Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Buying old or new

Prompted by the 5 link thread discussion, I though this may be an interesting question to pose -

If you were in the market to buy a Morgan and you had say up to £35K to spend would you buy a new or newish car or a fully restored( to as new) old car say from the pre fuel injection period?

Essentially therefore buying an old design with very modern fuel injected engines, modern gearbox and modern electrics with ECU etc or buying an old design with non of the modern stuff fitted to the later Morgan's

If I were in the market for a Morgan, I'd be looking for a Duratec +4, no question about it. Ideal blend of reliability, fuel economy, and power.

I could be tempted by a properly restored early five speed Plus 8 on carbs.

This is an interesting debate - new versa old.

I read a lot on TM about owners problems with electrics and quite frankly, in my mind, they are problems I'd rather do without.

I have German friends who own a beautiful 1980 Plus Eight 5 speed, unrestored and with only 13,000 miles on the clock. RHD, it spent nineteen years in a private collection in Sweden. It is in ex-factory spec., no mods, drives superbly, handles beautifully, has wonderful character and is beautiful to look at.

I'm biased. Personally, an electronic distributor is enough for me and four downdraft Dellorto DRLA carburettors add a certain visceral something to the driving experience!

As my previous car was a TD5 defender, I went old school
With no ecus to go wrong. Also carbs and even mechanical fuel pumps.
Simple and reliable a restored car works for me at half your budget.
but to each his own

SNAP spot on I even know what colour .

i do like out '89 Plus4 but , as i already mentioned here, would love to see that injection stuff replaced by Webers...

I went for a 2nd hand Roadster at 32k vs a new 4/4.
Post 98 cars have stainless bulkhead and better build quality

For me, modern is best, I'd say after 2010.

But if you want older, then the real challenge is that if you want post 98 with improved quality from stainless steel
bulkhead, impregnated wood and galvanised chassis then you are stuck with efi and cats, they became mandatory on 1 August 1992 in the UK. So once you are forced to "go green" I'd say buy the newest you can afford.

Edgar, Mine is a bit of a mixture: an 89 Plus Four but with Omex 710 ecu and advanced ignition governing the fuel but nothing else. I would be tempted by an 89 Plus Eight and there are rebuilt cars out there on galvanized chassis and stainless steel bulkheads but as Dave W says the Duratec 2litre offers a lot and can be developed further. I've just come back from a long drive and spent some time pondering this very question en route.