Thoughts on this SLR?

[Craig]

what do people think about this?

http://www.caterham.co.uk/assets/html/preowned/pre...

I am looking for a car mainly for trackdays but also for some weekend road use.

I love the spec but my concern is that it is a 1998 car so getting on a bit age wise

[fatvik]

Dont let the age put you off dude. A chap I know regularly tracks a '98 VHPD car. The add says the car's had an engine refresh in '06. Get some details for that. The mileage, is that after the refresh? (In which case, was it a full refresh?).

Happy hunting.

-FatVik
(I know naa-thing )

[fergus]

fatvik said:

Dont let the age put you off dude. A chap I know regularly tracks a '98 VHPD car. The add says the car's had an engine refresh in '06. Get some details for that. The mileage, is that after the refresh? (In which case, was it a full refresh?)

Agreed. Check what work has been done to the car, rather than buy it as if it's a bog std hatchback. Check the condition of the diff plates, the brake discs, the wheel bearings, prop shaft UJ, driveshafts, etc. All these are service items, and shouyldn't necesserily be tired.

Also check that all the gears slot home. The caterham 6spd box is notorious for wearing the synchros and can also have selector fork issues and weak 2nd and 3rd gears. Again, this may have been rectified.

Find out if any upgrades have been done to the engine whilst it's been refreshed, i.e. better big end bearings, steel oil pump rotor, etc.

I went through all my receipts last night and discovered I've spent almost 3/4 the value of my car running it over 4 years (includes 2 engine and gearbox rebuilds, electronic dash, new dampers, plus loads of tyres and brake pads, plus servicing, etc). Scary stuff. It's a 1998 car, but is in better (mechanical) nick than several cars many years its junior! Cosmetically, let's put it this way, it's never seen any polish....

[Snapper7]

Check the chassis, if it is the car Iooked over. There can' be that many in that colour.

[Craig]

Snapper7 said:

Check the chassis, if it is the car Iooked over. There can' be that many in that colour.

was it badly corroded??

[carsounds_dan]

Would also be interested in this, I'm meant to be up in Stoneleigh at the weekend now which would put me about 50-60miles from seeing it.

[1st_petrolhead]

This car was up for sale last year and I concidered it. Popped down and was disapointed. The front suspension was looking quite rough ie corroded. It dissapeared off the market for a while and re-appeared so I wonder if some work was done to it. I did comment to Jodie why I changed my mind and maybe a few other potential customers said the same and they decided to tidy it up

Love the colour