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Caterham SevenMarch 2009

Highly Recommended.

One of the purest driving experiences money can buy, but not an everyday sports car.

Our rating:

5
Caterham Seven
 
 

Fifth Gear Caterham Seven review

 
 
1. Pure driving experience
2. No health and safety net
3. Exceptional handling

WE DON'T LIKE

1. Not very practical
2. Some people won't like the old-school look
3. Motorbikes are much cheaper
 
 

If you're a car enthusiast - a proper one, who sees driving as an activity to be enjoyed rather than a means of getting somewhere - then please read this road test. If not, click on, because I can tell you now a Caterham Seven is not the car for you.

A modern Caterham - an evolution of the original Lotus Seven from the Fifties - is one of the purist sports cars on the planet. All are basic, equipment is sparse - there's no radio or air conditioning or carpets - but every time you drive one it is an event.

On the right day and on the right road (or track), pedalling a Caterham can etch a lasting memory into your brain, an experience that you'll struggle to find anywhere else this side of a £75k-plus supercar.

Or, on the wrong day, in the rain and stuck in traffic, driving a Caterham can be an uncomfortable nightmare.

Although the wider-bodied Seven SVs are not totally useless for touring (if you travel very light) the Seven is really a weekend car. A toy.

But what a toy a Caterham could be. Even the most basic Seven Roadsport with its modest 125bhp 1.6-litre engine offers driving thrills that will leave you grinning.

There's also a more powerful 150bhp version of the 1.6 Roadsport, plus the 2.0-litre models, which include the range topping 263bhp super-hardcore R500.

The R500 is warp-speed fast; as quick, in fact, as the most 1000cc superbikes, smashi+D47ng 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds.

To some extent, Caterham will tailor a new car and its options around individual customers. Many choose to buy the full kit from the company and build it themselves. Caterham also offers one of the best ways to get into motorsport with a Seven. For £17,995 you can buy the Seven Academy car, which includes one years racing and mechanical support - an enticing proposition for any petrolhead.

Fifth Gear overall car ratings

STYLING

Some will mock the Caterham's old school looks, but Sevens are functional machine and at least stand out from the crowd.

HANDLING

Direct and darty. The Seven's amazing to hustle through corners, and you can feel every little movement because you're sat so low to ground.

COMFORT

If you've over 6'2 you might struggle to fit. Getting in can be a hassle too and the seat's aren't luxurious. But once you're strapped into a Seven, it is surprisingly comfy.

QUALITY & RELIABILITY

Caterham has a small, dedicated factory in the Surrey town that bears its name. All are handbuilt, but the quality seems high. Customer service is also very personal and reportedly very good.

PERFORMANCE

The almost insane R500 is one of the fastest production cars you can buy. Its acceleration has to be experienced to be believed. Most Seven's are reasonably quick, though.

ROOMINESS

There is no room. Especially with one passenger on board - you'll be banging elbows all day. The luggage space is about big enough for one shopping bag. Larger drivers should look to the wider-bodied SV chassis.

STEREO / SAT NAV

There is no there's no radio or air conditioning or even carpets, let alone sat nav. But most models have cigarette lighters to plug in after market electronics.

RUNNING COSTS

Because Sevens are very light, they don't need incredibly large engines so don't use much fuel. As many owners build their cars themselves, maintenance costs can be kept down. Cheaper specialist insurance is also available for Sevens that are only used occasionally.

VALUE FOR MONEY

There are not many Sevens around, so they don't tend to depreciate fast. You'll always pay around £20k for most new ones though.

ENVIRONMENT

The Seven is probably one of the greenest performance cars on the market thanks to its lightweight design.

This review has been tagged with: Caterham | Caterham Seven

 

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