Best place to buy a first (used) Seven
Discussion
Apologies if this has been covered before but having done a search the answers I'm after haven't come up!
I want to buy a Seven this Spring as finally I'm now in a position to buy one. I have £15k-£18K to spend ideally on a K engined Superlight, but if not a K engined roadsport. Although I have yet to drive either for comparison, having wanted one for years and years I must say I'm pretty excited about the prospect of owning one.
Bearing in mind that this will be a roadcar only, enjoyed on the weekends and perhaps the odd time going to work, my minimum spec is a 135bhp car, with widetrack suspension and upgraded brakes. Niceties would be LSD, composite seats and a 6 speed box.
So where would the best place to purchase from be? Caterham themselves, who are more pricey but offer piece of mind and a brief warranty or privately? I've been through the Caterham second hand pages and the classifieds on here so am pretty happy I could get what I want for the money but I'd be interested to hear thoughts on which way might be best.
Thanks
I want to buy a Seven this Spring as finally I'm now in a position to buy one. I have £15k-£18K to spend ideally on a K engined Superlight, but if not a K engined roadsport. Although I have yet to drive either for comparison, having wanted one for years and years I must say I'm pretty excited about the prospect of owning one.
Bearing in mind that this will be a roadcar only, enjoyed on the weekends and perhaps the odd time going to work, my minimum spec is a 135bhp car, with widetrack suspension and upgraded brakes. Niceties would be LSD, composite seats and a 6 speed box.
So where would the best place to purchase from be? Caterham themselves, who are more pricey but offer piece of mind and a brief warranty or privately? I've been through the Caterham second hand pages and the classifieds on here so am pretty happy I could get what I want for the money but I'd be interested to hear thoughts on which way might be best.
Thanks
There is the other option of Caterham specialists like Woodcote Sports Cars (edit: no connection and other specialists are available).
Edited by ewenm on Wednesday 1st December 19:30
grenpayne said:
I want to buy a Seven this Spring as finally I'm now in a position to buy one. I have £15k-£18K to spend ideally on a K engined Superlight, but if not a K engined roadsport. Although I have yet to drive either for comparison, having wanted one for years and years I must say I'm pretty excited about the prospect of owning one.
Bearing in mind that this will be a roadcar only, enjoyed on the weekends and perhaps the odd time going to work, my minimum spec is a 135bhp car, with widetrack suspension and upgraded brakes. Niceties would be LSD, composite seats and a 6 speed box.
So where would the best place to purchase from be? Caterham themselves, who are more pricey but offer piece of mind and a brief warranty or privately? I've been through the Caterham second hand pages and the classifieds on here so am pretty happy I could get what I want for the money but I'd be interested to hear thoughts on which way might be best.
With your budget you should be able to buy a very nice Superlight or R300 if you are happy to sort out a private sale. You might be lucky and come across a good Superlight R as well. Get in touch with the L7C AR (area representative) for your area and see if anyone in the club knows of any cars for sale or can offer assistance if you already know of one but want some help to view. There is a link on www.lotussevenclub.com or www.blatchat.com to the areas and the AR's contact details.Bearing in mind that this will be a roadcar only, enjoyed on the weekends and perhaps the odd time going to work, my minimum spec is a 135bhp car, with widetrack suspension and upgraded brakes. Niceties would be LSD, composite seats and a 6 speed box.
So where would the best place to purchase from be? Caterham themselves, who are more pricey but offer piece of mind and a brief warranty or privately? I've been through the Caterham second hand pages and the classifieds on here so am pretty happy I could get what I want for the money but I'd be interested to hear thoughts on which way might be best.
Otherwise buying from Caterham themselves, Millwoods, Woodcote, Paul Matty etc. will be a troublefree process and you have the benefit of the warranty but I think its a costly option when you could easily save the money and buy privately with a bit of guidance.
HTH
T
Agree with all that has been said here. In terms of spec it's the perfect (and IMHO best) spec. Either superlight of exec superlight (roadsport specced up with the bits).
You need what you have said, 6-speed box is vital, def get LSD, and tillets preferable. Apollo tank.
Decide on screen or no screen to personal preference. It's possible to find one that has been setup to have both interchangeably.
In terms of byuing you have two basic choices to make. Dealer where you get a dealer experience (doh) or privately. With the available help from club members and other afficionados, it's perfectly possible to buy privately (I'd still try for a professional PPI also if you are unsure.
Are you planning to do servicing/spannering yourself? If not also ask about local specialists.
Bert
You need what you have said, 6-speed box is vital, def get LSD, and tillets preferable. Apollo tank.
Decide on screen or no screen to personal preference. It's possible to find one that has been setup to have both interchangeably.
