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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,358 Likes: 353
Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
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Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,358 Likes: 353 |
It's possible that the 4/4 has a slightly narrower transmission tunnel, but it won't be very much. The seats are the same options in traditionals, but two other things do make a difference. Some seats have wooden spacers under the runners, which can be taken out to make more room. And the later dashboard is about 1" deeper than the previous (up to 2007) dash and this means that the steering column and wheel are an inch lower at the highest adjustment than the earlier cars. You can also opt for an offset wheel to gain another inch on the thigh space.
DaveW '05 Red Roadster S1 '16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,418
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,418 |
Hello Spike
A few observations from a 4/4 daily driver :
Have purchased narrow shoes (thinish soles) - my work shoes are far too wide/thick (I'm a train driver) and they caught on side of footwell, not allowing full throttle control;
Once you have the technique, easy-ish to get into (left leg into well, point arse at left hand side of seat, push head forward onto chest (a big hairstyle will brush roof) and fall gently into seat, then negotiate right leg in);
LOADS of head room with hood up (I am titchy 5'10" but there's more than 6 inches over the top of my bonce);
Hire for MORE than a single day; a weekend is far better - do lots of stuff, short and long trips. By the way Williams Morgan up in Horton (Glos) used to refund a full weekend hire if you ended up buying a car from them - so might be worth asking Berrybrook if they will do the same (or take a trip to Glos ?);
You can fit 6 bags of Waitrose shopping in pass footwell plus two/three behind seats, so it's a fully practical daily car if you get a 4/4;
Don't be worried to run with the top up - it's the UK, so if you're going to run it all year (PLEASE DO !!) be practical - enjoy the superb driving experience in all weathers (bar snow - use the Smart then !).
I've done 27,000 miles in almost 20 months and every trip is a pleasure;
You WILL get a bit wet, occasionally, with the hood up. A flannel in the back is useful (those who talk of towels need to speak to their dealers !!);
Do join us here on TM : a good bunch and you'll love "JTL"s stories/posts - he's 'lived' at least 4 times more than most of us and never fails to raise a smile;
Let us know how you get on!
Cheers
Jeremy
Oh and PS : I rest my clutch foot underneath the clutch - only comfy place I have found but it becomes automatic after a while
Last edited by WR142LL; 26/04/14 03:06 PM.
Jeremy
2009 4/4 Sport Green
And nothing else !
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,550 Likes: 5
Talk Morgan Addict
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OP
Talk Morgan Addict
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,550 Likes: 5 |
Discussing earlier (between showers, whilst attempting to seal the replacement rear window on her StreetKA) with the boss (swmbo) that a weekend hire would be more practical.
Two main points for me, 1 I think if I can get, with the top up, in and out when parking in the garage.
and
2 Actually driving doesn't cause any major concerns (we like to take longish jaunts we did a run to the NordKap in 2012, plenty of other long Euro trips) so a dead left knee wouldn't help.
Then I am pretty much sold.
Then there is the simple matter choosing what's within my budget or saving even more while I find one that hits the right balance (goto keep the missus happy too)
Some interesting information and tips from you guys, maybe some video clips of entry and exiting a Morgan could make some amusement.
Can you have a removeable wheel on the classic 4 wheelers like you do on the M3W?
Cheers
Mark - No Longer driving Archie the Old English Sheep Mog........... 2010 Roadster 3.0 V6 (S3)
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,894 Likes: 350
Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
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Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,894 Likes: 350 |
Suggest looking for a pair of karting shoes or boots to drive the car in. I have wide feet and in my earlier (1976) 4/4 there was plenty of footwell space, even to wear work boots. Not in the latest car, so narrow footwear it is!
Cheers,
Graham (G4FUJ)
Sold L44FOR 4/4 Giallo Fly '11 MINI Countryman Cooper D All4 '90 LR 90 SW
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 374
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 374 |
I think if I ever saw a video of me getting in and out the car I'd be too ashamed to go near it in daylight. But don't be afraid to ask the dealers to demonstrate the technique, they must climb in and out hundreds of times a month. I can recommend a 14" steering wheel to help. Also make sure you move the safety belt clip off the seat before you get in, otherwise you can get a nasty scratch on the seat - I know from experience.  Good idea to try before you buy. Also visit the factory to see all the options available, you will be even more in need of a Morgan after you see them being hand built.
