Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Caterham

I rented a Caterham for a whole weekend in 2007. It was not a very powerful model, 145 hp from a Rover K engine. But it was an extraordinary experience. I loved the car immediately and I also loved the build quality and the chassis. I hardly wanted to give the car back. Why I don't have a Caterham, my then young children always wanted to accompany me (in turns) on my trips and I also liked spending time with them. The risk was just too high for me if something happened that might not even be my fault. So I ended up with an Elise, certainly not a Volvo, but the small difference between "just" a car and "no longer" a car, especially in the event of a side impact.
But that should not detract from the very positive tenor of this thread about the fun of driving a Caterham.

You have been watching far too much Clarkson Paul 😎

I can imagine that MMC has a certain flexibility to react to the market. If there is not enough demand for the Plus Four, they could add a three-cylinder with 140 hp or something. The development costs of the platform pay off more and more every year. Equipped more simply, they might be able to offer a competitive price for the mid-market.

Actually less and less Richard, all that Top Gear stuff is so 'samey' and I've never watched his new Grand Tour show, I get bored with their stupid fixed 'races'.

Just joshing you Paul, I know you have better taste than that I haven't watched them or the Beeb version for about 3 years now, it's all too laboured and painful.

Enjoy your miles.

After giving up riding a bike I was looking for a slightly more sensible/comfortable way of fun travelling.
The M3W had just come out, but it was, even back then, expensive and after driving (riding?) one I wasn't convinced.
I tried a Caterham, mors sensible than the M3W but still a bit raw and weather protection was minimal.

Then I drove a Morgan 4/4..this was much better, we ended up buying a Roadster and the rest, as they say, is history.

If Morgan could put the 3 cylinder BMW/Mini motor into a Morgan, stripped back to basics and get it out for £40k at a profit then they might attract a new market of people who want a Morgan, but can't afford the Plus 4. They could call it the PlusThree...

£40k would cause queues at the factory Peter, and I doubt they could get close, but £50k would still create demand.

That M4W mentioned elsewhere on here would be a good candidate for a stripped back model albeit with the 3 cylinder, so plus 3 it is.

We mustn't forget that MMC probably don't want to sell more than 999 cars a year, I believe that there are many type approval benefits for small volume manufacturers.

I was on the point of buying a Raw Stryker to build. A Lotus7 type car. I did a test drive and WOW! What an experience! Toyota twin cam 1.6 engine with 150bhp in standard option. About 750kg in weight. £12500 plus the cost of testing, registration etc. All new components. Mel Coppick bought the Stryker rights to add to his business of importing Toyota engine/ gearbox packages to builders. He developed a full bodied variant using the chassis and turbo options. AKA Plus4+ Morgan variant.Quite a bit cheaper than a Caterham and Strykers had a reputation of beating Caterhams in races.
BUT......I remembered Morgan. Did a dealer search and bought a 4/4 from Allon White. Not the same capabilty as the Stryker but still a great drive. wouldn’t have got into the Stryker but loves the passenger seat in the Morgan ( even the leaks). All in all the Morgan experience is better all round for non selfish experiences of community, events, fun days out.