Clarkson gives a great review of the Supersport 400 in Sunday's STimes Magazine. Driving as it's meant without roof or sidescreens - "I've fallen in love with a car I thought I was going to fall out of"
1980 +8 Blue And a few others ---------------- Stephen
Clarkson is not someone I would take advice from. But then most motoring journos live outside my reality. They spend a couple of hours on the road 'testing', edit 20 minutes for YouTube, and think they get any car.
Unless you spend time with any car, you will never get it. So many make that mistake. Buy something after a brief encounter, and trade it after a year. It's common. Do a road trip. Do over 1000 miles in a week. Take luggage. At the end of that week you will know that car.
Lecture ends.
DaveW '05 Red Roadster S1 '16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
Whilst I agree with your senttiments, few sellers will allow you the luxury of having use of the car for a long weekend away, if most people knew what they were really getting into, the retail motor trade would shrink overnight. I think you only get to really know a car when you have driven it, in the worst possible weather conditions, on a boiling hot day, a really cold slippy and wet autumn, and during the winter.......that exposes all the limitations of the wipers, the seals, the grip, the ambility to run cool and get warm..As many Morgans are garage queens usually summer use only,, I don't think a lot of people really get to know their cars as much as they could or should and with it explore it's inherent strengths and glaring weakness to the full.
I don't remember Seamus having a heater and have fond memories of heading into the centre of Brum for a meeting in a suit, full length sheepskin jacket having travelled 120 miles thru a snow storm down the M6........I certainly got to know Seamus quite well that day.
22 Plus Four KIMI 12 Plus 4 Sport OZZY 08 Roadster FELIX 06 4/4 70th LOKI 77 4/4 SEAMUS 85 4/4 MOLLY
Having met a couple I would like to offer a bit of a counter to that "how can they tell in 10 minutes" approach but at the same time agree.
They drive so many cars that the general "better at this and worse at this" can be learnt across a broad range of cars. So their ability to compare across makes/ranges/models does give them an advantage. We got into a discussion how the top and bottom of a car range can feel very different and their observations were really enlightening. It was a clear point that the blurring of vendors (Stellantis and its litter, VW Group likewise) made this almost unimportant. I would love to do some blind tests and see if they can work out what they are in!
On the other hand your personal goals for a car can be so far from there general observations and I guess Morgan is definitely in the group of "personal taste identified" A bit like running a Bristol, McLaren or TVR. You know what you want from the event when you go for a rumble. Our specific interest in a non-conventional offering is likely to have been developed over time.
I had a load of crazy hot hatches and rocket ships but roads are no longer really capable of sustaining this as I have grown up in the South of the UK. So a more enjoyable, less extreme, but lovingly accepted mode meant an Aero worked. Not for everyone thats for certain. Not as quick, not quite the level of handling, definitely not better made. But way more engaging as an arrival experience.
I think the change in the source of our education around the modern vchicles also counts for some of this. We first had 2-3 car magazines, Car, Autocar, Motor plus some specialist press developed. Then we got TV and Top Gear. Now it is through the Interweb and Youtoob. The sheer number of "self selected experts" on Youtube is amazing. The competition between them to get views (leading to increased promotion) and likes (leading to money) means they need to differentiate more. So we get click-bait titles and "contentious opinions" intended to differentiate and draw users. I don't think most of them add much. I think Clarkson almost pre-dated this by being outspoken to get attention on himself much earlier. I do remember seeing a video about his early career somewhere but cannot find it now.
I notice Grand Tour announced their presenters a short time ago. Two quite well known YouTubers who have done a lot of fun reviews and are petrol heads. Plus a train spotter (meant only as a light joke). Is it progressing more towards "general entertainment" in the same way Top Gear did, it will be interesting to watch. I like them.
Everyone loves a Morgan. Even me, unless it's broken again.
He may be a divisive figure but as he’s probably driven 1000’s of cars, and definitely all the good ones, his opinion matters. As one of the most, if not the most, recognised motoring journalist……. in the world……. manufacturers want his positive reviews. 😁 I bet the folk at the factory are overjoyed…..!😁
Let’s see what Harry Metcalf has to say in the next few weeks, because I’d imagine he’ll get one for a test.
I have been lucky over the years to enjoy a lot of rentals, Some for work, some for holidays. Some over 1,000 miles. Within that experience were a number of realisations. I remember being given a diesel Mondeo, way back. I had no modern diesel experience. After 1,000 miles my opinion was changed. It was an amazing package. I then realised that modern diesels worked for me and made it my plan to test a diesel Golf. Which turned out to be even better. At that time, the VW Dealership also did rentals, plus courtesy cars which resulted in me going through the VW range, In addition, other rental companies provided a mix of brands, and types.
This is why I know what I like. This is why I don't like autos and DSGs. I don't like cruise control and electric handbrakes. They add nothing to my involvement. I don't like SUVs and people carriers. Done it all, and at the end of a holiday you have the taste or you don't.
Disappointmants, as already mentioned......the Elise, although a short drive only was so disappointing. And Audi A4 Avant, auto, which I expected to tick most of the boxes was rubbish. All fancy lights and showroom bling, but no substance. I could go on, but you get the picture.
Clarkson may have driven hundreds of cars but he lives in his millionare's bubble, and for me, his opinions are irrelevant.
DaveW '05 Red Roadster S1 '16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
I absolutely love autos, cruise control, electric handbrakes, head up displays, etc etc……😁 I want to be insulated from the other idiots on the road in my own personal space. I do not need driver involvement, a sporting ride or ultra high performance….!
I’ve owned over 60 cars and driven……. who knows…… I sold cars for a few years…!!🤦🏻♂️🤷🏼♂️ My regular countryside trip to the nearest town of 6 miles has 8 changes of speed limit and is regularly blighted by speed cameras….!
I waft…… in a 530d touring…… perfection…!!!😎
However…….. the antidote, the absolute polar opposite to all that cosseting tech and comfort…… is a trad Morgan……!!!🥳🥳🥳🥳 perfection.
Love him or loath him, Clarkson’s opinion counts.🤷🏼♂️😁
ash chassis et al...
