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Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 11:39 am
by renmure
I know there are a few Caterham type folk here so....

Anyone have any thoughts on this Caterham R300 which Graeme is selling at Murrays?

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2201706.htm

Any thoughts on whether the spec is good or has any glaring plus or minus points?
Also, I haven't really kept an eye on Caterham values so thoughts on that would be welcome.
Anyone seen it or know it?

Graeme knows I am asking on here and doesn't mind if you tear the car to shreads (only kidding G) ;)

Re: Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 12:46 pm
by eoinmac
What year ? Seems a tad expesive to me . Jason is the man to talk too , he has just sold a superlight [ all be it a lower bhp ] for around 16k i think . Never seen the car but a posting on jocks7,s should obtain more info !

Re: Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 1:30 pm
by renmure
eoinmac wrote: but a posting on jocks7,s should obtain more info !
Cunning!! :oops:
Done :thumbsup

Re: Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 3:23 pm
by Kayfur
The R300 is a well regarded version - probably the best all round spec for road use, very fast and nimble without being too brutal. Seems to have most of the desirable stuff ( 6-speed box, LSD, carbon wings, dash and nose, throttle bodies etc ) Isn't dry-sumped but that's OK if you don't plan to track it heavily. Caterhams are notoriously difficult to price - best method I know of is to check what Caterham themselves are selling similar spec'd cars for ( and deducting a couple of k if buying privately ) Unfortunately they don't have any K-series R300s in stock at the moment.http://www.caterham.co.uk/assets/html/p ... earch.html


Also worth noting that the age has little impact on the price, they sell based on spec and, most importantly, condition. As Eoin suggests Jock7s is probably the best place to get more info. If you want to go take a look at the car I'd be very welcome to come with you and have a look.

Kevin

Re: Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 5:49 pm
by thinfourth
Wheels too big, no dry sump, far too shiny, too expensive

Buy macs car

Re: Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 6:08 pm
by Andy G
thinfourth wrote:Wheels too big, no dry sump, far too shiny, too expensive

Buy macs car
i think Jim likes 3/4 of those though and hes not tracking it

Re: Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 6:48 pm
by renmure
Andy G wrote:
thinfourth wrote:Wheels too big, no dry sump, far too shiny, too expensive

Buy macs car
i think Jim likes 3/4 of those though and hes not tracking it
Well, perhaps 1/4 ... didn't think about the wheel size mind you

Re: Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 7:17 pm
by Fluoxetine
Personal opinion:

If it's not going to see the track, I wouldn't bother with an 'R' car - The LSD = understeer, until you learn to brutalise corners, and the 6 speeder is very short geared and closely stacked...

I wouldn't discount a Roadsport of some description - Aim for a Sigma car over a 'k' series - The ex-Academy cars all appear on the market around now, and decent ones can be had for a reasonable price...Leaving scope for painting whatever colour you like / buying weather gear and comfy 'S' type seats...(You can flog the tillets / harnesses)

i.e. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2154634.htm - I'd bid much near to £15k...(!)

Just make sure it's not been binned!

Re: Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 10:38 pm
by robin
Can any 5 speed caterham owners confirm that 85mph = 3,700rpm ish in top? I computed that from the info on their website, but not sure I got it right :-)

Cheers,
Robin

Re: Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 10:50 pm
by Mike Scib
Robin why 85mph, i thought you sat at 70mph?
Fluoxetine wrote: i.e. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2154634.htm - I'd bid much near to £15k...(!)
Very nice, liking that 8)

Re: Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 8:10 am
by thinfourth
renmure wrote:
Andy G wrote:
thinfourth wrote:Wheels too big, no dry sump, far too shiny, too expensive

Buy macs car
i think Jim likes 3/4 of those though and hes not tracking it
Well, perhaps 1/4 ... didn't think about the wheel size mind you

Is it going to be a track slag or garage jewellery ?

Which is the most important caterham question as the best for the track are ex racers which cost washers where as the best for the road are shiny ones

Re: Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 8:21 am
by greyrigg
Old roadsport A is the best value for track.

15 inch wheels not good.

Briefly looked at the car last week and it looks okay, try an offer :D

Malcolm

Re: Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:01 am
by robin
Fd would be the man to ask for details, but Lawrence had piles of 7 wheels in the garage which are being sold off at reasonable prices, so if you do buy this car and want to swap to the 14" wheels, drop him a line (I can pass on details if you don't have his contact info).

Cheers,
Robin

Re: Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:03 am
by robin
Mike Scib wrote:Robin why 85mph, i thought you sat at 70mph?
Well in the UK the limit is 70, so obviously that's the speed I drive at, but in France it's 130km/h which I think is close enough to 85mph, allowing for speedo errors and tyre wear ;-)

Cheers,
Robin

Re: Caterham advice required pls

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:12 am
by renmure
Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated.
We will go have a look today.
thinfourth wrote: Is it going to be a track slag or garage jewellery ?
You mean there is nothing inbetween?
No allowance for gaining enjoyment in driving it on the road?
No allowance for an occasional trackday without it being the sole reason for ownership?
Something for a wee bit of enjoyment of a weekend, as and when it appeals?
Or is that what you mean by garage jewellery?
thinfourth wrote: Which is the most important caterham question as the best for the track are ex racers which cost washers where as the best for the road are shiny ones
I am probably less fussed about cost than value TBH... for buying time and reselling time.
Perhaps shiney ones are more valuable? Dunno myself, hence the questions. :thumbsup