New entry level Caterham

[campbell]

Or a Locost...though that may be beyond my meagre talents.

Of course there may even be a 24 year Elise in need of a restoration project by then!

Auto testing, eh, Dom. Now there's a thought.

[pete]

Or start with a go kart. Electric drill powered? Or an old starter motor?

[David]

I bought the Caterham when Gordon was 15. It was a good bit of father/son bonding but I think you have to be careful not to make too bigger deal out of it. Kids need to find their own interests and not have them imposed on them.

As far as Factory v kit build is concerned, those 'in the know' would not buy a factory built car - the standard is just too poor. I not saying every kit built car is better, just that the sort of person who take on a project like that is likely to put a lot more time and effort in to getting it right. I've seen no evidence that kits go cheaper in the market place, the main factor is their condition and how true to original spec they are - for example, a Roadsport made into an R400 is always going to be harder to sell than a genuine R400.

[rossybee]

As far as Factory v kit build is concerned, those 'in the know' would not buy a factory built car - the standard is just too poor. I not saying every kit built car is better, just that the sort of person who take on a project like that is likely to put a lot more time and effort in to getting it right. I've seen no evidence that kits go cheaper in the market place, the main factor is their condition and how true to original spec they are - for example, a Roadsport made into an R400 is always going to be harder to sell than a genuine R400.

Very true...

No difference in used prices, bear also in mind that every kit build has to be SVAd prior to road use.

[bertieduff]

I had this vision of completing the Se7en with him the night before his 17th birthday. Including L plates, LOL.

Best start the insurance fund about now!

[campbell]

Wise words, David. For sure I won't be imposing my will...building a Caterham is not actually my idea of fun, but from extrapolating the hours spent building lego, scalextric, etc etc so far, if James shows an interest then we'll pursue it.

Plenty else to worry about for the next few years in any case

[jason]

As far as Factory v kit build is concerned, those 'in the know' would not buy a factory built car - the standard is just too poor. I not saying every kit built car is better, just that the sort of person who take on a project like that is likely to put a lot more time and effort in to getting it right. I've seen no evidence that kits go cheaper in the market place, the main factor is their condition and how true to original spec they are - for example, a Roadsport made into an R400 is always going to be harder to sell than a genuine R400.

Very true...

No difference in used prices, bear also in mind that every kit build has to be SVAd prior to road use.

Concur with David. I would buy a self-assembled over a factory built for same reasons - subject to my inspecting it AND assessing the builder. Factory built do sell more easily though - they have a larger market.

[jason]

From a residuals POV, would I be right in thinking that factory built cars hold their value better?

If you can remember the top gear episode where an anally retentive slowbie and two untrained monkeys built it, I would probably defer to a factory built option. You have no idea how many 'spare' bits the home built guy will have left over at the end, and before I get a tirade from self built guys, for every 1 that does a good job (factory standard) , there are probably about 5 that realise (but don't admit that) it's a bit more than they could cope with, and another 7 who are deluded into thinking they have done the job correctly.
It's not that it holds it value, it's just I wouldn't buy a self build.
I was looking at them four years ago, but there are that many different variations between engines, gearboxes, brakes, servicing etc I gave up. Coming from a biking background, I found that quite a few bikers spent thousands on improvements which either made no difference at all, or actually made it worse, and most of caterham owners tinker a little at least. Bigger engines, but with same small gearbox, engine or gearbox rebuilds after 4,000mls etc (i know there is different stresses on racing an engine, but my golf has done over 120,000 miles, and I rag that as hard as my elise)
A lot of people spend a lot of money getting that last little bit of performance out of their vehicle, without realising that it is their driving/riding ability that is the real limiting factor. If they left the car as standard, and took an advance racing lesson, they would find the vehicle is more than adequate.
Which is why I worry about mods.

Important to note that the discussion here is about two IDENTICALLY spec'd vehicles - the only difference being who bolts the bits together

[sendmyusername]

.[/quote]

Important to note that the discussion here is about two IDENTICALLY spec'd vehicles - the only difference being who bolts the bits together [/quote]

The trouble is, it's very difficult to get two identical spec.
Privately built may eventually go for the same price (supply and demand) but eventhough the factory built ones may not be as lovingly put together, at least you know it is safely put together.
Think the idea of building a car together with your kid is an amazing idea. I have fond memories of working on my motorbikes with my dad.

[David]

Privately built may eventually go for the same price (supply and demand) but eventhough the factory built ones may not be as lovingly put together, at least you know it is safely put together.

The R500 Nurburgring crash where the driver sued Caterham for allegedly fitting the oil pipes incorrectly will testify that may not always be true. I spotted enough faults on the parts supplied in my kit to know, if it had been factory assembled, it would have been back many times under warranty. Three were safety critical - an incorrectly fitted wheel bearing, rear spring assemblies incorrectly fitted, and sub-standard rear calipers that later became the subject of a recall. The fact of the matter is the factory cars are assembled very quickly and, although some faults might get sorted, they don't have the quality control of a big car plant.

[Kinger]

Campbell,

I'm with David, think its a great idea build a kit car with James. Scott and I built a Robin hood back in 2000 when he was 9/10 ( all I could afford with a young family). We had a great time, he only came out to the garage when it suited him or when I was needing an extra pair of hands to hold a spanner when I was underneath with a socket etc. These moments made him feel good as he knew I needed him as I couldn't do it on my own.

It really set him up well for a career in engineering which was where he wanted to go anyway. He's now repairing and rebuilding Rolls Royce Avon gas turbines, when he went for his apprenticeship interview he took his build diary of the car which he was very proud of. Turned out the interviewer spent the whole interview asking about which tasks he had done during the build etc . Bottom line 500 boys after 8 jobs and he was successful.

The added bonus of the father / son bonding made it all worth while. That and I was proud of what we achieved too.

Go for it, it doesn't have to cost a fortune, we used an old Sierra and it cost about £3k all in

[point n squirt]

I restored a Triumph Spitfire with my old man when i was 18 , it was a great thing to have done as i cant see us spending that amount of time together otherwise. Was a great sense of accomplishment with the car completed that being said it was very hard to keep up the momentum on the project as it took 10 months and every spare bit of time and money but we look back now with pride. Kept the car for 10 years.

[campbell]

Graham, that looks quite something!