Ooh! Reading a few of the replies I really hope that I haven't rocked the boat?
To be absolutely fair I need to say that I really liked my Plus 4. "Monte" was a great car with lots of character and met my expectations of a modern interpretation of a classic car. Personally, I thought that the modern (reliable) engine matched to the classic chassis gave the right sort of period feel without the worry of a break down on longer trips, which is exactly what I signed up for. I never saw the car as an all weather option and was prepared to accept the occasional bit of water ingress, or the odd creak or rattle. That's what Morgans are, and I believe that I did "get it" to use that awful political expression that seems to be so in vogue at the moment.
Picking up on other points made though, I agree that modest (if any) depreciation was also a key consideration in the original "man maths" for the purchase. Why have your pennies sitting in the bank earning 3/10ths of sweet FA in interest... better to be enjoying them "invested" in a car that will look after your hard earned, and enjoy it at the same time. Clearly that isn't going to be the case for the SLK, and I totally accept that, and so does the "financial controller". What I should say though, to be absolutely fair, is I was told that "... If you keep your previously loved Morgan for a couple of years, then you'll get back what you paid for it..." Well, that wasn't the case, and I suspect that the current number of previously owned cars on the market may be having had a detrimental effect on historically good residual values. Again, I accept that selling the car back to the providing dealer is never going to be the most financially prudent approach, but have you tried to part ex a Morgan at a M-B main dealer?
Regarding other choices of alternative cars, then you must remember that this new set of wheels is for my wife. In truth, like Simon, the Boxster 'S' would be my personal choice, and having had one I can only sing its praises. They are a beautifully balanced car, enough grunt to keep all but the most power crazed individual happy, with prodigious front end grip, fantastic brakes and practical luggage carrying capability (though they do suffer the classic Porsche nodding dog front end syndrome). But, the SLK was a car that SWMBO liked the look of, felt comfortable driving, and ticked all the other practicality, ease of driving and security boxes, and, as I've previously said is just a nice place to be. It's not cutting edge in terms of performance and handling, but it drives very well in a civilised manner for the 99% of the time you want it to, and it feels to be a safe environment in a way that a Classic Morgan, or Caterhan 7, or Westfield IX (another previous set of wheels) never could, which again keeps my good lady happy.
So, my "defection to the dark side" and 1,000 mile report shouldn't be seen as a catalyst for a lemmings over the cliff style exodus from the Morgan brand, just a possible alternative when those creaking joints and aching backs start to become too much for the Classic Brit to bear!
Finally, I'd like to say thanks to all those of you who have contributed to this thread. When I made the post originally I felt a bit of a fraud being an ex owner, and thought I may have been roundly criticised for blasphemy! I'd also like to thank Simon for his kind words and encouraging me to continue posting on TM as a genuine car enthusiast. I really appreciate that and I promise not to turn this lovely site into an SLK appreciation society
