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

Absolutely - if you want the true Morgan experience then get a 4/4!!

+1,
I've had 6 of them. Every time finances allow I buy one. I prefer the narrow body, it just looks more retro.
I did have 1 +4, my first Mog. But it's 4/4's all the way.

I bought my Morgan as I always had an interest in motoring in a bygone age. My old MG TA could transform life back to a different time on a a traffic free b road. The old AJS I had could plod along to the local village and it could be 1950.I can only think what motoring in a decent sports car was like in the thirties - exhilarating.
The Morgan has the same effect - no built in sat nav, climate control, you smell and hear the country side and feel the elements.
Same when you fly an old aeroplane - its escapism in a way.
I am currently looking at an estate car for my wife and everything I have been to see leaves me cold. But it will be reliable it will perform well and I will be connected to my phone and the outside world directly by modern technology - no where to escape.
The Morgan is fun and every journey is to be looked forward to.
Whilst I have had a lot of old cars and bikes I am still in my forties ( just) and would have bought one earlier if they hadn't been so expensive new.

There can be no logical reason for buying a Trad Morgan with its outdated front and rear suspension and slightly dodgy build quality at a price thats more than you would have to pay for a modern Merc.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.

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.


If someone could put this to music it should become the anthem of Talk Morgan/MSCC/MMC.
It should be sung at all gatherings of Morgans

+1, we are a mad bunch but great fun to be with
Go with your heart, you know it makes sense

“Of course there will always be more modern, faster and better handling cars on the market, but none can match the Morgan for sheer personality. This is Peter Morgan’s legacy.” (Michael Palmer 'Morgan 4-4 The First 75 Years' - 2011)

Cheers,

The depreciation was a factor when buying a Porsche, not the major one but a factor nonetheless. I was very tempted by a Cayman, beautiful to look at and a stunning drive BUT I like older cars in general and the air cooled 911 ticked all the boxes without (hopefully) no depreciation. As for my 69 4/4 Morgan, depreciation wasn't really a factor when I bought it, I just loved the car even though I knew in a few years it would require a rebuild (now in slow progress). I doubt it will be worth a fortune once rebuilt and I will have put in more money than it will be worth but it is a great ownership experience driving and rebuilding.

The heart of any car is first and foremost the engine. Since Morgans don't make their own its an off the shelf engine, modern and reliable as can be expected. My 4/4 with its Duratec 1800cc Ford unit is a super power source but I don't think I have exceeded 4500rpm or needed to exploit the 125bhp potential top end.
To help decide, hire one; it will quickly help you form an opinion.
They seem to be holding their values well and may be considered an investment - definately a big grin factor too.
The smile will be on your face and on the faces of most little children and the elderly lady next door.

Morgan or Merc..? Agree with Howard. As a Morgan owner I can say that any Mercedes would be well down on my shopping list..might even be off the page.

Try one or a few Morgans if you can.. you might hate them.

If you are the cosseted type then get the Merc.

If you are more of the windblown Atlantic coastline type who enjoys the visceral side of life then get a Mog.

You only live once.

Get the Mog, have it a year or two if you don't like it you can part ex it for the same merc with money to spare