Which Caterham

[dutchy]

I'm looking into buying a Caterham in the next few months and after a bit of advice.
I fancy either a Superlight R or a R400, but wondered whether it may be worth picking up a cheaper car and upgrading the engine.

I've not driven either yet but have been out in a equivilent to a R300 which was great fun.

I plan to use the car for pleasure with some track days thrown in as well.

If anyone has advice for what to go for or what to look out for it would be greatly appreciated.

I live on the South Coast and would jump at the chance to meet up with an owner for advice.

[jimmyslr]

It's unlikely to be worth buying a car and upgrading to the spec of either of those. I am sure you can buy the real thing for cheaper and resale will be MUCH better. Upgraded cars are difficult to sell and nowhere near price of the original.

SLRs are changing hands for c18k I think, maybe a fraction less. They are v similar to R400s; difference is a few options (Stack dash, dry sump, carbon dash are standard on R400) and roller barrels. Many SLRs have the options and the important one for track use is the dry sump. Not essential, but good idea given what car is capable of.

To declare an interest, I have a dry-sumped SLR that is tweaked a little. It flies on track!

[jaker]

what's your budget dutchy?

[casbar]

Get yourself along to one of the local meets, there will be plenty of chaps to discuss the options with, and you could probably get a few rides. Also get a membership to the Lotus 7 club, then get onto Blatchat.com and ask the same question.

[dutchy]

My budget in an ideal world would be around 18K, i've seen one come up with Caterham for 20.5 that has has the r400 spec.

[dutchy]

jimmyslr said:

To declare an interest, I have a dry-sumped SLR that is tweaked a little. It flies on track!

Is your's up for sale??

[casbar]

Check the classified there is a Orange SLR for sale for 19k. To be fair, if I was in the market for A slr, then its a good buy, as its been upgaded to R400 spec. The standard slr is a great car, but its under the R400 spec on Hp, and the ECU can give problems at altitude, so a lot have changed the ECU to an Emerald. If the car is a 1998 before SVA, even better, as its visual smaoke at MOT time, always a bonus, if you intend to upgrade even more.

Infact it looks so good, that if I could sell me Supersport R (factory R300 upgrade) I would probably had a punt.

Edited by casbar on Friday 6th October 23:53

[dutchy]

I've found a superlight r, is 21000 excessive for a 1998 car?

[casbar]

Sounds a lot to me, your getting into R400 teretory. If its from a dealer, then possibly about right. Check out the dealer prices at Caterham's site. If your buying private, then 18 - 19k is about right IMHO for a SLR.

[rubystone]

dutchy said:

I've found a superlight r, is 21000 excessive for a 1998 car?

errrr yeah!....about £4k too much if it's private. I sold my SLR for £17k 3 years ago! That is well into R400 territory. Don'tlet anyone kid you, the market for £20k toys is most definitely a buyer's market.

I can get you a good R500 for £21k right now. One owner car - I know the owner, never been track-dayed and he earns a living as an advanced driving instructor. Mail me through here if you want more details.

[fergus]

enter stage left. I may be interested in selling mine.

1998 superlight R (built as a race car, then registered for the road)

- Emerald
- R500 cams
- DVA head (puts out 211 hp and 156 lbft - Dave Walkers dyno). Car weighs 503kg and is flat floored (for me!)
- Rebuilt gearbox (inc new 5th gear) (Road and Race tranmissions
- New clutch driven plate and CRB (less than 500 miles ago)
- Bag tank
- Astratech datalogging dash
- Dry sump. new sump pan fitted approx 3 months ago
- All servicing done by Gary May at Freestyle
- One off superlight style cage (built by caged Jan 2006). 10 cms taller than original.
- carbon dash
- carbon cycle wings
- caterham yellow
- 16500 miles, however, engine fully rebuilt by DVA around 14k miles.
- brake bias valve
- aeroscreen
- red willans harnesses
- green springs and bilstein dampers
- freestyle front ARB

- original side doors, toneau, etc, etc
- MOG black fibreglass half doors fitted at present.

Car is not the prettiest seven out there, however, is mechanically very well looked after. It has been used mainly for trips to the ring this year, and is currently running on ACB10 tyres.

Please mail me through my profile if you may be interested. The car is based in St. Albans. I would be selling for £16500. Although I am not in a hurry to sell!

Apologies to the mods for not putting it in the for sale section!!!