Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms S/H Market in Morgans

Hi
In the process of looking for a good deal on a new/low mileage +8 I've been receiving daily update on used cars for sale.
The number available has amazed me and few if any of either the new +8's or older models seem to be selling, one dealer quoted 9 months on average to move a car on to a new owner.
My thought is that by increasing the production MMC are getting close to saturating the market and any idea that a Morgan is a good investment in terms of lower depreciation is no longer valid.

Worthers +8

Don't buy as an investment, else you may be disappointed.

I think it depends on the model. The Max and SS are likely to hold steady now production has ended.

I also suspect that the early Aeros will also start to level off and perhaps increase especially when the new one is in production.

I also believe that the "long" game is to get new "younger" buyers into the M3W and hope that brand loyalty will see them "upgrade".

Worthers - like you I am in the market for a Plus 8.

I must admit I have spoken a few dealers and all seem adverse to Plus 8's as once they have them (on their books) they cannot shift them!

With classic car values going crazy - my present car has increased in value circa 20% over 18 months - are Morgan (or more specifically Plus 8's) NOT classed as classic vehicles??

Even my neighbours TVR has shot up in value..I am perplexed by this!

I must admit this is (slightly) putting me off the car...

This is my concern, the new +8 is a fantastic car and I think worth every penny but it seems I'm in a minority.
If I spend 86k I am probably going to have to accept a loss of at least 30-35K if I ever change it.
When I purchased my current 1991 +8 I had 3 cars to choose from that met my preferred spec now it seems you cannot give them away.
However this must be no different regarding the new ones if the deals offered are anything to go by.
I know this looks like I am only interested in the financial side of the deal but in reality I just love Morgan's and am desperately trying to justify the purchase when all my friends seem to be enjoying increased values in their chosen classics.
Worthers +8

When the original Trouble Shooters programme was aired 25 years ago and I'm a numbers person, the factory was doing about 400 cars a day.

John Harvey Jones asked Derek Day the Sales Director how many cars he could sell a year and Derek did not think they could sell that many more cars than they were selling.

I did some quick numbers over I thought 10 years and concluded that 600 to 700 classics a year and there was no Aero or Three wheeler's at that time, would reduce the waiting list to zero by about year 6 and Morgan may have to reduce production in year 7 on.

I believe that classic production is around those numbers these days.

I thought the new Plus 8 main market is not the UK but Germany, therefore to an extent the facts are backing up Morgans' thoughts as to the main market location for the car.

Interesting topic. I think the private second hand car market is struggling primarily due to the very attractive dealer finance deals. One of our daughters ordered a new car, three days later she had the keys after paying £200 per month. No deposit required.
So in my opinion, MMC and it's dealers need to offer a really attractive finance package to it's customers.

I think the market is close to being flooded. Hardly a week goes by without another special edition or limited run. I appreciate that the factory want to try and get away from the old fart/odd ball image that goes with the car, but lets face it, if you're buying a Morgan you're a bit strange!!!

Lets be honest, the cars are poorly built from low standard/cost components, appeal to a minority market and are astronomically expensive for what they are.

Boxster or 4/4……….. no contest, you'd need to be certified to buy a 4/4, yet people still do.

A trad +8 is a nice thing, I do actually fancy one, but I'm not sure your modern 'thrusting young professional' wants to spend their evening trying to make it run properly, grease kingpins, attending noggins with a load of coffin dodgers, when they could get something modern/sensible/well made/value for money etc etc etc.

I think Hugh has hit the nail on the head, it is a limited market and very few younger buyers are looking to spend 30K on a car that requires so much effort to keep it running.
Unfortunately we love having something different and Morgan's certainly fit that bill also SWMBO absolutely loves driving the new +8 so no problem there.
Her favorite comment is "no pockets in shrouds" but I do occasionally try to think sensibly.

Worthers +8