The Series 3 is the single VANOS 4.4L V8 of about 330bhp the same as our S2. They only came with manual boxes and they are enjoyably quick through the gears and on the road. You can get some transmission line shunt from 1st to 2nd but you learn to pull away in 2nd or drive around it.
Try a couple of them to make certain you get a real view. As they are hand made the variability can be interesting. They are also a few years old now so maintaining them is important.
The S4 onwards 4.8 Auto is more GT like than the manuals. If you are looking to replace your Elise R then a Series 1-2 will be more akin to it. Or as Peter says a Aero+8 with a manual box.
http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/dealer/ledgerwood-morgan/car_locator_details/5286/ http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/dealer/williams-morgan/car_locator_details/5522/http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201503031395137?sort=default&search-target=usedcars&page=1&model=aero&radius=1500&channel=cars&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&postcode=rg287sn&make=morgan&logcode=p
It is best not to compare it with other cars. It just gets under your skin and no stick is going to remove that itch once you have it.
