r500 - sort of

[Elv15]

on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tchlink:top:us

[soareyes]

I'm always amazed how little mileage some of these cars have. A year 2000 but less than 300 miles? Must have been a long build.

Stan

[Sean-og]

Wow, great looking car! ...but 1,000 lbs? I seriously doubt that. The original R500 was listed as weighing in at 460 kg, or1,012 lbs (source: http://http://www.r500.com/R500main.htm#2). The cast iron block Zetec engine is considerably heavier than the K that was supplied with the R500, and also the original magnesium bellhousing would need to have been replaced with one that mated to the Zetec, which in all likelyhood would be heavier than the original mag item.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I strongly suspect this weight number given for this car is, uh, optimistic. It's too bad, too, because the actual numbers on a car like this are plenty impressive as they are. Adding on some miniscule exaggeration just ruins it - kind of like Tiger Woods lining up for a drive four inches in front of tee box.

Still a really great looking car!

[slomove]

Is that a factory or dealer configured R500? I would have thought it comes at least with a proper roll bar? I am also skeptical about the power rating. I have not seen a dyno chart for a Zetec doing honest 250hp (measured where, anyway). But who knows...big valves, high compression, good rods, crank and pistons and really hot cams, may be doable.

[Elv15]

Gert, yea. I thought the 250hp figure was hopeful thinking.

The rollbar looks appropriate for a superlite. They use a pretty weak looking roll bar to shave some weight. Not that I would want one on my car, but it does look like a factory item.

[Rich H]

on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tchlink:top:us

Its not an R500, not even sort of.

[Elv15]

Will the true R500 please stand up?!

Rich,

As pointed out by other folks, there are a lot of inconsistencies in this advertisement.

As you stated, it is NOT an R500. However, it does look like a superlight (wheels, carbon fibre, rollbar, etc). In fact if you look closely one of the pictures has the VIN number. It starts with SKDLDKLNS... A quick look here: http://7faq.com/owbase/ow.asp?ChassisNumbers
shows this as a Superlight, not an R500:

SDK = Caterham
L = Left hand drive
D = DeDion suspension
K = Kit build
L = Superlight
NS = Engine not specified

(BTW, R500's have their own listing for the engine = R5)

So, I'm guessing that this was a superlight that is outfitted with one of the RMSCI Zetec motors. There are a few other non-factory items on the car, like the seats. If I were looking to purchase this car I'd want to have someone who knows Caterhams give it a thorough going over.

Rich, are there any other real R500's that you know of Stateside?

[Rich H]

Rich,

As pointed out by other folks, there are a lot of inconsistencies in this advertisement.

As you stated, it is NOT an R500. However, it does look like a superlight (wheels, carbon fibre, rollbar, etc). In fact if you look closely one of the pictures has the VIN number. It starts with SKDLDKLNS... A quick look here: http://7faq.com/owbase/ow.asp?ChassisNumbers
shows this as a Superlight, not an R500:

SDK = Caterham
L = Left hand drive
D = DeDion suspension
K = Kit build
L = Superlight
NS = Engine not specified

(BTW, R500's have their own listing for the engine = R5)

So, I'm guessing that this was a superlight that is outfitted with one of the RMSCI Zetec motors. There are a few other non-factory items on the car, like the seats. If I were looking to purchase this car I'd want to have someone who knows Caterhams give it a thorough going over.

Rich, are there any other real R500's that you know of Stateside?

Caterham USA would perhaps know the answer to that Tom. I don't.

One obvious giveaway on the R500 misrepresentation is that I don't think Caterham made any in LHD - for obvious reasons once you look at one.

[JohnCh]

Why would someone spend the money required to get nearly 250hp out of a zetec and then use a screen held on by bungy cords as the air filter? I just don't get it...

-John

[venom7]

I don't understand why people sell their cars so cheap. I understand this car is with a dealer but when you price it out and compare the differences between a 2000 and a 2007 they are minute if any. I saw a Superlight down south in SD; didn't it go for mid 20's a few months ago? And it was CA registered. Caterhams rarely change and most motors are well taken care of and the cars themselves are usually upgraded as old parts wear out. I spent a few bucks on my car and have been continually upgrading since I bought it. In this kind of market you might as well just keep buying used ones every few years.
Sorry for ranting

[magnusfeuer]

Just wait until the Brits figure this out. They'll empty this country of used Caterhams.

1GBP=USD2.05

/Magnus F.

[slomove]

Just wait until the Brits figure this out. They'll empty this country of used Caterhams.

1GBP=USD2.05

/Magnus F.

I suppose our US cars won't pass their inspection criteria, not to talk about transport, LHD etc. But then I think Caterhams used to be pretty much overpriced here compared to the UK and maybe just got equal now.

At the end, if we like it or not a used car is just worth what people are willing to pay, no matter what you paid. And if this is $25k for a car that cost $40k that is just life and probably still much better than with a BMW of same age.

On the other hand I noticed once a Seven is "used" it barely loses value anymore (independent of brand), so buying a pre-owned one makes financial sense.

Gert

[Roll a 7]

Seems like UK cars are trading at high prices these days considering the exchange rate. RHD cars here in the USA are probably a value for guys in the UK.