2 Eleven or Caterham or Atom

[S Works]

IMvHO a quick Caterham is a fast road bike with 4 wheels and (just) enough space for overnight stuff and your lid for a trackday. Perfect. The 2-eleven's only achilles heel that I can see (bar the price tag), is the lack of ability to actually carry anything with you, and no tonneau.

[L100NYY]

Hollywood Wheels said:

Looked at blatchat for a few months when I was looking around for a car..........the blokes on there are mad as a sack of badgers......

I know I shouldn't really say this, but.............by God I want another Caterham!

Edited by L100NYY on Friday 23 November 08:48

[andy_s]

I've never driven a Caterham but am booking some time with these guys just to have a go in one - to be honest they've never appealed 100% just from looks, shallow I know, but there we go, although I wouldn't push one out of bed for farting.

There's a 245 on atomclub for sale and I believe the Atom 3 is now out - which may help with prices - apart from anything else they do seem to hold value well, unfortunately!

The 2-11 looks good on paper and I've yet to hear anything bad or even indifferent about them, if you are considering an Atom then I'd have thought practicality issues are void so it would definitely be worth making the effort to take one out for a run.

Either way, a great decision to have to make - have fun trying them out & let us know when that 240 is on the market!

A

[RobM77]

andy_s said:

I've never driven a Caterham but am booking some time with these guys just to have a go in one - to be honest they've never appealed 100% just from looks, shallow I know, but there we go, although I wouldn't push one out of bed for farting.

Beasr in mind they're SVs... that's not the Caterham that everyone talks about.

[RobM77]

Boggy said:

RobM77 said:

Boggy said:

RobM77 said:

L100NYY said:

Boggy said:

I've driven a few and they are awful, Boggy

I can only assume that all of the variants that you drove were badly set up, or.......or.......or........or..........no I'm struggling here!!!

They are very sensitive to setup. Since I bought mine it's been undriveable, understeered like mad and then oversteered like mad All down to setup. When setup well Caterhams are just incredible little cars!

This was a Caterham that you drove was it Boggy? Not a westfield? Be honest with us!

I'm afraid it was, had a fair bit of dealing's with them as a friend of mine who owns Ntc car's in Dartford knows the chap well at Crayford, we've had load's in for different reasons. Also a mate of mine Stuart built one, not my thing

Boggy

Thanks.

I noticed from your profile that you lust after a 2-11, and have owned two Elises! Out of interest, what puts you off Caterhams so much? I never thought I'd meet someone who liked Elises but not Caterhams, let alone someone who liked the 2-11!!

I've owned 3 mate, can't really put my finger on it but I can understand why other people do. It must be when I was younger perhaps my Dad took me out in one and frightened me?

Boggy

That's fair enough I guess. I'm still struggling though as you like the 2-11?! The only major difference between the two that I can think of is that the 2-11 is heavier and slower (which I know won't bother you), and it's got more advanced suspension producing more cornering grip. I presume it's that jiggly glued to the road Lotus feeling over the bumps that you crave?

[pgn340r]

As aproud owner of a 2-11 I can tell you that it is a fantastic machine and drives and feels totally different to an Exige (I had a 243GT Exige prior). It is much faster, more responsive and you can feel the difference in the lightness and the communication on the road. If you love Lotuses then this is the best handling car they have ever made IMHO/

Sure it'ds totally impracticle, but no more so than an Atom, and expensive ,but once you drive one....

[Boggy]

RobM77 said:

Boggy said:

RobM77 said:

Boggy said:

RobM77 said:

L100NYY said:

Boggy said:

I've driven a few and they are awful, Boggy

I can only assume that all of the variants that you drove were badly set up, or.......or.......or........or..........no I'm struggling here!!!

They are very sensitive to setup. Since I bought mine it's been undriveable, understeered like mad and then oversteered like mad All down to setup. When setup well Caterhams are just incredible little cars!

This was a Caterham that you drove was it Boggy? Not a westfield? Be honest with us!

