Caterham Build, First Time Tips

[trc2]

Pennsylvania first time enthusiast looking for basic tips and advice from experienced owners having gone through the purchase and build process.:bigears:

[yellowss7]

Welcome! I too am in Pennsylvania. I ordered and built my Caterham several years ago. What specfically would you like info on? Tom

[trc2]

Purchase location for best dollar value and support? Vehicle registration conflicts? Insurance availability, coverage and cost?

[yellowss7]

I assume you are looking to assemble it yourself?

 

As for support, I guess it depends on where you are in Pa.

 

Insurance was not a problem for me. I went J.C Taylor with an assigned value.

 

As for getting it registered in Pa., I understand that they may have changed the regs to require the initial inspection at specified Specialty Vehicle inspection stations. Bumpers may or may not be an issue, but easily dealt with.

 

Best dollar value??? Buy a used one. :banghead: Building you end up paying top dollar for everything. Depreciation is a good thing when buying.

 

I had a horrible experience with the clown I ordered mine from. Would HIGHLY recommend NOT using him. :cuss: :cuss: :cuss:

[RGTorque]

hello,

 

im in the bucks county area in PA and have recently bought a WCM miatalite. registration is HARD... bumpers, dot lighs, windscreen, and a bunch of other things that will make your head spin. best be is to buy one preregistered in pa, one that has had a good shakedown.

 

Roman

[S1Steve]

I agree with the other Pa. guys, find one that has a title and registerered.

As I found out the hard way ,getting mine to go thru DOT was a pain in the ass. And it took a call from my Congressman, to get the ball rolling!!!!

And it is harder now than in 02.

 

Good Luck !! Steve Novelli:ack:

[EburgE]

If you are interested specifically in assembling a Caterham, call me and I will give you first hand account of my experience. I am in Maryland and have been working on the kit since December.

 

I went with Mid-Atlantic Caterham in Delaware. You can follow my build at www.Hals7.com.

 

Invaluable resources, besides www.usa7s.com, include www.blatchat.com and www.thecaterhamproject.com.

 

Good luck!

 

Harold

443-536-2007

[sdca7]

I don't know too much about the cost of a new caterham when it's all said and done, and all that is required to put one together. But having just bought a used one I can say I must be close to the cost of a new one with the engine rebuild, replacement parts, etc. And the car still has a lot of worn out bushings, cracked body parts, pitted windshield, bent suspension parts, rust, non-functioning gauges, and who knows what else. My decision was made largely, though, on the basis of it being registered in California already, and that was nice to have. My only advice would be that if you buy a used one, make sure it has been well cared for, or it may not cost that much less by the time you get it back in shape.

 

Justin