Anyone know this Caterham in the PH classified?

[uremaw]

Looking for a bit of advice please.

Does anyone know this car currently for sale in the classified - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3083184.htm?

I am/was planning to build my own Caterham over the winter this year, but due to circumstances outwith my control that might possibly be pushed back to next winter now (hopefully not though). Rather than get something sensible to last me till then, i thought it could be a good idea to get a 2nd hand Caterham in the meantime to give me a bit of perspective on them - see what i like and what i'd change, to help me spec my dream car next year (Roadsport Duratec 175hp).

The one advertised above looks in decent nick with a good spec - apart from (arguably) the engine. I figure I could either live with the 125hp Sigma for a year or drop it off to Caterham to upgrade to 150hp spec in the Spring. I'd imagine the cost of the upgrade would be subsidised in part at least by the increase in resale value next year?

All advice very welcome.

Edit - Typo

[Matt W]

I'm pretty sure that car has a 1.6 litre 8 valve Vauxhall engine on Weber carbs and NOT a Sigma.

[uremaw]

Ah. hence the cutout for the airfilters. I was wondering about that. My brain (such as it is) saw 125bhp and jumped to the wrong conclusion.

Many thanks!

[Classic Grad 98]

1.6 8v has 100bhp so I assume this has the 1800 bottom end fitted.

[Comadis]

enginebay pictures would help to bring some light in the dark.

[Noger]

http://www.ronhodgson.co.uk/caterham-super-seven-1...

Looks like a 1.6 8V Vauxhall to me.

[Comadis]

"looks like an 8V vauxhall engine?"
IT IS AN "OLD" VAUXHALL engine. the first OHC engine from vauxhall/opel prone for its camshaft-wear!!!

and thats far, far away from a 125roadsport...its a lie!!!!

those caterhams are the most valueless models on the market you can get...therefore totally overpriced!!!!

normally those sell for 6500 to 7500

Edited by Comadis on Tuesday 25th October 18:42

[Ult-Jim]

Apart from a cut out in the bonnet, how can you work out what engine it has? Welcome to be educated about all Caterham Engine Specs.

[Purespeed]

Comadis said:

"looks like an 8V vauxhall engine?"
IT IS AN "OLD" VAUXHALL engine. the first OHC engine from vauxhall/opel prone for its camshaft-wear!!!

and thats far, far away from a 125roadsport...its a lie!!!!

those caterhams are the most valueless models on the market you can get...therefore totally overpriced!!!!

normally those sell for 6500 to 7500

Edited by Comadis on Tuesday 25th October 18:42

Can you get me ten 7's like that one for 6.5k please.....

Jason

[BertBert]

If you look at Noger's link you will see the other dealer pics including the engine and the VIN plate. You can decode it (roughly) here:

http://7faq.com/owbase/ow.asp?ChassisNumbers

So yes, the hateful 8v vauxhall and possibly live axle? And waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay over priced.

Bert

[Noger]

Yes, it is a little high

But a tidy example, lots of nice bits. Just a bit of a shame about the engine, IIRC they are not all that tweakable.

However the old academy cars always used to sell well, but £8k ish rather than £13k !

Good starter car, and I doubt you would lose money at the RIGHT price.

[Milt]

Sigmas have exhausts on the drivers side. I should know, I've been burn't enough times.

[Comadis]

the car looks very, very tidy..but nothing what a car-enhancer/finisher could not achieve with soem hours work.

so you have the choice: a tidy car with the hatefull (and maybe underpowered) 8V opel kadett engine or buying another model with a more prefered engine which maybe looks bit more used.

anyway....the price for this technical sepcification...even its tidy... is far overpriced...maybe the dealer took this car in part-exchange without knowing what he got and how much it is worth...but ´thats HIS problem...not the future owners one!!!


actually (due to the financial crisis, also the winter is arriving) its a buyers market within kitcars!!

[uremaw]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Dropped this one off my watch list.

[Bahnstormer]

Comadis said:

"looks like an 8V vauxhall engine?"
IT IS AN "OLD" VAUXHALL engine. the first OHC engine from vauxhall/opel prone for its camshaft-wear!!!

and thats far, far away from a 125roadsport...its a lie!!!!

those caterhams are the most valueless models on the market you can get...therefore totally overpriced!!!!

normally those sell for 6500 to 7500

Edited by Comadis on Tuesday 25th October 18:42

Interestingly , The Vauxhall engined cars are extremely quick.

Also, Can you drop me any adverts you have seen for these 'old Vauxhall engined, valueless cars' , as I would be very interested in buying one for myself , and maybe selling some others on as all of the cars I have seen go for over £10K

Thanks,

[Comadis]

if you like those vauxhall powered ones...buy them!!

have seen k-series powered , low mileage ones in goodt nick, 1st owner, for 8500,-

[BertBert]

care to point us in that direction?

[rubystone]

Bahnstormer said:

Interestingly , The Vauxhall engined cars are extremely quick.

Also, Can you drop me any adverts you have seen for these 'old Vauxhall engined, valueless cars' , as I would be very interested in buying one for myself , and maybe selling some others on as all of the cars I have seen go for over £10K

Thanks,

It's possible you may be confusing the 8 valve cars with the excellent 16 valve XEs? The former is a bit of a dog, the latter is a peach and if the car is correctly set up, doesn't make it an understeering pig...

As to prices, 1400 5 speed non supersport cars and these 8 valve live axles cars can be bought for £6500, high mileage, flakey powder coating and all....but they are few and far between and most people overprice them initially before realising their true value...

But any Caterham is a revelation in terms of driving experience!

[BertBert]

I'll have a flaky 1400 for 6500! Can't recall ever seeing one for sale at that price though. Bert

[rubystone]

BertBert said:

I'll have a flaky 1400 for 6500! Can't recall ever seeing one for sale at that price though. Bert

I nearly bought one last year -some mad plan around duratecs etc but as ever, conversion numbers don't add up....Tango 7 has his fingers on the pulse of cheap cars....