I'm afraid it was, had a fair bit of dealing's with them as a friend of mine who owns Ntc car's in Dartford knows the chap well at Crayford, we've had load's in for different reasons. Also a mate of mine Stuart built one, not my thing

Boggy

Thanks.

I noticed from your profile that you lust after a 2-11, and have owned two Elises! Out of interest, what puts you off Caterhams so much? I never thought I'd meet someone who liked Elises but not Caterhams, let alone someone who liked the 2-11!!

I've owned 3 mate, can't really put my finger on it but I can understand why other people do. It must be when I was younger perhaps my Dad took me out in one and frightened me?

Boggy

That's fair enough I guess. I'm still struggling though as you like the 2-11?! The only major difference between the two that I can think of is that the 2-11 is heavier and slower (which I know won't bother you), and it's got more advanced suspension producing more cornering grip. I presume it's that jiggly glued to the road Lotus feeling over the bumps that you crave?

It's hard to put it into word's really but I think you may have hit the spot, I don't hate Caterham's and perhaps I may have been a little harsh earlier on. If I could get everyone who knock's Lotus to just sit in the driver seat and go for a spin their would be 100 time's as many Lotus on the road as their is now, I also feel the same about Caterham's but the people in the Caterham's would be much more purist so to speak ware as the people driving the Lotus I feel could be anyone(within reason) I guess that's why I hope they get the Eagle right, so it at tract's people into the brand

Boggy

Edited by Boggy on Friday 23 November 16:16

[kevin ritson]

But a Caterham is a Lotus

[Stephanie Plum]

S Works said:

IMvHO a quick Caterham is a fast road bike with 4 wheels and (just) enough space for overnight stuff and your lid for a trackday. Perfect. The 2-eleven's only achilles heel that I can see (bar the price tag), is the lack of ability to actually carry anything with you, and no tonneau.

Footwell?
And there's a tonneau being designed

[Sam_68]

kevin ritson said:

But a Caterham is a Lotus

Only if you also believe that the Porsche 911 is a Volkswagen Beetle.

The Caterham had been developed to the point where it shares virtually no components with the Lotus 7.

For what it's worth, I think the early Lotus Sevens are much nicer cars to drive on the road than the current Caterhams, which are over-tyred and too stiffly set-up compared to the very compliant suspension and progressive handling of the early cars, but there's no denying that current Caterhams are very effective track-day tools.

[RobM77]

Sam_68 said:

kevin ritson said:

But a Caterham is a Lotus

Only if you also believe that the Porsche 911 is a Volkswagen Beetle.

The Caterham had been developed to the point where it shares virtually no components with the Lotus 7.

For what it's worth, I think the early Lotus Sevens are much nicer cars to drive on the road than the current Caterhams, which are over-tyred and too stiffly set-up compared to the very compliant suspension and progressive handling of the early cars, but there's no denying that current Caterhams are very effective track-day tools.

That depends on the Caterham. Some of themhave too little grip! My roadsport had so little grip on its Avon ZR1s it was a joke - but I kept them on as it was fun. As for the suspension, that's fully adjustable but my roadsport had almost as good a ride as my Elise.

[bruh_la]

Boggy said:

kevin ritson said:

Remind him that a Caterham is a Lotus and he'll soon change his mind. In fact he'll probably chop in his S for one

Used to be Kevin about 30 year's ago which is why it appeal's to you so much, your old before your time mate Just don't like the styling, don't like the sensation that I'm going to fall out of the thing, don't really like them full stop. Sorry if you own one

Boggy

I agree, they may be more practical than a atom/2-11/X-Bow etc but i built one over a winter in my garage with a friend. I found the structure very unnerving from a safety point of view. When i came to drive it i did not like how far back you sit...the nose arcing across the horizon felt strange. IMO the styling was great in its day but its a bit too "morgan" for me. After building and driving one i have no desire to own one.

But each to their own, i like brunettes others like blondes.....there is no right and wrong.

