Thread says it all. Recently got a chance to drive all three of these fantastic machines in a track setting. I was supposed to drive a Challenge Stradale but the clutch on that was toast. So I drove a Modena. I was also supposed to drive an Atom, but the clutch on that was also toast! So I drove a Caterham. Thought I'd post up my impressions (and pics).

LP640 :
The big daddy. Imagine a Saturn V rocket strapped to your sofa and you get the idea. I did 5 laps in this thing, and hit about 120-130mph in it (didn't really look closely at speedo). The gearing is uber-tall and the thrust is ... there...everywhere. Absolutely HATED the ridiculously tall shifter and super cramped pedal area - it made heel and toeing a painful and unpleasant exercise. Car seemed to 'claw' the ground and never wanted to let go - function of the AWD I guess. I'm sure if pushed over the limit it could be a handful. Interior is passable but you get the feeling it was put together by someone who works at Toys R Us.

This is the car you want to be SEEN in. Lots of visual drama and attention. Probably one of the best looking cars ever made. I was hoping that the 'experience' would match, but from my short session in the car it didn't. Dedicated track drivers or those looking for a uber sporty sports car should look elsewhere.

Pic (This isn't the one I drove but was another Murci that was there, but you get the idea)



360 Modena :
V8 behind you, Ferrari badge on the front. Not too much thats wrong with this picture! Car handled great with great response in transitions. Great steering feel as well. Power was 'there' but didn't 'shock' me. as much - granted I shifted about 1000rpm shy of redline so I'm sure there was more go left in it. Absolutely HATED the paddle shift system, which to put nicely was retarded. The paddles themselves had long travel to them, and didn't feel 'solid' and 'crisp' as you would expect of something that is engaging the cogs in the vehicle. And the response time wasn't instant - maybe I've been spoiled by the DSG boxes of today.

A drivers car for sure, but true drivers should defintely skip the F1 system (at least in that generation) if your looking for the ultimate satisfying driving experience. Again, this is based on a short session in the car driving at 85-90% so maybe more seat time is in order. My choice would be a 360 spider with 6 speed manual.

Pics



Caterham :
Most fun I had all day. Gosh this car was a BLAST to drive. Super light flywheel meant that i was difficult to get moving, but the experience the car provided was sensational. No power assist on anything, just you and the road. Only thing I didn't like was the wooden brakes, and the fact that I got a faceful of dirt because I elected to drive with the doors off!

My thoughts...

Somehow I left the track a little....disappointed? Maybe 'changed perception' would be a better way of stating it. I was definetely disappointed in the Lambo which felt like a drama queen but somehow didn't communicate that experience to me. The Ferrari was very, very good but somehow I guess I was expecting to exit the car crying in tears of ecstasy, but that never happened. Then again, my impressions are all based upon limited track time whilst driving the cars at 85% so its hard to make a solid conclusion. On the other hand, I fell in love with the Caterham and want to buy one. Or an atom.

I guess at the end of the day, the combined price of the S2000 and the M roadster is close to the price for a used 360 Modena (roughly). But (at this point) I'd much rather have both the S and the M instead of a 360, simply because I get more enjoyment out of having two very different cars that both thrill me just as much. Still want to get a R8 but I'll definetely be test driving before buying. Just my

Pics of the S and the M:

 

Sounds like fun. How'd you manage to participate in such a driving event?

 

s2k ftw!

 

lp640 lucky guy

 

With an M in the same garage, that S2K would be collecting dust.

 

Why were they european spec cars?

 

Your experiences mimic mine when it comes to exotics not meeting expectations, for thrills and fun to drive light weight is the only consistent factor I've been able to find. Sure the rumble of a ferrari V8 or V12 is a breathtaking experience, but there is much more to a car then its engine note, and while by no means slouches, they also aren't any further ahead of the competition when it comes to driving on the street, in fact they may be a few steps behind.

Shame you didn't get to drive the Atom, one of the few cars I want to drive that I haven't, I suspect it is one of the only cars ever made that may not only meet my expectations of it, but exceed them. Great experience to have regardless of the outcome, thanks for sharing it!

 

Holy. Must've been the experience of a lifetime!

 

sweet experience, but i dont really understand your comment about the S and M being very different. i mean they have very diff powertrains, but they are both 2 seater roadsters.

 

nice.

 

Same layout, very different personalities. S2000 is like a fighter jet - very focused and agile. M Roadster is like a rocket - goes like stink and has a 'German musclecar' feel to the whole thing. Having tracked both - the S2000 is a shade more fun on the track, but the M makes for a great daily driver with oodles of power.

 

Damn I want to drive the Catherham super7R

 

Kinda disappointed in the Lambo.... oh well. And how do you get to participate in events like this anyway? My friend lives around Laguna Seca and his dad tracks there every so often in his 993 TT but the closest I got was a Spec Miata.

Is the M Roadster yours too? Baller! I'm still unsure how I feel about the styling of that gen M Roadster but the older ones (02) haul ass as it is.

 

um I don't think that's a LP640 just looks like a murcielago to me..

 

Read.

"(This isn't the one I drove but was another Murci that was there, but you get the idea)"

 

fun

 

ah my bad..

 

lucky

 

LP640