How have Caterham prices responded to the current market?
Discussion
We're all, I'm sure, quite aware how the used car market has been turned on it's head in the last 6 months. The bubble has burst.
How has this affected Caterham values? Have they also dropped, or are they somewhat immune to this?
I know there's still a new car waiting list which should keep values up. But as 'other' cars have become much cheaper, Caterhams must become relatively more expensive and less attractive to buyers, and thus reduce demand and price?
How has this affected Caterham values? Have they also dropped, or are they somewhat immune to this?
I know there's still a new car waiting list which should keep values up. But as 'other' cars have become much cheaper, Caterhams must become relatively more expensive and less attractive to buyers, and thus reduce demand and price?
bus_ter said:
We're all, I'm sure, quite aware how the used car market has been turned on it's head in the last 6 months. The bubble has burst.
How has this affected Caterham values? Have they also dropped, or are they somewhat immune to this?
I know there's still a new car waiting list which should keep values up. But as 'other' cars have become much cheaper, Caterhams must become relatively more expensive and less attractive to buyers, and thus reduce demand and price?
No expert whatsoever but offhand not sure what other cars a prospective Caterham buyer would be looking at as an alternative so think they are possibly slightly immune to what the market has done generally perhaps ?If anything ,as you say with new cars on a waiting list and looking " expensive " presumably values of used are presumably holding up quite well ?How has this affected Caterham values? Have they also dropped, or are they somewhat immune to this?
I know there's still a new car waiting list which should keep values up. But as 'other' cars have become much cheaper, Caterhams must become relatively more expensive and less attractive to buyers, and thus reduce demand and price?
That all said looking at the Ultraviolet brand new 420R on the website I wonder if they would take offers ?!
I've been thinking about them for ages but struggle with the idea of having to keep it outside given my garages are full.
I pre-ordered a car in late 2021. After two price increases I cancelled. I haven't speced it up since to see how much the price has gone up.
I do still really want one, but mentally I struggle with how much car you get for the money. Cars like GT4's are now falling into the same price bracket as higher spec Caterhams, and that seems nuts.
Numbers of used Caterhams on the market do seem to be going up quite quickly. A couple of months ago there were around 100 on here, this morning there are 175 (I'm sure there were 166 when I checked yesterday -which doesn't make sense), In any case these are unprecedented numbers, which seems at ends with the still long waiting list for a new car.
I'm going to keep watching the market and see what happens. I don't want to go all in and buy one, only to see the prices crash 6 months later.
I do still really want one, but mentally I struggle with how much car you get for the money. Cars like GT4's are now falling into the same price bracket as higher spec Caterhams, and that seems nuts.
Numbers of used Caterhams on the market do seem to be going up quite quickly. A couple of months ago there were around 100 on here, this morning there are 175 (I'm sure there were 166 when I checked yesterday -which doesn't make sense), In any case these are unprecedented numbers, which seems at ends with the still long waiting list for a new car.
I'm going to keep watching the market and see what happens. I don't want to go all in and buy one, only to see the prices crash 6 months later.
Turn7 said:
Personally, I cannot see the value in a £50k plus 7, I really can’t.
Value is a personal thing when it comes to 'luxuries' like weekend cars etc. It's relative to priorities and ability to pay!The appeal and value of a 7, is entirely different to a tin top, for me anyway.
Yes though, I agree they are expensive at 40k let alone 50k and 60k. However, we live in a world now where a hatch can be 40k+. The world is mad.
Plus - I'd rather the costs of running a 50k 7 on road and track than a 50k Porsche!
bus_ter said:
I pre-ordered a car in late 2021. After two price increases I cancelled. I haven't speced it up since to see how much the price has gone up.
I do still really want one, but mentally I struggle with how much car you get for the money. Cars like GT4's are now falling into the same price bracket as higher spec Caterhams, and that seems nuts.
I share a similar view too. I think once you get over £40k for a Caterham, I feel that you don't really get enough "car" for the money. Obviously it is each to their own though for sure. I do still really want one, but mentally I struggle with how much car you get for the money. Cars like GT4's are now falling into the same price bracket as higher spec Caterhams, and that seems nuts.
Turn7 said:
Personally, I cannot see the value in a £50k plus 7, I really can’t.
Completely agree! I know I'm biased but R500 really is the sweet spot if you want a nuts 7. K series specifically obviously but I would settle for duratec 
At £30-35k that's about the cealing for me although budget creep to £40k maybe (620R's did drop quite quickly to around £40k at one point so might be tempted at that). However, when up against 620's on track there really isnt much in it as what they gain in power they lose in weight really (certainly compared to an R500k anyway) and real term power to weight isnt actually anything like the names suggest.
£50k+ and the other options that open up just become far more compelling in my eyes.
bus_ter said:
I . Cars like GT4's are now falling into the same price bracket as higher spec Caterhams, and that seems nuts.
.
I had a GT4 a few years ago and I was originally looking at 7’s but with a lot of man maths I had a GT4 instead. Big mistake imo and I never thought much of it. Wish I’d of just got the Caterham..
keo said:
bus_ter said:
I . Cars like GT4's are now falling into the same price bracket as higher spec Caterhams, and that seems nuts.
.
I had a GT4 a few years ago and I was originally looking at 7’s but with a lot of man maths I had a GT4 instead. Big mistake imo and I never thought much of it. Wish I’d of just got the Caterham..
I think it depends on which Caterhams you’re talking about. The vast majority of them sit in the £15-30k region and these are largely unaffected, they were never subjected to the inflation surge that happened on other cars, so no market correction is witnessed on them.
When it comes to £30k+ Caterhams, unless they are high spec race cars, they are going to be more unpredictable in values, most will just steadily depreciate, the £60k+ cars will depreciate far faster, whatever the market conditions are, IMO.
To me, the beauty of Caterhams is 2 fold, first and foremost, they are a kit car and as such can be easily modified and changed to suit the owner(from engines to suspension to body panels and much more). The second is that if you buy a more normally priced example, you can usually expect to see its value increase over time(Bought mine for £13k as a track toy, maybe spent £1k on it, value now is around £17-18k)
When it comes to £30k+ Caterhams, unless they are high spec race cars, they are going to be more unpredictable in values, most will just steadily depreciate, the £60k+ cars will depreciate far faster, whatever the market conditions are, IMO.
To me, the beauty of Caterhams is 2 fold, first and foremost, they are a kit car and as such can be easily modified and changed to suit the owner(from engines to suspension to body panels and much more). The second is that if you buy a more normally priced example, you can usually expect to see its value increase over time(Bought mine for £13k as a track toy, maybe spent £1k on it, value now is around £17-18k)
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff