Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) If not a Morgan??

Nothing wrong with the X-Bow, but I think you might have a bit more choice what with Magna Steyr being in Graz? They build the E-Class 4Matics for Mercedes and the MINI Countryman for BMW, I believe.

And the new Jag SUV.

I believe Magna Steyr also made the excellent folding roof of my Mercedes SLC.

There is one issue here which I am surprised no one has raised - the poor quality of Porsche 6 pot engines. Right the way through the era of the 996 and 997 model 911s and the corresponding Boxter / Caymans, they have suffered badly from scored bores and intermediate shaft failures. Have a look at http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=48&t=1052310

and bear in mind that to some degree, owners will fight shy of admitting an issue which would devalue their cars.

Has yopur Trad given you that sort of problem? No it hasnt but you maybe have had an occasional bolt fall off

The owners I'm talking about desire imperfection as a starting point, not an end goal. I'm not sneering at the qualities of a well-engineered car, just pointing out that Morgans are not always capable of meeting the modern criteria of robot-built products, and that factor is best appreciated before one commits to purchase, rather than learned after the fact.

I believe that many Morgan owners like to improve their cars. This is what the old-style enthusiasts (the 'Flat Cappers' as MMC used to call them) have always done, and indeed it was Peter Morgan's oft-quoted view that the cars were a basis for the owner to work on, rather than a finished product. If one wants to buy a car to improve, then it stands to reason that one wouldn't go out looking for a car which needs no improvement.

My own car is about as far from 'original' as it's possible to get. Different engine, different suspension, revised gearbox, different final drive, the list is pretty much endless. I treat it as a giant Meccano set, I absolutely love playing about with it and see no reason at all why a 30 year-old car should be maintained in original condition. And yes, I do have a flat cap






absolutely not. I seriously doubt that any Morgan owner bought a Morgan just because of the badge. It's more a dig at the wider car market.

It's objectively true that if one wants a functionally perfect car (in the sense that it does what it's supposed to do with the minimum of servicing and 100% reliability) then all one needs to do is to go and buy a Toyota or a Honda or a Hyundai. (Other similar makes are available).

It's also objectively true that many people perceive cars from this group as being somehow 'inferior' to BMWs, Audis, and the like (other posh cars are available). Furthermore, the market demonstrates that such people are prepared to pay a premium for them, despite the fact that the use they put them to would be perfectly well addressed by the aforesaid Honda or whatever, and they will never get anywhere near exploring the enhanced performance envelope that these cars offer.

The owners I'm talking about desire imperfection as a starting point, not an end goal.

I simply can not imagine anyone knowingly spending £45/50K of hard earned cash on desirable imperfection, whatever that may be.

Academic. I'm buying a newly designed four cylinder with a decent warranty.