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

Managed approx 30 mpg in a pal's XK8 on a day trip into Wales once...
I could be so tempted...

Must confess I nearly bought one a few years ago to replace my XJ6. Great cars.

Yes.
However, XJs are a lot cheaper - particularly running cost if someone else has already fitted LPG...

I've read all the posts in this thread and they are a puzzle to me. As I commented elsewhere, I still dont "get" the trad morgan but I can accept that they are to the taste of most forum members. Definitely an enthusiasts car and one for which you show a lot of enthusiasm. But in this thread we have a discussion of other sports cars, some bought as Morgan replacements, others bought as additions to the family Mog. And what is puzzling is the nature of some of the cars discussed which are miles away from a Morgan in their nature. Cars like the SLK or the Z4 are heavy, complicated, lack driving edge, dont really encourage sporty driving. Convertibles not sports cars. The old XK jag is even worse - good looking but a lumbering lump of a car.

By now some of you will see what I'm coming to. Why dont you consider a true reliable british sports car like a Lotus. If you want a slightly more civilised version but still with Porsche quality handling rather than SLK, then there is the Evora. For the true enthusiast the Elise / Exige.

This is the board for discussion of non Morgans so I believe you wont mind me raising the L word. But seriously, why would car enthusiasts ( and you have to be an enthusiast to buy a Morgan) go for German hairdresser convertibles ( your description not mine ) and not even consider the other british sports car?

In my case the Evora hasn't dropped low enough in £ yet. I would like a test drive, but little point until they drop a lot further. 'Lumbering Jag Coupes' OTOH can be had, in reasonable condition for 25% of an early used Evora...
Anyhow, present hunt for Polo replacement seems to have come down to a Honda Civic Hybrid (or XJ6 on LPG - big difference in o/a running costs). I like the Polo, but is affecting my lower back...

The the owner of a "hairdresser" car, I'll comment on my own reasons for buying it. I've driven an Elise a number of times and like them....enough to want one if I had the room for a fourth car. But I need a reliable, comfortable car for my every day car and the Lotus just doesn't fit the bill. Also the car has to stay outside so anything with a soft top is ruled out.
I certainly had no intention in trying to find a car that would match the Roadster in terms of "sportiness" , why should I need to? The Z4 is not an out and out sports car, more a roadster but it is sporty enough for my driving and ticks most of my boxes. And heavy and complicated? Aren't most modern cars....excluding your Lotus that is?

Jay,

did you consider the Mercedes SLK? They are a different take on the same type of car and the "Air-scarf" is s wonderful bit of kit when the hood is down!

We had a 280 Sport, Series 2: the ones with the pointy nose. There are some AMG ones about with the 5L V8.... madness, but fun.

I did Peter. Tried a couple out last year. Liked them but not the dealerships. So BMW won.

PS to G! I've used my local BMW dealer now for 10 years and their MINI offshoot and I've had nothing but good service from them as well as a couple of warranty issues dealt with free out of warranty. It's probably the same with any manufacturer dealership ...some are good locally, some aren't.

My experience of local MINI/BMW dealerships means I wouldn't go BMW nowadays...

I would say for most people on here their Morgan is their 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th vehicle.
If I were to swap to one of the others, that I will call, sports tourers, I would be swapping to get a more versatile vehicle.
So for me on my, non exhaustive, list would be Mercedes SLK, BMW Z3/Z4, Audi TT and Porsche Boxster.

Truth is I have the same dilemma with choosing the next daily vehicle.
Will it be a small town car, hatchback, estate car or 4x4? I depends what is happening in my family life at the time.

At present I hope the Morgan will outlive me.