[stuart1969]

Well, still cant make up my mind but have made a plan. I will be picking up a Range Rover in the next week or so and will take my time testing all the impractical options for a weekend toy.

This of course creates an opportunity for some of you guys in here, my Exige Cup 240 (which was my company car and tax liability of the year) will be up or sale in the next few weeks. I would like to give any of you real Lotus lovers the first opportunity of a bargain. It is 21 months old, will be serviced again tomorrow and only has 9,500 miles on it. It has never been tracked ( full of good intentions but not enough time) and is No 33. Starlight black and completely standard except the dealer swapped the wheels for black as I thought they look better than the standard silver. It has Armourfend and is unmarked both the bodywork and the wheels.

Its on the books at 32K so it could be a real bargain, If anyone is interested Email me, I wont get round to posting an advert till next week.

Cheers,

[LotusSE89]

Rode in the 2-Eleven on the track, driven by Nick Adams, followed by a Caterham SV, driven by one of the Caterham importers here in the states. Also an Exige S driven by lotus USA employee Brain Shepard.

The Caterham felt fast, and good, flexy, but grippy... But there was no comparison to the 2-Eleven...

The 2-Eleven was much more intense, fast too....

The Exige S felt soft and boaty by comparison.

http://vulcangrey.lotuscolorado.com/gallery/view_a...

[Gareth135R]

I've owned a number of Lotus's (S1 Elise, S2135R and S2 Exige) and now drive a Caterham SLR - granted as a second car. If you want it to be, the Caterham can be very practical. As already pointed out, it's got a windscreen, doors and heater and not to mention a roof albeit a PITA to fit! You're far likely to go touring in a 7 than you are in a 2-11. A 7 can handle both the touring and track work fine. I can't see you taking a 2-11 anywhere apart from the track.

Performance from a SLR (basically a R400) is pretty impressive. Handling is amazing once setup correctly - far better than my Exige. The grip these wee things have is amazing. Seems it never wants to let go. I've found my car to be quicker than Elise s/c Honda and that's with someone who's not the most talented. I've always admitted, my SLR makes up for my lack of talent on track.

As for looks..it's a marmite thing...

[L100NYY]

That is a gorgeous SLR Gareth,

[Gareth135R]

L100NYY said:

That is a gorgeous SLR Gareth,

Cheers

[L100NYY]

Gareth135R said:

L100NYY said:

That is a gorgeous SLR Gareth,

Cheers

I miss my R400 even more now seeing that pic!

[RobM77]

LotusSE89 said:

Rode in the 2-Eleven on the track, driven by Nick Adams, followed by a Caterham SV, driven by one of the Caterham importers here in the states. Also an Exige S driven by lotus USA employee Brain Shepard.

The Caterham felt fast, and good, flexy, but grippy... But there was no comparison to the 2-Eleven...

The 2-Eleven was much more intense, fast too....

The Exige S felt soft and boaty by comparison.

http://vulcangrey.lotuscolorado.com/gallery/view_a...

Try a narrow bodied Caterham with 160bhp+. You'll find the domination of grip goes and the intensity returns. Handling, when correctly set up, is astonishingly good, and the intimacy and responsiveness you won't find anywhere other than a single seater.

[edp190]

Like G ive had a few Loti.... Am now trying to decide betweem these three and perhaps a couple of others. Ive been in Gs SLR and its awesome, unfortunately he hasnt let me drive it.....yet! Ive been in a atom 2 220 and it was rapid to say the least but the handling left alot to be desired. Andyg has just picked up his atom 3 and he is over the moon with it. Hopefully i will be getting a shot of that in the next couple of weeks.... The handling etc is a vast improvement on what came before but as im going to be spending alot of time on the West coast i fear it will spend more time in the garage than out of it. I guess the same goes for the 2-11 and the price is mental to say the least. Ive driven the 2-11 also, unfortunately before it was run in so havent experienced the full power etc but it did feel light and agile and the brakes were amazing. I guess im now swaying towards a caterham as i have vowed never to buy a new car again....but i fear i may not be able to resist a 2-11 for ever!