Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Modern Hire car versus Morgan? No contest!

Why do we love the most basic of driving experiences?
I had occasion this week to hire a car from Inverness Airport whilst visiting Mother-in Law in Brora, north of Inverness. Notwithstanding we had only booked a Vauxhall Corsa, we were given a 2018 VW Golf 1.4 TSI hatchback with just 10,000 miles on the clock. All in all I did 375 miles in this car before handing it back after three days.
The hire car had just about every conceivable extra: too long a list to include here but the principal options were a big Touch screen Sat Nav / Multi Media display with complete interconnectivity with all sorts of devices, USB and Auxilliary ports, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, parking assist etc etc.
The car, whilst only 1.4 litres, was easily capable of maintaining a good pace, and when coupled with the 6 speed manual gearbox, provided enough acceleration to overtake safely and quickly.
Those who have driven in the Highlands will know that the roads are made for enjoyable driving, with good road surfaces, fast winding roads and great scenery along the way.
So, why did I not really enjoy driving this modern well equipped car? Don’t get me wrong, as far as all my previous experiences of hiring cars go, both here and abroad, this was by far one of the best I had ever hired. It was easy to drive, comfortable for the wife and mother-in-law (in the back!) and economical (44mpg) even though I pressed the pedal on lots of occasions. However, I missed the directness which either my Roadster or my 30 year old 911 gives me. Neither of these cars have the vast array of options and assistance which the Golf provided. But, the Golf just didn’t make me smile.
The Morgan is a raw, analogue experience by comparison. The steering is direct, the suspension hard, and I love the challenge of getting the optimum from the car on either a track or on relatively traffic free roads where the Morgan is just asking to be driven hard. It is a visceral experience which modern cars have understandably lost along the evolutionary journey of making each generation of cars “better”.
So, I thought I would just share my thoughts with you!
Happy days!

Let's face it, modern cars ARE better than Morgan's by just about any "normal" definition.

Safer.
More reliable.
More fuel efficient.
More comfortable.
Driving experience for the average motorist.
Usabilty, luggage space etc.
Better weather sealing, climate control etc.
Quieter.

I can only think of one area where the Morgan is better.

FUN FACTOR
Maybe 2 if you include depreciation (possibly)

But what is life for if not to have fun so Morgan Wins.

I've had a Golf since 2001, and have had loads on hire. With a Golf you know exactly what you will get. They all feel 99% the same. A very capable and competent design which will eat up the miles effortlessly. Our GTD is a fantastic car, and I love it.

But getting back into the Golf after a long journey puts it into perspective. It's a cocoon of insulated comfort, arguably better than our sofa. The ride is quiet and smooth, and an idiot could drive it easily...................

Our Polo GTI is actually much better dynamically than the Golf. Sharper all round and a much sportier drive, it's amazing.

But compared to the Morgan, neither come close, and we will always use the Morgan if we can...........journeys should be part of the fun, and modern cars just don't deliver.

Hear Hear

Drove down from Newcastle this morning in the P4SS in pouring rain with aeroscreens and no roof...enjoyed every mile and gave the Public at large a lot of fun.!!!!

At certain speed doesn't leak much more than when the roof was on !!!

Could have used a different car but at the end felt ALIVE and if I had done 1000 miles.

Now to dry out !!!

That's exactly what we have been doing for the past 40 years!!

For covering long distances on the Motorway in safety always the comfortable Tin top with full autopilot on, for everything else there is Morgan as often as possible a mindfulness thing, it's become a 14 year habit and has flown by.

I sometimes wonder if the obvious need that TM posters have to tell each other how wonderful driving a Morgan is, comes about because deep down they have doubts. They need to restate their beliefs. Bit like a Billy Graham revivalist meeting.

I mean " Drove down from Newcastle this morning in the P4SS in pouring rain with aeroscreens and no roof...enjoyed every mile and gave the Public at large a lot of fun.!!!!" smacks of self flagellation on the pilgrimage of the stations of the cross. It certainly isnt rational.

Up to quite recently I used to get up at 6.00am on a Sunday morning, even in the winter.

I used to drive about 30 miles and then at about 7.30 I would put on a dry suit and Scuba gear.

Then I would throw myself into a dark poor visibility, freezing cold, flooded quarry and thrash around at 20 - 30 metres for half an hour or so.

Then get out, strip naked to dry off and change into the warmest clothes I could find. Then enjoy a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea from the on site cafe.

Then drive home to wife who, it being Sunday morning, was enjoying a nice milky coffee and reading the papers.

She thought I was mad but I enjoyed it and now because of sinus problems, I miss it.

What do you call fun?

I could add that I have a photograph of that feat of endurance, including the star himself..

Well you could always go for something a little more 'Meh' or 'Blah'

https://youtu.be/H64yBpy93Ug
https://jalopnik.com/the-meh-cars-from-that-honda-ad-arent-actually-all-that-1829562322?