Wanted R400 / Superlight R

[SET3]

Hi guys

After testing & reading about caterhams over the past few months have came to the conclusion I'd ideally like either a Duratec R400 or supersport R. I could be persuaded into a k-series r400/500 too but think the duratecs could be a safer bet mechanically.

There's doesn't seem to be many private ones about and wandered if anyone knows of anybody selling anything soon.
Budget is ideally at max 25k.
Thanks for any information, there is a k500 in the pipeline to perhaps see/try next week from a dealer but prefer to buy privately and meet current owners etc.

Have good weekend
Stu

Edited by SET3 on Saturday 14th February 22:02

[R300XXX]

R300 Duratecs are out there too, not many but they are out there

[Toaster]

SET3 said:

Hi guys

After testing & reading about caterhams over the past few months have came to the conclusion I'd ideally like either a Duratec R400 or supersport R. I could be persuaded into a k-series r400/500 too but think the duratecs could be a safer bet mechanically.

Edited by SET3 on Saturday 14th February 22:02

That old chestnut of reliability:

"!n 2002 an R400 won its class (and came 11th overall out of 200 starters) at the 24 Hours Nürburgring race by 10 laps, ahead of competition that included Porsche and BMW racecars, leading, once again, to a ban on entry in subsequent years"

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=339...

"Simon Nearn, managing director of Caterham Cars commented: "The R400 may be a road car, but it has a unique motor racing heritage. Devised, developed and honed during the heat of competition around the tracks of Europe in our race championship and proven beyond doubt at the gruelling 24 hour Nurburgring race last summer, this is a truly special high performance car."

As a R400 K owner I can tell you my car has not missed a heartbeat, it was built to an exceptional standard by Rob Singleton (I think he now works for Boss Racing).
Don't be phased by head gasket issues as the R400 had the updated head gasket so it won't fail as a standard engine may, also it doesn't rev as high as a R500. From what I read the Duartec's have their own special issues.

There may be limited availability as these are very special sort after cars

[SET3]

Hi toaster
Thanks for the link, interesting reading. Hope to be trying an r500k at end of week but was worried engine maybe abit too stressed and the 400 a safer bet? Guess it all boils done to condition & how previous owners have driven them, warmed them up etc! Bit of a lottery if don't know the past owner to gauge them by.
Thanks

I anyone knows of anything coming up obviously v.interested

[nikond300]

these 2 ??

http://www.sevensandclassics.com/showroom/caterham...

http://www.sevensandclassics.com/showroom/caterham...

not sure how they stack up against 'private' purchases

[LawrenceR]

Sorry to say this but for a duratec I think you budget is probably £5k short.

You will get a nice K series though. A well cared for can be very reliable. I had a 210 bhp k for 4 years with no major issues.

[SET3]

LawrenceR said:

Sorry to say this but for a duratec I think you budget is probably £5k short.

You will get a nice K series though. A well cared for can be very reliable. I had a 210 bhp k for 4 years with no major issues.

This is what I thought hence thought may have more chance with a private seller if that person was going to trade in and get a silly offer or something.

Realistically think il end up with a k400/500 I think. Just going to buy on condition.
Cheers

[rubystone]

SET3 said:

Hi toaster
Thanks for the link, interesting reading. Hope to be trying an r500k at end of week but was worried engine maybe abit too stressed and the 400 a safer bet? Guess it all boils done to condition & how previous owners have driven them, warmed them up etc! Bit of a lottery if don't know the past owner to gauge them by.
Thanks

I anyone knows of anything coming up obviously v.interested

Do read other posts on here re recent R500s. One up for sale at the moment at a dealer does have some 'history'

[SET3]

rubystone said:

SET3 said:

Hi toaster
Thanks for the link, interesting reading. Hope to be trying an r500k at end of week but was worried engine maybe abit too stressed and the 400 a safer bet? Guess it all boils done to condition & how previous owners have driven them, warmed them up etc! Bit of a lottery if don't know the past owner to gauge them by.
Thanks

I anyone knows of anything coming up obviously v.interested

Do read other posts on here re recent R500s. One up for sale at the moment at a dealer does have some 'history'

Yes I've read the post I believe your on about, believe it also had a high number of owners as well!
Thanks for tip off all the same, hopefully something show up soon.

[mike150]

I had my 07 R400d for sale for a couple of months for 26k, then 25k, nothing, so i got a dealer to sell it.
Hollybrook sports cars sold it for me for 26k, they took their cut and I got the rest.
There are a couple of pictures of it a page or 2 back - GN07MFO
I would have taken 24-25k private.

Now I regret selling it!

Edited by mike150 on Tuesday 17th February 01:13

[mike150]

This is where I would be putting your money-

http://www.sevensandclassics.com/showroom/caterham...

[rubystone]

mike150 said:

This is where I would be putting your money-

http://www.sevensandclassics.com/showroom/caterham...

Lovely car, top quality components and fine carbon. Owner is a great bloke too. But I believe it may already be sold.

[Toaster]

rubystone said:

mike150 said:

This is where I would be putting your money-

http://www.sevensandclassics.com/showroom/caterham...

Lovely car, top quality components and fine carbon. Owner is a great bloke too. But I believe it may already be sold.

Its that type of car you want, one that even on a visual look you can see has been looked after take your time don't rush to buy 'anything'

[SET3]

Hi guys
Thanks for all the links - helpful comments so far, much appreciated. Have had a couple of emails from people need to follow up but still obviously looking. Believe millwood may have something coming in soon. We-re see, let the search commence...thanks

[SET3]

Hi guys
Conclusion to this post is I've bought a maclaren orange 98 Superlight R, first proper trip out in it today hence typing this from the beach. 😊 Had some minister work in its early days & is running at 210BHP. Had it few weeks but have been right through car and checked stuff/replaced things with thorough service at same time etc.

As a comparison to my mk1 996 GT3 it feels a similar car all be it a lot lighter and with lots more mechanical noises showing the cars alive on the move. The gearbox ratios are very close together and seems to want to rev freely for ever. A cracking little car which I feel I can use a lot more freely without the worry of anything and the value of it not always in the back of my mind unluck the GT3 which is a shame.

Next stop is carbon areo screen if anyone can recommend a good place to buy one from?

Anyway, best blast off to Sandbanks for a pint somewhere then head back home towards Wiiltshire.

Cheers guys

[Jmracing66]

Hi SET3

Im in same situtation as you...MK1 GT3 Clubsport owner which I originally bought with a view to doing trackdays in it but now with the value going up its becoming more of a garage queen.

Im glad to hear you are enjoying to Caterham, i'm on the hunt for one currently.

Cheers