RE: A Caterham For All Seasons: R300 Vs Roadsport 175
Discussion
james_gt3rs said:
RacingPete said:
the speed you can negotiate roundabouts, hairpins and supermarket car parks is immense.
That must have been great fun!havoc said:
Nice write-up. 
Paul - I drove a similar car to your one about two months back, except w/ Superlight suspension. Stunning piece of kit, so immediate and so instinctive, albeit a very physical car to drive!
However, I found it tramlined and camber-hunted a lot - you needed to actively steer the car even when in a straight-line (on country roads, at least). Did yours do the same?
Sorry for the delay in replying...actual work has kept me away from the forums this week Paul - I drove a similar car to your one about two months back, except w/ Superlight suspension. Stunning piece of kit, so immediate and so instinctive, albeit a very physical car to drive!
However, I found it tramlined and camber-hunted a lot - you needed to actively steer the car even when in a straight-line (on country roads, at least). Did yours do the same?
I must say that I didn't find that the car tramlined particularly badly, not to the point that it stuck in my mind at least. I did go on a nice hoon to Goodwood with some fellow PHers and found it fine. Perhaps the press car has been set up to show it at it's best light?
All I know is that I really, really want to own it
I am so not going to comment on that! 
Great story. We hire them out in Yorkshire and that's exactly the reaction we get, EVERY TIME.
Even from Customers arriving in really interesting cars, they all say it's the best drive they've ever had. One chap last week said it was better than a single seater at Silverstone, which is going some).
It's interesting that we run high spec 135bhp Supersports and not one persone has come back saying nit fast enough. They love the fact that they're having more fun at more sensible speeds. Even chaps with M5's and Evo's.
The other thing that appeals is that people find them easy to drive after the initial shock and delight of pared down motoring.
Thanks guys for featuring the cars. We're on the Caterham site and we've already had one customer buying one after a hire and another on the way.
We should be advertising on here next month.
Even from Customers arriving in really interesting cars, they all say it's the best drive they've ever had. One chap last week said it was better than a single seater at Silverstone, which is going some).
It's interesting that we run high spec 135bhp Supersports and not one persone has come back saying nit fast enough. They love the fact that they're having more fun at more sensible speeds. Even chaps with M5's and Evo's.
The other thing that appeals is that people find them easy to drive after the initial shock and delight of pared down motoring.
Thanks guys for featuring the cars. We're on the Caterham site and we've already had one customer buying one after a hire and another on the way.
We should be advertising on here next month.
havoc said:
ewenm said:
tonym911 said:
havoc said:
I'm used to letting cars 'sort themselves out' on a bumpy road - the ITR is very good at it, and a v.8 STi I drove was spookily attuned to the road almost no matter how-fast you pushed the car - but this one didn't seem to - it was as if there was no castor (self-centering) in the geometry set-up at all...I suspect the much-shorter (height-wise) suspension than a 'normal' car contributed. Probably my only (justifiable) criticism of the car...I really do like them!
A good assessment. Regarding an earlier comment about Caterhams being famously forgiving 'on the limit', I'd say that would very much depend on what limit you're on. I think even the most diehard fanatic would agree, privately if not publicly, that very fast, heavily cambered, bumpy roads are not the Caterham's forte.tonym911 said:
havoc said:
I'm used to letting cars 'sort themselves out' on a bumpy road - the ITR is very good at it, and a v.8 STi I drove was spookily attuned to the road almost no matter how-fast you pushed the car - but this one didn't seem to - it was as if there was no castor (self-centering) in the geometry set-up at all...I suspect the much-shorter (height-wise) suspension than a 'normal' car contributed. Probably my only (justifiable) criticism of the car...I really do like them!
A good assessment. Regarding an earlier comment about Caterhams being famously forgiving 'on the limit', I'd say that would very much depend on what limit you're on. I think even the most diehard fanatic would agree, privately if not publicly, that very fast, heavily cambered, bumpy roads are not the Caterham's forte.If I can afford one as a track-toy (with maybe the odd road use...
