Talk Morgan Forums Community Welcome Forum Dipping my toe in the waters

Good afternoon to you all.

By way of introduction, I'm contemplating joining the brand. After years of denial, it's time to accept that I am, in truth, a bit of a petrol head. I suspect my good lady wife has known this longer than me. I've always enjoyed slightly out of the ordinary cars though most people wouldn't necessarily consider all of them exotic.

Last year I turned fifty and celebrated with a longed for Aston Martin V8 Vantage coupe, bought new through a very attractive sales package. Though the looks and performance still take my breath away, I have become a little disillusioned. To be honest I'm a little intimidated by it. Not so much by the performance - though I certainly lack the skills to fully exploit it - but more by the need to over pamper the car to the extent that I'm too careful about where I take it and feel that I'm not getting enough joy from it to justify what it's costing.

While the Morgan is not a cheap car in terms of purchase price, the low depreciation (if what I read is true) and running costs make it considerably cheaper than the Vantage. The modern engine, gearbox and brakes should make it reliable while the simplicity and convertible roof should make it enjoyable. I suspect I might be more interested in a 4/4 or plus 4 than the 6 or 8 cylinder variants.

Have any of the members here any tales to relate on changing from a high performance (and stupidly expensive) coupe to the simpler thrills of a "classic" Morgan?

Im looking forward to your views.

we change from a 911 (997) 4s to a +4 and have not looked back, cheaper fuel,insurance costs etc wish we had gone for a morgan before the 911

Hi Paul...well if this helps...I had a late 911 ..lovely car a dream come true for me!

BUT every boy racer wanted to take me on...I was scared of getting it scratched/damaged etc. My GF would not drive it..etc...etc..

But with the 4/4 most of those worries have gone!

Its a joy to drive ....and fun to drive even quite slowly. whilst the 911 always wanted to be pushed.

When I bought my 4/4 the best advice I got from this very Forum was to try a few model variants. So thats the tip I give to you.

Have fun!!

Oh and welcome to TM :))

Welcome to the forum. I agree with 4/4Boy, try the different models to make sure you get one that meets your needs.

Hi

Welcome aboard. try all the models, and do not discount any one until you are sure, even the same model can vary between cars. It really depends on add ons (suspension mainly) and how its been maintained. If a very low mileage car then look at the history carefully, IMHO Morgans do not like to be sat around in garages on wheels for long periods, can cause premature front suspension wear and impacts the rear springs. This could cost up to £1k to fix in standard set up or £2K if you upgrade and invest in Suplex front suspension and better rear end, assuming you do not do the work.

Good luck, the car will find you, if you have any questions just ask.

I know how you feel exactly, I am the same age as you and a few years ago treated myself to a maserati quattroporte and loved the engine and looks but was never comfortable using it often, felt it was too fragile and must be pampered, very carefull parking required, anyway after a year i changed it to a 4/4 sport and immeadiatly began to enjoy driving it everwhere including 1 week all over switzerland and italy which after 1 or 2 days in the maserati I would have been bored (sounds smug but i remember wizzing up and down the passes in that morgan to this day and cant wait to do it again).I know have a roadster and still wouldnt change to whats commonly called a supercar.
Hope tbis helps.
Alan.

Hello,

I changed from a +8 to a DB7 Volante, not the Vantage mind you. I changed back to a +8 this year because although the Aston was most enjoyable, it wasn't quite what I wanted. I got the DB7 so that my wife, who suffers from MS could get in more easily.

When she found out that was the only reason I changed she said "You WILL get another Mog". Who was I to argue?

As has been said, try them all, the car will find you.

I am amazed that so many have moved to Morgan ownership from having had much, much faster and developed modern 'supercars'.

Years ago, I had a succession of Jaguars (facelift XJ-S, XJ6 X300 and an XK8). The XJ-S had the best feel-good factor; the XK8 was fast but inside was dressed like a Mondeo - I felt short-changed.

Now my Morgan has always provided me with fun and entertainment. I have done things to and in that car that I'd never contemplate in my other cars. Modified, raced, toured, etc, etc. That car is part of the family and, at risk of sounding foolish, part of me.

So, as the guys say, try them. You risk falling in love with it and the Morgan community - Morgan, TalkMorgan members, MSCC if you join and whenever you drive it, you'll not encounter jealousy, only smiles and friendly approaches.

And people let you out at busy junctions - bet that doesn't happen in an Aston???

Welcome to TM!
Try as many cars as you can, as others have said, the right car will pick you

Thank you all so much for the enthusiastic responses. Please keep them coming. All opinions and experiences are valued.

For my birthday last year my wife took me away for a weekend to the Cotswolds. Unbeknown to me she had rented a 1964 e type FHC in red for us to use. By the standards of modern cars it was smelly, slow, loud, uncomfortable, and unstable. The brakes were awful and the steering unpredictable. It was also absolutely fabulous and I loved every moment we had with it. It solicited positive responses from everyone who saw it - even spandex clad, militant cyclists. I think that was part of the joy of using it.

In truth the Aston gets fairly positive responses compared to my previous car (Boxster).

The family "fleet" covers most needs but I would love something that I can really engage with. The only proviso is that it must work. I have zero tolerance for cars that don't work!