R400 Order new or buy used?
Discussion
Have been looking for an R400 for a while now but due to fussyness on my part and lack of cars on market I'm wondering about ordering a new one. Given that I intend to keep the car longterm I suppose initial depreciation (what would that be?) will be lost in the mists of time. So, other than the larger initial outlay can anyone advise on pros and cons of going new v. used. Much appreciated.
What's up with the red R400 at Caterham South? Seems to have been for sale for ages when there are hardly any others available... Having said that at 25k as opposed to 30ish for the new model it does seem quite expensive. (Speaking as a Caterham novice who is also considering buying one)
I too had to weigh up the pros/cons of an old vs new R400. I also considered an R500. At the end of the day, I chose to go down the new R400 route for the following reasons:-
1. Depreciation - I am planning on keeping the car for a number of years, so depreciation is less of an issue
2. The new R400 has the Duractec which is very upgradeable and in 2.0 version still revs quite high (which I like)
3. The K series engine in the R400 is upgradeable too, but it doesn't seem to offer as many options. It also has a reputation for being a bit more fragile than the Duratec
4. I will know everything about the history of a new car. With an secondhand car, there is always an element of the unknown
5. The red R400 for sale at Caterham is an '02 car I believe - that's already 5 years old!
6. Rather than have a secondhand R400, I actually ended up preferring to look at an R500 (more exclusive, mental, a future classic). In the end the lack of good quality available cars (I'm sure they are out there, but very hard to find!), and the more rigorous maintenance regime put me off.
7. Buying an new car is exciting!
1. Depreciation - I am planning on keeping the car for a number of years, so depreciation is less of an issue
2. The new R400 has the Duractec which is very upgradeable and in 2.0 version still revs quite high (which I like)
3. The K series engine in the R400 is upgradeable too, but it doesn't seem to offer as many options. It also has a reputation for being a bit more fragile than the Duratec
4. I will know everything about the history of a new car. With an secondhand car, there is always an element of the unknown
5. The red R400 for sale at Caterham is an '02 car I believe - that's already 5 years old!
6. Rather than have a secondhand R400, I actually ended up preferring to look at an R500 (more exclusive, mental, a future classic). In the end the lack of good quality available cars (I'm sure they are out there, but very hard to find!), and the more rigorous maintenance regime put me off.
7. Buying an new car is exciting!
subirg said:
I too had to weigh up the pros/cons of an old vs new R400. I also considered an R500. At the end of the day, I chose to go down the new R400 route for the following reasons:-
1. Depreciation - I am planning on keeping the car for a number of years, so depreciation is less of an issue
2. The new R400 has the Duractec which is very upgradeable and in 2.0 version still revs quite high (which I like)
3. The K series engine in the R400 is upgradeable too, but it doesn't seem to offer as many options. It also has a reputation for being a bit more fragile than the Duratec
4. I will know everything about the history of a new car. With an secondhand car, there is always an element of the unknown
5. The red R400 for sale at Caterham is an '02 car I believe - that's already 5 years old!
6. Rather than have a secondhand R400, I actually ended up preferring to look at an R500 (more exclusive, mental, a future classic). In the end the lack of good quality available cars (I'm sure they are out there, but very hard to find!), and the more rigorous maintenance regime put me off.
7. Buying an new car is exciting!
Pretty much my current thinking word for word! Incidentally my spec. comes out at £38k - ooh err! 1. Depreciation - I am planning on keeping the car for a number of years, so depreciation is less of an issue
2. The new R400 has the Duractec which is very upgradeable and in 2.0 version still revs quite high (which I like)
3. The K series engine in the R400 is upgradeable too, but it doesn't seem to offer as many options. It also has a reputation for being a bit more fragile than the Duratec
4. I will know everything about the history of a new car. With an secondhand car, there is always an element of the unknown
5. The red R400 for sale at Caterham is an '02 car I believe - that's already 5 years old!
6. Rather than have a secondhand R400, I actually ended up preferring to look at an R500 (more exclusive, mental, a future classic). In the end the lack of good quality available cars (I'm sure they are out there, but very hard to find!), and the more rigorous maintenance regime put me off.
7. Buying an new car is exciting!
Pugsey said:
subirg said:
I too had to weigh up the pros/cons of an old vs new R400. I also considered an R500. At the end of the day, I chose to go down the new R400 route for the following reasons:-
1. Depreciation - I am planning on keeping the car for a number of years, so depreciation is less of an issue
2. The new R400 has the Duractec which is very upgradeable and in 2.0 version still revs quite high (which I like)
3. The K series engine in the R400 is upgradeable too, but it doesn't seem to offer as many options. It also has a reputation for being a bit more fragile than the Duratec
4. I will know everything about the history of a new car. With an secondhand car, there is always an element of the unknown
5. The red R400 for sale at Caterham is an '02 car I believe - that's already 5 years old!
6. Rather than have a secondhand R400, I actually ended up preferring to look at an R500 (more exclusive, mental, a future classic). In the end the lack of good quality available cars (I'm sure they are out there, but very hard to find!), and the more rigorous maintenance regime put me off.
7. Buying an new car is exciting!
Pretty much my current thinking word for word! Incidentally my spec. comes out at £38k - ooh err! 1. Depreciation - I am planning on keeping the car for a number of years, so depreciation is less of an issue
2. The new R400 has the Duractec which is very upgradeable and in 2.0 version still revs quite high (which I like)
3. The K series engine in the R400 is upgradeable too, but it doesn't seem to offer as many options. It also has a reputation for being a bit more fragile than the Duratec
4. I will know everything about the history of a new car. With an secondhand car, there is always an element of the unknown
5. The red R400 for sale at Caterham is an '02 car I believe - that's already 5 years old!
6. Rather than have a secondhand R400, I actually ended up preferring to look at an R500 (more exclusive, mental, a future classic). In the end the lack of good quality available cars (I'm sure they are out there, but very hard to find!), and the more rigorous maintenance regime put me off.
7. Buying an new car is exciting!
New or used, ...well they are not like for like!!!
“K” R400 are all singing and dancing with all the bit’s, I would think a late model could be purchase for £25K, a new CC Dury thingy is going to cost, like for like £10k more!!
Don’t fool your self, we all think we intent to own for ever only to off load within a couple to three years
Bafty
“K” R400 are all singing and dancing with all the bit’s, I would think a late model could be purchase for £25K, a new CC Dury thingy is going to cost, like for like £10k more!!
Don’t fool your self, we all think we intent to own for ever only to off load within a couple to three years
Bafty
Edited by Bafty_Crastard on Friday 26th January 22:23
Bafty_Crastard said:
New or used, ...well they are not like for like!!!
“K” R400 are all singing and dancing with all the bit’s, I would think a late model could be purchase for £25K, a new CC Dury thingy is going to cost, like for like £10k more!!
Don’t fool your self, we all think we intent to own for ever only to off load within a couple to three years
Bafty
K r400 for £25k sure but speak to CC on the cost of a Durex R400 , mine is specd up at £28k on an SV base,OK no Stack, no weather and no paint but a better deal IMHO
“K” R400 are all singing and dancing with all the bit’s, I would think a late model could be purchase for £25K, a new CC Dury thingy is going to cost, like for like £10k more!!
Don’t fool your self, we all think we intent to own for ever only to off load within a couple to three years
Bafty
K r400 for £25k sure but speak to CC on the cost of a Durex R400 , mine is specd up at £28k on an SV base,OK no Stack, no weather and no paint but a better deal IMHO
Edited by Bafty_Crastard on Friday 26th January 22:23
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