So happy to see someone understand the joys of the Seven! It's the simplicity and the connection with the road that I love. You mentioned there were Caterhams with more power, but those can also come with a ton more grip, and that transforms them into absolute track weapons - I have a bunch of videos on my channel. I am a very lucky chap and have both a race car and a daily-driver road car, and they're mechanically almost identical, but very different feels - it's very difficult to talk about "a Caterham" because there's such a range of options.
I built mine (a fairly low-powered 1.4 K series engined car) about 18 years ago and I can recommend the experience completely. Caterham make sure the really hard stuff like skinning the chassis are done for you so it's a delightful job of bolting new, clean components onto a beautifully built chassis. Caterham are also extremely good at holding your hand through the process which is very reassuring. By the time you are done the car feels it's yours in a way nothing else could and no standard maintenance task is beyond you because you know it so well. As others have mentioned, you can set the pedals up to suit yourself. It's quite easy to set the brake and accelerator to make heel & toe blips really easy. And who wouldn't want to do that in a Caterham? 😊 They will have to rip the keys from my cold, dead hand - and I know which of my daughters will be there to do it!
I just bought an older, albeit pristine, "Super 7" which was built in 1998 and is supposed to be a "throw-back" to the original Lotus Super 7 of 1968. It has the Ford Kent Crossflow engine with beautiful twin Webbers with air filters exiting the side of the bonnet and "touring wings". It even has the retro-looking leather strap over the brushed aluminium engine cover. Your review was charmingly relaxed and the audio was perfectly clear. I haven't even taken possession of my car as yet but am pissing with anticipation by watching so many videos of people reacting differently while driving their Caterhams. I have yet to see a negative response and the one thing in common with all, as with your review, is that they all look like they are having the time of their lives. Thanks for the review. It was the most relaxing I have seen.
Tish! Definitely your best review so far. You seemed way more relaxed and chatty rather than being scripted - especially when driving the car. The little laugh as you dropped a gear was a delight! Well done.
Thanks for the happy memories. Glad you enjoyed it in perfect weather. Lovely to watch your epiphany. Competed a bit in mine and took it to northern France for a long weekend. One of the best holidays ever. Unfortunately I had to sell it to buy some bricks. I look forward to your review of the next model up now you have a taste for engaging drives
When we get the odd bit of sun they are real fun, even on a sunny December day. Being a Brit we will always have a soft spot for open top pared back cars and the Caterham is near the top of the pack. Enjoyed the review, think the smile was permanent throughout.
So glad you enjoyed driving the Caterham. Some of your comments made me smile. For many Caterham make the classic cars of its kind, that is those based on the Lotus 7. Others could be described as mere kit cars but a Caterham was and is a bit special. These were always described as having exceptional handling and direct steering. I suspect you found the rear-drive, tall skinny tyre experience a tad different and disconcerting. You’ve got so much fun ahead! Cars like this, and especially more powerful ones, are different and can bite but you can invest in advanced car control training to help smooth the way.
Right off the bat: the style! Definitely has a historic look to it, taking us back to the early days of the auto industry. It's one of those cars you would find in a museum, but not so much on the road in today's society. Very puny car, but one that will turn heads. Some may nod at it, other might laugh. But this design is where it all started, and it's amazing to see how far the auto industry has come: from a vehicle with 80+hp, to supercars with well over 1000hp. Good stuff!!👍🏿
Great review. I might be wrong but caterham seems one of they cars that even a non car person would benefit and learn from. And as a car person definitely would have one in the ever growing euromillions car warehouse
Similar to a Dutton B+ I had many years ago, great fun, would love one of these just for sunny days, after watching your review of the GolfR 20years I’ve decided to buy one, should be here in November/December
Well done Tish a great review as ever and good to see you having fun and enjoying the caterham they are pocket rockets and certainly back to basic motoring someone I knew had a bright yellow one I believe caterham bought the rights to the old lotus seven and they have improved the cars and made them for must be 50 years Glad they are going strong I would love one but doubt I would fit in it sadly! Keep up the hard work and I think you should have one! Daniel
Thanks so very much for this review! One of those rare British brands but one with a great history. I'd love if you could also review Morgan cars? These are available in the US, but are extremely rare here.
Gorgeous car and an equally gorgeous lady driving it - you'd have to do the driving, Tish - just wouldn't be able to drive it, due to it being a manual transmission (darn!). Love the color, too!
Just bought a 1997 prisoner coloured super 7 with a 1600 Ford k engine with a 4 speed in . Built by a Ford engineer with 13000 miles from new .... havnt driven it yet so will have to see what it's like..... I have a blue mg rv8 so that's going to be a different kettle of fish to that I guess apart from them both not having power steering...
the gearing is without doubt the best thing about this car and I dont think anyone would have a problem with it, if they drive a manual....... Its an MX5 gear box, one of the best out there.... virtually all these type of cars use it, westfield too...
Try it out in the wet, when I passed my test I had an Escort Sport and a few of us would go drifting round roundabouts, power siding, my uncle was an amature rally driver as a hobby and I learned how to drive in his Sunbeam TI, he wrecked it then built an Escort, cars like the caterham will really teach you how to drive, I don’t like any technology in cars or turbos or anything, prefer it old school, I prefer no ABS, traction control, makes cars to easy to drive, car would be cool with a Milington engine
@@AutoSocialUK making one of my own videos now, hope caterham can put you on a track day and a rear drive car experience, great video Tish keep up the good work
Yes, it is in fact the same dimensions as the original Lotus 7. The pedal box was moved forward at some point to allow a bit more leg room but that's it. The wide body (known as the SV - standing for Series 5 apparently) was introduced at least 20 years ago.
15:09 So no airbags,no push button start, no automatic parking brake, no keyless entry, no modern upgrades whats so ever,what the purpose of this review again?
