Realistically How Long Should a Caterham 7 Last?
Discussion
8 years and the chassis requires replacement if not cleaned underneath? where the hell has that come from 
..
I would suggest that if the chassis is left in the sea - it might be the case - however other than that - utter tripe. Clean it occasionally - every few years get it on axle stands, brush down loose/ flaking and apply POR-15 to areas of loose/ flaking powdercoat … remove from axle stands and continue...
As stated - the above has stood mine in good stead since 2002 when I bought mine - already 9 year old K-series Caterham. It's not been pampered - still isn't pampered - in fact it's been sat on the trailer outside since October when I last used it.. yet it's still OK, chassis is still useable, but would benefit from a refresh - more to do with mileage and use (250-300 k miles - lots on the road but also probably 50+ trackdays and 100+ hillclimbs and sprints) so it's getting a bit tired and 'baggy'.
So - if you drive it, it doesn't need to be pampered - just occasionally looked at and the chassis should last 20 years or more with little major maintenance. With care - cleaning, kept in garage, routine maintenance, not driving at the hint of rain now or giit on the road - significantly more.
.. I would suggest that if the chassis is left in the sea - it might be the case - however other than that - utter tripe. Clean it occasionally - every few years get it on axle stands, brush down loose/ flaking and apply POR-15 to areas of loose/ flaking powdercoat … remove from axle stands and continue...
As stated - the above has stood mine in good stead since 2002 when I bought mine - already 9 year old K-series Caterham. It's not been pampered - still isn't pampered - in fact it's been sat on the trailer outside since October when I last used it.. yet it's still OK, chassis is still useable, but would benefit from a refresh - more to do with mileage and use (250-300 k miles - lots on the road but also probably 50+ trackdays and 100+ hillclimbs and sprints) so it's getting a bit tired and 'baggy'.
So - if you drive it, it doesn't need to be pampered - just occasionally looked at and the chassis should last 20 years or more with little major maintenance. With care - cleaning, kept in garage, routine maintenance, not driving at the hint of rain now or giit on the road - significantly more.
The chassis might last but this is state of my headlamp bezels in less than 2 years though I have driven 14,000 miles, which in Caterham terms appears an epic mileage in the timescale judging by classified ads. Maybe bad manufacturing/quality control but disappointing in any case. The car has been driven in the rain but not salt and lives in a garage and is regularly cleaned.
agatebox said:
The chassis might last but this is state of my headlamp bezels in less than 2 years though I have driven 14,000 miles, which in Caterham terms appears an epic mileage in the timescale judging by classified ads. Maybe bad manufacturing/quality control but disappointing in any case. The car has been driven in the rain but not salt and lives in a garage and is regularly cleaned.
Dave
I have a 2003 SV which I bought S/H in 2005 and put 128,000 miles 365/24/7 in all weathers on it 2005-2017. That includes salted and iced up roads in 13 winters All those years the car was stored in an open tunnel under the flying freehold of our mid-terrace house without any form of protection other than it's half-roof or tonneau. The shell had a few bits of electrolytic damage filled and sprayed, but apart from a hose down during a wash, the chassis/underside had no maintence. I've attached a couple of photos of the discarded chassis/shell and you can see the bits of the chassis which are visible look good, if dirty. The rest of it hidden by the skins is in equally good condition.
Conclusion: unless you are pretty unlucky, live be the sea or have a really bad powder coat, your chassis should be safe for many years.
I have a 2003 SV which I bought S/H in 2005 and put 128,000 miles 365/24/7 in all weathers on it 2005-2017. That includes salted and iced up roads in 13 winters All those years the car was stored in an open tunnel under the flying freehold of our mid-terrace house without any form of protection other than it's half-roof or tonneau. The shell had a few bits of electrolytic damage filled and sprayed, but apart from a hose down during a wash, the chassis/underside had no maintence. I've attached a couple of photos of the discarded chassis/shell and you can see the bits of the chassis which are visible look good, if dirty. The rest of it hidden by the skins is in equally good condition.
Conclusion: unless you are pretty unlucky, live be the sea or have a really bad powder coat, your chassis should be safe for many years.
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