Caterham valuation
Discussion
Hi all.
I'm researching a purchase of my first Seven, probably in April...
I'm wondering how best to value a Seven so that I know if I am getting a good deal or not?
When purchasing a typical road car, its reasonably easy to find like for like vehicle elsewhere to know if the advertised price is right but with Caterham's, it seems harder to find like for like advertised at the same time...
How do you all put a value against a Seven???
I'm researching a purchase of my first Seven, probably in April...
I'm wondering how best to value a Seven so that I know if I am getting a good deal or not?
When purchasing a typical road car, its reasonably easy to find like for like vehicle elsewhere to know if the advertised price is right but with Caterham's, it seems harder to find like for like advertised at the same time...
How do you all put a value against a Seven???
It is hard....you will be able to have a rough go at comparing the market with vaguely similar models...but best way is to probably put any potentials on this thread and one of us will hopefully have some words of wisdom..!
My initial advice is by as soon as you can....prices will rise as the weather warms up and people become less reluctant to sell!
My initial advice is by as soon as you can....prices will rise as the weather warms up and people become less reluctant to sell!
Thanks for your guidance.
I have a budget of around £23k so its not massive in Caterham circles... I'm still working through the decision process as to what engine to go for. Having researched the various forums and FB groups, I'm still not 100% but I'm steering towards a 1.6 Sigma platform, mostly because I don't need a crazy fast car but from my motorbiking times, I know I prefer torque over revs...
I am booked in for a test drive at my local dealer in March but they only have a 170s which for me, is not the one... I don't like the short gearing at all. Its just not for me.
I am not discounting going old school and going down the 1700 cross flow path. There are a few out there.
I'm looking at some this weekend to help decide on chassis sizing so once I have that sorted, that'll help narrow the search too...
I have a budget of around £23k so its not massive in Caterham circles... I'm still working through the decision process as to what engine to go for. Having researched the various forums and FB groups, I'm still not 100% but I'm steering towards a 1.6 Sigma platform, mostly because I don't need a crazy fast car but from my motorbiking times, I know I prefer torque over revs...
I am booked in for a test drive at my local dealer in March but they only have a 170s which for me, is not the one... I don't like the short gearing at all. Its just not for me.
I am not discounting going old school and going down the 1700 cross flow path. There are a few out there.
I'm looking at some this weekend to help decide on chassis sizing so once I have that sorted, that'll help narrow the search too...
Sigmas are a lot of fun, and in real world driving on the road, they are as quick as a Duratec engined car but you do have to work them. If you like more torque, a Duratec engined car is probably better for you. I'd find your nearest owners group and go along to a meet for a chat.
Regards, DD33
Regards, DD33
£23k seems like a good budget to get a great Seven. When it comes to 'value' I would listen to your heart.
I have an ex-Academy Sigma, when it was a road car I found 125bhp more than enough power. My only tip would be to think hard about how you're going to use it (short blasts/ long trips/ track/ race). Most of the bits on a Caterham are easily changed, however, engine, gearbox, seats and cage/ rollbar can be more costly.
Personally, I like a cage, but, keeping harnesses properly tight can be a faff if you're mainly doing short blasts. Likewise, an aero screen is fun, however, I wasn't comfortable without a lid etc.
Go for it, I'm confident you won't regret it.
I have an ex-Academy Sigma, when it was a road car I found 125bhp more than enough power. My only tip would be to think hard about how you're going to use it (short blasts/ long trips/ track/ race). Most of the bits on a Caterham are easily changed, however, engine, gearbox, seats and cage/ rollbar can be more costly.
Personally, I like a cage, but, keeping harnesses properly tight can be a faff if you're mainly doing short blasts. Likewise, an aero screen is fun, however, I wasn't comfortable without a lid etc.
Go for it, I'm confident you won't regret it.
That £23K figure will get you a very nice K-series machine, or a newer, but less powerful Sigma car. You could probably get a low-end Duratec too, but personally I'd go for a well-loved R300 K-series.
This book:
https://www.chaters.co.uk/prod/20295/lotus/the-mag...
is a great guide to the many variants and model. Many hours of bedtime reading!
