Martin Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Hi All, Long time listener, 1st time caller....well not really, but it has been a while I am looking at a 98 Caterham with a mazda miata drivetrain with low miles. All is in great shape, the doors and headrests are missing but otherwise everything is there. Could use a little feedback on what I should offer for the car, thanks! Side note, I am 6,2 with a size 12 shoe....am I out of my mind to be looking at this or would I have to take an SV? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share Posted August 17, 2012 The main question remains, but does anyone have a suggestion where I could find out how much the doors will set me back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 (edited) You mite barely fit, tho doubt your size 12 shoe would. Some drive in their socks (really), but it cld be toasty. Figure $400-$600 for doors (guestimate as doors are one of the few parts I haven't had to replace:)). Much cheaper, tho, if someone has a lightly used set. No idea re price. All depends on how professionally the engine transmission swap was done, and condition of the car. The reality is some folks fall in love, buy these cars, drive and then the thrill wears off and drive less and less. So the unsuspecting buyer sees "low mileage" and thinks it's brand new. But, these cars need lots of ongoing TLC, so if its been sitting barely used for a few years it may take some effort and $ to get it reliably road worthy(I speak from long, painful, expensive experience here). Your goal ideally, shd be to buy from someone who has gotten the car back into shape already. Edited August 17, 2012 by Kitcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share Posted August 17, 2012 Great info, thanks. Not that it is the same since you had a crossflow, but if you don't mind me asking, what did your Caterham go for, ballpark? Yikes, in my socks! Supposedly the car was put together by Bill Mitchell in CT, does that ring a bell to anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 PM sent re price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share Posted August 17, 2012 Thanks! BTW, I googled Bill Mitchell and I found out that he is from Special Vehicle Concepts in Cheshire CT. Don't know if that rings any bells....or alarms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I have driven an S3 with size 12.5 but can only do it in socks. Race booties are too large. No chance of heel or toeing (struggle to do that now in my CSR!). As for the sidescreens and headrests I suggest you look at Caterham UK online store: http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/ Sidescreens are at GBP160 (excl VAT) USD250 Optional armrests for the sidescreens at GBP 80 (excl VAT) USD125 Cloth headrest is GBP 70 Leather is GBP 85 (VAT excl). USD110 Divide by 0.64 to get to USD None of these include delivery direct from the UK. Give them a call direct to order and price out delivery. Chesire CT is within 10 miles of Bruce (11budlite) - he may have better information of Special Vehicles Development and Bill Mitchcell. PM him if he does not chime in on this post. He may even know the car locally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCanuck Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I'm also 6'2" with size 12 feet, in a Caterham Classic. I drove around in socks for the first month... now I wear water shoes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I would say a zetec or xflow caterham is high teens to low twenties. The non-standard drivetrain probably takes $3-5K off that. I'm not an expert...just my own view Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 If you would like to try one on for size. I have a 1995 Caterham in Roswell. Let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGTorque Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 check with other brands if you want more foot room... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 ....or get an SV/CSR! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 The only thing I remember about Bill Mitchell and SVD (different Bill Mitchell than the one that worked for GM) is that he used to do work on racing Camaros years back. I'm assuming that he still does. I don't know anything about this car but could probably stop by his shop to see if he remembers anything about it. You could also try calling him to see if he recalls doing the work on it. Do you have any photos of the car, particularly the details of the installation? Check out this site to see how a well done Miata conversion should look: [/url]http://www.britishv8.org/Other/SkipCannon.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersportsp Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I am also 6'2" with a 12 shoe size. I have a '97 S3 chassis. I can wear shoes, but they need tight and narrow. Slip on Vans work surprisingly well for some reason. It is a tight fit, especially width wise. I think it depends on your build, how much your height is in your legs vs. torso etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceBowker Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 I am 6'1" size 12 and really have no problem. I drive barefoot sometimes. It does get hot but I llke it hot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share Posted August 18, 2012 Great feedback everyone! I am definitely starting to reconsider this as I don't want to really compromise, and I am concerned as well with the drive train being out of a 96 Miata. So based on the one post from twobone, I am over paying as I am not in the neighborhood of 17 to 18K right now. Would it be easy to get Ford motor put in there for under 2K? To "Coffee break", awesome offer! I will have to try to take you up on that offer soon....my constant challenge is time as I have a 6 month old at home and seem to be working most of the time, but I will try to contact you sooner rather than later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 (edited) I think Twobone is way low on his Caterham estimates. I sold my '97 Cat X-Flow here last year w/30K+ miles, for $23.5K and Zetec engined and Duratec engined Cats are typically at least $5K more. Birkins seem to be abt $5K less than a similar Cat(not a knock on the Birkin, it starts out much more affordable, so holds its value at least as well as a Cat, IMO). A nice Zetec Cat sold for $30K here in the last year. So much depends on condition, extras, options, etc. For example, Skip's Miata engined Cat is so perfect/wonderful that it wld bring top dollar if it sold. Edited August 19, 2012 by Kitcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersportsp Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 ....my constant challenge is time as I have a 6 month old at home and seem to be working most of the time... As a fellow new father (my son is almost seven months), I would say this is going to be your biggest issue to enjoying the car in the near future. I have hardly driven my car this year. If you are concerned about the Miata drivetrain, you should ping Scannon on this board. He has a turbo Miata in his Caterham. My buddy in CO got a ride in it at a trackday and said it was quite impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share Posted August 19, 2012 Once again, thanks for the good insight Kitcat. I really am up in the air at this point. 11Budlite, would you be willing to take a look at the car? I will pay you for your time of course, let me know if you had time available...the car is in Hamden, CT. supersportsp, you are absolutely right and I am certain you know exactly how I feel. I don't have much time, but the time I do have, I want to really enjoy! .... on a side note, I have been a part of many forums, even an admin for one, and I have to say this is the greatest forum I have ever interacted with, thanks so much everyone, super helpful so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted August 19, 2012 Share Posted August 19, 2012 Martin - I sent you a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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