New owner in Fleet..
Discussion
Hi Everyone
Well, you may of seen from my other posts I was considering buying..
Well, as I am now asking for advice on insurance (in another thread).. I GOT ONE!!!!
A trip to Caterham on the Friday just gone, loking around the sweetshop at the back with about 25 Caterhams in there, trying a few, then driving a Caterham Superlight for 20 mins, I was smitten. Everything I was expecting and hoping for and more. Mine is the 138bhp version and is Mango in colour, on a W plate, Carbon cycle winge, battery cut off switch, fire extinguisher, the lot and MORE than enough performance. For now
After 2 TVR's, a modified VX220 and my current Monaro (which will be sold soon to make way for the daily commute mobile!) it's nice to have something that feels faster which I thought would be tough. GOd knows what an R500 must be like..
Can't wait to get it and to get out to the Pheonix for the meets. And I better join the club too..
Look out for me!
Cheers
MIkeGF
Well, you may of seen from my other posts I was considering buying..
Well, as I am now asking for advice on insurance (in another thread).. I GOT ONE!!!!
A trip to Caterham on the Friday just gone, loking around the sweetshop at the back with about 25 Caterhams in there, trying a few, then driving a Caterham Superlight for 20 mins, I was smitten. Everything I was expecting and hoping for and more. Mine is the 138bhp version and is Mango in colour, on a W plate, Carbon cycle winge, battery cut off switch, fire extinguisher, the lot and MORE than enough performance. For now
After 2 TVR's, a modified VX220 and my current Monaro (which will be sold soon to make way for the daily commute mobile!) it's nice to have something that feels faster which I thought would be tough. GOd knows what an R500 must be like..Can't wait to get it and to get out to the Pheonix for the meets. And I better join the club too..
Look out for me!
Cheers
MIkeGF
wow sounds like a great new toy. I too moved from a VX220 to a Caterham, you won't regret it. Its the real deal, you know what is going on around you fromt he feel and noise.
You do tend to look at the weather differently thought, winter seems much more interesting. I ahve had some of my best drives on cold winter days, roads seem emptier and car perkier on dense cold air.
Enjoy.
R
You do tend to look at the weather differently thought, winter seems much more interesting. I ahve had some of my best drives on cold winter days, roads seem emptier and car perkier on dense cold air.
Enjoy.
R
I'm just down the road from you, although I now have a racing Caterham so don't go along to the Phoenix. They're a friendly crowd down there 
A facetious question perhaps...
Mike, what did you see as the benefits from purchasing direct from Caterham? I have read on here and other places that they like to keep their pre-owned prices quite high to protect the residuals in the second hand market somewhat and looking at their site (as one might choose to do sometimes
) they certainly seem fairly high in price compared to the private seller (I know dealerships usually are...)
Where the dealerships helpful in explaining the differences in engines etc to you? Did you know what you were looking for before choosing to approach them? Do you get any warranties through going through the dealership route?
This is from an outsider looking in so forgive me if this sounds like a pathetic question....
Mike, what did you see as the benefits from purchasing direct from Caterham? I have read on here and other places that they like to keep their pre-owned prices quite high to protect the residuals in the second hand market somewhat and looking at their site (as one might choose to do sometimes
) they certainly seem fairly high in price compared to the private seller (I know dealerships usually are...)Where the dealerships helpful in explaining the differences in engines etc to you? Did you know what you were looking for before choosing to approach them? Do you get any warranties through going through the dealership route?
This is from an outsider looking in so forgive me if this sounds like a pathetic question....
Mike: A friend of mine's just bought his first Caterham and we'll be going to the Phoenix this Thursday. Pop over and say hi - he's in a green Y reg Supersport with a yellow bonnet stripe and tillets. His name's Colin and I'm obviously Rob.
I've decided to make my Caterham road legal, and am doing the necessary stuff now. I may see you at the Phoenix in mine in the future! You'll spot me, as I've got my name on the side of my car
I've decided to make my Caterham road legal, and am doing the necessary stuff now. I may see you at the Phoenix in mine in the future! You'll spot me, as I've got my name on the side of my car
HeavySoul - No probs with the question! The reason I bought from a dealer and not privately (even though I could of saved ££'s) is simple. For me it's piece of mind, and knowing that I have a comeback if there is a problem. I did the same thing with the 2 TVR's I have owned previously. To be honest, any cars of this type have "niggles" (which I think isa pat of the fun of ownership, it would be boring otherwise) and I would prefer to be able to take it back and say fix it please 
If I couldn't myself. Case in point is that I currently have a speedo that's stopped working, a quick call to Caterham and I know it will be off and mended. Another point is that I am a complete spud with a spanner, and not very technically minded, just passionate
Caterham were excellent. They spent about 45mins talking through the cars, letting me sit in and have a play, and asked about my car history and what I wanted from this car (ie road, track, touring) so all variations where considered. Ended up with a Superlight after a couple of test drives.
Domininc did the handover of the car and spent over an hour with me, going through everything, he is a real passionate guy. Nothing was too much and he never tired of my numpty questions, car came with 3 months warranty (although, to quote Dominic, anything that happens out of warranty, we can negotiate on prices) got a free hood bag, hat, cup and trickle charger and tank of fuel. I picked it up Saturday morning when it was their busiest time and he never rushed me, despite having a showroom full of people.
Rob - Probably wont be able to make thursday - bit weary of driving the 7 at the moment due to the speedo issue, as I have no idea what speed I am doing!! Hopefully getting it off to Caterham soon. But would be good to take a look at yours and you friend Colins too!
Cheers
MikeGF
If I couldn't myself. Case in point is that I currently have a speedo that's stopped working, a quick call to Caterham and I know it will be off and mended. Another point is that I am a complete spud with a spanner, and not very technically minded, just passionate Caterham were excellent. They spent about 45mins talking through the cars, letting me sit in and have a play, and asked about my car history and what I wanted from this car (ie road, track, touring) so all variations where considered. Ended up with a Superlight after a couple of test drives.
Domininc did the handover of the car and spent over an hour with me, going through everything, he is a real passionate guy. Nothing was too much and he never tired of my numpty questions, car came with 3 months warranty (although, to quote Dominic, anything that happens out of warranty, we can negotiate on prices) got a free hood bag, hat, cup and trickle charger and tank of fuel. I picked it up Saturday morning when it was their busiest time and he never rushed me, despite having a showroom full of people.
Rob - Probably wont be able to make thursday - bit weary of driving the 7 at the moment due to the speedo issue, as I have no idea what speed I am doing!! Hopefully getting it off to Caterham soon. But would be good to take a look at yours and you friend Colins too!
Cheers
MikeGF
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