmark]

The white stripes do say 'decals' they're probably (maybe) just a vinyl sticker that can (proabably) be peeled off and an alternative put on relatively cheaply. From what I've seen that's more common than having them painted on.

[scatty72]

Brilliant info, thanks chaps.

I went for another look Wednesday and the conversion was done by BookaTrack. They would be happy to change the stripes for orange as well.

Fingers crossed my exige will be gone Wednesday. Quick test drive of the caterham and hopefully i like it... :-)

[g7jhp]

scatty72 said:

Brilliant info, thanks chaps.

I went for another look Wednesday and the conversion was done by BookaTrack. They would be happy to change the stripes for orange as well.

Fingers crossed my exige will be gone Wednesday. Quick test drive of the caterham and hopefully i like it... :-)

OP this looks like the car you want:

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

[scatty72]

I need an sv sadly. My giraffe legs are too long.

Chapmans have an r400 sv in and atetham south have an orange 420sv.

Still waiting for mine to go, fingers crossed the next week.