A couple of questions - thinking about a Caterham

[Matt]

Hi,

I've lurked here and on the Cali Caterham site. I am a few months away from buying, but wondered:

1. If $25k is too low a budget for a decent used Caterham 7, and/or whether I'm better off saving to get a new Classic....

2. Whether there were any owners in Portland OR who would mind me having a look at the dimensions of the various models (happy to bring beer...)

3. If I am mad looking at these as the ideal car to head out for the weekend with the wife and dogs. Not that I've seen anywhere to put the dogs, or any luggage, but I'm sure there's got to be somewhere on the things :willy_nilly:... or are these cars really just for racing?

Cheers,

Matt

[JohnCh]

They make fantastic touring cars, so weekend getaways with the wife shouldn't be a problem. As for bringing the dogs...well, you wouldn't be the first

 

http://www.warwickshire7s.co.uk/Resources/dogging-in-a-cat.jpeg

 

-John

[KiwiBirkin]

What a great picture I didnt think we could do dogs but I now know we can and its given the wife an idea

[scannon]

Those are not happy looking dogs!

 

John,

 

Do you happen to have a side view of that car? It looks to be the same color as my Caterham and I'd like to see how the Panasport type wheels look on it.

 

Matt,

 

$25K is pretty much the low end of the range for Caterhams but that doesn't mean that any that are priced that low are necessarily worn out or bad cars. You will have at least twice that invested if you buy a new one.

 

You should also consider the other brands out there which are generally more favorably priced. Try to sit in, ride in or if possible drive as many different types as you can find before you settle on a particular one.

[JohnCh]

Skip, the photo was shamelessly stolen from here. There might be additional photos of it elsewhere on that site.

 

-John

[supersportsp]

$25K is pretty much the low end of the range for Caterhams but that doesn't mean that any that are priced that low are necessarily worn out or bad cars. You will have at least twice that invested if you buy a new one.

 

After looking for 18 months, and continuing to watch the market after I bought my car last year, you can get cars as low as the high teens if you are patient and willing to do some work on them. I think if you want a car that is ready to go and that shouldn't have any issues, $25k probably a realistic expectation.

 

Most folks selling their Caterhams always seem ask for $35k, whether it is 5 years old with 2k miles or 20 years old with 20k miles. It seems like the default price. The older higher mile cars almost never sell at this price though. The guy I bought my car ('97 deDion with 5k miles) started at $30k and it was on the market for many months. I ended up buying it for a little under $25k.

 

Your absolute cheapest new option is likely going to be $40k at the low end, so if you aren't in a hurry, you might be better off going used.

 

I am up in Seattle if you want to trek up to check out an S3 chassis Caterham. I know there are several in Portland, including a CSR model. With my size (6'2", 200lbs) I was on the fence between the SV and S3 chassis. If I could have found a reasonably priced SV, I likely would have gone that route, but they seem to be rare on the used market and are typically much newer and thus more expensive.

[Automoda]

Its hard to figure the right price in this economy. Deflation and unemployment are here, yet it is the best of times for the top 1%. And then you have people worried about future inflation and taxes hiding their wealth in art, antiques and ... classic cars. I think the crazy prices I've seen on the big auctions (half a million for a restored Baracuda on Barret Jackson etc) would have absolutely come back to reality by now if it werent for the lack of real investment options these days.

 

Its nice that our 7s havent lost much value compared to other assets. . . so far. Somehow I think Hummers and Saturns arent doing that great on the used car lots ;o)

[xflow7]

Welcome, Matt!

 

As far as Caterhams, for $25k you should be able to find a decent crossflow or mildly tuned Zetec car. You won't get a really big HP car for that money, and it's probably at the low end for a De Dion car, but the live axle is nothing like the concession some folks make it out to be. It gives up a little bit on ride/handling over bumpy surfaces, has a bit less room in the boot, and caps your power output at maybe ~160HP or so, but it's somewhat lighter and still a joy.

 

There are a number of Sevens advertised here:

http://www.lotusowners.com/ForSale/

 

As noted, Sevens make great weekend tourers. You need to be judicious and creative when packing, but they are marvelous. I routinely take mine to spectate at vintage race weekends and bring a tent, sleeping bag, folding chair, stove, clothes, personal effects, etc. Lots of stares extracting a campsite from a car the size of a roller skate.

 

Particularly for a first Seven, my advice is to buy what you can afford now. You'll get huge amounts of enjoyment out of it sooner, and you can always trade up later.

 

Dave

[Kitcat]

Several thots:

 

If weekend touring w/wife and dogs are your thing, a se7en isn't ideal. There is no security (locking trunk), while the cockpit holds 2 people, your inside arm overlaps with your passengers (think airline seats, w/better foot room). Adding dogs to the equation is not going to work-space for stuff is far too limited-again, think abt what you can carry onto the overhead bin of an airliner-that's what you can get into a se7en.

 

Price: If you are patient, I think you will find a car like mine for $22-26K.

 

New vs. old: My car has "ample" power and really scoots, up to abt 70 mph, then tapers off to 108 mph where it runs out of oomph. I think the newer cars with double the hp are almost different vehicles, the driving dynamic is so different. So do you want the fastest car on the track, or just one that's faster than a Miata, and a blast to drive? A cool thing about buying a used se7en is, after you drive it a few years, you shd be able to sell it for abt what you paid. Not so much on a new se7en.

 

Enjoy your search.

 

Mike

Edited September 14, 2010 by Kitcat

[Boxologist]

First off, sit and drive as many different se7ens as possible. even inside the different makes, there tons of uniqueness from car to car. Then plan out ur desires. Then save. save some more.

