Caterham CSR or Porsche 968 CS

[sdd]

What's the preference, we'll take a straw poll by e-mail as not everyone uses the forum but in summary;

Caterham CSR 260 - probably the fastest thing we would have bar the Radical, it will be spec'd as a road car but with FIA roll bar, race seats and a LSD. It will also have full weather gear as the winter is approaching!

Porsche 968 Club Sport MO30 - in the mould of the E30 an ageing but extremely competent track classic, it would probably be a LHD version to ensure we get a good unbent car with the proper brakes.

Let's get a discussion going?

Stephen

[dp]

I would go for the Caterham, these are great track day cars, easy to drive and dependable.

If asked I would also ditch the Radical and buy the Porsche!

[sdd]

You and me both!! Bloody thing costs a fortune!

Sounds like one in the CSR camp so far then. There are recent reviews of the CSR in Evo and in your Circuit Driver mags if anyone wants to ready up on it.

The PH forums are a good source of info on the 968

Stephen

[4wheel drifter]

Oh dear, what a decision to make...

I've driven the Caterham Roadsport and its a lot of fun but next time I would certainly like a more powerful one.

The Porsche 968CS is a legendary track car and has the adventage of being the ultimate road car which Track Club would own. Porsche, IMO, make the best road-based track cars as they have fully sorted brakes.

So, like dp I would like both!

Failing that, I would have to come down on the side of the Caterham 260 as it would be much newer; and wear and tear very much becomes an important factor which can dilute the on-track experience.

[adrianr]

Don't you ditch the Radical before I've had a go in it!

The Porsche, (and the BMW for that matter) are really only appealing if you can drive them to the circuit - any likelihood of a change in the road insurance position?

AdrianR

[4wheel drifter]

Keep the Radical!!

[sdd]

Looks like the Radical is staying then!!

Some CSR stats;

260bhp @ 7500
200lbs ft @ 6200
3.1s to 60
Tops out at 155mph

It's SV bodied so is wider and has more legroom than a traditional Caterham. The engine is an alloy cylinder block and head, cast crankshaft, forged connecting roads, forged Cosworth pistons. All of it hand assembled by Cosworth. It will run a full dry sump system.

You do have to be careful exiting the car as the exhaust has mnoved to the drivers side!!

If it does end up being the CSR we will spec ours with weeather gear and a LSD as well as a few other essentials from the rather long Caterham options list.

The exact spec of the 968 will depend on the car that find but will be an MO30 car with the bigger brakes.

Stephen

[tvr350tim]

Got to be the CSR for me, I'd like a 968 at some point but the opportunity to have the newest and best that Caterham has to offer has to be worthwhile.

T

[Neil Benson]

I'm in complete agreement with everyone else so far:

1. Keep the Radical (at least until I've had a go!)
2. Buy a Porsche968CS, particularly if we ever get to drive cars to the circuit
3. But buy the new Caterham now!

See you next week at Silverstone,

Neil

[14N F]

Hi everyone

For me, I would get both the Porsche and the CSR. That way we get to drive the 'classic', which should be enormous fun, and also one of the latest Caterhams. Maybe ditch the Spider??

Not a fan of a Caterham, but I have heard lots of good reports....and there are always a swarm of the bl**dy things at most trackdays, forcing you to back off to let them past!

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Fitz

[sdd]

The CSR took the majority of votes, not quite all but it was a convincing winner.

The 968 will remain on the list of probables.

Stephen

[sdd]

The CSR 260 is now built, it will be run in and shaken down over the next couple of weeks and will be available to members from then on.

Stephen