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

I'd buy my current car (he says. loyally, in case it's listening...) - although all other things being equal I might be tempted to up-spec from the poverty-model black vinyl seats and rubber floors to leather and carpet. But I like the simplicity: while the CVH in basic tune on the original Weber DFT is not exactly the height of sophistication, I can maintain it adequately myself with little outside assistance; there is no electronic gadgetry to go wrong (or drain the battery when it's sitting in the garage); and while the fuel economy is nothing to write home about, it makes adequate progress without breaking the bank.

And the way I choose to drive it suits its character: to me, a 4-seater Morgan is more a grand tourer than a point-and-squirt sportscar. For sure, "pressing on" can be fun, and I'll certainly get a bit of sideways action on loose surfaces every now and again, but it's never been a track-day plaything and nor would I want one.

To me, one of the principal appeals of an older car is that it's possible to get somewhere near the performance limits without getting too far on the wrong side of the law. Narrow-section high profile tyres, idiosyncratic suspension, a less-than-hugely-powerful engine in a pretty light car, and all the other Morgan attributes add up to something that I'm not quite sure I could enjoy the same way in a new one.

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.

If looking for a 2 seater go for a plus 4 the extra bhp makes the car more driveable, mine is an 1800 silvertop somewhere between modern/electronic and not/older but it lacks HP for hill climbing (well torque really as this is a measure of acceleration and climbing whilst bhp is related to outright speed) but the two go hand in hand but 140-150 bhp makes the car easier when cruising.

I am wondering about fitting an ST170 motor.

Also plus 4 is simpler and economical but when you have a 4 seater factory choice used to be very limiting

Why is 2010 significant?
My Roadster from 2005 doesn't differ significantly in electronics from a 2010 car.

The thing is, we would expect a Ford Focus to be reliable electronically and providing you keep the wet out of the electrics, why would a modern Morgan be less reliable with pretty much the same electronics and engine?