RE: Chris Harris video: Morgan vs Caterham
Discussion
I have owned the same 7 for over 20 years now, it started as a crossflow and has been upgraded to duratec power, with suspension & brake mods to match. I still wouldn't trade it for anything else and it is still a great experience every time I drive it.
Other cars seem disappointing in comparison, even seriously quick stuff.
The 7 isn't perfect for all occasions, but it is great to have it there when you want it.. which is more often than you might think.
If you have the itch - scratch it
Other cars seem disappointing in comparison, even seriously quick stuff.
The 7 isn't perfect for all occasions, but it is great to have it there when you want it.. which is more often than you might think.
If you have the itch - scratch it
I and my dad hired a Caterham each for this 60th birthday last year. Both Sigma 125 roadsports; my dad in an SV and me in an S3.
We only had the cars for a few hours, but it redefined my experience of driving. I'd always wanted a Seven, but after that day I HAD to have one!
It made my (otherwise excellent) Megane feel numb by comparison and even low speeds became exciting.
I bought one a Roadsport 140 a month after the drive and have loved every minute of driving it! Nothing could replace the driving experience for me - both on the road and on the track.
If you're saying "one day". Go and drive one, you'll be hooked.
We only had the cars for a few hours, but it redefined my experience of driving. I'd always wanted a Seven, but after that day I HAD to have one!
It made my (otherwise excellent) Megane feel numb by comparison and even low speeds became exciting.
I bought one a Roadsport 140 a month after the drive and have loved every minute of driving it! Nothing could replace the driving experience for me - both on the road and on the track.
If you're saying "one day". Go and drive one, you'll be hooked.
Great video Chris, although whoever is telling everyone about my favorite road needs to keep quiet! 
Was that silver Focus you passed in the Caterham at about 12:20 a police car as I've seen a similar one hanging around up there a few times.
I've always been a fan of 7's but as I'm 6ft 3 I've never really seen them as an option, mainly because my Dad drove one years ago and described it as borderline undriveable (he's the same height as me strangely enough). Maybe I should see if I can get a drive in one when I'm back home next.
I've had a passenger ride in an Ariel Atom, how does that compare as an experience? I took a nice chunk out my knee climbing out of it mind, and will forever have the scar to remind me of that fantastic day!
Was that silver Focus you passed in the Caterham at about 12:20 a police car as I've seen a similar one hanging around up there a few times. I've always been a fan of 7's but as I'm 6ft 3 I've never really seen them as an option, mainly because my Dad drove one years ago and described it as borderline undriveable (he's the same height as me strangely enough). Maybe I should see if I can get a drive in one when I'm back home next.
I've had a passenger ride in an Ariel Atom, how does that compare as an experience? I took a nice chunk out my knee climbing out of it mind, and will forever have the scar to remind me of that fantastic day!
I'm Spartacus said:
Great video Chris, although whoever is telling everyone about my favorite road needs to keep quiet! Was that silver Focus you passed in the Caterham at about 12:20 a police car as I've seen a similar one hanging around up there a few times.
I've always been a fan of 7's but as I'm 6ft 3 I've never really seen them as an option, mainly because my Dad drove one years ago and described it as borderline undriveable (he's the same height as me strangely enough). Maybe I should see if I can get a drive in one when I'm back home next.
I've had a passenger ride in an Ariel Atom, how does that compare as an experience? I took a nice chunk out my knee climbing out of it mind, and will forever have the scar to remind me of that fantastic day!
Just a heigh indication can be misleading for "will I fit in a Caterham questions", due to realtive length of leg and back differences and sometimes weight/wdith/brawn etc. At your height you could well be OK in a standard S3 (series 3) Seven with a lowered floor option (can be retrofitted). The other option is an SV, which you will probably have to pull the seat forward in and has a bigger pedal box etc. Was that silver Focus you passed in the Caterham at about 12:20 a police car as I've seen a similar one hanging around up there a few times. I've always been a fan of 7's but as I'm 6ft 3 I've never really seen them as an option, mainly because my Dad drove one years ago and described it as borderline undriveable (he's the same height as me strangely enough). Maybe I should see if I can get a drive in one when I'm back home next.
I've had a passenger ride in an Ariel Atom, how does that compare as an experience? I took a nice chunk out my knee climbing out of it mind, and will forever have the scar to remind me of that fantastic day!
Its a personal choice and of course money plays a massive part but im not sure whether the caterham driven is the best model to have as the must have drivers car.
as my user name suggests i have an r500 and its that sort of massively uncompromising stripped out model that delivers the absolute caterham thrill- especially for someone who has driven one or two fast cars in his time
as my user name suggests i have an r500 and its that sort of massively uncompromising stripped out model that delivers the absolute caterham thrill- especially for someone who has driven one or two fast cars in his time
Everyone has the personal preference, and of course cash will be an obvious factor, but I much as I love performance cars of all kinds, I can`t remember the the number of times I have stepped out of a Caterham into some extremely nice machinery including Porsches (my other favourite car) Ferraris, and come out of them thinking `is that all they can do? for the extra thousands and thousands of pounds more that they cost than the Caterham. In terms of bang for ones buck 7`s of most type seem to offer vastly more value for money.