In terms of byuing you have two basic choices to make. Dealer where you get a dealer experience (doh) or privately. With the available help from club members and other afficionados, it's perfectly possible to buy privately (I'd still try for a professional PPI also if you are unsure.
Are you planning to do servicing/spannering yourself? If not also ask about local specialists.
Bert
I bought mine from Caterham this year .. Roadsport 'K' 138, 6-speed, LSD, widetrack for that money .. It was, as has been said, a more expensive way to do it, but I was very new to sevens and had no idea what to look for. Catherham were very good about all the bits I wanted done (cambelt change, new back mudguards etc) and gave be the black pack at cost. I ended up with a really nice car for that money, and definately don't regret going the Caterham route first time around!
Thanks chaps
Agreed that the perfect spec is 6 speed box with LSD and tillets but I'm also on a budget and £18K is the max. But if i can get an R300 then happy days!
The car will be a roadcar only, with a young family and a busy job, trackdays aren't really an option right now, maybe in a few years though. I'm happy to have a crack at servicing myself, I'm pretty mechaically minded but equally if there is a nearby specialist I'll probably take the easy option and get it done there! I live between Swindon and Oxford but I think I can count on one hand the amount of Sevens I've seen in 2010.
I think next step as suggested is to join up the members club and get along for a meet. Although I'm fairly happy with the spec I want, there's certainly no harm in seeing the cars in the flesh.
Also, given the good advice about where to buy from I'll stay open minded for now and keep scanning the classifieds to see what comes up.
Agreed that the perfect spec is 6 speed box with LSD and tillets but I'm also on a budget and £18K is the max. But if i can get an R300 then happy days!
The car will be a roadcar only, with a young family and a busy job, trackdays aren't really an option right now, maybe in a few years though. I'm happy to have a crack at servicing myself, I'm pretty mechaically minded but equally if there is a nearby specialist I'll probably take the easy option and get it done there! I live between Swindon and Oxford but I think I can count on one hand the amount of Sevens I've seen in 2010.
I think next step as suggested is to join up the members club and get along for a meet. Although I'm fairly happy with the spec I want, there's certainly no harm in seeing the cars in the flesh.
Also, given the good advice about where to buy from I'll stay open minded for now and keep scanning the classifieds to see what comes up.
Not sure if they would, but offer them 18k, cash, quick sale...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1913188.htm
A bit pricey- but then a dealer, but perfect spec...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1204257.htm
Bert
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1913188.htm
A bit pricey- but then a dealer, but perfect spec...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1204257.htm
Bert
Bert, yes seem those two, agreed perfect specs but have set my heart on a yellow or orange one!
John, sorry I was at work when I posted before and the image didn't show up. Lovely car you have there and pretty much exactly what I'm after too. Do you like the car with the LSD? Also (if I may be so rude) can I ask what you paid for yours? No offence taken if you don't want to answer
John, sorry I was at work when I posted before and the image didn't show up. Lovely car you have there and pretty much exactly what I'm after too. Do you like the car with the LSD? Also (if I may be so rude) can I ask what you paid for yours? No offence taken if you don't want to answer
I'm in denial, but it was about the 15k mark plus (less than a grand) for the wheels and black pack, it had about 12k on the clock but is really in superb condition .. friend (who has brand new roadsport) was very impressed.
I can't drive it well enough yet to give you an opinion on the LSD, but I absolutely love the 6sp box, it just flies through gear to gear, it just makes the car - definitely put that on your list.
I can't drive it well enough yet to give you an opinion on the LSD, but I absolutely love the 6sp box, it just flies through gear to gear, it just makes the car - definitely put that on your list.
Blat !
Thanks John, 6speed box definitely added to the list.
Thanks for the offer to join you at Penn, but we've got guests over that weekend. Would you really want to be driving a Seven in the weather though!?
I'll be getting in touch with the local club rep in the new year as well as booking a test drive at Caterham South.
Garage sort-out has gone well, just have to buy some tiles now to tidy up the floor and then I'll be ready start seriously looking
Thanks for the offer to join you at Penn, but we've got guests over that weekend. Would you really want to be driving a Seven in the weather though!?
I'll be getting in touch with the local club rep in the new year as well as booking a test drive at Caterham South.
Garage sort-out has gone well, just have to buy some tiles now to tidy up the floor and then I'll be ready start seriously looking
I bought my first Caterham about 8 years ago and recently bought another. Whilst they are simple cars and no doubt many are happy buying privately, I wanted the peace of mind and went the dealer route. Yes it is more expensive but I was/am not comfortable spending that sort of cash in a private sale.
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