For The Cosworth powered Caterhams are the royal family of the Seven. With 260bhp under your right foot you're in one of the fastest-accelerating cars on the road, but it's not about straight line speed, because the CSR 260 is also amazingly nimble, with race-bred suspension and razor-sharp steering. You also get Caterham's slick six-speed gearbox as standard.
Against Despite the hefty price tag you're still not getting much for your money in the way of extras. A windscreen and weather equipment are included, but interesting paint colours and some of the sexier kit, like the cool carbonfibre dash, are extra. The firm suspension also doesn't like rough road surfaces.
What Car? says
A supreme piece of engineering, and one of the most potent cars available regardless of price, but as a road car it's a bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. This is a car that deserves to be driven fast so it's better suited to a race track. The CSRs use the slightly wider Caterham bodyshell, so there's room inside for those with the fuller figure.
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Buyer's notes
Target Price team says:
The entry-level cars are a little too basic, so it's better to look at the mid-range models. You can select from a wide range of options to personalise your car, but don't go mad, or you'll end up spending a fortune.
The fire-breathing high performance models are road legal, but are ideally suited to smooth race tracks - so aren't at their best on some of the UK's poor-quality roads.
A garage for storage is essential, as a Caterham exposed to the elements will look tatty quickly. You can elect to build the car yourself, however this will take time and you'll need the facilities, tools and skill to do the job properly.
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