Look at the prices of the few cars faster than the 7 on the TG power lap board.
Look at the prices of the few cars faster than the 7 on the TG power lap board.
Well rather eloquently sums up the experience of piloting a trike. After five years behind the wheel of one (a Skunk not a Moggie), I'm still struggling with superlatives.
He's right about the attention too. Mrs MikeVeal hates it. It simply is not possible to drive through a city centre without someone pointing a camera phone at you. Whether it's a thumbs up out of a drivers window, or kids pointing and laughing, trikes get a lot of attention. Now if only I could stop MLMs from drawing alongside and staring out of the passenger window, it's kind of scary in a tiny 350Kg car...
He's right about the attention too. Mrs MikeVeal hates it. It simply is not possible to drive through a city centre without someone pointing a camera phone at you. Whether it's a thumbs up out of a drivers window, or kids pointing and laughing, trikes get a lot of attention. Now if only I could stop MLMs from drawing alongside and staring out of the passenger window, it's kind of scary in a tiny 350Kg car...
Must get one!!longblackcoat said:
No excuse needed - if I want to go insanely fast, a motorbike does that for me better than a Caterham. I fully respect a Caterham's abilities, and on track it's one of the fastest things I've ever driven; I've tried five different ones (I think) and have always been amazed at just how far I can push them.
But I've never got out of one and thought "I love that car" in the way I have with all sorts of other, lesser machinery. Give me a choice between, say, a Porsche 968 or any Caterham, and I'd go for the Porsche every time. It would be the same result with a well-sorted 205GTI. I know it's a cliche to talk about character, but for me the Caterham just doesn't have much. It's a very efficient machine, certainly, but one which I can respect without loving.
Fair enough if you prefer a 205 or 968 - obviously they're great cars - but you are possibly the first person ever in 50 years to describe Sevens as 'characterless' and 'efficient.' But I've never got out of one and thought "I love that car" in the way I have with all sorts of other, lesser machinery. Give me a choice between, say, a Porsche 968 or any Caterham, and I'd go for the Porsche every time. It would be the same result with a well-sorted 205GTI. I know it's a cliche to talk about character, but for me the Caterham just doesn't have much. It's a very efficient machine, certainly, but one which I can respect without loving.
Edited by longblackcoat on Friday 31st May 08:52
Worth mentioning that the Palmersport cars you have tried on your many days there are not representative of what 7's normally feel like. They're converted to LPG and set up to be wildly oversteery. Not sure which other ones you've driven but they sound like complete dogs if this is the conclusion you've drawn.
Sure they weren't Westies?!?!
iguana said:
Great bunch of folks, if you are going to buy a Morgan I can't recommend BHM highly enough.
Absoluitely. True enthusiasts and top folk. They are in large part why I did not buy a Ferrari (F355/360 has been an itch I have wanted to scratch for ages!)last year to replace the Aero - compared to BHM, who have spoiled me, I found Ferrari dealers to be...challenging.Is it only the British who enjoy controlling recalcitrant machinery designed over 50 years along demanding, twisting and swooping B roads? Morgan probably needs a proper gearbox with no synchro for full enjoyment, even better with manual advance/retard.
Hat for driving the Morgan? Leather, tatty, with ear flaps.
Hat for driving the Morgan? Leather, tatty, with ear flaps.
tadaah said:
Love Caterhams....
Does anyone on here have one that is kept outside (i.e not in a garage) and can recommend a cover that would work?
If so, i might just scratch that itch
As requested I have had my Caterham on the street for over 3 years. I do not have a garage but made every excuse as to why I should not have one - storage being the main one. £7,900 later I was the proud owner of my Caterham.Does anyone on here have one that is kept outside (i.e not in a garage) and can recommend a cover that would work?
If so, i might just scratch that itch
Cover was a Stormforce from Seven Speed. http://www.sevenspeed.co.uk/collections/car-covers...
As for the car itself I have never had the roof on....and travelled two up to Le Mans:
For those thinking about it - just do it.
V8 Fettler said:
Is it only the British who enjoy controlling recalcitrant machinery designed over 50 years along demanding, twisting and swooping B roads? Morgan probably needs a proper gearbox with no synchro for full enjoyment, even better with manual advance/retard.
Hat for driving the Morgan? Leather, tatty, with ear flaps.
No, morgan sell bucket loads to mainland europeHat for driving the Morgan? Leather, tatty, with ear flaps.
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