Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Morgan sports car buying advice

Hi Ken,I think its a touch harsh to say AlanB antagonised the forum, he's obviously an newbie, and was asking a genuine question. I'm guessing he made a mistake posting the question in this forum, and decided it was more appropriate to post his question in the classic Morgan forum

Welcome to the forum AlanB All trads hold their values really well, depends on how long you're keeping the car for? For a couple of thousand more. I'd go for the brand new 4/4 sport

http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/galleries/21205/2008_4_4_Sport_in_Black

Nah....

If you have about 25k you need to find is late as possible +8.

It's recognised as the daddy of the trads and holds a cult following within the Trad community. As such holds it's value extremely well.

The other models fall into line with 4/4's starting from as low as 9k if you wait long enough to find one. +4's will always make you wonder about the +8 and the roadster with it's phut..phut sound track will never live up to the play/tweak-ability of the +8 that will always put a grin on your face when you drive it.

If you want a cost effective runner however then I agree with Kin... the 4/4 sport (especially with sport pack) is a great starter Mog which has the vintage feel but with cheap tax and low mpg thrown in...

In Miscellany (the club mag) Techniques Morgan have a 98 4.6 +8 in red with Librands exhaust for £26,590 good condition but 72k on the clock hence the price

Allon White has a 1985 +8 3.5 V8 (possibly on carbs or early injection) at 19,980 (pocket the change?)

Harpers Morgan have 2 vintage +8's
89 Old English White £21,500
69 Flame Red £24,950

In the club classified's
86 3.5 Injection 86k miles £17k

Out of that bunch I'd go for either the early 69 model if it's in top condition or the 4.6 daddy +8 as it has the largest engine in a Trad Mog short of any specials.

Alan, how tall are you and do you want 2 or 4 seats?

With the Aero being discontinued in October you might see the depreciation slowing there and with Series 1's in the very low £30's you might just find someone that has to sell and £25 may just get it.

Otherwise, try the different trad versions to find what fits you. I drove a Roadster 100 today for about 100 miles. Once in it I found it reasonably comfortable enough but it was a struggle to get in and a bigger struggle to get out!

Duh.... good point

Not sure about your statements regards the Aero though.. I think you'd find it tough to find a sub £30k Aero S1 - Projects excluded.

I'd agree with Cerial on Aero prices, - prices seems to have hardened this year on the S1. Last year a 30k S1 (non project) was a possiblity, but this year they seem to be selling for 35, and some are now being advertised for more. With Series II cars available from 40k (or more) I don't think Series I's will start being sold for 40k any time soon (so I disagree with our friends at Classic and Sports car who have the Series 1 down as costing 40k in this months mag!)

a strong 4cylinder will give you a car with a nice balance
and therefor as much joy as listening to the expensive plus8

don't forget:
plus8 is waow!!!, but expensive and might get environment-taxed in a high degree

4/4: many produced...wouldn't buy that for investment

Kin, I believe Ken was referring to the 5 original posts by Alan, all with the same text, but in 5 separate forums. I have pruned them down to this one, as there were already replies on it, and the one in the Classic Morgan forum (with a link to this thread) as it made sense to leave it there so that someone asking the same question could use the 'Search' function and find it in the future. Now, with that said...

Alan, welcome!

To answer your question, we probably need to know a little more about you - are you looking for effortless performance, or will relaxed driving be the order of the day?

Do you enjoy haggling and getting a deal, at the cost of perhaps not your first choice of colour, over choosing the specification of your own car and perhaps paying a little more?

Based on simply the budget of £25,000, I'd be inclined to agree with those who have said the 4/4 Sport. I believe if you spoke to a few of the dealers carrying stock, or with a lightly used demonstrator, you could come close to negotiating one at your asking price.

More information on the Morgan 4/4 Sport can be found here .

... with black wings

You'll get as many opinions as there are owners!

I had a crossflow 4/4 - handling balance and gearing spot on for A & B roads but being 4 speed a pain on motorways. Nothing that couldn't be cured.

Now have +8 - the performance is brilliant but the standard brakes are marginal in coping with it (1980 car). And as for the sound but then it is on sidepipes although they all sound good.

I suspect however that in normal road conditions a +4 has as much usable performance and will be considerably cheaper to run and possibly a better balanced car. The 8 is a wee bit nose heavy imo. So why did I buy a +8, because I wanted one and it is an iconic model.

I don't really think the question has an answer. You pays your money and takes your choice.

Sorry the foregoing probably didn't help.

Simon