As others have said, join the Owners Club, meet up with your local group and get chatting. All Caterhams are brilliant, you just need to find yours.
This book:
https://www.chaters.co.uk/prod/20295/lotus/the-mag...
is a great guide to the many variants and model. Many hours of bedtime reading!
As others have said, join the Owners Club, meet up with your local group and get chatting. All Caterhams are brilliant, you just need to find yours.
As mentioned, there will be local groups / owners who I'm sure would be happy to let you have a look at theirs.
23k is plenty, to get stuck into a good Caterham, particularly if you are not interested in chasing big power.
My 125bhp ex-academy is all I need right now, other than some sunshine and dry weather
23k is plenty, to get stuck into a good Caterham, particularly if you are not interested in chasing big power.
My 125bhp ex-academy is all I need right now, other than some sunshine and dry weather
Thanks all for your helpful replies.
It seems half the challenge is working out what power plant is best for my individual needs... Im not there yet sadly... Im visiting a retailer this weekend to look at their stock so that will confirm if my Seven will be an SV or an S3 for starters...
Ive stumbled across a Crossflow based Seven out there but its a Q plated car in excellent condition. My research confirms values are lower for Q cars and it seems there may by a stigma attached to those cars...?
Thanks for the link to the Magnificent Sevens book. They look to be in short supply at the moment so I may well have to over pay to get one from eBay to read...
It seems half the challenge is working out what power plant is best for my individual needs... Im not there yet sadly... Im visiting a retailer this weekend to look at their stock so that will confirm if my Seven will be an SV or an S3 for starters...
Ive stumbled across a Crossflow based Seven out there but its a Q plated car in excellent condition. My research confirms values are lower for Q cars and it seems there may by a stigma attached to those cars...?
Thanks for the link to the Magnificent Sevens book. They look to be in short supply at the moment so I may well have to over pay to get one from eBay to read...
I'd reccomend sitting in a few too, if you can fit comfortable in an S3, then it's probably the right choice.
But beyond that, try the different seats. Some people find the hard Tillet seats comfortable, others prefer the leather seats. And you've also got the lowered floor option (which most newer tend to have now).
The seats are shockingly expensive, so I'd probably get that choice sorted before you buy.
But beyond that, try the different seats. Some people find the hard Tillet seats comfortable, others prefer the leather seats. And you've also got the lowered floor option (which most newer tend to have now).
The seats are shockingly expensive, so I'd probably get that choice sorted before you buy.
Thanks for your message
Thats my plan for my visit to a dealer tomorrow. They have SV's and S3's with standard and lowered floor pans.
I sat in an S3 with lowered floor pans a couple of weeks back and it felt good.
Im currently researching a rebuilt 1995 S3. It has bench seats installed at the moment which is a pain as they are a fixed position. I suspect my shorter frame will have a problem there...
Just joined the Caterham & Lotus club and have found a nice back catalogue of "Low Flying" to consume over the weekend :-)
Thats my plan for my visit to a dealer tomorrow. They have SV's and S3's with standard and lowered floor pans.
I sat in an S3 with lowered floor pans a couple of weeks back and it felt good.
Im currently researching a rebuilt 1995 S3. It has bench seats installed at the moment which is a pain as they are a fixed position. I suspect my shorter frame will have a problem there...
Just joined the Caterham & Lotus club and have found a nice back catalogue of "Low Flying" to consume over the weekend :-)
Cambspistons said:
I sat in an S3 with lowered floor pans a couple of weeks back and it felt good.
Im currently researching a rebuilt 1995 S3. It has bench seats installed at the moment which is a pain as they are a fixed position. I suspect my shorter frame will have a problem there...
I'm 5'8", I have lowered floors and leather seats. Height is perfect, and I do have to have the seat all the way forward. There's a crossbar that prevents the seat going forward any further. I've often thought about putting some washers under the seat mounts just to clear it and give me an extra few cm.Im currently researching a rebuilt 1995 S3. It has bench seats installed at the moment which is a pain as they are a fixed position. I suspect my shorter frame will have a problem there...
I definately wouldn't be touching the pedals if I was on a bench seat!
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