Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms why trad rather than caterham?

I was looking for a classic british sportscar.

So a "Seven" (Caterham 325) and a Morgan 4/4 where both on the wishlist.

I had a testdrive with my wife in the passengerseat. The Seven is more basic.
There are some things you must like or accept. For may wife (in a LHD) "don' t burn your leg!". We both are small, but we sit more "pressed" than in our 1991 MINI. If the road is bad, the Caterham runs like a rabbit...

You must like it.

We had also a testdrive for three days in September with a +4... What a difference! Exactly the feeling for a classic brit we are thinking about.

Collecting the MOG in the mid November (a new one) with a ride to LandsEnd and back to the dealer for the first service about 1300 KM - it works. In bad weather... Finally back home, another 700KM journey - it works. Well, in rain and cold.

A good toy not only out for a coffee, also longer journeys are possible. Ah: if there a pessenger: a lot of space for more than a bikini an a toothbrush ;-)

Greets René

Kev's car is getting more like a Caterham !

I had a look at Caterham 7s prior to buying a brand new Morgan.
I went to the Caterham dealer near Donnington. The first issue for me was getting in or more accurately out of it. I suffer from a weak back.
If I had got further down the purchasing line, I would have been concerned with the lack of relative comfort I get from the Morgan. Caterham, great for track days, not so sure for touring.

The live axle A frame design of the 7 is a masterpiece, lighter and simpler than a trads and no need for panhard rods or antitramp bars.

https://lizcullen.com/automotive_lotus_seven_suspension_diagram.php

I think the live axle is superb so the latest independent suspension must be brilliant.

The front set up is also excellent with what’s now quite conventional double wishbones.

That about sums it up, It’s the chassis you’re buying, the rest is just there to facilitate it’s use and in that respect, the Morgan is better value and more useful. The whole car is spartan and lightly made for good reason, but they’re not at all elegant.

Check out the new car configurator on the website, it’s good fun.

https://www.caterhamcars.com/en/configurator

As a personal observation, the main difference between the two is -
When you get a rattle or vibration in a 7 it’s serious - now’s the time to worry.
When you get a rattle or vibration in a Morgan it’s one of those things, what’s the problem?

Thanks ewn, just had a look and seen all the used ones available just 25 miles from me at drone central ( Gatwick). A great driving toy and if my numbers come up I know what I'm adding to the toy-box!

Morgan is a road car that can be used on the track. Caterham is a track car that can be used on the road.

The Boy in Me wants a "7". The Man in Me wants a +8.

Morgan's are generally very slow compared to Caterhams, they have appalling handling and road holding compared to Caterhams but have bags of character and are much more of a classic car.

I've had, many Caterhams, including a 320bhp monster but still hankered after a Morgan to cherish. I really found that Caterhams were great when driven fast but annoying when conditions didn't allow that. Morgan's give a lot of fun at more normal road speeds and are more useable.

Excellent comparison.