New to Caterham
Discussion
Hi, I`m new to the site and also to Caterhams. Was going to get an Elise/Exige but then heard about the CSR. Drove it a couple of weeks ago and loved it. BUT.....are they reliable, how are the residuals, are they practical (2nd car so not a deal breaker)and just how good are they???? Will use it on road and track. Big problem in the rain, leaks etc etc??? Thanks for comments
Hi there, i have had a Caterham 7 for a few months now and love the way it handles on a country road, loads of feedback, just point the wheel and your off. Great acceleration, great brakes. It is almost like driving a go kart on the road, only faster.
I have only one gripe, the high speed stability. Above 90 its a little unsteady, (light weight, responsive steering) . I can only comment on my car which is second hand, and as yet i have not had it 'flat floored' (ie it may be set up more for track use than road use)It is however the 'roadsport' which is designed, set up for the road. I think eveyone at one point of there life must drive a 7. It really does show you what unaided, pure driving is all about. I have no regrets....i just want more power....silly really as 140bhp in a 575KG car is enough to see off plenty of exotica. I think this is the minimun you want......if you can afford it get 160BHP and a six speed box, unless your planning on alot of touring.
I think at higher speeds (above 80) the elise/exige would be 'faster real world' however on a tight b-road i doubt anything other than another 7 or similar would catch it. I have considered an exige but im still finding out the limits of my car, if you drive them properly, to the rev limit......my god. WOW.
Second gripe....(i said i have only 1) Is the cost. For what you get it is a LOT of money, especially when you consider it is at the end of the day a 'kit car' made from numerous other manufactures parts. The only saviour is high residules at resale. (they hold onto there value well)
I hope the CSR has better high speed stability. I see you have test driven one so you would be able to comment. I dont know if id fancy doing 150mph in a seven!
The roof..........i only have the roof on if i get caught out on a blat. Even then it has to be heavy for me to even consider putting the roof on. (and no it wont leak) unless damaged.
PS....if you drive fast enough you dont have to worry about the rain.
Oh and take it easy. I jumped from a FWD hot hatch into the RWD 247 bhp/per tonne 7 and got it sideways in fourth gear. Ok it was wet, but it had brand new tyres (supposedly the best all rounders (CR500's))
I hope you take the step into owning a 7, ok, they are an expensive outlay compared to other 7 style cars however they are cheap to maintain. If you are looking into seven ownership bear in mind the safety aspect. Im 25 so as yet probably have not matured enough to worry about it! Just look at one side on with the door off! touch wood i hope im never t-boned, but hey thats not what these cars are about.
Regards.
I have only one gripe, the high speed stability. Above 90 its a little unsteady, (light weight, responsive steering) . I can only comment on my car which is second hand, and as yet i have not had it 'flat floored' (ie it may be set up more for track use than road use)It is however the 'roadsport' which is designed, set up for the road. I think eveyone at one point of there life must drive a 7. It really does show you what unaided, pure driving is all about. I have no regrets....i just want more power....silly really as 140bhp in a 575KG car is enough to see off plenty of exotica. I think this is the minimun you want......if you can afford it get 160BHP and a six speed box, unless your planning on alot of touring.
I think at higher speeds (above 80) the elise/exige would be 'faster real world' however on a tight b-road i doubt anything other than another 7 or similar would catch it. I have considered an exige but im still finding out the limits of my car, if you drive them properly, to the rev limit......my god. WOW.
Second gripe....(i said i have only 1) Is the cost. For what you get it is a LOT of money, especially when you consider it is at the end of the day a 'kit car' made from numerous other manufactures parts. The only saviour is high residules at resale. (they hold onto there value well)
I hope the CSR has better high speed stability. I see you have test driven one so you would be able to comment. I dont know if id fancy doing 150mph in a seven!
The roof..........i only have the roof on if i get caught out on a blat. Even then it has to be heavy for me to even consider putting the roof on. (and no it wont leak) unless damaged.
PS....if you drive fast enough you dont have to worry about the rain.
Oh and take it easy. I jumped from a FWD hot hatch into the RWD 247 bhp/per tonne 7 and got it sideways in fourth gear. Ok it was wet, but it had brand new tyres (supposedly the best all rounders (CR500's))
I hope you take the step into owning a 7, ok, they are an expensive outlay compared to other 7 style cars however they are cheap to maintain. If you are looking into seven ownership bear in mind the safety aspect. Im 25 so as yet probably have not matured enough to worry about it! Just look at one side on with the door off! touch wood i hope im never t-boned, but hey thats not what these cars are about.
Regards.
gra001,
I can't think of any car less practical than a 7....can't think of a car that is more fun either
Unless you are a very experienced driver don't even think about a CSR ( unless you have money to burn)
A Supersport (with around 135 bhp)will give you heaps of fun and leave just about anything standing on or off track.....once you've learnt to drive it.
I can't think of any car less practical than a 7....can't think of a car that is more fun either
Unless you are a very experienced driver don't even think about a CSR ( unless you have money to burn)
A Supersport (with around 135 bhp)will give you heaps of fun and leave just about anything standing on or off track.....once you've learnt to drive it.
Thanks for the comments guys. Went to Lotus showroom again over the weekend to try and convince myself to get one. Can`t quite stop thinking about the CSR though. I know It`s a bit over the top and I`m sure I haven`t the talent to exploit the performance but you know how it is................don`t need it but really want it!!!
Mikeww said:Yep, thanks Mike. Read lots of reviews....EVO, Telegraph, Autocar etc etc and they all rave about it. Going to Brands this weekend (trackday) as a spectator so hope to see some Caterhams.
gra001
If you really want it then get. Has to be the most amazing Caterhams yet. Super car performance at a fraction of the cost........and you only live once. There was agreat write up on ot the other week
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