Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) current model 4/4

Hi,
I currently enjoy a 3 wheeler ( modern 5 speeder type) which i adore but its not exactly practical so am thinking of trading into a new 4/4 1600.

My question is - do they feel "slow" compared to modern cars? Is it a proper sports car that is fun to drive? and what are the must have options or ones not worth having?

advice from owners of classic range cars most welcome! thankyou

I started on a 4/4 sigma 1600 and loved it ! It really shone on the twisty B roads. You have to work the gear box to get the best out of it. Tremendous fun but s bit twitchy on the motorway! Heated seats enabled me to drive hood down through the winter. Now have a + 4 as it is an easier drive and I am getting older and it copes better with motorways. But at times miss the quirky speed of the 4/4!

Not at all slow compared to modern cars - but to get the best from a 4/4 you do need to use the gearbox - which is not a chore. Very much fun to drive - nimble and light. Travelling through the Alps in the summer I found it easy to keep up with a +8 and 3 Roadsters. Drive one to see if it suits you.

As far as the options are concerned, this is always a personal choice. The ones I would go for again are:
Sun visors
Tonneau
Luggage rack with side screen storage
Spare wheel
Libtrands door check straps
Librands mirrors x 3
Over riders - but I might go for bumpers next time as I find myself rubbing the wings with my wellies as I walk round the car in the garage
Elasticated door pockets
Walnut dashboard
I would also go for stainless wires but SWMBO thinks they were too much bling for our dark coloured car.

Having driven 4/4s since the mid 1970s they are for me what Morgans are all about.
Yes it is a proper sports car that is fun to drive. As for options, just avoid the bling!!

"My question is - do they feel "slow" compared to modern cars?"

No, they feel considerably faster, even though they are not. That's the whole point.

Panhard rod essential, Suplex/Bilstein front suspension mod worth having.

A 4/4 is a great car and certainly a sports car. Very nimble. I would recommend driving one or a few before you commit. I don't know if it's because of the bespoke approach to the build but they are very often different. You'll either love it and can't wait to swap or its probably not for you. Good luck.

I know where you're coming from - I got drenched this afternoon in my M3W..

The 4/4 range suffers from being what many see as a Morgan 'starter pack' car, something that the M3W attracted in it's early years. I've driven all variants of the classic range now, and each has it's merits, but also the downsides.

For example, I'd be willing to bet that for 80% of people's driving time, the cars pace is dictated by other traffic, or density. It's just soooo hard to pull off a smooth overtake these days, with others either being a dick or just running out of room.

Realistically speaking, bigger engined cars spend so much time waffling around that it can seem a waste. You pay more for fuel, more for road tax and more for servicing parts etc etc.

The smaller engined cars are equally as capable in most situations, return some lovely mpg figures and cheaper tax, meaning that you may be more inclined to use it more regularly.

The big downside is that if you like big engines and the high that either the sounds or that big push in the back when you put your foot down brings, you will ultimately always wish for more.

It's more about you and your enjoyment than almost any other car out there & just like the M3W, if you 'get' it, you'll only be happy with a big engine.

As always, get some test drives in..!!

Good luck.

I had a 1993 4/4 with CVH efi engine. ( approx 110 bhp if I remember correctly)
Lovely combination of agilty and the fun of working the gears. The Morgan is lighter than the Fords the engine was used in so that helps keep the sportscar feel.I could keep up with bigger engined cars in most circumstances by using the gears. Great fun driving, makes you focus in and think about revs/gear etc.
When i part ex'd her for the Plus8 i got "lazy" due to the extra torque and got some bad habits of not changing down at times.
I have now gone back towards the 4/4 mentality a bit when I need to "maintain momentum", but have the luxury of easy cruising ability with the extra torque.
If necessary I would be happy to go back to a 4/4 or Plus4 if for some strange reason the Plus8 became non viable.

I agree with Paul when it comes to specification. The 4/4 is more than quick enough in real world motoring and loads of fun whilst doing so. Just keep in mind that the Sigma engine does take time to loosen up and don't be afraid to use second and third gears - treat fifth as an overdrive.

I've driven a few different engined Morgan's and they all have their own very different characteristics. In my opinion the 4/4 is closest to what you experience in the M3W. Mine is a 4/4 sport so no spare wheel which I haven't missed and have a little extra space in the area where the wheel would be so useful for extra storage.

It. Is a very lightweight car which is part of the fun as it so nimble. I've not driven any Morgan with Suplex fitted so can't comment on the benefits of it but believe it comes into its own with heavier weighted engines. I'm very happy with the standard suspension setup and as all round package its stinking good fun. Rev the nuts off it, the. Engine really loosens up after about 7000 miles and enjoy the gear changes. Ivenot driven the later Mazda gearbox Sigma as mine has the Ford box. Likewise, that has really loosened up and is now very good.

If your. Budget allows, heated seats would be nice, if not, a pair of long. Johns and an extra layer of clothing keeps you a lot warmer than an M3W will - and is a lot cheaper!

Since I never use the hood a tonneau is a must but mine has the traditional hood and smoother lines than the easy up one now fitted as standard - you pay more for less if you want a traditional hood now!

I just love mine and can't think of any reason to swap for anything else at this stage.

Acceleration from the lights is very good and will leave lots of things behind as the car is so light.

Let me know if you want any more info.