Caterham Models, Chassis & Other First-Time Buyer Questions
Discussion
Hi All,
I'm rather hopefully (or hopelessly, depending on how you look at it) waiting for a 718 Cayman GT4 build slot. On the assumption that it's going to be quite some time before I get one – if at all – I've started seriously looking at 7s as a stop-gap weekend weapon – dry road use only with the potential for very occasional tracking. I won't be building it myself.
I'm completely new to 7s so thought I'd turn to the PH community for some much-needed advice.
1.) Model – Given my use case, which model is the best fit? I was originally looking at the 360S but would the 270 or 310 really be any less satisfying? Is the S spec always the best bet for road use or would an R spec make for a more focused (albeit less comfortable) ride? There seems to be a huge jump in performance between the 360 and the 420 but as a relatively inexperienced driver (certainly in this type of car) am I really going to get much more from it?
2.) Chassis – I'm 6'3 so was naturally inclined to opt for the large chassis – sensible and worth the extra outlay?
3.) Lead Times – I would like to configure my own car but what are the typical lead times in the UK for a new vehicle? I'm presuming that driving a new car this summer is wishful thinking?
4.) Residuals & Selling – Residuals seem really strong for low-mileage 7s but will it take me months to sell?
Any advice very much welcomed and appreciated.
Cheers,
Ol
I'm rather hopefully (or hopelessly, depending on how you look at it) waiting for a 718 Cayman GT4 build slot. On the assumption that it's going to be quite some time before I get one – if at all – I've started seriously looking at 7s as a stop-gap weekend weapon – dry road use only with the potential for very occasional tracking. I won't be building it myself.
I'm completely new to 7s so thought I'd turn to the PH community for some much-needed advice.
1.) Model – Given my use case, which model is the best fit? I was originally looking at the 360S but would the 270 or 310 really be any less satisfying? Is the S spec always the best bet for road use or would an R spec make for a more focused (albeit less comfortable) ride? There seems to be a huge jump in performance between the 360 and the 420 but as a relatively inexperienced driver (certainly in this type of car) am I really going to get much more from it?
2.) Chassis – I'm 6'3 so was naturally inclined to opt for the large chassis – sensible and worth the extra outlay?
3.) Lead Times – I would like to configure my own car but what are the typical lead times in the UK for a new vehicle? I'm presuming that driving a new car this summer is wishful thinking?
4.) Residuals & Selling – Residuals seem really strong for low-mileage 7s but will it take me months to sell?
Any advice very much welcomed and appreciated.
Cheers,
Ol
Why not look at buying a second hand model; you could have it instantly (when Coronavirus provisions allow) and do even better on the buy-sell spread. 
I'd say it's a matter of girth more than height in choosing the wide body chassis (known as the SV), though you should carefully consider the type of seats and finding a lowered floor to be comfortable at your height. I'm also 6'3" and fit a standard chassis car OK.
I'd say it's a matter of girth more than height in choosing the wide body chassis (known as the SV), though you should carefully consider the type of seats and finding a lowered floor to be comfortable at your height. I'm also 6'3" and fit a standard chassis car OK.
It's probably the route I'll go down – I just got a bit overexcited on the configurator and the used options are pretty limited once you select the model, large chassis and lowered floors.
Good to know that you find a normal chassis okay though. Once coronavirus has passed I'll have to take one for a drive and see how it fits.
Cheers for the info.
Good to know that you find a normal chassis okay though. Once coronavirus has passed I'll have to take one for a drive and see how it fits.
Cheers for the info.
Agree with Jeremy on all his points and I also know a couple of 6’+ people who drive standard S3 chassis cars ok with lowered floors and tillet seats.
I would say selling a Caterham isn’t usually a problem but can be spec and colour dependant. IMO bright colours and certain extras like lowered floors, carbon and track focussed bits help. No two 7s are the same though so it’s usually just a case of waiting for a buyer that wants the spec you happen to have.
Could be a good time to buy now too, the used car market could be trashed for the foreseeable future.
I would say selling a Caterham isn’t usually a problem but can be spec and colour dependant. IMO bright colours and certain extras like lowered floors, carbon and track focussed bits help. No two 7s are the same though so it’s usually just a case of waiting for a buyer that wants the spec you happen to have.
Could be a good time to buy now too, the used car market could be trashed for the foreseeable future.
I went down to Caterham Gatwick just before this lockdown with a view to ordering a 420 kit, June/July delivery, got to say dealer came across a bit arrogant, when I asked for a discount he just went on about never giving a discount in 35 years and they have 2 years of European orders on the books so won’t be offering any discount ever, then he just walked off leaving me standing there. These are strange times and people prepared to hand over £40K plus on toys are going to be in short supply in the coming months in my opinion, perhaps I will ask again in 3 months to see if they want to talk, or perhaps I will just look elsewhere.
