Buying first Caterham

[number2]

carphotographer said:

AVB said:

My experience is having bought a car from a Caterham ‘specialist’ in February and it has been with them for the best part of 7 weeks why they try to fix it. Ok it’s at their cost but that’s what a warranty is for isn’t it and I haven’t had the use of a car for 7 weeks. The advice given by the user community has been far more insightful in understanding what is wrong. Hence my cynicism regarding ‘specialists’.

LOL..... 7 weeks ?. You don't need to mention names as I probably 90 % sure I know who they are but they had mine for 7 months

Seven months - are they building you a new one... or three...?

I don't know which specialist you're referring too - I'm in the 10% - so drop me a hint so I don't one day end up on the same boat!

[911Spanker]

carphotographer said:

dank said:

I am interested in possibly getting a Caterham too, just started to look into this, there's so much to learn!! I am drawn to the Ex Academy cars - really want to track day mine, so are these a good purchase, they aren't cheap though, £25k ish - will these be awful on the roads, full cage had to get in and out of it, any draw backs to an ex academy car?

I've had three ex Academy cars, VX, K series, Sigma. They make great track day cars, you can sprint and hill climb and still race if you have the relevant up to date safety bits. Used mine on the road too. Full cage can be a bit of a pain, depending how big you are and how flexible you are. I'd suggest finding an owner with a caged 7 and see if you struggle. Ex race cars are well maintained with most of the cars looked after by teams.

Most will probably have a long front and don't believe the mileages. Also many won't have a LSD which is critical IMO.

I ended up buying a roadgoing Superlight in the end. At the time better value when you added in the upgrade cost to an Academy car.

[BertBert]

carphotographer said:

Ex race cars are well maintained with most of the cars looked after by teams.

Unless they haven't been well maintained by teams. I've seen extremes of both

[Superlightdaa]

Jumping on the OG title of the thread, awaiting delivery of my first, can't wait!