Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Fully sorted Vs New

It has been my view of late, and the view of some here, that a fully sorted cherished Morgan could be preferable over a new model.

Obviously this would preclude the new +8 and 3.7 to some extent.

There was/is a chap on here in Devon with a beautiful +8 he was thinking of selling, I don't think he did. And recently I noted that on the GoMog site the web guy is selling his rather lovely +8 and it's on the front page of the site.

I wonder if I had my time again, armed with the cash to buy a new Morgan, if I could be tempted to buy a cherished one. I think I could.

Just musing!

+1

Thats how I purchased my Morgan and I have no regrets what so ever.

That Gomog +8 does look lovely.

I must admit, that a well sorted, cherished car does seem the way to go.
I have two close TM friends who live locally, one of whom has a +8 and one a 3.0 Roadster, both of which are lovely cars and would be worthy of serious consideration if either were for sale (unlikely I might add and highly unlikely in the case of the +8).

As for Stanley, my 4/4. 10 years old (I've owned for 8). 30,000+ miles, Morgan dealer serviced every year. 8 trips to Europe and a whole lot of happy memories.
I sometimes look at nearly new +4s and 3.0 Roadsters, and even "play" with the car configurator on the MMC site, but the money it would cost me to change are the running costs for the 4/4 for the forseeable future. (Apologies for the tongue twisting last sentence).

Bud

I have had (and am still having) hassle sorting out issues on my 3.7 so I have some sympathy with this view. But at the end of the day nothing beats speccing a Morgan to your own requirements. The excitement, planning and build process is something I would not want to miss out on.

But then a nice cared for late or very early vintage Plus 8 - that's tempting as well.

I could go with that a mog its like your home no matter what you purchase you sort it into what you want . If you are talking about Lorne Goldmans +8 its well used been all over Europe and needs a re trim along with a re spray ( badly stone chipped ) its seen better days . Not bad if the price is correct but he is asking far to much for it in this condition.

Well - don't know whether my Roadster came into the category of the cherished and comprehensively sorted example referred to: it had 4 months and 256 miles under its belt when it found its way to me. But I've had very few niggles in the 7,000 miles I've added so far - so maybe it did.

I'd certainly love the experience of speccing a new Morgan from the factory, and waiting with nervous anticipation for its completion: but as this one was virtually the precise specification I would have ordered anyway - bar elasticated door pockets - there was no agonising to be done!

However: maybe someone can one day take advantage of the cherishing and sorting I have done. All I have to do is find that cherished and sorted 4.8 Plus 8 I covet ...

with the new steering
and the new luggage space arrangement
and Andy's seats
and a manual shifter
and Aero Racing wheels
and Jaguar liquid silver with black
and then there's the price ...
Ah well: dream on ...

I agree with John ( JtL)

If it IS Lorne's Plus 8, while it has been looked after in many ways and has some mods which I appreciate, It has, I think I'm right in saying been well used ( including as JtL says a number of trips to Eastern Europe.) Nothing wrong with that, cars are to be driven, but that usage has left its mark in terms of things like paintwork, interior etc.

I've seen the car close up on numerous occasions and it wouldn't be my first choice Plus 8

More generally, given the 'eccentricities' of Morgans and Morgan ownership, I'd go for a well sorted car over a factory new one any day

Nick, Thats not the one in black that a certain TM'er has just purchased.

Neil

In a fit of confusion I nearly let Rosie go and then I drove her again to see another car and I realised that it would be a big mistake. when I purchased I Knew she would need a little bit of TLC and then this turned into an obsession (I think I caught the polishing bug from NeilM and Budster, both their cars look lovely). Anyway I have done all the sensible things that need to be done to a +8, and a few aesthetic ones. I have resisted the Suplex bug and am visiting New Elms next Wednesday to get a final tweak to the steering and rear suspension, hopefully, and that should have Rosie at her best, Tim and Darren saw her earlier this week and both commented that Rosie was really good +8. I have a little list for the winter which is under bonnet tidying, and possibly a RPI Engineering Plenum chamber and new better distributor, leads and coil to extract the a few more BHP from Rosie and then I think that will be it. From then on it will just be regular cleaning and polishing, and servicing. If finances come right I would like to get a 4 seater to work on on a longer term and then use it more regularly, I have seen a good one that needs a bit of work with good history but unfortunately the time is not right.

Half the fun I have had with Rosie has been improving her and getting her to tip top condition, and I hope to have her for many years to come and maintain her in a good state. Having said that I do not want to turn her into a 1000 mile a year car and I will continue to drive her at every opportunity I can, if she does 5K miles a year or more so be it, I would rather enjoy my +8 while I can in everyway, and I am a firm believer that if you own a vehicle using it is the best way to enjoy.