Chrism355 said:
I went down to Caterham Gatwick just before this lockdown with a view to ordering a 420 kit, June/July delivery, got to say dealer came across a bit arrogant, when I asked for a discount he just went on about never giving a discount in 35 years and they have 2 years of European orders on the books so won’t be offering any discount ever, then he just walked off leaving me standing there. These are strange times and people prepared to hand over £40K plus on toys are going to be in short supply in the coming months in my opinion, perhaps I will ask again in 3 months to see if they want to talk, or perhaps I will just look elsewhere.
You will probably have to go elsewhere then, they don't need to give discounts as there are always plenty of people prepared to pay full price for their toy. Personally, I think it's a good policy as it helps to maintain healthy second hand values. If you need to have a discount I would suggest you are better off looking at the private seller market.Glug69 said:
You will probably have to go elsewhere then, they don't need to give discounts as there are always plenty of people prepared to pay full price for their toy. Personally, I think it's a good policy as it helps to maintain healthy second hand values. If you need to have a discount I would suggest you are better off looking at the private seller market.
Times they are a changing, I got a discount on all my previous super cars, if you don’t ask you don’t get, and I don’t expect to be treated like I was just because I did asked. I hope they will continue to sell cars at the same rate ( 4 per week ) but I seriously doubt they will be shifting 4 new cars in the next 4 months if this virus continues. Disposable income will be very low for a long time and these toys are bought with that.Chrism355 said:
Times they are a changing, I got a discount on all my previous super cars, if you don’t ask you don’t get, and I don’t expect to be treated like I was just because I did asked. I hope they will continue to sell cars at the same rate ( 4 per week ) but I seriously doubt they will be shifting 4 new cars in the next 4 months if this virus continues. Disposable income will be very low for a long time and these toys are bought with that.
No one is saying don't ask, just that you won't get, so to save you the embarrassment, you might as well go for something different like you said you would. I expect you'd struggle with a Caterham anyway if you are used to super cars, there are none of the modern electronic safety aids that you are used to. Chrism355 said:
Times they are a changing, I got a discount on all my previous super cars, if you don’t ask you don’t get, and I don’t expect to be treated like I was just because I did asked. I hope they will continue to sell cars at the same rate ( 4 per week ) but I seriously doubt they will be shifting 4 new cars in the next 4 months if this virus continues. Disposable income will be very low for a long time and these toys are bought with that.
Chris, a lot of these manufacturers have order books that will keep them busy for years! Even when the economy does take a dip, there's still far more people that want to buy them than don't...It's a very different market to the 'super car' market - the likes of Ferrari, Aston, Lambo and Porsche are building more cars than they can comfortably sell, hence the discounting. The likes of Caterham and Ariel will always have higher levels of demand than supply due to the limited numbers they build a year.
I don't necessarily agree.
Low volume specialist manufacturers often adjust production to keep in line with demand .
This it to 1) maintain even pricing. 2) Maintain brand value and image.
However all these companies have a level of fixed costs to be met. Therefore they can not afford to drop production below a certain level. When demand drops past that point discounts are inevitable in order to produce the necessary income.
Caterham have been playing this game for years. Play hardball, I think there are deals to be done.
They may act unfazed but I think this is all brevardo. They could be in trouble !!
There are many companies that act and seem fine right up to the day they go pop !!
Don't be fooled ! Cash is king. Especially at the moment.
Low volume specialist manufacturers often adjust production to keep in line with demand .
This it to 1) maintain even pricing. 2) Maintain brand value and image.
However all these companies have a level of fixed costs to be met. Therefore they can not afford to drop production below a certain level. When demand drops past that point discounts are inevitable in order to produce the necessary income.
Caterham have been playing this game for years. Play hardball, I think there are deals to be done.
They may act unfazed but I think this is all brevardo. They could be in trouble !!
There are many companies that act and seem fine right up to the day they go pop !!
Don't be fooled ! Cash is king. Especially at the moment.
Kenty in Weardale said:
Re the classic v SV debate, it was my foot size that was the decider. Size 10s were too wide for the standard chassis in terms of safety operating pedals.
You'd have to have seriously big feet to make the S3 unworkable, provided you drive the car in racing boots or similar. The pedal spacing can be adjusted by moving washers around. Hi,
Bought my first 7 a year ago. Sent for an SV with lowered floors and leather seats.
