Express & Star

The Caterham 310S proves why it's the ideal daily driver

Jack Evans is struggling to see how he’ll be able to hand the keys back to the Caterham next month

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It’s a sad time indeed. You see, the Caterham has to go back next month and I’m struggling to see how I’ll fill the hole it will – inevitably – leave behind.

It’s been a story of wind, rain and adventures. Every journey in Carl has been a proper event, and that’s something you just don’t get with a regular car. A recent jaunt up to Wantage saw my sat-nav (a phone-based one, I might add) send me and the Caterham down a bridleway.

Autumn weather perfectly suits the 310S
(PA)

Whereas in a normal car you’d be able to breeze along a rough-and-ready track with very little difficulty, the 310S requires a little more effort to pilot. Dropping to around 15mph in order to make exceptionally slow but damage-free progress, you do get a better chance to enjoy your surroundings. The Autumn leaves smell fantastic, and with the side-mounted exhaust burbling away it feels as though all is well with the world. You arrive at your destination having enjoyed the journey, instead of turning up ashen-faced having undertaken just another slog up the motorway.

So have there been any faults so far? Not particularly. The leather wheel boss has fallen off, with the Velcro tabs that attach it having perished. A small bolt head from a screw that attaches one of the sidescreens to the car has also made itself scarce – though the door still holds in place, thankfully.

As the winter months close in, the Caterham's heaters have been in full use
(PA)

Apart that, it’s been completely hassle-free. The only other problem I had was getting repeatedly flashed by a van travelling behind me during a morning run up the A34. Pulling over to a lay-by, the chap in the van proceeded to tell me that the rear fog-lights were “blinding him”. I checked, they weren’t on – and the lights were hardly what I’d call blinding. Strange.

For the most part, however, the Caterham is well received. A lady at the local petrol station commented on it, and how wonderful it was to see a ‘classic’ looking car being driven in all weathers. This brings me to the most crucial point about the 310S – you really can use it every day, and that’s exactly why you should.

The vast majority of onlookers comment on the car's orange paint
(PA)

Too often these types of cars are shielded away from the elements, banished to a life in the garage with only the occasional bone-dry run on a Sunday afternoon to look forward to. It’s sad, but true. Having used the 310S day in, day out, I can report that you really do get the most from these cars by living and breathing them as often as possible – not just on one weekend.

That’s why I’ve been using it for everything. Trips to the shops, commutes home and huge rainstorms have all been tackled with the 310S. It’s never hesitated once, and neither have I about jumping in it and setting off.

I know it’s going to be a hard job handing the keys back to Caterham. In truth, I’m trying my very best not to think about it – and trying even harder to stop myself working out ways I can afford one. The problem is, I’d only want this 310S – it’s the perfect one for me.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH: Finding out ways to keep the Caterham for longer

Model: Caterham Seven 310S SV
Price: £32,995
Engine: 1.6-litre petrol
Power: 152bhp
Torque: 168Nm
Max speed: 127mph
0-60mph: 4.9 seconds
MPG (COMBINED): N/A
Emissions: N/A
Mileage: 7,773

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