Cars that drive like a Caterham (fun and unassisted)

[AlexNJ89]

I've recently been shopping for a Caterham as I drove my friend's and I absolutely loved it, we do track days and also in the summer will take it out on the roads.

I drive an Alpine A110 every day and absolutely love that car, but the Caterham also offers something unique and different but at the same time isn't something you could daily like the A110.

My issue is that my friend has a Caterham and I'm on the insurance so I have access to one, so buying one for myself isn't really an efficient use of budget given I can just use my friend's.

So I'm looking at alternatives that could provide a raw driving experience. The obvious choice would be a Lotus Elise but I feel like I already get the mid-engined lightweight itch scratched by the Alpine.

I've never driven a VX220 though.

So I was wondering if there were any cars out there I may be overlooking, such as a Triumph TR6 or a Morgan?

It doesn't need to be straight line fast, I just want something that overwhelms the driving senses like the Caterham does.

I am happy to consider a classic car and a budget of anything up to £40k.

[anonymous-user]

A Zenos E10/S/R will do that and be easily within your budget.

https://sevensandclassics.com/showroom/zenos-e10s/

That used to be mine, wonderful thing. Take the windscreen off if you want a more raw experience.

[Scobblelotcher]

Don’t shoot me but other than Caterhams and similar you’re describing motorbikes. For 10k you could do your test (DAS), get all of your kit and buy a very decent (2nd hand) super bike. It will be faster, more visceral and exhilarating than any car you could buy. Or if you were so inclined you could buy a new one and still have a lot of change.

They are also fun to ride slowly as well as quickly and very quickly should you want (think < 3 seconds 0-60, ~190mph). They are also very cheap to own and run.

However I completely understand if you say no!

[CABC]

Elise/VX are quite different to an A110 so worth trying.
Morgans are an event rather than a driving weapon.
older Atom?
not much else out the box. take an older car for under 20k and modify it to taste?

[HustleRussell]

I don’t see why you should rule out a Caterham because your friend has one. Maybe that’s where the fun is. You are never going to drive a friend’s car the way you would drive your own.

Alternatively I would be interested in having a go in a Seven from another manufacturer, the sort of thing which you could develop without having to think about the residual value. Might be fun to have a similar-but-different Seven- bike engine, independent rear suspension etc.

I would not suggest that you buy a Morgan or a Triumph as a Caterham substitute.

The only thing I’ve driven that I believe would fit the bill is a race prepared 60s Elan.

[shirt]

I’d say a ginetta g40 is the closest. Same layout, handling characteristics and not heavy. I think the feel of a 7 lies in that you’re essentially sat on the rear axle of a fr layout. They’re tiny though, so depends how committed you are to the daily drive.

I believe some of the kit car 7 manufacturers offer the same 7 chassis with a more car like body, all convertible though.

As an owner of both a 7 and an elise I think there’s sufficient difference between them as to not make a direct comparison.

[HustleRussell]

Ginetta’s a good shout actually if you can’t commit to a 60’s Lotus.

…and actually, there’s always somebody advocating a Sylva or MK sports car or something along those lines.

[HustleRussell]

Westfield XI

[Mogsin]

A Morgan is certainly fun and unassisted. I have been using my 1995 +8 on track days for many years. But I am no track driving expert. I’m lucky if I do two sessions a year. I always drive my car to and from the track which I think is far more doable in the Morgan compared to a Caterham.
I have noticed that I am getting slower compared with modern vehicles so have started to be a bit more selective with the type of track days I want to go on. No supercar days for me. It can take a bit of the fun out of the driving if you are having to pull over to let people pass on most straights. Most Caterhams run rings around the +8 especially on the tighter tracks.

Does it stop me from doing track days. No.
Do I get a lot of fun out of these days. Yes.

I often wonder how well the car would go if a good driver took it out.

I suppose for me the Morgan is not just a track day toy. I use it mostly for long road trips so it’s track day capabilities are not the top priority.

I can’t help thinking my answers would apply to most “classics” unloads you got a specially track prepped one.

[covmutley]

Caterham or atom.

But to give another suggestion, how about a tvr?

[keo]

Caterham or Atom I know you can use your mates but it’s nice to have your own. Or a Lotus if you wanted a bit more practically/ use ability

[Portofino]

An Exige, whilst mid engined will be much rawer, alternatively some sort of Cobra?

Also TVR Tuscan?

[samoht]

HustleRussell said:

The only thing I’ve driven that I believe would fit the bill is a race prepared 60s Elan.

FR, very light, balanced, Lotus design... the Elan feels like the closest thing


You could try and find one of the 48 Caterham 21s that were made, for something the same-but-different.

On the Ginetta front, someone on here had a G20 which looked light and fun.

Finally on the more historic side, I was reading Mark Donohue's excellent book, The Unfair Advantage, and he was very complimentary about the Elva Courier, sounds like a very well-balanced and good handling car

[AlexNJ89]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I've looked at them all.

I agree it will likely be a Caterham.

The Ginetta suggestion I'd say is the closest to what I was looking for but I do feel a Caterham will be the one.

Now I just need to decide which Caterham to buy for mainly track use.

[cologne2792]

AlexNJ89 said:

Thanks for all the suggestions, I've looked at them all.

I agree it will likely be a Caterham.

The Ginetta suggestion I'd say is the closest to what I was looking for but I do feel a Caterham will be the one.

Now I just need to decide which Caterham to buy for mainly track use.

Sorry if you've already decided but I'm rather tempted with this one:

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1392113

[GreatGranny]

This looks well sorted

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1406616

[samoht]

GreatGranny said:

This looks well sorted

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1406616

Previously featured on PH here

(OP goes off and buys a Caterham while the rest of us discuss Ginettas )

[Throttlebody]

AlexNJ89 said:

Thanks for all the suggestions, I've looked at them all.

I agree it will likely be a Caterham.

The Ginetta suggestion I'd say is the closest to what I was looking for but I do feel a Caterham will be the one.

Now I just need to decide which Caterham to buy for mainly track use.

If you like your track days, one with 150 bhp+. 200 bhp is a nice sweet spot and does the job on the higher power circuits.

Just then decide if you need an SV chassis and how much you want to spend.

What you get for the money in terms of hardware is always disappointing, but is offset by low depreciation.

[cologne2792]

samoht said:

GreatGranny said:

This looks well sorted

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1406616

Previously featured on PH here

(OP goes off and buys a Caterham while the rest of us discuss Ginettas )

I always wanted a G33 but the 27, with a red top Vauxhall lump is cool too.

I'd still prefer a V8 soundtrack though and the G33 sounds amazing!

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say if it for mainly track use then I'd say get something like a Triumph Daytona 675 you can buy one for well under budget & taking your test is cheap too & you don't get more visceral than a bike.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125127087226?hash=item1...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393504796220?hash=item5...