Talk Morgan Forums Community Welcome Forum Just arrived...and already needing suggestions...

Jacopo,
welcome, admire your choice.
I have just done 2000 km in my first Morgan (new plus-4). I had the same questions before I bought one. I plan to use it all year (like my motor bike) but I do have a 2nd car. The new style soft top works fine. I did about 200km in heavy rain at 130-140kph. Only a few drops get in at the side screens. I did not get wet. Also the new soft top is up in a few seconds. You will need to stop, I can get the hood up and secured to the front screen while sitting in the car. Then I have to go out to secure the two buttons outside.

I find that it gets noisy at about 80 kph but not too bad (I am used to riding bikes). On longer / faster trips I keep the side-screens on. That reduces noise and turbulence a lot. Good thing is it doesnt get much noisier when you speed up from 100kph to 160kph (with the side screens). I have done several 200km trips at 140kph without a problem. Some owners told me the "wind deflectors" (aftermarket option) are effective to reduce noise if you push them out a bit. Other say it makes little diffrence, I will need to experiment. What really helps is wearing something that covers the ears especially on longer trips. Some use the traditional leather caps. (I am not at that stage yet) I have used bassball style cap with "fleece flap" that covers neck and ears. Good for colder days. My wife uses a shawl or scarf to cover her ears and keep her hair in check, she traveled with me for most of the 2000kms and never complained.

Brakes are fine, but you need more force on the pedal compared to a "modern" car. I like this because it allows you to heel-toe much better (not really necessary but good fun). I think you might need upgraded brakes only if you want to race the car. (ventilated front discs?)

Behind the seats there is enough space for some shopping, or two reasonable size soft bags / rucksacs.

Best advice is probably rent one or do a long test drive to make up your mind.
Good luck, have fun,
JT

Hi chap, welcome!

Bought a +4 a year / 7000 miles ago.

Pretty much the same as everyone else, car is daily run-about with something larger and 4x4 for work at weekends.

Hood is pretty waterproof - car lives outside, a couple of drips get through in storms. Quick to put up. Yes, car is less fun, and more of a challenge driving at night in heavy rain with the roof up!

Have driven on longish journeys (Kent to Wales, etc) 'making progress', without problems from noise - apart from when passing noisy vehicles. No need so far for earplugs. More comfortable with screens in at speed - even found myself being pushed forward out of the seat at 'enthusiastic' crusing speeds by wind being 'scooped' by side of the seat.

Brakes are fine, big problem is stopping faster than cars following - possibly they don't expect the car to have a modern system.

Have, and use the carrier. would be rather stuck without it. Suitcase courtesy of eBay, straps from a local saddler. Rack can alternatively carry two small cases and a couple of mandolins!





Cannot beat trying out the cars to see how they suit you - good luck with the journey!

welcome

I must say that I'm amazed from the number of replies and the warm welcome that you all gave me, together with a lot of useful hints for the everyday use of a Morgan.

There is still one thing that leaves me a bit worried: is it so difficult to drive under rain during nighttime? I mean, it is for the headlamps which don't provide enough light on the road or for the whipers (I don't know if this is the right term) which don't clean the windscreen?

Apart from this I'm looking forward to have a couple of hours to spend in a Morgan, in order to feel the taste of real motoring. I am ready to sacrifice some confort and the idea of having locked doors, or a proper luggage space, if I can have on the other hand a real a unique and wonderful car...

...and I can see that the pics you sent me are proving once again that to drive a Morgan you need to have a proper taste! I never imagined that a yellow-and-green car was so beautiful, now I can say it's wonderful!

I'll keep you all updated in my "road to Morgan"!
Ciao, Jacopo

Jack,
the lights are fine. The issue for me is the that rearwards visibility via the back screen / window is poor & the sidescreens are low so you need to lower you head to see out sideways at junctions.

Try sitting in one with the roof up to see.
John

Hi Jacopo

Again, lights are fine, but just to be sure I've got a couple of spot (NOT fog) lights up front as well.

I've spent long enough driving vans not to worry about reduced visibility - you just have to plan your angle of entry at junctions in advance. There are some junctions I also avoid with the Mog, as there is quite a bit of bonnet up front to poke out into the road before I can see round the hedge/wall.

Just needs a bit of planning ahead, and all part of the experience!

Hi Paul,
I'm used to manage long bonnets, I passed from driving a New Beetle to a BMW Z4 and the first times I ended up in the middle of the junction before seeing anything!

And this happens often still now, as the Milan traffic and roads are...well, are so-so.

Sounds like you'll have no problems then. I imagine you will cause quite a stir driving something so unusual round Milan!

Ciao Jacopo!
I'll write this message in english for respect to the Forum , but I'm italian and living in Milan too.
I have a Plus 4 (Euro 4 engine), which I bought in 2005 and I can say it's fabulous...
I'm not new (and you seem the same...) to convertible cars: in the past, among the others, I had an AR Duetto , but choosing and driving a Morgan is another planet!
Even if you met Mr. Borghi (Italian Morgan dealer) and his competence, I will be glad to meet you and share my (modest) experience about this fantastic car.
Feel free to PM me, in case.
A presto!
Massimo

P.S. The replies above are mirroring my same opinions, but most of the problem (if it can be called a problem) will be superintend the crowd around the vehicle...

Thanks - appreciated!