Is this a decent car?

Is this a decent car?

Author
Discussion

MEC

Original Poster:

2,604 posts

272 months

Thursday 23rd June 2022
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Hello

So, having recently sold my 718S Cayman I'm missing having a toy and have been looking at Elise's and Caterhams. Decent Elises seems to be lots of money and so I'm edging more towards a Caterham.

This would be a second car, purely a toy and predominantly used on the road. After the Porsche, looking for something with low running costs and without the worry of big bills. I'm not particularly handy with the spanners but I have a couple of friends who own repair garages so getting work done will not be an issue.

With all that said, could someone give me some thoughts on the below car. Looks like it's been in Jersey(?) which I think wouldn't really be a problem and perhaps means it has seen fewer salty roads? I know its an older car but it is a Sigma so should be reliable ish? SV cars seem to be in short supply at the moment ? (nothing on the Caterham site at all to speak of).

https://samsmithmotorretail.co.uk/vehicle/name/cat...

So, tell me to jump in or run a mile?

BertBert

18,953 posts

210 months

Friday 24th June 2022
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I think there's a lot to line about that car. 160bhp from a sigma on throttle bodies should be fab. Feels perfect to me, but I don't like really high bhp caterhams.

Obviously it's an SV if you want that.

You would need to check out condition and the mods to make sure they are done properly.

As for price, I have no real idea of prices. I'd be more comfortable if it started with a 1 not a 2, but I'm a cheapskate!

Well worth further investigation in my view.

Bert

DCL

1,215 posts

178 months

Friday 24th June 2022
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I think if it passed a close inspection in person, and had not major mechanical issues, then it represents good value for money. The advertisement description suggest they are not Caterham dealers, but that might be reflected by the reasonable price. I guess R500 lightweight wheels means 13 inch upgrade. It appears to have a non standard exhaust for the build date and looks like a de-cat exhaust system which may cause UK MOT issues if a CAT is not part of the package supplied. Certainly worth looking at IMHO.

MEC

Original Poster:

2,604 posts

272 months

Friday 24th June 2022
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Just tried to arrange a viewing and it has been sold! Snooze you lose and all that.

Thanks for your thoughts guys, the search continues........

Coolcatshaft

22 posts

22 months

Saturday 25th June 2022
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That's a shame

I just realized the car was in Leicester so local to me. I've got a 420 factory order arriving next March but would have been nice to have a look around.

Looking at the pictures and the stripes on the dash was this a painted Monaco?

PiersR

107 posts

155 months

Monday 27th June 2022
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Depends on where you live, but talking to Sevens & Classics at Brands Hatch, is a good starting point. They have a good selection normally and are all ex Caterham guys, so very knowledgeable.