Scottish Elises

Because Miniblonde is the best and has had to stare at my sad face every time there's been a track day on since clutch gate started I've been granted permission, in writing from the pregzilla (I have several screen shots) to buy a track car on a few conditions:
1. the money is safe(ish);
2. it won't cost a fortune in bits to track i.e. money won't mysteriously evaporate into it; and
3. when I sell it the money goes into a hot tub and BBQ hut or a conservatory.

Man maths says that I can run a Caterham for a few years for what it would take to get the M car track worthy + consumables for track. I.e. decent brakes 2-4k, top mounts for more -ve camber to stop it shredding tyre shoulders, track insurance etc etc.

Ive always wanted a Caterham so I think thats what its gonna be safe in the knowledge that I should get back most of what I put into it minus running costs. Budget is 15-18k, I could stretch to 20K for something special if I sold the additional wheel set for the M4 (as I won't need that for CUP2 track/summer tyres now).

Monty has suggested staying away from K series power plants so the budget puts me in 140hp Sigma 1600 territory for a not 20 year old car perhaps around 2011. A lot of these have been Caterham academy cars, not sure if thats a problem or not.

This is the current front runner...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... rt/9994901

Anyhow she's preggers and likely to change her mind soon so we need to move fast team... hence the danger.

I’m obviously biased since I have one, but I think a Caterham is a great choice.

Next weekend is the end of the Caterham championship so there are usually quite a lot of race cars up for sale. Most seem to be on race cars direct.com.

For a similar budget to the car you’re looking at, you should find anything from Roadsport spec up to 270R or 310R, though the last two will need headlights retrofitted if you want to take it on the road.

Ex Caterham championship cars are generally in good shape, except for cosmetic damage. Everyone is so competitive that maintenance is usually thorough. Wouldn’t believe the quoted mileage on any of them though. Speedo is usually disconnected since any damage to the sensor and the engine won’t start.

I know a couple of guys who may be selling their cars. May be a deal to be had for a quick sale...

Cheers, Doug


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Thanks Doug, was gonna get in touch to pick your brains, any suggestions on what to look out for? Ive certainly noticed weird mileage discrepancies on the MOTs for a few...

Cheap VX220 + Supercharger and some track mods

Rosssco wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 18, 2019 11:26 am

Cheap VX220 + Supercharger and some track mods

It has crossed my mind, however have done the mid engine thing with my S2 Exige, whilst I loved it and will definitely get back in something like that one day, I want to try front engine rear drive this time round.

Personally, I’d be looking for a 310R. Probably from 2014 onwards. It’s basically the ultimate evolution of the Academy car. 155bhp, lsd, wide track etc.

Easy to convert to road spec and will have been road registered previously. May need / have had partial reskin, especially at the rear. Most are wrapped, so colour change easy and inexpensive.

Values tend to be quite stable since they are eligible for several popular race series (there’s an idea!) and are still current spec.


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rawsco wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 18, 2019 11:35 am

Rosssco wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 18, 2019 11:26 am

Cheap VX220 + Supercharger and some track mods

It has crossed my mind, however have done the mid engine thing with my S2 Exige, whilst I loved it and will definitely get back in something like that one day, I want to try front engine rear drive this time round.

Surely it has to be an Elise? Prices are low enough that you can really fling it about with little thought about the consequences of banging it. Need to consider wet weather in a Caterham. Remainder of your budget on TDays before baby drops.

Went off and googled Caterhams in the wet... those accounts just sound like a lot of fun and good training for car control, I used to crew on racing yachts so the water pouring in doesn't/won't bother me... I've full Gill sailing waterproofs somewhere that should do the job and keep me warm and dry

Sounds like quite an opportunity. Lucky fecker!

campbell wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 18, 2019 3:07 pm

Sounds like quite an opportunity. Lucky fecker!

I'm quite taken aback with it, I've checked and double checked several times that I'm in the clear, reminding her she's pregnant and Caterhams don't have isofix and even showed her pictures of them so she knows its not an SUV. I got a text yesterday saying "Have you bought your Caterham yet?"

Its either a big elaborate trap/test which I'm gonna fail or Miniblonde is genuinely at 100% keeper. Stay tuned...

rawsco wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 18, 2019 3:22 pm

Its either a big elaborate trap/test which I'm gonna fail or Miniblonde is genuinely at 100% keeper. Stay tuned...

It’s well known....
Do you have £15k to spend on a car or £15k to spend ?

If you spend £15k on a caterham, then you need to have £30k available.
To cover the scenario its ok you got a caterham, but I should now get xxxx

Oh young padawan, you are so screwed
Good luck with the car hunt, sounds like fun.

IanD wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 18, 2019 7:40 pm

rawsco wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 18, 2019 3:22 pm

Its either a big elaborate trap/test which I'm gonna fail or Miniblonde is genuinely at 100% keeper. Stay tuned...

It’s well known....
Do you have £15k to spend on a car or £15k to spend ?

If you spend £15k on a caterham, then you need to have £30k available.
To cover the scenario its ok you got a caterham, but I should now get xxxx

I recon I’ve paid it forward... see thread about her patio, she got a new house and furniture and her x5 got new tyres and is getting its brakes done and wheels refurbed.

Any news on the caterham?

The one I was interested in sold, still keeping my eyes open... theres a Ginetta G40 on the market but only 135HP and a bit pricy. I'm in no rush, anything I buy now won't get used till the spring so perhaps pick up a deal over the winter.