Are we being badge snobs?

[.Adam.]

As I said, I agree, all the Caterham owners I have met have been great, and when the Westfield club went to the Caterham factory, we were made to feel very welcome by Mr Ali and his staff.
I had missed the other thread that you mention, Eric, just read it to find that I have basically said the same thing as Juansolo, so I apologise for that.
I think it's a good thing that there is the competition, after all it means more choice, and the Caterham is most probably a much better car than it might have been without the copies that have popped up trying to lure some of it's customers away, it keeps them all on their toes trying to improve and better their brand.

Edited by .Adam. on Tuesday 1st May 21:32

[RobM77]

Mark Hales (a driver and journo I have massive respect for) always thought that Caterhams were over-priced. He's changed his mind now though after doing a feature for Circuit Driver magazine where he drove about ten different Lotus 7 replicas and the Caterham (R300) back to back. Not only was the Caterham 2 seconds faster than anything else (despite having less power than most of the others), it was also much better to drive (mainly handling, steering feel and progression). Aesthetically, they're far better finished as well. I'm no badge snob, but the plain truth is: save up and go for a Caterham.

Your mate is probably suffering from the "trying to be clever by reccomending something that you wouldn't normally think of" syndrome This is the same thing that makes people rave on about modern Skodas and Squire Strat guitars The truth is, if you can afford it, a BMW 3 series is in a different league to an Octavia, and a proper USA Strat is way better than a Squire Strat. Oh, same for the Caterham as well . That doesn't mean to say that Westies aren't good value for money, but don't let anybody tell you that they're as good as Caterhams to drive or as well built etc, because they simply aren't.