Why Now Could Be the Perfect Time to Buy a Caterham, Classic Car or Motorcycle

There has probably never been a better time to buy a Caterham, classic car or classic motorcycle. I know that’s quite a statement but hear me out.

The market has changed considerably over the last few years. Prices have come down from the highs we saw previously, and some fantastic cars are now available for considerably less than they were not so long ago. For anyone who has been watching the market from the sidelines, wondering when the right time might be to buy, I believe that time could well be now.

The important thing is that I don't expect this window of opportunity to last forever. There are only so many good Caterhams, classic cars and classic motorcycles in existence, and they aren't making any more of the cars built decades ago. Every year, some are restored, some are put away into collections and some disappear from the market altogether. The supply of genuinely good, original and usable examples therefore becomes smaller, while the desire to own something special remains.

And I think there is another interesting change taking place. As electric cars and increasingly sophisticated modern cars become the sensible choice for everyday commuting, people are beginning to separate their everyday transport from their leisure time. Your daily car can be quiet, economical and practical, getting you to work and back without fuss. But that doesn't mean your weekends have to be the same.

In fact, quite the opposite. I think more and more people will want something completely different for the weekend. Something with character. Something mechanical. Something that makes a noise, smells like a car and puts a smile on your face before you've even turned the key.

And what better way to do that than with a Caterham, classic car or motorcycle? A Caterham Seven is perhaps the perfect example. It doesn't try to be everything to everyone. It doesn't need a huge engine, acres of technology or a long list of electronic driving aids. It is lightweight, simple and incredibly involving. You don't just drive a Caterham – you experience it. The same is true of a great classic car or motorcycle. There is something special about owning a machine that has a story, a history and a personality of its own. Something that makes you take the long way home. Something you look forward to driving on a Sunday morning or taking away for the weekend.

And perhaps that's more important than ever. There seems to be an endless supply of things in the world to worry about. Every day brings another piece of bad news, another problem, another uncertainty. While we can't change everything that's happening around us, we can make sure we have something to look forward to.

A drive on a sunny morning. A favourite road. A weekend away. A car show. A motorcycle ride with friends.

Or simply opening the garage door and seeing a car you've always wanted sitting there waiting for you.

That's what enthusiast cars are really about. They're not simply another way of getting from A to B. They're about enjoyment, experiences and memories. And sometimes, spending money on something that makes you happy is money very well spent.

More Than Just Something to Drive

There is also another trend I’m increasingly seeing among our customers. A growing number of people are looking at Caterhams, classic cars and classic motorcycles not only as something to enjoy, but as a way of putting some of their money into genuinely desirable, limited-supply assets. Rather than buying a modern car that is almost certain to depreciate, they are choosing interesting cars and bikes that have the potential to hold their value, and, in some cases, appreciate over time. We've also seen customers buying cars with the intention of passing them on to their children or putting them into the next generation's ownership. Done properly and with the appropriate professional tax advice, this can form part of a wider family wealth-planning strategy and potentially help protect assets from future changes in taxation.

It's a rather nice combination: you get to enjoy a fantastic car or motorcycle today, while potentially creating something of value for the next generation tomorrow. Of course, nobody can guarantee that any particular car will increase in value, and tax rules can change. But when you combine enjoyment, rarity, limited supply and the possibility of long-term value retention, it's easy to understand why more people are beginning to look at enthusiast cars and motorcycles in a slightly different way. A car you can enjoy today and potentially pass on tomorrow, that sounds like a pretty good win-win to me.

So, if you've been thinking about buying a Caterham or classic car, perhaps it's time to stop waiting for the "perfect" moment. Nobody knows exactly what the market will do in the future, but buying when prices are attractive, before demand potentially increases and the supply of good cars becomes even smaller, certainly makes sense to me.

Of course, the key is buying the right car. And that's where Sevens & Classics comes in.

We don't simply want to sell you a car. We want you to buy the right car, enjoy owning it and come back to us when you're ready for the next one. We pride ourselves on doing things properly. From the cars we select and prepare, to the advice we give, the parts we supply and the service we provide after you've driven away, our aim is simple: to be the best at what we do.

The best cars. The best service. The best parts. The best advice.

And, wherever possible, the best prices.

Whether you're looking for your first Caterham, adding another classic to the garage, searching for a particular motorcycle or simply not quite sure what you want yet, come and talk to us.

You don't have to know exactly what you're looking for. Come and have a look around, talk cars, ask questions and see what's available.

Because ultimately, we believe cars should be about more than getting somewhere. They should give you somewhere to go, something to look forward to, something to talk about. And something that makes you smile.

So perhaps now really is the time. Come and find your next Caterham, classic car or motorcycle at Sevens & Classics.

Life's too short to drive something boring.