RE: Caterham Seven 310R: PH Fleet

[framerateuk]

Smitters said:

I wouldn't apologise. £38k is mental, especially given some of the issues you still face as a buyer from a low volume supplier. The price is up with the big boys, and the quality and customer side is slowly catching up, but as far as I can see, if you didn't give the brand a lot of slack, there's a huge amount of room to be disappointed with what you get (or don't get, given how much still seems to be missing from each kit when delivered). Caterhams are a wonderful thing to own and drive, but I doubt I would ever buy one new. The lure of building a car with my son is strong, but to make it the car I really want in Caterham form is simply too expensive even now. I would have to go kitcar. Gone are the days of spending ~£20k on a pocket rocket you build yourself.

I do say all of this as an owner and fan of the product, if not the brand, if that makes sense.

I still think the best approach is a to buy a year old or nearly new car. You'll save a bit on the price and avoid the long waiting list. The R and S pack options have simplified the specs a bit and it's usually a bit easier to find one with most of the parts you'd want.

I thought I might eventually buy a new one when I want some more power than mine has, but with the prices going up so much, I think I'll just end up re-skinning and upgrading it!