 

Hi,

I've lurked here and on the Cali Caterham site. I am a few months away from buying, but wondered:

1. If $25k is too low a budget for a decent used Caterham 7, and/or whether I'm better off saving to get a new Classic....

2. Whether there were any owners in Portland OR who would mind me having a look at the dimensions of the various models (happy to bring beer...)

3. If I am mad looking at these as the ideal car to head out for the weekend with the wife and dogs. Not that I've seen anywhere to put the dogs, or any luggage, but I'm sure there's got to be somewhere on the things :willy_nilly:... or are these cars really just for racing?

Cheers,

Matt

 

1. If ur prepared to take a hit or modify ur purchase, a 20-25k starter se7en is the way to go.

2. U may find urself married talking that way.:dupe:

3. lose the pets idea unless u like trailering. I wouldn't be taking a passenger and a canine out in a miata or Z3/4, let alone a se7en. if touring in that fashion is neccessary, a 4 seater converible is a more viable solution. Think Toyota Solara, BMW 3 series, Audi A4.

 

A se7en is minimalist to the maximum. This past weekend I was driving w/ a sleeping bag bungeed to the rollbar. And the weekend ONLY was autoX and work. If I wish to get away for a week I can load up my 7, and fit a good deal of crap into it, but there are plenty of sacrifices of what does not get taken compared to if I was going in my wagon.

[glenntwincam]

touring in a caterham . just returned from watkins glen . 4 days , 750 miles. 2 people . we do not camp , there is room for 2 duffles , laptop, car cover , small cooler. also have caterham luggage rack & 35L waterproof bag ,kayaker & boating people use them, it fits rack perfectly and is yellow so you get some extra visibility . we stop every 150 miles for gas & leg stetch . also for touring back roads a sump guard is a MUST.

[glenntwincam]

I absolutely agree with Boxologist , forget the pets !!!!!!!!

[Matt]

They're more likely to get in than the wife!

[MHKflyer52]

Yep the only pets I can see getting into a 7 would be like Hanks Hooters Pets / Friends as seen in this link......LOL....

http://www.usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3893&highlight=hank+hooters

Just can not see how he fits them all in his 7. :jester: God bless America as you would never find those pets in a parking lot in Iran or Afghanistan. :flag:

[Hank]

What a good day that was...

[480rider]

I paid about $25k earlier this year for my 2002 DeDion Zetec Caterham. It's the "7 America" model, built for SCCA club racing, but it has a VIN and title, and many of the parts needed to license it for the street. (So it's a track car that could also be a road car.) It came with an extra engine, 16 wheels and 18 tires, and many other spares.

 

I thought the price was fair, and when it's time to sell (maybe as soon as this winter, unfortunately), I can probably get what I paid for it. It seems Caterhams tend to hold their value, so as long as you find one that doesn't need a lot of work, it can be considered a good investment, especially given the fun you'll have driving it.

[BrunnyS1]

I was a Caterham snob, I thought that was the "pure" way to go, I have owned 2.

I now see that many of the options out there are in so many ways a better deal and often a better performer;

I know this is a touchy area to many,but I have to speak my piece , as I think the biggest downside to Caterham is the huge initial cost (of course this is why resale asking prices are so high too).

I guess it "horses for courses" but even a pre owned Locost that can be bought cheap can give every bit as much fun as a $80K Caterham, and with the money you have save, travel for free.

Edited September 16, 2010 by BrunnyS1

[BrunnyS1]

Yep the only pets I can see getting into a 7 would be like Hanks Hooters Pets / Friends as seen in this link......LOL....

http://www.usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3893&highlight=hank+hooters

Just can not see how he fits them all in his 7. :jester: God bless America as you would never find those pets in a parking lot in Iran or Afghanistan. :flag:

 

My wife is Iranian, and yes she tells me she had many pets over the years, and in fact they tried not to kill and eat them, even when really hungry.

We now have 2 Labs, a goat, 2 Shetlands and a tank of fish...maybe I should start watching her just in case she reverts to the "vampire pet mode " you know of.

God Bless Us All and save us from idiotic comments like yours!

[Kitcat]

Brunny:

 

You make good points about Caterham values, its been discussed quite a bit here. And this site is especially non-snobby.

 

You make a good point about the pet issue in Iran and Afghanistan also. But, no need to insult the poster by calling his comment "idiotic". We are all sensible and can grasp your point, and your perspective, especially if made respectfully.

 

Mike

[MHKflyer52]

My wife is Iranian, and yes she tells me she had many pets over the years, and in fact they tried not to kill and eat them, even when really hungry.

We now have 2 Labs, a goat, 2 Shetlands and a tank of fish...maybe I should start watching her just in case she reverts to the "vampire pet mode " you know of.

God Bless Us All and save us from idiotic comments like yours!

 

Hello BrunnyS1 and All members of the forum,

 

I did not mean to seem like I was being rude and ignorant or insensitive but I was referring to the girls in the photo of Hanks 7 at the Hooters parking lot as his pets in a light hearted way and maybe that is not PC but that is me. (see link)

http://www.usa7s.com/vb/showthread.p...t=hank+hooters

I was not referring to animals or pets like dogs or cats or goats or fish and yes I have been to both countries, Iran and Afghanistan and I do understand what you are saying and agree that there are a lot of good people in both of the countries but you will not find any Hooters Restaurants in either Iran or Afghanistan especially with women dressed like the girls are dressed in Hanks Photo of his 7.

I am sorry if I have offended anyone on this forum or anyone who reads this post and thinks I am referring to pets, dogs, cats, goats, fish in a bowl, birds in cages or any other animal that people care about as a friend or companion not being found in a parking lot.

So yes God bless America as you would never find those pets / girls in a parking lot in Iran or Afghanistan dressed like that to my knowledge in todays world.