Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Buying your first one

I have a bit of time on my hands at the moment and have passed many pleasant hours looking at availability of Morgans on the various car websites. I am now a bit of an expert on asking prices but clueless about selling prices. Without doubt the best value price wise is the roadster and there are at least 3 very low mileage 3 year old cars at £41-43. I'm put off those by the massive VED. I have seen one car I would have tried to buy had I not been abroad. A 4 year old 4 seater plus 4 very low mileage at £35. There are masses of 'new' cars advertised on the Morgan car finder. A 4/4 with low spec available at £33.5. Others £37-42. Williams had a wonderful looking all black at £42 now gone. Plus 4 £41-47 and 4 seater £51. I have imagined going to a dealer for a 4/4 and 'my' spec comes out at about £39. Well I'm back in the Uk in 6 weeks so virtual could become real. One fly in the ointment. I can get a Mercedes e400 cabriolet for £40. Massive discount on outgoing model.

I have some experience of how to not to make up your mind to buy a Morgan. But even I can see that you are tackling it from the wrong direction.

There can be no logical reason for buying a Trad Morgan with its outdated front and rear suspension and slightly dodgy build quality at a price thats more than you would have to pay for a modern Merc. Logic just doesnt work. You only buy a Morgan if it grabs you. The reason has to be irrational and emotional.

So if you are seriously considering a Merc as an alternative, and not even a Merc sports car, then you really dont want a Morgan . But if you are seriously considering a Morgan then why would you want a Merc?

Neither of them are financially sensible.. If you want to save money buy a Micra.[color:#FF0000][/color]

So forget the money side of it. Instead decide which style of car do you want - a modern german saloon derivative or a hand made car with a mix of 1930 and 2015 technology

Exactly Howard. It's a battle between emotion and reason! I have never even been in a Mog but will take a test drive Asap. It's a childhood dream thing. Who knows?

Howard........what can I say? You've come out of the closet at long last....you really are a true Morganista after all!

A friend of mine bought a Mercedes for over £30k when I bought my Roadster in 08. He recently let it go with less mileage than my Roadster for about £10k. Not a reason to buy a Morgan but an example of why I don't get excited about moderns.

You need to have a test drive. Internet dreaming (and we all do it) doesn't give the full picture.

Dave ,
I agree that low depreciation is a nice bonus of Morgan ownership, but as you say this is not a justification for purchase
Almost every car depreciates , some faster , some slower: this is one of the major costs of ownership, albeit a hidden one.

I am also in agreement that a Mercedes e400 cabriolet cannot be compared to a Morgan, it is a totally different concept.

I think Howard has missed his vocation in life. He'd do very well at selling Morgans even if he wouldn't at buying them!

To decide to buy a Morgan, you need to be able to answer a few questions:

1. Do I want to be seen driving a car that people:
a. Like to see, and will think you are slightly mad but a real character?
or
b. Will think you are a rich tosser?

2. Do I want to spend money so that the next owner of my car can have a nice cheap buy?

3. Do I want to go to my deathbed wondering why I gave up my dreams to follow the herd?

4. Am I prepared to put up with a few niggles now and again so that I can have a massive grin on my face every time I drive my car?

If your answers are 1-A, 2-No 3-No 4-Yes, then get yourself out there and buy a Morgan. I agree that massive VED bills are a bit off-putting when it comes to the bigger cars, but don't worry, you can have just as much fun in a 4/4 or +4. It's only Morgan owners that will know the difference, and they won't mind one bit anyway.

I agree entirely Tim with the above.

Don't ever under estimate the amount of fun you can have with a 4/4. Small high revving engine, lightweight, narrow = tons of fun.

I have this mental picture of him stepping out of a wardrobe in the bedroom . Well it will be out of the wardrobe into the garage ( if he buys a mog ).
A lady my age who I had known since a boy , told me a few years ago of her courting days . She had her own house but her dad was a strict chap , she was courting a very big lad and in the bedroom. She heard a banging on her front door thought it was her dad jambed her boyfriend in her cupboard told him to be silent then locked it . Grabbed her clothes and ran down stairs , it was her boyfriends mate . Told me he was a good talker invited him in to the kitchen gave him a coffee and sat talking . Forgot about her boyfriend locked in her cupboard as his mate was a far nicer lad . After a long while he left she had never told him about his mate being upstairs as she forgot about him . It clicked after a while and she went to let him out he had cramp and was sweating like a pig . She married him but it did not last . Was a great friend by could she take a joke and give one. Had I gone out with her she could have locked me in the garage for weeks I would have been very happy.