Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Buying a "new" 3 wheeler

If i was going to buy one i would be more than happy with a 2012 or 2013 with upgrades. Put the dollop of cash saved in a fighting fund because at some point in the future you are going to need it.

I purchased my M3W from Krazy Horse, it is a late 2012 car with a 2014 plate. It has the bright pack and quilted seats, all the 2014 upgrades and at a price, at that time, just under the 2014 model. However the warranty is 24 months instead of 30 and the frame is not strenghtened which are both desirable items to have.
The car looks great, drives as a 2014 model and to date I have had many enjoyable miles of motoring with no problems. I do not expect my car to fall apart any quicker than a 2014 model or the frame to crack either.
Krazy Horse seem to be one of the better suppliers and are very helpful and I am sure will look after me in the future if something was to go wrong.
However if I were to purchase now it would be a 2014 model not an upgraded early spec car. The main reason for this is that the older cars are considered to be "undesirable" by most who do not own them which unfortunaly is affecting the resale value of these great little cars.

I believe that the factory will continue to rectify chassis breakages on early cars, even though they have never admitted that the chassis will break, and they are also prepared to retro fit the latest Centa compensator at what they assure us is cost price, whatever that means, though I suspect it is far cheaper than going in to buy one. So it may be a good idea if buying a 2012/13 car to check with the factory, if you can get through to anyone, that they will continue to support rectification. Other than that then there is no reason why an earlier car should not be just as good as a later car, given the saving over a newer one.

On a small point of order re: the differences between the 2012 and 2013 chassis, they all had the bolt in tubular cross member just behind the engine, but the 2013 car also had small triangulated gussets in the area of the front wishbone brackets. It is also possible, although I am not at all certain, that the chassis tube walls may have been slightly thicker as well.

I'm interested that some are still on the harley compensator. Proves that most of the issues were to some degree related to lubrication of the sliding cam etc. For me the centa has been the only upgrade I had to pay for and it was well worth it. An early 2012 chassis will break at some point as some of us were witness to at a meet. Morgan were very good and quick to change mine and I have a spanking 2014 chassis to prove it. My second bevel box is completely quiet and the only niggle left is the sprocket wear. I'd happily go for an early car with all the upgrades. I do think you need to buy a 3W with eyes wide open and understand the beast for what it t is. It's not a Caterham or an MX 5 ( ok so the most reliable bit is) it's a cycle car. I do wonder if ex bikers whilst sometimes a little frustrated do 'get' these beasts more than those used to 4 wheels. I await being ripped to shreds for that last comment.

I have a 2013 car with all the upgrades. A completely different car than when I took delivery.
I agree with R1NGA and we don't need to be shooting ourselves in the foot! Especially for those of us who have stuck with our early cars and I don't regret it! Most of the pre 2014 cars will now have mileage on them, gremlins ironed out and with upgrades, not far from the car currently coming out of the factory. There was talk on here about celebrating the fact we had one of the first thousand cars and having a badge made to prove it. We don't want to have these early cars stood in the back of a dealership compound as unsalable The scaremongering sticks - look what happened to Rover! In the end they built a superb car in the Rover 75, but the memory of the 70's never went away.

If you are having a great time with your M3W it is time to shout out, like Matty my only concern at the moment is the drive belt noise. I don't think the new cars have a fix for that yet?

My advice would be to buy the car you like regardless of year, negotiate all available upgrades into the price you want to pay if not already fitted. If the chassis is lacking the small triangular plates, see if bracing can be welded in, not sure if the factory are doing this?

Being a hand built car - it is never going to be the same as a mass produced robot built car. But the latter is never going to be as much fun to drive.

Absolutely. Still the best drive car or bike I've ever experienced.

my advice is for no one to ever consider buying a pre-'14 model so that the value plummets and I can pick one up.

Totally unselfishly suggesting this...

How come when I hear about all the "upgrades" no one ever mentions the rear hub? The latter models have the "black hub". The 2012 and 13 have the "silver hub" The biggest problem I've had with mycar is that the drive belt drifts over and rubs the tire sidewall on decel. The newest-black hub spaces the sprocket out from the sidewall 1/4 inch so there is no longer belt interference with the tire sidewall. Was this only my problem with my 2012?
Also, if you go for the 2012, 13 be advised to consider the Empire kit for improved handling----or at the very least Morgan's "comfort kit. What a dumb name for an anti bump steer device-----
Talk to Paul J if you are interested in the Empire kit

I must have got a good one, no tyre interference the belt runs straight and true on both sprockets quite close to the outside flange on the rear one though but there is a small gap between the belt edge and the sprocket outer flange.

If I ever need to change the rear tyre will I ever be able to set it up as good again, I hope so.
http://youtu.be/ZKTt3i1cmQg

Two weeks ago I drove a friend's 3 Wheeler in France and I am totally hooked even if the 0 degree temperatures had a dampening effect on my wife. I am also a new Forum member and this is my first post. Having owned open top cars and motorcycles most of my life and as an enthusiastic ex- Harley owner I have to fill the gap since my wife announced( after her 60th) that she is now no longer keen on a 2 wheeler. The 3 wheeler was a 2013 model with some upgrades up front, but as far as handling was concerned I was very impressed. The only potential problem I am worried about is the leg room for me. I am 6' 4" with a lot of my length in the leg department. I had nowhere to put my clutch leg and ended up almost resting it on the clutch but also trying not to apply pressure to damage the clutch and this made my leg tired and I started to develop cramp. I am very keen on this most fantastic vehicle and the whole Morgan lifestyle and really do not want to be put off at this stage so would love to hear from owners with similar leg problems and how they deal with it. Kind Regards, Kipper