) alongside a practical car and a 'fun' road-car, then I'll definitely get one. As it is, I can't afford one as a 2nd-car, not when similar money will get you all manner of other, more flexible machinery...okgo said:
I want one !!
But some bugger would vandalise it in London
Oh and I haven't got any money!
Mine was parked on the street just off the Holloway Road in London for 2 years with no vandalism at all. Our street was a cut-through for fans going to and from Highbury and it still didn't get damaged.But some bugger would vandalise it in London
Oh and I haven't got any money!
jaik said:
To those who have had a Caterham as a daily driver, how have you dealt with the "security issues" when parking it away from home?
Had no issue with mine anywhere. I'd advise getting a removable steering wheel and a electric cutout switch as you can take both those with you.I think the nature of the car means that they are rarely stolen (can't really joy-ride them!) and don't provoke the envy and subsequent damage that other performance cars sometimes do.
There are quite a few Caterhams around my area of London (SW15) that are left on the streets without any issues.
I'd agree that there isn't any jealousy with these cars. I was let out of junctions with waves and smiles, people stopped to look at it parked outside my flat and not once did I fear for it's lack of real security.
I'd agree that there isn't any jealousy with these cars. I was let out of junctions with waves and smiles, people stopped to look at it parked outside my flat and not once did I fear for it's lack of real security.
Sevens generally are quite an odd car, because they seem to polarize opinion. Some People seem to dislike them completely, whilst to others they could be described as having an addiction to them.
I have given some people a ride in mine, and they have got out almost before it stopped moving saying they would never get in the bl**dy thing again, whilst with others, I couldnt hardly pry them out it with a crow bar! with them saying please! just a few more miles, please just a little bit longer. But oddly not much in between , where they dont have an opinion one way or the other.
I Have been lucky enough to drive, some very nice cars, including top end Ferraris, and Porsches, and what struck me when getting out of such exotics, and into a Seven was that there was no sense, that I was getting into a lesser car, only one that was different (in fact some of my well heeled mates, who owned the cars mentioned above, realised what sevens were about, and have bought one to go alongside their nice but `normal' fast cars)
The Seven is one of the few sports cars that competed in a Grand Prix.
Remember also that whilsts Sevens reside on the seriously uncool wall on Top Gear, the R500 posted a 1:17:9 time around the Top Gear test track, and that there are only about 4 cars (nearly all around the £200.000 plus mark) above it on their power lap board.
For a car that was first designed and put on the road over 50 years ago, and which is not only `still' around but in its latest forms, staying with the fastest supercars money can buy, they really are something out of the ordinary.
For any petrol head,if you havent already done so, I would say have at least one go in a Seven, you will probably enjoy it, but dont say I didnt warn you about the addiction bit!
I have given some people a ride in mine, and they have got out almost before it stopped moving saying they would never get in the bl**dy thing again, whilst with others, I couldnt hardly pry them out it with a crow bar! with them saying please! just a few more miles, please just a little bit longer. But oddly not much in between , where they dont have an opinion one way or the other.
I Have been lucky enough to drive, some very nice cars, including top end Ferraris, and Porsches, and what struck me when getting out of such exotics, and into a Seven was that there was no sense, that I was getting into a lesser car, only one that was different (in fact some of my well heeled mates, who owned the cars mentioned above, realised what sevens were about, and have bought one to go alongside their nice but `normal' fast cars)
The Seven is one of the few sports cars that competed in a Grand Prix.
Remember also that whilsts Sevens reside on the seriously uncool wall on Top Gear, the R500 posted a 1:17:9 time around the Top Gear test track, and that there are only about 4 cars (nearly all around the £200.000 plus mark) above it on their power lap board.
For a car that was first designed and put on the road over 50 years ago, and which is not only `still' around but in its latest forms, staying with the fastest supercars money can buy, they really are something out of the ordinary.
