Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Living With a Plus 8

Peterj.To ask that qestion on here is prity insulting especially to Jays of all people.The hole you are digging is getting bigger

I had a look at new "sports" car list prices, convertibles only. Data source is "Car" magazine, December 2014.

There is nothing, other than a Caterham 160, that is cheap & I'm not sure it is comparable with anything.
Perhaps the base MX5 sets the floor level at £18.5K.

Consider the following, remember we are comparing "new with new" and excluding extras and delivery.

Car.............Engine...Price
Caterham 160....1.6.....£15,000
Mazda MX5.......1.8.....£18,500
Mini Roadster....1.6.....£21,000
Audi TT ..........1.8.....£26,500
Lotus Elise......1.6.....£28,000
Morgan 4/4....1.6.....£33,075
BMW Z4 ........2.8.....£33,650
Mercedes E Cab..2.5....£34,500
Mercedes SLK...2.5.....£35,720
Morgan +4....2.0.....£36,285
BMW 4 Series...3.5.....£41,000
Morgan Roadster 3.7..£45,900
Poesche Boxster.3.4.....£47,035
Caterham 620 R..2.0.....£50,000
Lotus Exige.....3.7.......£52,900
Jaguar F.........5.0.......£65,000
Mercedes SLK....5.0......£83,445
Morgan +8....4.8.......£85,200

So:
"Poverty" Models need to be under £30K. The 4/4 needs to be about £27K, not £33K
"Mid Stream" models should be between £30K and £40K, the +4 is well priced.
"Blow" modesl should be between £50K and £80K: the Plus 8 is too expensive.

Conclusion:
MMC are not too far off the market prices in the middle, especially when considering the brand value and iconic hand built status.....no coincidence then that the Plus 4 is the best seller...

The 4/4 needs to be less than £30K to be attractive.

The Roadster sits in a difficult place: it isn't that expensive when compared with a base Boxster, but it is not comparable dynamically or as far as bild quality is concerned.

The Plus 8 is over priced. possibly why it doesn't sell that well but at £70K it would compare more realistically with things like the F Type and SLK. In terms of performance and refinement it is already there, it is just too expensive.

MMC knows this. Perhaps Ray is right. Focus on the Trads, Refine the Plus 4 with better rear suspension and so on, try to get the base 4/4 down to less than £30K and push quality to reduce warranty costs.

Its not the pricing, its the term poverty model that most 4/4 owners could find insulting.

I'm with you on this Ray, MMC is a niche manufacturer making unique cars for a niche market. If people want something more modern or more exotic there are plenty of other vehicles out there to choose from, but they don't retain the high residuals of Morgan nor do they attract the same attention. If you don't like what Morgan have to offer go somewhere else please don't try and turn MMC into Ford, BMW or JLR.

And that's all I have to say about that

Let me apologise in advance on what I am about to say here..

I think Morgan should streamline their operation and build all models using the same platform/Aero chassis?

Traditional styling does not have to come with traditional handling, come on now, leaf springs!! Ae you kidding??

How about traditional styling with modern independent suspension, comfort and safe handling!! Not to mention a better interior space, more elbow room, unless of course you have a good looking bird sitting next to you whom you would like to be up close and personal

Personally I never like the Trads as I think they are too narrow, it may be characterful but lack road presence, almost toy car like!!

But I love the Plus 8 with Aero chassis.

TBH, even with the Aero chassis, without actual dimension to hand, I guess its no wider than the BMW 3 series.

Let me get my coat and run a mile

Unable to take anymore knocks in my too narrow, "toy", "poverty" model 4/4
Thinking of swapping for an MGA!

YOU CAN RUN BUT YOU CANT HIDE. :santarudy:

KIN.THE trad is different to other cars people like that, you either get it or you dont.I also think it has tremendous road presence,red line a roadster its a pocket rocket

Just one issue the price. If they made a Roadster at the samprice with a bonded chassis etc I could be interted. But not at 90k

Perhaps we can swap Poverty for Bargain. Also perhaps add, in relative terms for positioning.

Considering the handmade, in Britian, to personal order, in low volumes status making something as complex as a car for £40k is reasonably impressive. Many others would have sold out to external production many years before (Noble, TVR etc etc)

I could spend £40k on options in a high end MB or Porsche if I tried hard and were more out of kilter than I am (but I would not even if I could)

I think there are space for both of the ranges. I like the Trad but could not deal with the handling on a daily basis but as many have said, you love the Morgan not the ride.

I agree that the brand and platforms offer a broad range of possibilities. I would imagine the complexity of the manufacturing on the Aero chassis means they could not really bring it down a lot further than the Speedster without significant compromise to profit and driving experience.

People are becoming more interested in having alternative choices. I think the market could well come to Morgan if they continue to watch and consider the buying profiles around.

Niche is the new future and they are experts at it.