Caterham service history
Discussion
Hi everyone, I’m after a little advice.
Having sold my S1 Elise for a Porsche 993 I found that whilst it was a great car it was in my opinion un-involving. I have now sold it and decided to buy something that gives me the sensation of speed and driving reward closer to the legal limit.
I’m also going to be a dad so have picked up a cheap diesel focus for the daily grind in order to cut down on expense. I now hear some of you saying well you shouldn’t be taking on a second car…. I know but I miss it.
I’m considering the following: a S1 Sport 160 elise or a Caterham. I appreciate that tax and insurance will be similar but the idea of annual services on the elise to maintain its residual value is holding me back. My view is that regular £300/800 annual services that you could incur on an elise wouldn’t be required on a Caterham.
Do Caterham’s in say the 10/12k region (or any price band) have service history as such? I’m only going to be doing weekend driving with the occasional track day so I can easily change fluids/brakes/pads/tyres myself and only pop it into a ‘body shop’ if I break something.
What are your views on the subject?
Do you look after you own cars?
Is regular ‘Stamped’ servicing by a dealer/Garage required to maintain residuals?
Is there much difference in ride to a road built Caterham to a race built one? I appreciate settings will be different but they are fundamentally the same car.
I’m thinking as a fun car which can be used on track or returned to racing (as I also have a National A Licence) then an ex road going race Caterham would be a better buy than the Elise.
Discus and Thanks.
Having sold my S1 Elise for a Porsche 993 I found that whilst it was a great car it was in my opinion un-involving. I have now sold it and decided to buy something that gives me the sensation of speed and driving reward closer to the legal limit.
I’m also going to be a dad so have picked up a cheap diesel focus for the daily grind in order to cut down on expense. I now hear some of you saying well you shouldn’t be taking on a second car…. I know but I miss it.
I’m considering the following: a S1 Sport 160 elise or a Caterham. I appreciate that tax and insurance will be similar but the idea of annual services on the elise to maintain its residual value is holding me back. My view is that regular £300/800 annual services that you could incur on an elise wouldn’t be required on a Caterham.
Do Caterham’s in say the 10/12k region (or any price band) have service history as such? I’m only going to be doing weekend driving with the occasional track day so I can easily change fluids/brakes/pads/tyres myself and only pop it into a ‘body shop’ if I break something.
What are your views on the subject?
Do you look after you own cars?
Is regular ‘Stamped’ servicing by a dealer/Garage required to maintain residuals?
Is there much difference in ride to a road built Caterham to a race built one? I appreciate settings will be different but they are fundamentally the same car.
I’m thinking as a fun car which can be used on track or returned to racing (as I also have a National A Licence) then an ex road going race Caterham would be a better buy than the Elise.
Discus and Thanks.
Many Caterhams will have been serviced by their owners but you will find plenty that have a full service history. The biggest 24k service at Caterham would cost approx £600. Obviously cheaper at an independent and very low cost if you DIY. Parts are generally pretty cheap. As you say unless you break it big time, most work is within the scope of the average owner. Get along to you local area meet and chat to some owners and have a read on www.blatchat.com - you'll need to join the L7OC to be able to post but that is a good thing if you are going to get one.
Not much difference between a road and a race car in terms of suspension - dampers most likely the same but spring rates may have been changed (cheap to change back). Sounds like you should look for an ex grads car or a supergrad car - will be fine on the road, around your budget and eligible for a race series or 2.
Insurance will almost certainly be cheaper on a Caterham than an Elise - check out Egger Lawson, Adrian Flux, MSM, Footman James or Hagerty.
Not much difference between a road and a race car in terms of suspension - dampers most likely the same but spring rates may have been changed (cheap to change back). Sounds like you should look for an ex grads car or a supergrad car - will be fine on the road, around your budget and eligible for a race series or 2.
Insurance will almost certainly be cheaper on a Caterham than an Elise - check out Egger Lawson, Adrian Flux, MSM, Footman James or Hagerty.
I'd tend to agree, the condition on a caterham gives everything away (nearly). The fact that you can visually see 90% of the car is great help. Also, with the clubs help you can save shed loads of cash if you are prepared to get a spanner out yourself (note you will have to want to do this!!).
That said I do like elises, and they make a better year round car than a caterham.
That said I do like elises, and they make a better year round car than a caterham.
Guys, many thanks for your opinions and suggestions it is a great help, I’ll register in Blatchat and have a chat there.
I miss the elise and would only want to have another if it was a higher powered version having owned a standard car. So that means something newer and more specialised which means dealer servicing to safe guard the residuals.
It is interesting to know some caterham’s are dealer serviced but I assume this is likely to be newer cars and or owners that don’t want to do or can’t do things themselves, which is fine.
As you say you can see most things on the car which is useful.
I’ve raced an ex Honda CRX championship car for a number of seasons so plan to move this on so I’m familiar with what is a good/bad race car and have no reservations owning an ex race car. Besides this will be a replacement for the elise, few track days to learn the car and once the baby expense is manageable dust of the overalls for track. (hopefully this won’t be 16/18/21 years!)
Assuming a 10-14k budget what would you expect me to able to pick up?
Grad Car or Super Grad (I assume this is a power difference)
6 Speed
Rover, Vauxhall or Ford powered?
Cheers.
I miss the elise and would only want to have another if it was a higher powered version having owned a standard car. So that means something newer and more specialised which means dealer servicing to safe guard the residuals.
It is interesting to know some caterham’s are dealer serviced but I assume this is likely to be newer cars and or owners that don’t want to do or can’t do things themselves, which is fine.
As you say you can see most things on the car which is useful.
I’ve raced an ex Honda CRX championship car for a number of seasons so plan to move this on so I’m familiar with what is a good/bad race car and have no reservations owning an ex race car. Besides this will be a replacement for the elise, few track days to learn the car and once the baby expense is manageable dust of the overalls for track. (hopefully this won’t be 16/18/21 years!)
Assuming a 10-14k budget what would you expect me to able to pick up?
Grad Car or Super Grad (I assume this is a power difference)
6 Speed
Rover, Vauxhall or Ford powered?
Cheers.
£14k would get you a good condition recent Supergrad spec car. K series engine but I can't remember the rest of the specs - take a look here: www.graduates.org.uk/. The alternative is to go for a Roadsports which is the Caterham supported championship - take a look here: www.caterhamracing.com
6 speed would be preferable for track work and this is (I think) one of the differences between Roadsports A and B. I think the grads/supers are both 5 speed.
6 speed would be preferable for track work and this is (I think) one of the differences between Roadsports A and B. I think the grads/supers are both 5 speed.
As you say Rich the Caterham will probably be cheaper to insure, my elise was getting a little more expensive (and actually £100 more than my 993) on a yearly basis.
Thanks Superlight, its going to be a very interesting time! The sensible part of me says wait a bit longer, I initialy thought 2 years but I'm getting restless. I'm probably going to continue to watch cars/prices and get a better understanding of what a very good car is versus one that isn't.
Thanks Superlight, its going to be a very interesting time! The sensible part of me says wait a bit longer, I initialy thought 2 years but I'm getting restless. I'm probably going to continue to watch cars/prices and get a better understanding of what a very good car is versus one that isn't.
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