Caterham Super Seven 2000 Review: Worth The Extra Money?

Caterham Super Seven 2000 Review: Worth The Extra Money?
Funny, isn’t it? This car looks like a classic, it feels like a classic and it has a rorty thrum that wouldn’t be out of place in yesteryear, but this is in fact a brand-new car. Well, I use the phrase ‘brand new’ loosely as whilst this car was built recently, using new parts, it looks as if it’s been around since the 70s.
That’s the point of this car, though, it’s designed to look even more retro than your average Caterham. You see, this is the Caterham Super Seven 2000, and has been designed using inspiration from Caterhams born in the 70s and 80s, the same as the Super Seven 600 I drove last week.
Although the Super Seven 2000 has the same design ethos when it comes to aesthetics, mechanically, this is different. The most obvious change is the 2.0 litre naturally aspirated Ford Duratec petrol as opposed to the 660cc turbocharged Suzuki three-pot used in the 600. As you would expect, the Ford unit offers more power as well as offering more noise as well!
When it comes to power the Super Seven 2000 offers 183hp along with 194Nm of torque - that’s 143lb ft if you prefer that measurement. Power is of course fed to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual which actually feels ever so slightly looser compared to the change in the 600. Work the manual quickly enough you’ll be able to roar your way to 60mpsh in 4.8 seconds, with a top speed of 130mph.
It offers more power than the 600, but the Super Seven 2000 also weighs more as it tips the scales at 585kg thanks to the larger engine and the fact this particular car features the wider chassis, giving you more space as well as a bigger boot. Another key change for the Super Seven 2000 over the 600 is the rear axle.
The 600 has to make do with a live rear axle, which is lighter, but doesn’t offer as much comfort as the setup in the 2000, which is the dedion setup. Couple this to the wider chassis and you’ve got a Caterham that is noticeably more comfortable than the 600, meaning it’ll be easier to live with.
That’s enough about comfort, if you’re looking to buy a car based on such things I doubt a Caterham will be particularly high up on your list. You’re looking at this car as you know a fine driving machine when you see it. The Super Seven 2000 is based on the Seven 360 and as such shares the same running gear, but thanks to its retro theme, has a starting price of £2,500 more.
Chapters:
0:00 Pre-Video Hook
0:10 Channel Intro
0:27 Video Intro
0:48 Super Seven 2000 Specification
3:26 Comparisons With The Super Seven 600
4:18 Comfort
5:37 Gearing
7:02 Handling
8:47 Epic Driver's Car
9:49 Wolf In Sheep's Clothing
11:47 A Caterham Quirk
12:30 Final Thoughts/Conclusion
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Music Credit:
Music by MelodicDissonance - anxious f*ck - thmatc.co/?l=C5C0A3CF

[@CarObsession]

Right. For the record. I am NOT condoning drink driving, when I referred to taking a drive to a Pub on a Sunday, I was referring to have a nice roast. I would never condone such a stupid thing as it's reckless, irresponsible and selfish, but it appears my statement has been taken out of context 😠. Believe it or not, it is possible to go to a pub and not drink. In fact it's easy but maybe not so for others 🤷‍♂️

[@heartbreakerh2o]

To get a chance to drive a car that is based on the super 7 series 2, which was also my grandparents' race car... yes, I will throw my wallet at it.

[@SpykerOwner]

Nice review (as ever) with great footage of a brilliant car. Thanks!

[@CarObsession]

Glad you liked it!

[@HillJamie17]

Great video Aaron, honestly would love to own a Caterham in the future as like a weekender. I don’t think I’d even care about the power, all of them just look so much fun haha!

[@CarObsession]

Good Afternoon everybody! Welcome to my review of the 'new' Caterham Super Seven 2000. What do you think of it, would you pay the extra money compared to the Seven 360? Let me know in the comments section.

[@henryhol8538]

Brilliant review! Its good to see Caterham also creating new designs as seen on Festival of Speed!

[@CarObsession]

Hi Henry, thanks for watching!

[@cowanscott9047]

Thanks for the heads up a week or so ago that this video was going live! Enjoyed it a lot! The only frustration was the comparison with the 600.. The 1600 would have been more relevant. I have the wide body dropped floor version of the Super Seven 1600 (2021) and looking to potentially move up to the 2000. However... the noise the 1600 makes is simply on another level, with just enough performance to keep you engaged. I'm still interested in the 2000 though.. as my dealer recently ruined the set up of my Jenvey Throttle bodies.. needs to go back again. No such problems in the 2000... Keep em coming!

[@CarObsession]

Hiya pal, thanks for watching. To be honest, it would have been difficult to make strong comparisons with the 1600 as I drove it so long ago and driven lots of cars in between, whereas my memory of the 600 is still fresh as I had driven the cars back-to-back.

[@cowanscott9047]

@@CarObsession No issues at all mate! It was purely my own personal situation, and you have a wider audience to consider. 100% get why you did it.. it's not like i'm sat here all disappointed 😊. To the contrary, it was pleasure to watch!

[@johnnyboy1586]

Those fixed front fenders look like they might cause the car to lift at higher speed,

[@fnherzog]

I've been waiting eagerly for this video! Would you prefer the current 2000 model or the 1600 from 2 years ago? From the video, I think the 2000's Ford Duratec just sounds too "modern", while the 1600 sounded a lot better. I test drove a Caterham 340 here in Switzerland (360 in the UK). The Duratec engine sounded rather generic/loud-ish and with the exhaust bypass / cut-out valve it just sounded louder in higher revs, but not better. What's your take on the engine sound on these models?

[@CarObsession]

Hiya, thanks for watching! It's interesting you mention the engine note as another reviewer (someone like Autocar or something) saying that the engine tone was dull. Come to think of it, I think I probably would prefer the 1600 as the ITBs were to die for!

[@sh4969]

There's Westfield, MK Indy, MNR, Tiger,

[@user-fd9jf9er6o]

DURATEC🔥🚀❤

[@stephenauty2402]

When actually was "Yesteryear" ?

[@CarObsession]

Well, technically speaking it would refer to last year or recent past, but can be used loosely just to mean the past. Thanks for watching.

[@thomasyo75]

Driving gloves ? really ?

[@CarObsession]

Yes. Really.

[@jayrusty2012]

Sunday cruise down to the pub?! We’re encouraging drinking & driving now ?! 🤬

[@CarObsession]

No, I'm not. I'm referring to having a nice Sunday roast, but if you want to interpret it like that, that's up to you. You know, it is possible to go to a pub and not drink 🤷‍♂️. For the record, I have never drink driven so your accusation is frustrating to say the least.

[@fnherzog]

@jayrusty2012 you git.

[@CarObsession]

Also, for what it's worth, Caterham themselves used a pub for press photos for the Caterham Seven Sprint, so does that mean they are encouraging drink driving as well? 🤷‍♂ The pub is The Abinger Hatch, which I've actually been to - very quaint place, low ceilings in places if memory serves me right 😅

[@HillJamie17]

@jayrusty2012 this comment is ridiculous 🤣, like Aaron said you can go to a pub and not drink. Pubs have car parks, because some people actually drive there. Just seems like you’ve said that only looking for a reaction 🤷‍♂️

[@TRPGpilot]

@jayrusty2012 you're a bit dense . . .