Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Morgan, not a proper drivers car..?

Just tripped over this circa 7 month old vid comparing the then latest advances in the Caterham with the Supersport.

Given the wide range of experience driving all sorts of machinery that autojournos acquire over the years, and that they tend to be competent wordsmiths, that which they arrive at in terms of an assessment of any vehicle is I suspect relative to their current mindset, thus perhaps a world apart from the real world viewpoint of a common or garden motoring enthusiast who`s opinions may evolve at a reduced rate relative to the somewhat narrower motoring experiences created by the more likely limitations of averages in lifestyle...?

Having passed my mid 70`s and likely viewed as a BOF, should I make allowances for a young autojourno declaring that.. Traditionally Morgan have been about bimbling about in the countryside and not a proper drivers car...?

To then proceed to describe the latest and..err..more "sophisticated" ..Caterham as more of a tourer compared to previous 7`s... Does cause me to question the positioning of my personal automotive datum points.

I do remember back in 2002 seeing a number of 7`s from various eras of production on the road heading to Le Mans, While my good lady and I were enjoying the comparative spaciousness of our mid 80`s +8..(-: I had been surprised greatly by SWHMBO`s ability to pack all her little essentials into the Mog, and in the process had left me with just enough space to squeeze in a few extra tools, on the other hand when I viewed the 7`s they displayed what appeared to be balancing a tower of suitcases attached on top of their spare wheel carriers, causing me to think that the old +8 was by far the more adaptable sports car as a tourer.. Hmm..?

As the discussion in the vid progressed, quite why some autojourno`s line of thought might automatically wish to compare 911`s to a Morgans, I know not, unless they wish to set a 911 as the datum from which to measure all aspects of sporting cars performance in any particular era...?

I suppose having many years back transitioned from a couple of decades as a 911 enthusiast/owner to then become a Trad Morgan enthusiast/owner for the following couple of decades, it might be thought reasonable to consider that there may indeed be some sort of subliminal Morgan/911 linkage, though not as I saw it at the time, as when I thought a Morgan might fit my needs, I was in search of an affordable pseudo vintage driving experience, which my old Mog has delivered in spades. Being a shift worker back then the the Morgan was bought primarily and selfishly, to roar around the lochs and glens on weekdays while my good lady was at her place of work, boy did I congratulate myself on finding that the Morgan a wonderfully engaging machine on the mix of A,B and single track toads that I am fortunate to be able to enjoy in my locality, but then I t seems I need to consol myself, in that I must not be a "real driver" ...Sigh..!

For sure in terms of the MMC`s requirement to evolve, there is no way a Morgan like my old +8 can come anywhere near complying with the rules and regs that motor manufacturers have to deal with today..As someone much wiser than I is reported to have decreed, "Time and Tide wait for no man." Which brings with it a couple if not more considerations relative to marketing Morgans over time..?

From a selfish point of view (again) I feel most fortunate to still manage to both get in and out of my dear old Mog, and have no real need of power steering...YET, while I do admit to liking a bit of bling and comfort, on occasion, however, such was not that which I was in search of, when I thought a Morgan might be just the car to fill a specific set of desires...Hmm..

Sorry for the rant, but I guess the phrase that a Morgan may not be considered a proper drivers car kinda caused my gears to grind somewhat..!

If in the mood, you might care to beam it up and judge for yourself...

What owner really cares what the 'wordsmiths' decide to formulate their opinions on...........case in point why compare a Morgan with a Caterham, just as easily compare a Bentley to a Suzuki, the only thing they have in common is 4 wheels, an engine, gearbox and some bodywork to encapsulate the occupants.

The manufacturers maybe interested in the opinions, as it may effect sales, but as you normally don't know the driving preferences of the wordsmith and how that may influence their 'expert' evaluation and any resultant diatribe that follows. They don't live with the cars long enough to experience the true joys of ownership before crafting their fine words for their paymasters...

Auto journalists can't be taken seriously anyway. Their opinions are no more valid than mine. I eventually stopped buying Motor magazine back in the early 80s when I realised this.

If you like fiction, enjoy what they churn out, but trust your own experience always.

I think there are still some who take their job seriously and stay independent. Todays problem is that there are so much YouTubers/Influencers who call themselves "auto journalist" but they live from promoting cars or plugging cars, and want to have as much views on their channels as possible! Car manufacturers make use of them certainly!

Yep - I find the best option is to avoid all their 'twaffle' and not view......

To his credit, Jeremy Clarkson was always realistic about how much influence he had as a motoring journalist. He called the Ford Orion one of the worst cars ever made and urged people not to buy it. Conversely, in common with his Top Gear co-presenters, he heaped praise on the Renault Avantime, calling it a "fantastic" car that he "adored". The Orion was a best seller, shipping 70,000 models a year in the UK. The Avantime sold 447 during its run!

Going back to the Caterham v Morgan debate, I have to confess to a vested interest, having owned numerous Caterhams, including a 21 for over 40 years and, to date, I am on my 5th Morgan, a 2 litre CX in the last 15 years. I moved over to the Morgan marque mainly because I was finding it difficult getting out of a Seven with damaged shoulder tendons, I couldn't get out a bath either, without turning onto all fours, for the same reason incidentally.

I do have a recently acquired older Seven in the garage too, which I am hoping to do a few miles in when summer gets here. I think we are talking about horses for courses and shouldn't be comparing a stripped out road goimg track car with a relatively comfortable cruiser weighing twice as much and that the journo. in question was just looking for an 'angle' to write from.

So perhaps there is actually no real story here?

Yes have never been able to stand the loud mouthed judgmental giant idiot. (there is judgmental for you)...

The Avantime is a natural choice for a fat bastard is it not manufactured by the surrender monkeys a marriage made in a cow field in the Cotswold covered in excrement

My Company petrol Ford Orion was a gem and made the subsequent series of Jelly moulds positively pedestrian in comparison, then the underwhelming series of Mondeos..

Now this Puma ST is bang on cheap fun and I enjoy surprising knob drivers (German products @ Strange Rovers) with it that fancy their chances, it's performance. handling, suspension and brakes are on it for fast progress in all conditions. £19,500 a bargain.

£34,000 to you as it is the top spec model but with Ford management discount applied for me.

I'm budgeting for new front tyres on a 6 monthly basis

Wowza, £34k down to £19.5 is some discount !

Solicitor No2 Daughter chose well - Senior Managers at work get this option to buy both the cars he and her run for around £200 per month all inclusive from the company with the option for a family member to buy.

The only stipulation on me is I must not sell it on for two years.

The whole thing is about sales figures and protecting their place in the nearly new market.

I have been fortunate enough through Em and husband whenever I wanted one when I was still working 60,000 a year as a diesel is still a saleable item with circa 120,000mls on it.