Does this price and car look good?
Discussion
Hi All
Planning my first seven, mainly for road use but may go to local hill climb,
This came up local to me, with so many variations it’s hard to know values and specs. One of us is 6’4” so the lower floors would be good, and it seems to have the higher roll bar .
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024071216...
Would it need a CAT to be toad legal at MOT time?
Thanks, any help would be great
Planning my first seven, mainly for road use but may go to local hill climb,
This came up local to me, with so many variations it’s hard to know values and specs. One of us is 6’4” so the lower floors would be good, and it seems to have the higher roll bar .
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024071216...
Would it need a CAT to be toad legal at MOT time?
Thanks, any help would be great
My December 96 model was one of the last to scrape through without a Cat, as it was kit built, so 2011 car definitely needs one unless you have a VERY friendly MOT tester.
I’m not au fait with the Ford models, but mine had the heater where that battery is. I can’t see the heater unless it’s hidden under the air box. You’ll definitely appreciate one in the winter months.
I’m not au fait with the Ford models, but mine had the heater where that battery is. I can’t see the heater unless it’s hidden under the air box. You’ll definitely appreciate one in the winter months.
Tupwood said:
The battery / heater swap implies this might be an ex-race car. As this is not disclosed by the seller, I would be asking what else is not being disclosed. Looks too cheap to be true / buyer beware.
TBF, loads of Caterhams are ex-academy cars(many owners won’t even know) and it’s not really an issue. Mine was initially an academy car, then it was a mega-grad car and then subsequently used in more motorsport events. This had no effect on my decision to buy it though, the chassis was straight, it was mechanically perfect and had a folder of history.
S366 said:
TBF, loads of Caterhams are ex-academy cars(many owners won’t even know) and it’s not really an issue. Mine was initially an academy car, then it was a mega-grad car and then subsequently used in more motorsport events.
This had no effect on my decision to buy it though, the chassis was straight, it was mechanically perfect and had a folder of history.
Do the Academy cars have the short passenger footwell and an outside ignition cut-off?This had no effect on my decision to buy it though, the chassis was straight, it was mechanically perfect and had a folder of history.
S366 said:
Tupwood said:
The battery / heater swap implies this might be an ex-race car. As this is not disclosed by the seller, I would be asking what else is not being disclosed. Looks too cheap to be true / buyer beware.
TBF, loads of Caterhams are ex-academy cars(many owners won’t even know) and it’s not really an issue. Mine was initially an academy car, then it was a mega-grad car and then subsequently used in more motorsport events. This had no effect on my decision to buy it though, the chassis was straight, it was mechanically perfect and had a folder of history.
Tupwood said:
I have no issue with buying an ex-race car. My concern here is that the car’s history may be more complex than the seller is willing to share. If that is the case, what else is being hidden?
You've come a long way on a "may be" here. From I think it might be an ex race car to what else is hidden.As with all car purchases you have to investigate and understand the car, its history and condition to I've own satisfaction. What you think it may or may not be doesn't translate into other hidden things
CanAm said:
My December 96 model was one of the last to scrape through without a Cat, as it was kit built, so 2011 car definitely needs one unless you have a VERY friendly MOT tester.
I’m not au fait with the Ford models, but mine had the heater where that battery is. I can’t see the heater unless it’s hidden under the air box. You’ll definitely appreciate one in the winter months.
Just to clarify my post, I wasn't suggesting that it had been modified or was an ex-racer, I was merely wondering whether it had a heater, as I could only speak as an owner of a K-SERIES car which had the heater in the middle where that car's battery is situated. Having looked at the 1600cc Ford engined cars for sale on PH it seems that the heater is in the same place as my old car, in the centre of the scuttle with the battery in front of it.. So the answer is that the car for sale does not have a heater.I’m not au fait with the Ford models, but mine had the heater where that battery is. I can’t see the heater unless it’s hidden under the air box. You’ll definitely appreciate one in the winter months.
Tupwood said:
The battery / heater swap implies this might be an ex-race car. As this is not disclosed by the seller, I would be asking what else is not being disclosed. Looks too cheap to be true / buyer beware.
The lack of a cut-off makes me suspect it's not an ex race car? It would be odd to remove that.There's a lot of new parts on that, but lots of owners keep up with the latest parts.
It certainly looks the part - but I'd have a dig into the history to see what's there and what isn't.
For the record, mine's an '09 Roadsport 140. Had a load of options ticked (6 speed, wide track, LSD). We found it it was an ex-autosport drift car. Which made sense given the wear on the seats. Honestly I've had it since '12 and it's been very reliable. These cars are made to be driven hard and if well maintained it's really not a problem.
EDIT: It looks like it has a GP Sevens sticker on the pedal box, could be worth asking them what they know about the car.
Edited by framerateuk on Wednesday 17th July 14:11
Hi Everybody
Thanks , some good points for me to follow up.
There’s also one at Milwood near me to look at. A safer bet but a bit more expensive.
I’ll check on the heater, I intend to use during winter on bright cold days so this will be required .
It’s has a De Dion rear suspension, is that desirable option or standard on this model year?
Thanks again
Thanks , some good points for me to follow up.
There’s also one at Milwood near me to look at. A safer bet but a bit more expensive.
I’ll check on the heater, I intend to use during winter on bright cold days so this will be required .
It’s has a De Dion rear suspension, is that desirable option or standard on this model year?
Thanks again
The de dion is standard (possibly since they went metric), and is desirable & helpful for hillclimbs.
The battery is in the same position as mine, due to the air box on a 140bhp car.
