Cat D 2 Seater Strad Anyone?

It's been around 18 months since I bought the "Bad Straw" so I thought id give you all an update. Ive still got it, and it's still running. I have taken the view that the milage is the least scary thing about the car, and have done 20k in it over the last 18 months. It's been on 4 European road trips, and has been exceptionally reliable. in the last 18 months I have carried out the following works, most of it preventative:

  • Replaced both drive shafts - the noise I talked about previously was down to worn splines. £500
  • Full seat retrim & replacement of all internal Alcantara. Dave the Trimmer did this and its totally transformed what was a completely gross interior. This cost around £4,000.
  • Fitted the OEM roll cage and 4 point harnesses - £4,000
  • Replacement pads all around, and 1 second hand rear disc from eurospares - total costs around £2500
  • I've had 2 sets of tyres in 18 months, I didn't get on well with the Pirelli's so the 2nd set are Michelin ps4's which made a big improvement to grip.
  • New clutch, release bearing, gearbox oil and service- around £3k in parts.
  • upgraded OEM shock absorbers for adjustable coil overs and new drop links - this combined with the tyres transformed the feedback when driving- around £1,500 in parts
I paid £24k for the car, if you ignore the ongoing maintenance (as this would be required for any example) and the bits I chose to do (roll cage, Coilovers) then the Bad Strad was a pretty good deal. Ive had a load of fun with the car - it owes me just over £40k including everything, but I have done 20,000 miles in it - If I bought a good one the costs associated with doing that mileage would have been £10k at least, and resulted in huge depreciation. its still go t a few rough edges, but imm happy with that as it means I can use it without worry. I Guess the car is only worth about £30k, but I figure I'm in the same financial standing as if I bought a good one, but with an initial outlay half of the price - what do you guys think? Was I mad?
 
Yes as above. You have spent on it but guess 20k of smiles it’s to be expected
 
philw696 said:
What's the other 3 Italians ?
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philw696 said:
What's the other 3 Italians ?
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A green 1978 Ferrari 308 gtb (Verde pino), fully restored last year, 33k miles - put 5k on it in 6 months since restoration, an Alfa Romeo 4c launch edition - again gets about 15k a year and an Alfa Romeo gtv v6 (I have a GTV cup also but I am selling that and has not been used, just restored)

In the last year I also had a Ferrari 348 and a Lancia delta Integrale but have sold both of them - trying to have a more manageable garage as it was taking over my life.
 
Ewan said:
I’d say that was a good buy for you. It’s allowed you to pile the miles on and enjoy it, rather than worry about it. Well played you.
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I am now tempted to sell, I’ve done everything I want to do with the car. It’s still got a few jobs that’s needed, but it’s a very usable and presentable enough - what do you guys recon it’s worth?
 
I'd probably keep hold of it for a bit as there is a glut on the market if you want best value. Never seen so many 2 seaters on at the same time!
 
Lewis Gregory said:
I am now tempted to sell, I’ve done everything I want to do with the car. It’s still got a few jobs that’s needed, but it’s a very usable and presentable enough - what do you guys recon it’s worth?
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Although you've probably improved the car during your ownership, it's still a Cat D, and has now done 20k miles more. So I suspect the value now is similar to what you paid originally.

Putting it to auction would be the way to find out.

Maybe put a few pics up here so we can see what she looks like now? Especially given the recent changes to the interior.
 
Lewis Gregory said:
It's been around 18 months since I bought the "Bad Straw" so I thought id give you all an update. Ive still got it, and it's still running. I have taken the view that the milage is the least scary thing about the car, and have done 20k in it over the last 18 months. It's been on 4 European road trips, and has been exceptionally reliable. in the last 18 months I have carried out the following works, most of it preventative:

  • Replaced both drive shafts - the noise I talked about previously was down to worn splines. £500
  • Full seat retrim & replacement of all internal Alcantara. Dave the Trimmer did this and its totally transformed what was a completely gross interior. This cost around £4,000.
  • Fitted the OEM roll cage and 4 point harnesses - £4,000
  • Replacement pads all around, and 1 second hand rear disc from eurospares - total costs around £2500
  • I've had 2 sets of tyres in 18 months, I didn't get on well with the Pirelli's so the 2nd set are Michelin ps4's which made a big improvement to grip.
  • New clutch, release bearing, gearbox oil and service- around £3k in parts.
  • upgraded OEM shock absorbers for adjustable coil overs and new drop links - this combined with the tyres transformed the feedback when driving- around £1,500 in parts
I paid £24k for the car, if you ignore the ongoing maintenance (as this would be required for any example) and the bits I chose to do (roll cage, Coilovers) then the Bad Strad was a pretty good deal. Ive had a load of fun with the car - it owes me just over £40k including everything, but I have done 20,000 miles in it - If I bought a good one the costs associated with doing that mileage would have been £10k at least, and resulted in huge depreciation. its still go t a few rough edges, but imm happy with that as it means I can use it without worry. I Guess the car is only worth about £30k, but I figure I'm in the same financial standing as if I bought a good one, but with an initial outlay half of the price - what do you guys think? Was I mad?
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You've not factored in how much you know about this car. Without going all Donald Rumsfeld, if you bought a 50k 'pristine' car , there would be a lot of unknown unknowns lurking under the bonnet/chassis/suspension. Now you know that everyting is sorted, or at least known known faults and can be remedied as and when funds/time permit. Well done for putting 20k on it in a year and a half, and using the car as intended.

 
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