Potential Purchase - help for a novice

[Hoddo]

blackmamba said:

A few parameters would be helpful - road / track, K-series / Duratec, S3 or SV chassis etc? I think £30k is a good budget and there should be plenty of choice, perhaps not in the middle of winter though!

If this is your first Caterham, you may want to buy from a reputable dealer and have the support and warranty. I have bought from GP Sevens and they were good to deal with and the car was very well prepared. This is just over your budget but they've had it a while (maybe the colour isn't popular?) but I am sure there is a deal to be done.

http://www.gpsevens.co.uk/portfolio-item/caterham-...

That looks fantastic. So much choice.

https://www.ptsportscars.com/car/2017-caterham-420...
https://www.ptsportscars.com/car/2018-caterham-310...

[Hoddo]

Tazio77 said:

Hoddo,

I know the last two owners of that one being sold at Silverstone..........

I'll drop you a DM.

[Murph7355]

I agree with blackmamba. £30k is a healthy budget and should give a massive choice. You just need to think through what you want.

I wouldn't bother with much over 200bhp. IMO this is a strong level of power in a 7. Less wouldn't be an issue for a road biased car.

I wouldn't be too fussed about how old the car is either. Buy on condition only.

Go for an S3 chassis if you can - much more intimate feeling.

[BertBert]

One of the things you should do of course is try and drive a couple of different power levels. It's easy to assume that more power is better. For some it is, for me it isn't. Having been up to 230bhp, I enjoyed 130-140 ish much more.

And as for the blue car and self build comment, I don't recall needing to divert those panels in a serious build, but it was quite a few years ago. Very disappointing if the truth of the car isn't quite being told.

Bert

[Murph7355]

Budget of £30k, car with ?s at £23k. Plenty of cars on the market/come available (these aren't uber-rare) that don't have ?s

= bide your time and think more closely about what you want to find

[Hoddo]

BertBert said:

One of the things you should do of course is try and drive a couple of different power levels. It's easy to assume that more power is better. For some it is, for me it isn't. Having been up to 230bhp, I enjoyed 130-140 ish much more.

And as for the blue car and self build comment, I don't recall needing to divert those panels in a serious build, but it was quite a few years ago. Very disappointing if the truth of the car isn't quite being told.

Bert

So far driven a 160, 310 and a 420.

All very very enjoyable. The 420 was eye opening and took much bhp for me at this point.

[skircoatshed]

I own a Superlight Twenty (270 spec) and it really is a fantastic entry into Caterham ownership. I was originally going to get a 420 but after driving the Twenty realised it had all the performance I required for my first Seven.

[Boggo]

£30k buys you an academy spot - do that! (I think you can probably get some deals right now as they haven't sold out this year and usually would be. Brand new car that you keep at the end of it. A few guys last year drove to all the races and did things without spending much more money than buying the car, but obviously you can't do this and be competitive, but for not a huge amount more you can be mid pack!

Yes a season costs you more than £30k, but arguably the best thing you can do in a Caterham!

[edp190]

OP did you end up viewing the R300 at Silverstone? If you have ruled it out it would be great to have some feedback on it to save me a wasted trip.

Cheers Ed

[Hoddo]

edp190 said:

OP did you end up viewing the R300 at Silverstone? If you have ruled it out it would be great to have some feedback on it to save me a wasted trip.

Cheers Ed

I learned that the car was mainly a track toy and was self maintained 2012 - 2020.

Caterham Silverstone requested the car had a significant service prior to them taking it on and they shared a bill including crica £3k of work. DM me if you are interested and I can share the info I received. For me there were too many questions so my hunt continues.

Shame as it looks like a fantastic car.

[edp190]

Hoddo, you are a gent! YHPM really appreciated!