To CSR or not ?
Author
Discussion

Turn7

Original Poster:

24,914 posts

239 months

Thursday 7th August
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Thinking about moving from my 150 to a CSR200…

Would need to be standard dash, not swoopy.

Worthy upgrade ?

Better ride on our roads ?

RFC1

1,109 posts

215 months

Thursday 7th August
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As a CSR260 owner, i will say that the ride is almost incredible for a car such as this......I wanted swoopy dash until i bought mine with "standard" carbon dash and would not change it ever.

If you can stomach the cost of a CSR i would say at the very least have a go in one at a dealer.

S_M.

framerateuk

2,826 posts

202 months

Friday 8th August
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Curious, I have an S3 and I've sat in an SV (though, it was years ago).

I found the car a bit too big for me. The gearstick was too far forward and the pedals uncomfortable even with the chair adjusted forward.

I assume the CSR would have the same issues given it's based on the same chassis size?

Turn7

Original Poster:

24,914 posts

239 months

Friday 8th August
quotequote all
I can assure you, I have an SV sized body biggrin

Blue 7

212 posts

191 months

Saturday 9th August
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Six years ago, I was looking to upgrade my live axle Seven & I hired a CSR200 for a long weekend.

Going from 120bhp to 200 was a bit of an eye opener & I loved the extra power. However, I just didn’t gel with the CSR chassis. I found the smooth-riding, un-flustered, slick competence of it a bit… dull.

That said, I have several friends who have CSRs & adore them. I think handling is very subjective, different people like different things in a sports car. I’ve no doubt the CSR is technically superior to a standard Seven in an engineering sense, but personally I found it a bit uninvolving.

rene7

611 posts

101 months

Saturday 9th August
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Another relevant point - where what roads do you drive your car on - ?
The csr is VERY wide compared to a Normal 7 - on welsh 'B' roads that's a major factor too consider if you drive the 7 as intendedsmile

Turn7

Original Poster:

24,914 posts

239 months

Saturday 9th August
quotequote all
rene7 said:
Another relevant point - where what roads do you drive your car on - ?
The csr is VERY wide compared to a Normal 7 - on welsh 'B' roads that's a major factor too consider if you drive the 7 as intendedsmile
Running an SV currently , so well aware of the size

gareth h

4,047 posts

248 months

Sunday 17th August
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If you do go for a CSR make sure it has had the aftermarket upgraded rear clevis, the stock ones aren’t fit for purpose and can snap collapsing the rear suspension (it’s scary and very dangerous)

Turn7

Original Poster:

24,914 posts

239 months

Sunday 17th August
quotequote all
gareth h said:
If you do go for a CSR make sure it has had the aftermarket upgraded rear clevis, the stock ones aren’t fit for purpose and can snap collapsing the rear suspension (it’s scary and very dangerous)

Thanks, I am very aware of the recent issues on these, and belive Team Leo's offer the best solution.

gareth h

4,047 posts

248 months

Sunday 17th August
quotequote all
Turn7 said:
gareth h said:
If you do go for a CSR make sure it has had the aftermarket upgraded rear clevis, the stock ones aren’t fit for purpose and can snap collapsing the rear suspension (it’s scary and very dangerous)

Thanks, I am very aware of the recent issues on these, and belive Team Leo's offer the best solution.
Yes, that’s what I fitted when mine failed

gareth h

4,047 posts

248 months

Sunday 17th August
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Super Naswan

22 posts

38 months

Monday 18th August
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CSR owner here, as other have said, the roads you intend to dive on are important if you are more into road use than tracking it.

I live in Cheshire but when I can, drive mine to Inverness where I'm from and then blat round the Highlands in it.

II find the SV dimensions, suspension and torque fine for taking it that distance in a day, in fact it is surprisingly comfortable, although I think much of that comes down to blind chance in that I fit in it quite well.

Not as nimble as an S3 due to a bit more weight and size, but the suspension is incredible - although appreciate that not to everyone's taste.

Turn7

Original Poster:

24,914 posts

239 months

Monday 18th August
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In what way might the suspension not be to taste ?

Super Naswan

22 posts

38 months

Tuesday 19th August
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The CSR suspension certainly is to my taste, but I have heard from others that they find thetraditional suspension more alive or involving See Blue 7s comments above. On the other hand you might find it too fidgety. Although all this is relative to an extent as a CSR is still a Caterham at the end of the day. For my use, I find the CSR suspension brilliant and often remarkable.

You can say the same about engines / transmission, a friend enjoys working the gearbox so has chaging to six speed box in his non CSR, I have gone the other way and replaced my 6 with a 5 speed. He is track focused, I am more into road / touring, so horses for courses really.