Caterham for me please

[Markp13]

Gents,

After a caterham experience day earlier in the year at bruntingthorpe I have been hankering after a caterham for a weekend toy.

I think what I am after is a r300 superlight. I have seen a few but never taken it any further.

What I have my eye on now is this http://mobile.pistonheads.com/sales/1913188.htm

Does anybody know the car?
My feelings are it's a touch on the expensive side and has a slightly high mileage but I was hoping to draw on some of your experiences.

Thank you in advance

Mark

[K800 RUM]

Looks odd in that colour (in my opinion)

[2slo]

Highly subjective, but I like the colour. I like the look of the car too. It has been for sale for several months but that might just be because the right person hasn't been along to look at it. Obviously the fact that they've had it a while and we are now in December would, I imagine, make them more likely to offer a good deal?

Mark.

[mickrick]

Go and have a look at it first, before you get too excited about it.

[Markp13]

mickrick said:

Go and have a look at it first, before you get too excited about it.

Do you know something about the car?

I actually quite like the colour, I'm not really a fan of the yellows ect

I have emailed the company a few times and they have knocked a few pounds off it already.

I'm also wary of the fact it's been resprayed, is that hiding that it has been abused?

They say it's had 2k spent on it recently on the water pump/brakes ect

[James.S]

I kinda like the colours, all of them.

[Markp13]

James.S said:

I kinda like the colours, all of them.

So it's been bent?

[SLR400]

Mark, I know nothing about this 7, but I would strongly recommend you have a good look around before making your decision. You've got the whole of winter to find, and hopefully try lots of different types. The R300 is a sweet 7, and there will be plenty to look at betweem now and spring next year. You're in a good position, so get hunting, and if you do find one soon, it's a good time to haggle. Also get some advise from L7 club members at your nearest meet. Good luck, and don't rush into anything unless you are 100% happy about everything, including HPI check, condition of bodywork and chassis, engine responsiveness and performance, road use / track history, service history, condition of tyres and wheels etc and whether you trust the seller. Any doubt on any of these fronts, walk away and find one that ticks all the boxes. Your dream 7 is out there.

[K800 RUM]

Sound advice from SLR400 (above) to be fair the colour is growing on me & with so many brightly coloured sevens out there it's something different. Mine is black with a gold & silver stripe by the way, good luck with your hunt!

Martin.

[Markp13]

Thanks for the advice gents, I've had a pm regarding the vehicle and it doesn't seem to be what it is advertised as.

So I will maybe miss out on this one.

The search most definetly will continue though.

K800 RUM.... I recognise that as a number plate somehow, has that been on a car that's been for sale lately?

And what is it with the car you really really want always being slightly out of budget?! My eyes always seem to be bigger than my pockets.

I'm am sure more questions will follow.

I have been looking here car and classic for a good car, have I been missing anywhere out?

Edited by Markp13 on Saturday 4th December 22:11

Edited by Markp13 on Saturday 4th December 22:14

Edited by Markp13 on Saturday 4th December 22:16

[K800 RUM]

Tis my number on my self built 50th anniversary caterham;)
Just a 1992 number that I picked up cheaply.

K800 RUM (kate o rum)

Edited by K800 RUM on Saturday 4th December 22:38

[BertBert]

isn't that kate oo rum?

[James.S]

plenty of Caterhams have been "bent" as many of them have raced or been on track, there is nothing wrong with this as long as Arch have done the repairs.

I stress I do not know this ca, my comment is aimed at the paint - if your gonna get it done at least get a colour match between the side skins and the bonnet.

FWIW, Specialist Cars Malton do have a pretty good reputation within 911 circles, cars are top end of the price scale though. Pays your money as they say.

Have you tried Caterham btw?

Edited by James.S on Sunday 5th December 14:12

[Markp13]

I think the colour difference is more to do with shadow as I believe the whole car has been resprayed.

A peugeot colour.

I looked at the caterham site last night and anything remotely interesting seemed to be 22k plus

Edited by Markp13 on Sunday 5th December 18:34

[mickrick]

Have you thought about a brand new lower spec. Caterham for under 20K, and upgrading it later, as funds allow?
They have 2 brand new 0 miles classics at CC south.
After all, they're all basicaly the same car, with different bolt on bits.

[RacerMDR]

totally love the Reg it comes with.

As others have said - no reason to think it's had a long front.

Even if it has - it matters not if done correctly by Arch - which it will have been assuming something had happened to it.

My only comment would be are you sure you want a 300 as a road car for your first Caterham?

I used to run a 120BHP car - and everything was in the way on a country road.......

You could get a great lower powered Caterham for half that money!

Also - don't worry about the mileage at all - they are just like a big Meccano set - if anything looks a bit tired - just buy a new bit and bolt it on

Edited by RacerMDR on Sunday 5th December 18:49

[BertBert]

Also Caterham themselves do long fronts quite satisfactorily.
Bert

[RacerMDR]

BertBert said:

Also Caterham themselves do long fronts quite satisfactorily.
Bert

do they - I thought they took them all to Arch. Certainly all the race teams do.

[Markp13]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a long front?

I have done a bit if trawling on various forums and from what I can make out 140-160bhp for a road car seems to be perfect. So that's r300 territory.

I'm actually not to sure if I would keep the plate if I went as far as buying as I have one of my own to put on.

And I'm not too sure about new as the 1.6 sigma engine seems to be an expensive beast to tune. Again
according to forums.

I am tempted to nip down fo a look over the Xmas period, just aa road mapped it and it's 3 hours 15 mins from my front door so it's not too bad. A day out.

Edited by Markp13 on Sunday 5th December 20:07

[Z3MCJez]

The metric cars come out of Caterham Westbury (formerly known as Steel Fabrications) and most go back there post crash, as that's where the jigs are. Arch can do them if necessary.

I believe Arch still have the imperial jigs.

Jez