For any petrol head,if you havent already done so, I would say have at least one go in a Seven, you will probably enjoy it, but dont say I didnt warn you about the addiction bit!
Yay for Caterham 7's!
I have fond memories of building a model kit growing up resplendent in British racing green. They might well be next on the list when I fancy a change from my T5-R.
The one thing that gets with the R300 is the dash - it is ABYSMAL!!! Those three rows of diagonal buttons just look pants and contravene just about every bit of usability guidance on the planet.
Where's the mental mapping and functional grouping of controls? Nowhere, is the answer. Mind you the new Evora isn't much better on that front.
I know people will say that you get used to it, and it's not the point of the car, but on a car as cracking as a 7 it's a shame to let the side down by drilling the holes in the dash to make a pretty pattern rather than seamlessly interact with the driver.
Friday rant over. I'd still have one.
I have fond memories of building a model kit growing up resplendent in British racing green. They might well be next on the list when I fancy a change from my T5-R.
The one thing that gets with the R300 is the dash - it is ABYSMAL!!! Those three rows of diagonal buttons just look pants and contravene just about every bit of usability guidance on the planet.
Where's the mental mapping and functional grouping of controls? Nowhere, is the answer. Mind you the new Evora isn't much better on that front.
I know people will say that you get used to it, and it's not the point of the car, but on a car as cracking as a 7 it's a shame to let the side down by drilling the holes in the dash to make a pretty pattern rather than seamlessly interact with the driver.
Friday rant over. I'd still have one.
Working for BookaTrack & Fauldsport, I have been in the fortunate position to drive various Caterhams on many a trackday (usually only for a couple of sessions per time) and spanner them at race meetings. This tuesday just past we were at Zandvoort in Holland (awesome, awesome circuit - now up in my top 5 in UK & Europe 
)
In the morning my wife & I had the pleasure of using one of the superlights with the 125hp K-Series. It was good around the circuit. Unfortunately just before lunch The R400's clutch failed which meant the customer who rented it was swapped to our Superlight (fortunately he enjoyed the change and the experience of driving a different caterham - each has their own enjoyable characteristics and "personality"). We then jumped into one of the new R300 rental race cars (new addition to the BaT fleet).
OMG, What a difference! Whilst the Superlight was truly gobsmacking, the R300 is just so much of an improvement - not only has it the extra power, but the suspension and geometry upgrades make it a stunning package.
Just can't wait to get back out in the R300 at a trackday in the not to distant future
Not sure if advertising is permitted (if not, mods can remove this bit)
Those who want to experience the thrills of the Superlights, R300's or even the R400 (for a short while yet, it will also be replaced with an R300) for a day or even a half day on circuit, check out bookatrack.com or call Jonny for info
The two R300's in the fleet are fully race prepped and are also available for an arrive & drive race hire in the R300 series with support from Fauldsport
)In the morning my wife & I had the pleasure of using one of the superlights with the 125hp K-Series. It was good around the circuit. Unfortunately just before lunch The R400's clutch failed which meant the customer who rented it was swapped to our Superlight (fortunately he enjoyed the change and the experience of driving a different caterham - each has their own enjoyable characteristics and "personality"). We then jumped into one of the new R300 rental race cars (new addition to the BaT fleet).
OMG, What a difference! Whilst the Superlight was truly gobsmacking, the R300 is just so much of an improvement - not only has it the extra power, but the suspension and geometry upgrades make it a stunning package.
Just can't wait to get back out in the R300 at a trackday in the not to distant future
Not sure if advertising is permitted (if not, mods can remove this bit)
Those who want to experience the thrills of the Superlights, R300's or even the R400 (for a short while yet, it will also be replaced with an R300) for a day or even a half day on circuit, check out bookatrack.com or call Jonny for info
The two R300's in the fleet are fully race prepped and are also available for an arrive & drive race hire in the R300 series with support from Fauldsport
Edited by System-G on Friday 14th August 09:20
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