Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) the next "toy" car?

The F type isnt too long for this world, excellent car though it may be. I'll write a review of it sometime, but already I am wondering what next. And its difficult to see anything that grabs the way my old Lotus did.

A toy car need to be something that interests you doesnt it. It also need to be something useable - the Ferrari wasnt. Ideally it needs to be something you can tinker with - the F type isnt. And it needs to have areasonable level of performance - say 300bhp/tonne and decent suspension.

And of course it needs to be a soft top 2 seater

Trouble is, modern cars are overcomplicated in ways that make them dealer only. Lots of ECUs, lots of sensors, lots of electronic baubles that I dont need or want. Getting away from this takes you back to the cars of an older generation.

But you cant go too far before you get to the unreliability and corrosion that I remember so well from my youth. Maybe the 90s would be the right era - old enough to be free of "infotainment" screens but young enough to offer a decent chance of getting to your destination without greasy fingernails and an irritated spouse.

So wht is there from that era? F355/360? TVR - but we do want to get there? MX5 - bit gutless? Elise - small. NSX - no soft top. XK8 - bit big and un sporty? Early Aero? What else? Ideas folks.

A classic Morgan. Job done. Now let's talk about PeterJ's retirement.

I think you seek the holy grail.

Modern cars have no soul. Either live with no soul or take a chance on something niche which has soul?

In August I will have had my S1 Roadster for ten years. I love it more than ever.

Bloody hell Howard, you've only had the thing 5 minutes!

Your ideal car simply doesn't exist. Anything you could buy will be unsatisfactory in some way. If it's sporty enough to entertain, it won't be comfy or usable. If it's old enough for you to tinker with, it won't be reliable. If it's functional, it won't be characterful. If it's a proper sports car rather than a GT, then you won't be able to get in and out easily.

The thing is, being happy with any car is about your own internal mental constructs, it's not about the car.

Go and buy a Morgan +4 or a Suffolk SS100 or an XKR or aMorris Minor convertible or whatever and decide you're going to live with it, treating each of its characteristics as an endearing feature rather than a fault. Commit to owning it until you die. Build a relationship with it. Don't expect instant gratification.

Then you will own car with which you can be truly happy.

What a load of garbage Dave.

Plenty have.

I have to say I think Hamwich has nailed it 100%. It's less about the car, more of the relationship in your head and what makes you happy.

From what I read into your posts, you'll never be happy unless you find something wrong in the world.

When it comes to modern cars, I have to say electronic overkill ruins it for me. When I have to study to turn something off, or forever be told by the car it disagrees with me, then it ceases to be fun.

Back to basics is always good, although I will always forgive heated seats..

DB7 - Power, Beauty and Soul.

Remind me why a Boxster doesn't fit the bill.

I couldn’t of put it better myself Hamwich

Not the sort of soul I need.......

Fast maybe. Comfortable maybe. Full of gizmos maybe.
Not for me.
My Golf is a highly competent modern car. We only use it when we really have to. We've had hire cars over many years. None have appealed even the last one which was an Audi A4 which I thought I might enjoy.