I'm 6'2", 16st and size 11's. Plenty of room. I could just about get into an S3 but it really wasn't comfortable.
Best thing is to sit in a few and you'll soon know.
Shame to hear about Gatwick.
Don't be put off by the anti-supercar brigade or the dealer arse kissers. Even if they had a full order book there is no reason to speak to a customer like a ****. There are a few diamond dealers out there but sadly I've had to discover myself, quite a number of them operate on a different scale to normal people.Even if you do a deal, many once they have your money would not give you the time of day. Sad situation really but easily solved, just go elsewhere or buy private where you'll hopefully be treated with some respect.
Mine is around 300 per tonne so mid range. Not particularly quick but requires concentration to drive so you don't need to be chasing silly speeds. No problem on the back roads with McLarens, Astons etc.
Bought my first 7 a year ago. Sent for an SV with lowered floors and leather seats.
I'm 6'2", 16st and size 11's. Plenty of room. I could just about get into an S3 but it really wasn't comfortable.
Best thing is to sit in a few and you'll soon know.
Shame to hear about Gatwick.
Don't be put off by the anti-supercar brigade or the dealer arse kissers. Even if they had a full order book there is no reason to speak to a customer like a ****. There are a few diamond dealers out there but sadly I've had to discover myself, quite a number of them operate on a different scale to normal people.Even if you do a deal, many once they have your money would not give you the time of day. Sad situation really but easily solved, just go elsewhere or buy private where you'll hopefully be treated with some respect.
Mine is around 300 per tonne so mid range. Not particularly quick but requires concentration to drive so you don't need to be chasing silly speeds. No problem on the back roads with McLarens, Astons etc.
Rick101 said:
Bought my first 7 a year ago. Sent for an SV with lowered floors and leather seats.
I'm 6'2", 16st and size 11's. Plenty of room. I could just about get into an S3 but it really wasn't comfortable.
Best thing is to sit in a few and you'll soon know.
Thanks, Rick. I'm 6'3" with size 12s so good for context.I'm 6'2", 16st and size 11's. Plenty of room. I could just about get into an S3 but it really wasn't comfortable.
Best thing is to sit in a few and you'll soon know.
Looks like I'll just have to wait for coronavirus to blow over and then head over to a dealer.
Caterham are renown for never giving discounts, even to people in the trade. Good luck with getting anything other than maybe a set of rubber car mats. Caterham have weathered many a down turn in the economy without adjusting their pricing, will this COVID-19 be any different, probably not.
As for driving a S3 chassis with size 10s, easy as long as you wear the correct footwear, normal shoes or boots, no chance.
How much power depends on your level of experience with fast cars but 180bhp(360 R or S) is a nice amount and will keep anyone with slightly less talent than Lewis Hamilton amused most of the time, although I have heard many say the 310 is great fun and plenty for road use.
Nick
As for driving a S3 chassis with size 10s, easy as long as you wear the correct footwear, normal shoes or boots, no chance.
How much power depends on your level of experience with fast cars but 180bhp(360 R or S) is a nice amount and will keep anyone with slightly less talent than Lewis Hamilton amused most of the time, although I have heard many say the 310 is great fun and plenty for road use.
Nick
nomad_ said:
Chrism355 said:
Times they are a changing, I got a discount on all my previous super cars, if you don’t ask you don’t get, and I don’t expect to be treated like I was just because I did asked. I hope they will continue to sell cars at the same rate ( 4 per week ) but I seriously doubt they will be shifting 4 new cars in the next 4 months if this virus continues. Disposable income will be very low for a long time and these toys are bought with that.
Chris, a lot of these manufacturers have order books that will keep them busy for years! Even when the economy does take a dip, there's still far more people that want to buy them than don't...It's a very different market to the 'super car' market - the likes of Ferrari, Aston, Lambo and Porsche are building more cars than they can comfortably sell, hence the discounting. The likes of Caterham and Ariel will always have higher levels of demand than supply due to the limited numbers they build a year.
If you get a discount, great but it won't be much.
To the OP - you will probably prefer the Caterham to a Cayman GT4. The Porsche is positively dull and boring in comparison.
To the OP on the Caterham vs GT4 (track) perspective.
A close friend has a lovely Cayman GT4. At the time, I had a 140bhp Caterham Supersport. On track, we would generally be within a few tenths of each other on laptimes. If course, laptimes aren't everything, but it does show what a mere 140bhp in a Caterham can do.
A close friend has a lovely Cayman GT4. At the time, I had a 140bhp Caterham Supersport. On track, we would generally be within a few tenths of each other on laptimes. If course, laptimes aren't everything, but it does show what a mere 140bhp in a Caterham can do.
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