Doubt this started life as a race car, as, there are a lot of options that are rare on a race car (roll bar, black pack, carbon/ no isolator or fire extinguisher plumbing etc).
I’d call GP Sevens & ask them.
The battery is in the same position as mine, due to the air box on a 140bhp car.
Doubt this started life as a race car, as, there are a lot of options that are rare on a race car (roll bar, black pack, carbon/ no isolator or fire extinguisher plumbing etc).
I’d call GP Sevens & ask them.
Wayne95 said:
It’s has a De Dion rear suspension, is that desirable option or standard on this model year?
As mentioned, De Dion has been standard for ages, you won't find many cars outside of old Crossflows/VX with a live axle - almost every K-Series and Sigma/Duratec will have the De Dion rear.A difference they may have is if they have the 'Superlight' suspension which gives a wider front and adds watts linkeage to the rear and also gives adjustable suspension platforms. It's also possible to have the wide front without the watts linkeage rear (such as the 'Supersport' and 'Supersport R' from a few years back).
It's meant to keep the car more level, but having never driven a car without it I can't really comment. All.the 'fast' 7's have it as standard, and lots will add it as an option to other models.
The adjustable suspension is very useful though and you'd probably want that to set the car up properly.
Compared to modern cars, Caterham's are like meccano kits. As a trigger happy buyer I would be less worried about specs and history, because, if the car is cheap it's not impossible to bolt on new bits. I'm biased, but, to me the 140bhp Sigma is a sweet spot.
I bought a well-used ex academy car around three years ago, enjoyed track work too much, made a few upgrades and have started racing it.
There are many fantastic specialists around the country who will give great advice when you know what you want to use it for. Around here we have PGM, DPR and Sevens & Classics who are all great. I'm sure other areas are also well-covered.
My only advice would be to try and guess whether you may get bitten by road, track or hillclimb work. If you're likely to get hooked on track or hillclimb work I'd start with a race car. As in date cages, seats, harnesses & fire extinguishers are some of the most important bits and you will get patina anyway. If you want a stunning car for a country blast then carbon bits, black pack, a half-hood and paintwork would be nice.
I bought a well-used ex academy car around three years ago, enjoyed track work too much, made a few upgrades and have started racing it.
There are many fantastic specialists around the country who will give great advice when you know what you want to use it for. Around here we have PGM, DPR and Sevens & Classics who are all great. I'm sure other areas are also well-covered.
My only advice would be to try and guess whether you may get bitten by road, track or hillclimb work. If you're likely to get hooked on track or hillclimb work I'd start with a race car. As in date cages, seats, harnesses & fire extinguishers are some of the most important bits and you will get patina anyway. If you want a stunning car for a country blast then carbon bits, black pack, a half-hood and paintwork would be nice.
I’m beginning to understand the meccano nature if these now, all the swappable bits and upgrades.
I’m comfortable with a set of spanner’s, and it adds to the fun and connection with these I’m sure.
Does make choosing one a process though !
I’ve seen some with Tillet seats, anybody know how they compare to standard? Obviously more sculptured and supportive, but are they a pain to get in and out of ?
I’m comfortable with a set of spanner’s, and it adds to the fun and connection with these I’m sure.
Does make choosing one a process though !
I’ve seen some with Tillet seats, anybody know how they compare to standard? Obviously more sculptured and supportive, but are they a pain to get in and out of ?
The seats are quite a personal thing!
Some will get backache from the leather seats, other the tillets.
Mine's got the standard leather seats and I've always found them very comfortable. Great over long distance drives (we spent 10 days driving around Scotland) and they still hold me in fine on trackdays.
I'd try a few and see how you get on. You mentioned Millwood is nearby, I had my service there recently. Eric is a great guy and I'm sure you could sit in some of the cars he has in stock.
I would say though, you can swap anything, but some things are worth getting right from the start, as they can be expensive to change - the seats being one of those things.
Back when I bought mine I knew I wanted the leather seats, an LSD and the 6 speed box. I luckily found one with nearly every option ticked - but I've still changed quite a few things over the years just to make it easier to live with.
EDIT: Just to add - every caterham is a pain to get out of! I don't think the seats make a huge difference in that department. You'll learn to do it semi gracefully eventually!
Some will get backache from the leather seats, other the tillets.
Mine's got the standard leather seats and I've always found them very comfortable. Great over long distance drives (we spent 10 days driving around Scotland) and they still hold me in fine on trackdays.
I'd try a few and see how you get on. You mentioned Millwood is nearby, I had my service there recently. Eric is a great guy and I'm sure you could sit in some of the cars he has in stock.
I would say though, you can swap anything, but some things are worth getting right from the start, as they can be expensive to change - the seats being one of those things.
Back when I bought mine I knew I wanted the leather seats, an LSD and the 6 speed box. I luckily found one with nearly every option ticked - but I've still changed quite a few things over the years just to make it easier to live with.
EDIT: Just to add - every caterham is a pain to get out of! I don't think the seats make a huge difference in that department. You'll learn to do it semi gracefully eventually!
Edited by framerateuk on Thursday 18th July 18:14
Any decent being will turn away when a middle-aged person gets in or out of any Caterham.
We have to do ‘televised’ driver changes, and, after many rehearsals it’s embarrassing.
On seats. I’ve never tried leather seats and I’ve never sat in a Tillet seat for more than two hours. I’ve heard from those who’ve done both that the Tillet is the most comfortable.
We have to do ‘televised’ driver changes, and, after many rehearsals it’s embarrassing.
On seats. I’ve never tried leather seats and I’ve never sat in a Tillet seat for more than two hours. I’ve heard from those who’ve done both that the Tillet is the most comfortable.
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