Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) 1000 Mile Report

Have you tried a 4 seater hood?

Fun is not a word that comes to mind.

Best hidden beneath the hood cover.

Titus

Given the success of Tribute bands is that actually a problem?

Jaguar's £2m "New Old" Lightweight E Types are no better in concept...

I agree.

I always wondered what Caterham or Lotus would have done let loose on a Morgan chassis.

Titus

I like my Morgan the way it is. But then I spent (and still spend) years with Land Rovers.
I also like the fact that I'm not going to lose bucket loads of money like one does with every other 'sports' (and non-sports) car in any form of volume production - the worst in my ownership being a Boxster. Truly appalling financially...

Good point Graham.

How many of us would have Morgans if they depreciated like Philip's Mercedes SLK?

Look at a Jaguar or 911 over 5 years old and the depreciation is horrific.

Titus

I simply think that some aspects of a Morgan are intrinsic and therefore should be part of the experience, I include the hood in that, although to be sure it could fit better, but I don't accept that in 2014 we should be accepting issues such as awful suspension and the need to grease up every few hundred miles - I mean really!

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

That one I understand and there are at least a couple of SpotMog members who have gone or are contemplating going to 'softer' cars - one has an S2000, another is talking 2.2 Z3...
Understanding in particular at present as I'm really suffering with my back at present, BUT, after Saturday's trip, I realise that the Mog is the most comfortable thing for me to drive at present!
Time to replace the Polo by the looks of things...
Anyway, hope you do stick around, your posts are always thought provoking

I've seen Philips new Merc and it is a real cracker.............. but it's not a Mog (which I suppose is the point!) . Anyway I'm with you Graham I find the Morgan extremely comfortable as does SWMBO who also suffers from a 'bad' back.

Andy

It's a funny thing, the only Merc I would ever consider is the SLK, which I prefer above all the other 2 seaters mentioned above. There's something about its slightly americanised/juke box dash which I really like! The Z4 dash(and BMW dashes in general) is just not to my liking, and the Audi TT, and the Boxster are just too similar inside to 'normal' VAG cars.
So should we ever get old enough to consider a soft sports, it would be between an SLK and an MX5. The new MX5 might just tip the balance away from the SLK.

But not yet....................

Post number 5997 (counting down).