Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Buying a Morgan

Have just retired and almost decided to buy a Mog. problem is can't decide between the Aero 8 Mk1V and the Roadster. Car will only be used for fair weather outings. Expect to cover 3-4000 miles per year. I live in Glasgow where there is no dealer and I am concerned about reliability (just read 'so long aero 8) Will probably keep the car 10 yrs. Have owned sports cars all of my adult life but never a Morgan. I would appreciate any comments re reliability, depreciation (in the event I don't keep the car 10yrs)or anything else that would help me decide.
Thanks

having both I would go for the Roadster,
less worries, more low-speed fun,
for me: greater "experience"

BUT
if you don't like the sidescreens (leak+"open" above 100mph)
if you want modern suspension
if you want abs/ebd/automatic
then you might consider the Aero's
(mkI is rather unrealiable)

I have driven both and own a series 4 aero.While the roadster has it charms, the modern suspension, BMW reliability, unique, and to most, beautiful lines of the aero made it tough for me to go the roadster route. I also considered resale value,how many roadsters produced vs aeros, length of my weekend excursions and of all things interior quality of materials.The aero has been a great choice for me and I have grown to be an avid fan of a car I thought I would keep for a couple of years...now I look at the aero like an heirloom if that makes sense. No mechanical issues with my Aero in 6000 miles.I am presently considering the Aero SS.

Which ever route you take your motoring experience will be a unique one to be savored, and this site is a great support group for both models...You really can't go wrong with either, as they are related, the aeros just a little more intense.

I don't think depreciation is much of an issue after the first bite from new with either. So if you go for a secondhand one then the depreciation will be negligible. I did consider a Mk1 Aero in 2008, being a similar price, but decided that I would get more hands on involvement with a traditional Mog. And so it's turned out. I have no regrets whatsoever, and have never had so much enjoyment both on theroad and in the garage.....
And the Roadster can be DIY serviced quite easily, which as an owner with dirty fingernails suits me.

And the rest of us Trad owners are very glad you did Dave, what with all the little projects you have covered over the last year or so!

Cheers,

Gordon
While you do not have a dealer in Glasgow, you do have one in Perth and in terms of distance thats about as near as most folk get. I am in Aberdeen and its further. Go and see Russell, according to his website(www.rpm-morgan.co.uk) he has both Aero's and roadsters at the moment and trying is the best way to determine preference. Russell is also very knowledgeable about the marque and about as impartial as you can expect a dealer to be. You are unlikely to get a new Aero now as the last ones are in production so you need a good used one.

Good Luck


Andy

As said nothing subsitutes a test drive - go see your local dealer. In terms of a good usable s$, they can be found, but they won't cost you much less than a new one would have - they are in limited supply.

A group of us will be in Scotland (See Lap of Scotland thread in events) week of 19th April - you'd be welcome to pop along to one of out stop off points say hello and get to see S4 Aero's and trads in one place and talk to owners. Might be worth considering?

I would agree with the others, drive them both a few times before you jump. Neither are ever going to carry a group of four or your rubbish to the dump so it comes down to what you enjoy more.

The difference in driving experience is substantial enough to probably tip you one way or another. Then you can concentrate on find the best one for your budget.

I bought an Aero S2 and would say it is one of the best things I ever did. I have always driven very high performance modern cars and so the Aero was the only choice for me. I can however see the enjoyment and entertaining approach of the Traditional cars and since joining the family have come to like them a lot.

Hello Gordon,

I'm going to complicate matters and suggest you try three Morgans. To my mind the changes from an S1 to S4 Aero makes them totally different cars and worth driving both.

Servicing wise, and I do my own, the S1 is pretty easy, but can't comment on a Roadster. I did own a +8 before, but it was an early one pre-modern electronics, so a doddle for diy. A decent non-franchised garage that has a multi-make diagnostic computer should easily, imho, be able to do both a Roadster or an S1, and I presume therefore an S4.

Enjoy mulling over the matter, and more particularly good luck with whichever you buy.

Cheers

aero's are way to fast for road-use