Comments on: Review: 2009 Caterham 7

By: csr260

csr260 — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:25:35 +0000

reply to stewart dean who wanted to see the car in action

go to youtube and search caterham csr 260 nelson ledges to see 9+ minutes of a caterham csr 260 driven by its assembler and owner on an historic race course in ohio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1N6EI0hlnw

By: Stewart Dean

Stewart Dean — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:36:42 +0000

Went to the uscaterham website, tried to watch the videos. All of them were shot and edited by an adolescent auteur in love with special effects: solaraizing, chopping, slomo piled on top of speedmo and on and on. Damn. I wanted to see the car, but what I got was a tribute to the utterly over-the-top cleverness of makers of the video.
The video equivalent of a web page that uses 50 different fonts on one page.

By: Kristjan Ambroz

Kristjan Ambroz — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:06:33 +0000

Admittedly it is a bit on the expensive side in the USA, relatively speaking. In the UK you get the top performance level for the price of a fairly bare Porsche Cayman and that’s a different proposition, especially since depreciation on the things is really minimal – maybe 5% a year or so. They also do not tend to be driven much, so you can keep it for a long time and then still sell it on well. Usually to buy another, faster one ;)

By: Facebook User

Facebook User — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:01:30 +0000

Droptop :
August 19th, 2009 at 5:27 pm

@ onerareviper: “So what’s the price to own a Caterham? Does the ‘less is more’ philosophy still apply?”

http://www.caterhamusa.com/ lists current prices, including various models, upgrades, and options.

- Vogel

Cool car, but 30 grand for entry level kit without engine and tranny? Then add another $10 g’s for options you know you’ll need? I just don’t get it… Why so much money? And then another $10 – $30 g’s for a high performance model minus engine tranny? Crazy… I’m sure the driving experience is awesome, but I just couldn’t see paying this kind of markup for a go-cart kit car. I suspect this is the reason so many other companies copy the seven at a reasonable price.

By: Droptop

Droptop — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:42:17 +0000

@ amcadoo: “So how’s the “comfort” level compared to say an Elise[?]”

In my opinion they are more closely related than not. Naturally, the Elise, what with more of an enclosure (not to mention a/c) has a leg up on comfort. Barely.

“Great review!”

Thank you.

- Vogel

By: Droptop

Droptop — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:35:15 +0000

@ wintermutt: are these legal in california if you do it as a kit? never understood that just how you do that.”

I’m not familiar with current CA regs, but, generally speaking, one would look to register the car as a specialty custom. Much like a home-built rod.

- Vogel

By: Droptop

Droptop — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:27:36 +0000

@ onerareviper: “So what’s the price to own a Caterham? Does the ‘less is more’ philosophy still apply?”

http://www.caterhamusa.com lists current prices, including various models, upgrades, and options.

- Vogel

By: Droptop

Droptop — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:22:13 +0000

@ tigeraid: “I personally can’t stand how they look with those front fenders though. Not just the look, but the amount of aero drag those things must have… The cars look way better without fenders.”

One can specify cycle fenders instead of the clamshells.

- Vogel

By: Droptop

Droptop — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:17:43 +0000

@ Robstar: “I’d love to try one. Where do I test drive one in the Chicago area?? Can you buy them as a “box of bits” and then have the retailer assemble it for you?”

For the agent closest to you, check http://www.caterhamusa.com.

As to having yours screwed together, I believe any of the Cat houses offer the service.

- Vogel

By: BEAT

BEAT — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:47:39 +0000

No Comment but speaking of sportscar I saw the Tesla on Top Gear it was fast but still need some development on charging for 16 hours and it cost 6 figures.
Tesla is faster than the Lotus per Top Gear test. Better watch the show it will drop your jaw.

Funny I tried to beat a 2005 Mustang today on a 1/4 mile but that damn thing just left me. Lesson I learned never drag with semi high performance mustang. it will just sa goobye to you.

By: Arragonis

Arragonis — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:31:29 +0000

List of ‘7-Style’ kits (4 pages of them).

http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/kitcar/kit_cars_search.php?cat=7&production=true

I prefer the mid-engined Sylva Riot R1. Same style just engine at the back. A few people had modded the Locost self build chassis design to take a mid engine.

