Caterham Super Seven (01 on) - Review

Review by David Ross on
Last Updated: 05 November 2009
The Caterham 7 has essentially been in production since 1957, and it still looks much the same as it did back then - although not one component remains of the original car. The concept is unchanged too - providing the purest driving experience and the most performance possible for the money. These days you can specify your 7 to suit your intended purposes, be that belting around race tracks or cruising leafy lanes, and you can even have it upscaled so that you'd fit in it properly. But although its advanced over the years, the Caterham is still not a car if you're looking for comfort and offers a back to basics approach. It is hugely involving to drive though and great fun on an open road.
3.5 out of 5

Other Caterham reviews

3.5 out of 5

Running costs

Residuals are incredibly strong providing the car is in good condition, however you'll be unlikely to get much in the way of fuel economy. On the plus side, insurance is unusually low given the performance the Caterham offers while parts prices and servicing are average.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

6000 miles or 12 months.

Warranty

12 months.

Road tax (12 months)

£0.00 - £0.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

2.5 out of 5

Green credentials

Emissions summary

As Caterham only builds a small number of cars each year it doesn't publish CO2 figures but the Seven uses either an older Rover engine or, more commonly, modern Ford units. The latter engines should prove fairly economical with reasonable emisisons but of course this all depends on how it's driven.

Find the exact engine and CO2