Thoughts on this 7

[WhisperingWasp]

Hi all.

Can anyone shed any light/offer opinions on this 7 for sale?

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11200462?c...

Condition, age and mileage all look great to my untrained eye. However, being a 2015 car would it have come with a K-series originally?

Also - and more generally - will all factory-built cars have a "normal" numberplate? Or is that alone not a reliable way to tell. I have in my head that self-built cars would have a Q-plate but there seems to be no Caterhams on a Q so I think I am may be misunderstood here.

Thanks.

[super7]

The reg would be a standard number plate even if its self-build as the parts should be new..... which leads to the 1.4k series???? That doesn't make sense.... i’m sure there are no k series engines by 2015 let alone 1.4ltr ones. They were on 1.6’s back in 1997!!!!!!

[Turn7]

Looks ok to me, price is a little toppy, suspect its a std 125ish K series.....

Possibly a long DIY build ?

[Tupwood]

The chassis number is visible on one of the photos. If you read this off, you can search for the car through the Caterham archivist, or there is a french-based Seven website that decodes the VIN… it should confirm the engine size and build type when new.

Price looks high to me, even for 10K miles.

Whatever variant of a Caterham you look at. Try before you buy. Each car is very different, and you need to find the right one for you.

[CharlesElliott]

The 1.4Ks were approx 105bhp. Caterham had a few left in the early 2010s and created a semi 'special edition' if I remember correctly. Add in a bit of build time and this could well be what the car is.

[Bobby Lee]

Although I can’t see any engine bay shots the ad says it is the 1.4 supersport, which iirc makes 120/125bhp, similar to Caterham’s standard (non-supersport) 1.6 k series. I haven’t driven a 1.4 but have heard that the supersport version is a decent engine.

It looks in great condition although as others have said it’s expensive at the asking price. The thing I found odd visually was the ride height (too high). It could be an easy fix if it’s on adjustable platform suspension, but worth an ask imho as looks very strange as is.

[AndrewGP]

Looks like it has a 5 speed box, rather than a 6 speeder which was supposed to be great with the 1.4K.

[BryanC]

CharlesElliott said:

The 1.4Ks were approx 105bhp. Caterham had a few left in the early 2010s and created a semi 'special edition' if I remember correctly. Add in a bit of build time and this could well be what the car is.

My car is a 1.4 Classic delivered November 2011 ordered from CC Leicester.
I remember being told they had very few K series engines left and I might get a Ford unit by default when they get round to the build.
Currently, 21K miles and very happy with the 5 speed box although never ventured on the track. Superb continental tourer.
I don't remember a special edition was available as I had to spec the car up to my maximum budget :
...orange paint, full weather equipment and tonneau, heater, leather, momo, black pack including carbon trim and a big red button.

[IMac]

I have not seen the car, but the dealer is worth a call. He is very knowledgeable and previously ran a 620R.

Previously I have bought from them and have no hesitation in recommending them as I have never disappointed, so I can vouch for them in that aspect.

My R400 is one of those cars that I still regret selling......

[WhisperingWasp]

Thanks for the replies all.

Understood on the Q-plate thing - cheers. Not sure how I didn't know that!

Having researched the dealer he does indeed seem to have a very good reputation.

BryanC; sounds like this is a similar spec to yours. Can you expand on the "excellent tourer" comment? That comes as a pleasant surprise. What do you do regarding luggage?

[BryanC]

WhisperingWasp said:

Thanks for the replies all.
.......
BryanC; sounds like this is a similar spec to yours. Can you expand on the "excellent tourer" comment? That comes as a pleasant surprise. What do you do regarding luggage?

Hi chum, great to have a chance to reply.

My 1.4K is great for 99% road situations, fast enough and a great exhaust noise. Trying to dodge criticism, but on a trip from Bilbao back to the UK I got a respectable 49mpg without trying.

I should defend the 5 speed type 9. CC advised me to stick with the 5 unless I wanted to be running at higher revs. I hear the 6 is noisy at the NSLimit but preferred if you do track events.

I will admit to once having a clear road blast upto a 100 kleptons but how often do you need that speed on the highway. Still a few revsindicated to go too.

I've done a more than a few Le Mans trips driving solo with camping stuff ( tent, s/bag and clothes for 3 weeks ) taking the passenger space and boot space. That gives a contingency to use the hood if rheavy ain is expected. Normally, i would man up and rely on a tonneau and drive a bit faster to avoid showers.

Currently gnashing my teeth wishing I could plan another trip to France but this year, I'm ready but they don't seem to be. Grrr.

My best investment has been two waterproof kit bags, fixed to the roll bar with bungee, relying on my side mirrors for the rear view, and this keeps everything dry. I think they sell to canoests.

Hope this helps and encourages.
A couple of gratuitous images in support.

Edited by BryanC on Thursday 4th March 16:43

[slime bomb]

Sorry to highjack the thread but thought I would add my two pence about the touring thing. We go touring when ever possible and camp. Never had a problem with getting all the gear in, as you can see by the pics in Switzerland 2018! Always camped on my motorcycle so that helps a bit knowing how to condense things.

[BryanC]

I nod to your superior packing Sir !

[braddo]

It's remarkable!

[upsidedownmark]

Likewise, done a trip to spa with mine, taking enough tools to rebuild half the car, jack etc. If you don't need a passenger, it's amazing what you can fit between the boot and the spare seat.

Or a full set of spare wheels/tyres strapped to the back of the rollbar? Does get you some looks tho..

I'm another that rates the 5 speed. 1st is silly short, and 5th is quite long. But allegedly 4th on the 5 and 6th on the 6 are the same gear. I certainly wouldn't want to be stuck with 4th as my longest gear. It would mean being on the rev limiter on a few tracks, and I already feel like it could be longer when bashing cross country to somewhere like spa. All compromises tho, you could put a longer final drive, or get a trailer. Depends what you want.

Edited by upsidedownmark on Friday 5th March 11:26

[braddo]

upsidedownmark said:

I'm another that rates the 5 speed. 1st is silly short, and 5th is quite long. ...

I have the 6 speed. 1st is silly long, and 6th is quite short.


I live in a city so mine gets driven around town for errands etc. 1st is too long to creep along in traffic like you can in normal cars. I think the car does about 50mph in 1st? But then it's doing about 4000rpm in 6th at maybe 70mph. Maybe 5000rpm at 80mph?!

[ghibbett]

The Caterham 6 speed can be described perfectly by that classic quote:

"It's got a long 1st gear, and then 5 second gears".

Which feels pretty accurate to me. And I love it.