Hayabusa Powered: 2011 Lotus Caterham Replica MK Indy

I recently had the opportunity to ride in and drive a late model Caterham kit version of the Lotus 7 that was built by an insane friend and equipped with a 350 horsepower turbocharged GM Ecotech 4-cylinder and 6-speed.  Getting into the coffin-shaped passenger compartment was tricky, but acceleration was nothing short of psychotic. At the end of a 45 minute ride through curving coastal California blacktop I felt equal parts impressed, sun-burned, nauseated, and euphoric. I've driven some fast cars in my time (SLR McLaren, Z06 C7.R) but this was in its own league in orders of the level of excitement (and NVH) you experience on WOT in 2nd or 3rd gear...so I can only imagine that a Hayabusa 11,000 rpm powered version of the same car should similarly deliver a visceral gut punch of fun.  Find this 2011 Lotus Caterham Replica MK Indy here on eBay offered for $22,800 buy-it-now located in Waxhaw, NC.

The Thing From Another World: 1960s Lotus 7 Replica

This next car comes as a tip from Hugh who writes: What do you call a T-bucket roadster with a Jaguar XK engine and an automatic transmission? A lotus Seven of course! It's almost as strange as that desert boat pickup thing.  Maybe pickups that aren't pickups week?  I dunno...but this next car sure is a pick-me-up.  Find this 1960s Lotus 7 Replica offered for $19500 in Centerreach, NY via topclassiccarsforsale.com.

Lotus 0.7: 1980 Custom Built Roadster

I have a friend who purchased and assembled a Caterham replica of a Lotus 7 for driving on US roads.  For the sake of anonymity, I will call him Dwood, and this next post is dedicated to him.  I won't say how much Dwood spent on his Caterham, but I'd bet a Buick Roadmaster that it cost more than 10 times the starting bid on this next...ummm...thing...which begs the question...is this car more than 1/10th the experience/fun/death of a Lotus 7? Find this 1980 Custom Built Roadster offered for $5,200 starting bid with $7,200 buy-it-now here on eBay located in Caldwell, ID.

Caterwagen: 2001 Volkswagen Dune Buggy

Building a Caterham (Lotus) kit car will set you back something in the range of 40-large even with today's excellent dollar-pound exchange ratio, and even a used off-brand kit will cost in excess of $10k.  However, if you are willing to live with something that is a bit more Volkswageny and less Lotusey...you can save even more money.  Find this 2001 or 1972 Volkswagen Dune Buggy offered for $5,995 in Tacoma, WA via Premium-motors.com.  Tip from JB1025