Adrian B Green 4/4
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 27,807 Likes: 749
Member of the Inner Circle
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Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 27,807 Likes: 749 |
Buy an offset wheel as it gives a better gap between the thighs & the wheel on the short door i.e. pre 97 cars where the wheel rake doesn't adjust.
I am 5 foot 11 with size 11 feet. I found more foot space in my 97 +4 vs my previous 94 4/4. Though the 2006 Roadster I am buying also seemed fine. The +4 has far more torque & it really helps. My T16 +4 has the librands exhaust & manifold that really ups performance, especially torque. Allon White will have it on sale soon.
As many have said here the car will find you, but a weekend hire sounds like a good idea.
As you are tall you may also find a car with the higher 4 seater windscreen means with the hood up the hood roof is higher & the sidescreens taller so the view is better
JohnV6 2022 CX Plus Four 2025 Renault Scenic Alpine etech "Yvette"
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,550 Likes: 5
Talk Morgan Addict
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Talk Morgan Addict
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,550 Likes: 5 |
As Berrybrook don't currently have a Plus 4 to hire (to assess my garage entry exit space) I have managed to book a Plus 4 for a weekend 16th-19th May from Richard Thorne Classic Cars in Reading. Eeeek nothing like being patient and taking my time - erm what am I doing will I regret this exposure  I have been coming up with solutions in my noggin for my clutch foot (no seriously not surgery!) I am feeling a little giddy at the moment. Hmm will I be satisfied with 2 litres? (after 698cc I reckon so!) Now the next thing to do before then is source some sensibly slim footwear (I have rejected the idea of - a sock some cardboard and a bit of copydex!  ) Off to read some more stuff or should I occupy my time with totally none Morgan related activities to pass the time (my SR is due a C-Service by next weekend, Audi has a cracked windscreen and none functioning AC - on a positive note the good boss ladys soft-top window after the weekends glueing seems a success) If the hire is a success (seriously hope so) the questions will begin new vs 2nd hand, colour, vinyl vs mohair, stainless vs none. This could be a traumatic time - unless I do my normal impulsive "yup I'll have that!"
Last edited by milligoon; 28/04/14 02:11 PM.
Mark - No Longer driving Archie the Old English Sheep Mog........... 2010 Roadster 3.0 V6 (S3)
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 27,807 Likes: 749
Member of the Inner Circle
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Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 27,807 Likes: 749 |
My +4 gets traded in to Allon White on 1/5.
JohnV6 2022 CX Plus Four 2025 Renault Scenic Alpine etech "Yvette"
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,824 Likes: 69
Talk Morgan Addict
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Talk Morgan Addict
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,824 Likes: 69 |
Richard Thorne has a fantastic Roadster for 31T. It's a lovely car. Nick (no connection with Thorne's)
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,550 Likes: 5
Talk Morgan Addict
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OP
Talk Morgan Addict
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,550 Likes: 5 |
An important step was carried out today. Cleared some of the smart Roady snug clutter from my garage to enable Moggy (can I get out) test in a fortnights time! The tension mounts - the wait is like a slow creeping death. Learnt a good bit of info off these very pages - I have lived here blissfully unaware that New Elms is minutes away - 15 to be correct which makes an older variety a workable possibility  Also while I wait I've been playing overlaying scaled images to visualise the size change from smart Roady to Moggy Screen to nose is twice the length and louvre lovely! If all goes well just a simple case of finding one I can stretch to! Oh P.S. I bought some karting boots in the week so that I have no footwear based excuses (mind you they are a little on the bright side and I may be frog marched off the dealership
Mark - No Longer driving Archie the Old English Sheep Mog........... 2010 Roadster 3.0 V6 (S3)
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