The £10K Caterham: Spotted
A Caterham Selected car, on carbs and with less than 30,000 miles - the perfect first Seven!
So is there really such a thing as a cheap Caterham? Well yes, there is actually. It's very seldom that Sevens come up at four-figure price tags, and it's especially rare to see a sub-£10K Seven being sold by Caterham. But here we are, with a Vauxhall-engined Seven Classic from 1998. Moreover, it's a Selected car, which means it's sold with a 12-month warranty, an 81-point pre-sale inspection, AA cover, free MoTs at Caterham for the whole time you have the car and a track day voucher. So it's quite a good package.
As you might expect for £9,995, this is a very basic Seven even by Caterham standards. But then there is an argument to be made that Sevens are at their best devoid of fripperies, with the driving experience as raw and unfiltered as possible. Beyond the obvious fact that this car doesn't have doors it also has drum brakes, a live axle and just 100hp too. So it's not far away from a Seven 160 in fact, with the additional charm of carburettors in place of the three-cylinder.
Having spent quite a lot of miles in a Caterham with a little more power than this, I have no doubt that 100hp would be more than enough for huge amounts of fun. At 500kg or so that means - you guessed it - around 200hp per tonne, which is more than enough to entertain. Combine that with the immediacy of a Seven and you'll be giggling all the way to the fuel station.
Of course there are more practical two-seaters to buy for £10,000, ones which you could use more often and worry about less. There is a strong case to be made for an Elise at this money too. That being said there is nothing that will quite thrill like a Caterham, and at £9,995 it seems a bargain. They won't get cheaper!
CATERHAM SEVEN CLASSIC
Engine: 1,600cc four-cylinder
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 106@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 70@5,000rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1998
Recorded mileage: 28,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £9,995
See the original advert here.
There's a charm to these: carbs, not too much grip, live axle, "only" 100 bhp.
Still enough to lap Donington National in 1:26.
Great fun.
Ex-race cars of the same spec have been around £6k-£10k for years.
For £10k you can get a 2004-2006 k-series ex race car. It might need a few bits of cosmetic work, but should be strong mechanically. Ideal if trackdays are you primary concern.
I raced one for 4 seasons 2010-2013 and it was hugely fun and affordable.
Matt
The range in prices of used Cats at Caterham was outstanding, seem to have covered most budgets for a dealer sourced car.
I see the comment about other kit cars being better value, however I wanted a Caterham. And after nearly a year of ownership I feel more than happy with that choice.
Go get yourself a garage... ;-)
Nothing else comes remotely near.
As for "nothing else comes near", yes it does. The Fisher Fury, Westfield, and a host of others will match it. Why would they not, when they share design and parts? It's interesting that the best Westfields that match the best Caterhams come in at very similar costs. Not especially surprising but interesting.
Nothing else comes remotely near.
Yes the greatest race car ever.
Nothing else that you can build from a kit comes close, Nothing at all......
Better?
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