By: jonnyguitar

jonnyguitar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:53:10 +0000

So how’s the “comfort” level compared to say an Elise. I daily drive a Boxster but couldn’t see it with an Elise, which I suspect is a big part of the reason the price of a used Elise is so low. Buyer’s remorse?

Great review!

By: Starion

Starion — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:28:11 +0000

The fact that it has remained essentially unchanged for 52 years is a testament to the true genius of Colin Chapman.

Take your 911 and Corvette and shove it. This is all you need.

By: beken

beken — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:31:18 +0000

A friend of mine has one with a Ford Kent engine in it. This car is the one that got me off muscle cars. It is the car that redefined everything I had thought about driving. It is loud, cramped, impractical and you’re totally exposed to all the traffic around you. Even a motorcycle could kill you. But stomp on the gas pedal, turn a corner and nobody could wipe that grin off my face.

By: wintermutt

wintermutt — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:01:55 +0000

are these legal in california if you do it as a kit?
never understood that just how you do that.

By: Facebook User

Facebook User — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:30:52 +0000

So what’s the price to own a Caterham? Does the ‘less is more’ philosophy still apply?

By: Sinistermisterman

Sinistermisterman — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:03:11 +0000

I’ve never driven one but one of my best friend’s owns one of these with a 2ltr turbocharged Cosworth lump in the front. Fast? Nothing comes close – and handling? Again, weaving down a road at 70-80mph – nothing comes close. But comfort? I could barely get my ass in the bucket seat and my legs didn’t fit. Definitely one for the enthusiast/nutter. If you want a daily driver get something with A) a roof B) heating C) sound proofing D) a radio…. etc. But for sheer driving joy? Nothing comes cheaper.

By: stevenm

stevenm — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:33:56 +0000

No street legal car (or motorcycle) can beat a Caterham 0 – 100 – 0.

Very few stock street legal cars can do it, but there are more than a couple.

By: westcott

westcott — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:55:00 +0000

Too impractical for me and it has no real style, looks wise.

I have decided to build the Factory Five GTM instead. More creature comforts yet all the looks, speed and handling of a a true supercar!!!

And best of all, I can say I built it myself.

http://www.webridestv.com/photos/factory-five-gtm-172755/1

By: Stewart Dean

Stewart Dean — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:22:09 +0000

Aiyeeeee! A car substantially lighter than the original Mini (1150 vs 1500 lbs)!
With the smallest engine being a bigger engine than any of the production Minis. With new metallurgy instead of a 1950’s lump that never changed.
Given that the original Mini is a repeal of inertia, the car that you don’t drive, you strap it on and fly….what could a C7 drive be like?

Sheer, grin plastered ear-to-ear fun, I’d guess

By: Chuck Goolsbee

Chuck Goolsbee — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:18:36 +0000

The Seven is indeed one of those Bucket List cars for every enthusiast. Really one of those Driver’s Cars that must be driven before you die.

By the way… I’m happy to trade seats in my E-type for a fun drive in any car that meets that list.

–chuck

By: no_slushbox

no_slushbox — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:44:00 +0000

In the US the US Ariel Atom builder, Brammo, sold the rights to the car to focus on building electric motorcycles.

The Atom and 7 used to be priced similarly for similar levels of performance equipment, but the new buyer has significantly raised Atom prices.

The Factory 5 ~~Cobra~~ ‘65 Roadster is still a huge value for someone that wants to build their own minimalist sports car.

Also, the antichrist to 7 fans, the Elise, is becoming very cheap used thanks to your shitty economy.

By: twotone

twotone — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:44:40 +0000

“Kristjan Ambroz :
August 17th, 2009 at 12:26 pm

Twotone,

you might also like the Ariel Atom then, especially in the 300bhp supercharged variety, which will beat a Caterham from 0-100-0 :)

It’s very different but similarly minimalist in its approach.”

Yes, I’d love to test drive an Ariel. Yet to see one in Denver, however.

Twotone

By: fredtal

fredtal — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:39:04 +0000

I have to add my thumbs up, nice review, it explains exactly why the Lotus 7 (and all it’s cousins) is probably the greatest pure sport car of all time.

By: Kristjan Ambroz

Kristjan Ambroz — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:26:24 +0000

Twotone,

you might also like the Ariel Atom then, especially in the 300bhp supercharged variety, which will beat a Caterham from 0-100-0 :)

It’s very different but similarly minimalist in its approach.