Standard vs ex-race
Discussion
Just looking to buy my first Caterham and really wanted an R300 or R400 (K Series or Duratec) but there seems a wide spread in prices and a lack of availability.
How important is it for re-sale value to have a car that was built in a specific guise, i.e.. R300 with the corresponding plaque?
Would you buy an ex race R300 or R400 if it had been converted to road use well? A Superlight R looks a good spec and should hold value well but not many at the £20k mark around. Should you pay more? Seems a lot for an 17 year old car.
Lots of questions but just not certain given the varieties of specifications!!!
How important is it for re-sale value to have a car that was built in a specific guise, i.e.. R300 with the corresponding plaque?
Would you buy an ex race R300 or R400 if it had been converted to road use well? A Superlight R looks a good spec and should hold value well but not many at the £20k mark around. Should you pay more? Seems a lot for an 17 year old car.
Lots of questions but just not certain given the varieties of specifications!!!
Edited by blatfan on Monday 25th April 19:01
Everyone will say buy on condition not age or mileage.
However, tubular steel chassis with alloy riveted to them do corrode over time, and heavy track use particularly using sticky tyres will lead to earlier fatigue in the chassis.
Buying an old race car can be a good value into high performance Seven ownership and as long as you aren't paying as much (and don't expect as much when you sell) as you would for a mainly road use R300 or 400 it can be a good idea.
However, tubular steel chassis with alloy riveted to them do corrode over time, and heavy track use particularly using sticky tyres will lead to earlier fatigue in the chassis.
Buying an old race car can be a good value into high performance Seven ownership and as long as you aren't paying as much (and don't expect as much when you sell) as you would for a mainly road use R300 or 400 it can be a good idea.
Ex race cars will always be worth less money and be more difficult to sell on. Several SLRs have hit the market recently that have been converted from race spec. Generally the give-always are under dash handbrake (race chassis don't have strengthened transmission tunnels necessary for the fitment of central handbrakes) and no plaque with edition number.
Also the chassis number might indicate it's a race car, but that's not always the case.
If the car has no handbrake, it won't pass an MOT and I'd also make sure it has a catalyst fitted too for the same reason.
But bought right, an ex race car can make a good buy. Problem is, the owners of these cars have, in some cases, bought thrm without realising they're ex race and thus their asking prices are too high - often on a parallel, or even beyond, what the road cars would fetch...
Also the chassis number might indicate it's a race car, but that's not always the case.
If the car has no handbrake, it won't pass an MOT and I'd also make sure it has a catalyst fitted too for the same reason.
But bought right, an ex race car can make a good buy. Problem is, the owners of these cars have, in some cases, bought thrm without realising they're ex race and thus their asking prices are too high - often on a parallel, or even beyond, what the road cars would fetch...
There are two sides to this! If you've got the budget and time, its probably best to look for as original to factory as possible (factory options spec). That will hold value best and be the most desirable for buyers.
But if you just want to have fun in a Caterham, I wouldn't rule anything out. There are some high spec cars out there that offer better 'bang for your buck'. I wouldn't worry about non standard cars, or ex-race cars, but would think of them as being on a different financial level and not want to see them being passed off as factory original - buyer beware.
But if you just want to have fun in a Caterham, I wouldn't rule anything out. There are some high spec cars out there that offer better 'bang for your buck'. I wouldn't worry about non standard cars, or ex-race cars, but would think of them as being on a different financial level and not want to see them being passed off as factory original - buyer beware.
That finished though didn't it? Modern race chassis have a central handbrake don't they? When did it change?
rubystone said:
Generally the give-always are under dash handbrake (race chassis don't have strengthened transmission tunnels necessary for the fitment of central handbrakes).
I think this is a red herring. There's gazillions of genuine (road) 7's that don't have a plaque in them.rubystone said:
and no plaque with edition number.
BertBert said:
That finished though didn't it? Modern race chassis have a central handbrake don't they? When did it change?
As late as 2008 race chassis that I saw and we worked on, didn't have the strengthened tunnel. After that date, I can't comment. rubystone said:
Generally the give-always are under dash handbrake (race chassis don't have strengthened transmission tunnels necessary for the fitment of central handbrakes).
I think this is a red herring. There's gazillions of genuine (road) 7's that don't have a plaque in them.rubystone said:
and no plaque with edition number.
A plaque was issued with every K Series road Superlight, SLR and R500 sold as a kit or factory built. Again, I can't comment on the Duratec era cars. So if anyone tries telling you otherwise, they've either lost the plaque or the car may not be recognised by the factory as one of the limited run cars. Not every car has the plaque fitted, but all should have one.
blatfan said:
Thanks everyone. I don't think my £18-25k budget will stretch to a 2008 car but good to know.
I think I am most likely to find a K Series R300 or Superlight R. The going rate seems to be £19-20k private and £22-23k dealer?
There"s a nicely specced k on Blatchat at the moment. Not SL or SLR but 190 bhp with some nice bits for £15k or most probably nearer £14k. It's a 5 speed though.I think I am most likely to find a K Series R300 or Superlight R. The going rate seems to be £19-20k private and £22-23k dealer?
DCL said:
But if you just want to have fun in a Caterham, I wouldn't rule anything out. There are some high spec cars out there that offer better 'bang for your buck'.
I would not overlook this statement^Do you want a garage queen with resale value (so you won't truly be able to use it as intended IMO as miles are obvious on these cars) or a car you can enjoy?
I have a 20yr old car with non-stock engine, holes and cracks in the glass fibre, numerous stone chips in the paint and a smile wider than Jack Nicholson's Joker, it will not appreciate much, if at all but holy F*ck is it fun.
As I said a bit of a red herring. Homework should be done on the VIN!
rubystone said:
A plaque was issued with every K Series road Superlight, SLR and R500 sold as a kit or factory built. Again, I can't comment on the Duratec era cars. So if anyone tries telling you otherwise, they've either lost the plaque or the car may not be recognised by the factory as one of the limited run cars. Not every car has the plaque fitted, but all should have one.
rubystone said:
There"s a nicely specced k on Blatchat at the moment. Not SL or SLR but 190 bhp with some nice bits for £15k or most probably nearer £14k. It's a 5 speed though.
That'd be my old car - it's not mint, but mechanically excellent (not to mention quick) and the guy that bought it from me (who's now selling) is a genuine enthusiast. carphotographer said:
Think he sold it at the weekend as I wanted it but have to sell mine first
I think that's right - saw it as sold on Blatchat. Can't justify a second car at the moment but would've bought it back. There is a very nice-sounding 1.4 6 speed on Blatchat at the moment too - would be a brilliant track car. Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff