Skip advert
Advertisement

Caterham R300

It's been a frustrating month or so for the Caterham, as we've all been too busy to exercise it in its natural environment, the track. Now that the evoactive season is over we'll have to investigate a few off-season events - a Caterham is arguably more fun in the wet anyway. As ours is primarily intended to be a road car, it'll be interesting to see how it performs on the circuit as Caterhams are so sensitive to set-up. On the road it feels about right, with gentle understeer followed by nice predictable ov

It's been a frustrating month or so for the Caterham, as we've all been too busy to exercise it in its natural environment, the track. Now that the evoactive season is over we'll have to investigate a few off-season events - a Caterham is arguably more fun in the wet anyway. As ours is primarily intended to be a road car, it'll be interesting to see how it performs on the circuit as Caterhams are so sensitive to set-up. On the road it feels about right, with gentle understeer followed by nice predictable oversteer if you want it, but track work might highlight a few areas that require change.

The R300 has been back to the factory for its 1000-mile service and while it was there a new rear diff was fitted. The original was very noisy - an issue that Caterham had highlighted before we picked our car up initially, but we wanted the R300 in a hurry and agreed to live with it for the first month or so. Frankly, though, the whole car is so loud that the aural benefit of the new diff is hard to determine. Earplugs remain a good idea.

The bonnet stripe we mentioned a couple of months ago is imminent. Some of the evo team think it doesn't need it, but we'll give it a go and if it looks trite we'll revert to pure white.

Running Costs

Date acquiredJuly 2004
Total mileage2584
Costs this month£195 (service)
Mileage this month320
MPG this month20.2
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Skoda Superb review – an excellent excuse to avoid buying an SUV
Skoda Superb review front
In-depth reviews

Skoda Superb review – an excellent excuse to avoid buying an SUV

The Superb continues to do what it always has: punch above its weight and offer compelling value for money
2 Jul 2026
Citroën AX GT review – the ultimate forgotten 1980s hot hatch
Citroën AX GT front
Reviews

Citroën AX GT review – the ultimate forgotten 1980s hot hatch

The underdog French hot hatch of the 1980s might just be the most fun to drive. If you can find one.
3 Jul 2026
BMW M240i review – a great value sports car, but better than a proper hot hatch?
BMW M240i xDrive front
In-depth reviews

BMW M240i review – a great value sports car, but better than a proper hot hatch?

The BMW M240i is one of the most affordable new six-cylinder performance cars you can buy – and one of the sweetest, too
2 Jul 2026