Talk Morgan Forums Community Welcome Forum Plus 8

Hello everyone.

I have owned Morgans for a few years and presently have a 2007 Roadster. I've covered 22k in three years and because a dealer has offered not bad money on a trade up to a 2015 Plus 8 I wanted to ask if anyone owns one or has any general observations? This is an auto box with a few extras, and although I always craved for one I'm a bit concerned it might be to powerful for easy driving every day use. I'm testing tomorrow but it's hard to judge a car in a ten minute test drive.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Shakey2
Gun Metal Grey Roadster.
Iseki 237 mini tractor

I have no experience of the new +8but I am sure Madmax & Peterj will come along and tell you.

Thank you JohnV6

Shakey2

IMO you will find the 2015 Plus 8 an much easier drive than the Roadster. the new Plus 8 being based on the Aero chassis is a much more refined and controlled experience lending itself to more power. I have driven both the new Plus 8 and used to own an Aero S1 and Roadster 3.7. The Aero which is very similar in feel to the Plus 8 was a great ride, I have also been a passenger Peter J's Plus 8 and it compares well to a pure Aero feel.

Hope this helps.

Thanks very much Adrian.

I'm guessing or hoping the car can be driven sensibly and relaxed because we have done some long trips in Europe and the Roadster certainly eats up the miles without any drama.

I'm cheered up by your observations - appreciated.

Shakey,

We have had Tarka, our 2014 +8 since November 2014 and have racked up about 21000 miles, the car now has 34,000 on the clock. Previously we had a 2009 Roadster.

It is an auto, with paddle shift, has all the extras possible as it was Morgan's demonstrator. It is a car I doubt we will ever better, for any money. Why?

It is a charmer, attracts a lot of positive attention, like most Morgans.
It is rare, about 125 made. There are a few in build, but it I bet less than 150 will ever be made.

Thanks to the Aero tub it rides like a modern car, despite low profile tyres it is no worse than my wife's 2017 AMG C43. The ride and roadholding is modern, nothing like a trad Morgan (for me that is a big plus)

It doesn't sound quite as good as the C43, but the howl on a big throttle is addictive. There are 4 tailpipes to polish.....

The steering is good, very rapid but the lock is, compared with a Roadster, not good.

In "Sport" mode it is fun, on cold tyres with a cold wet road care is needed, despite the LSD. In "D" it is easy to drive anywhere, not very demanding and with a long, soft throttle, ideal in traffic.

The brakes, with ABS, are simply stunning. I was never that impressed with the Roadsters brakes, the +8's are 6 pot radially mounted units from AP Racing and are more Brembo than AP...

The seats are comfortable and supportive, we have heated seats. No need to get out other than to fill up the tank, every 250 to 300 miles. There is about 8" more width than in the roadster, no more rubbing shoulders unless you want to!

We have A/C, it is useful in the summer as it keeps legs and lap cool. Unlike the roadster there is no heat soak into the cockpit. The heater is as good as a Morgan heater gets, much the same as the Roadster's, but with a proper electrically operated flow valve. Hood up with heater and A/C on it is possible to pretend you are in a car with modern climate control, as long as the co-pilot adjusts the fan speed, turning up when going slowly, turning down as speed increases!

Downsides... mpg is between 20 and 30.
Road tax is as high as it can be.
Insurance is, for us, less than the road tax. I use Gott & Wynn and they offer unlimited milage, non competitive track day cover, and business use for less than £600 with an agreed value of £80k.

Reliable? Certainly. Electromechanically it is a 2005 ish BMW.

Do you get the feeling Im a bit biased...?

Peter

This is very much appreciated and observations from an owner is exactly what I hoped for before buying. Yes some might say biased, but I am certain others would say passionate and enthused! We plan some even longer trips next year and as my sister helpfully reminded me this morning because I now qualify for the Winter Fuel Allowance I didn't want to delay the purchase because another one might not come around soon!

You have answered our concerns and once again thanks for taking the time to give us your feed back Peter.

300 mile round trip tomorrow but I'm sure it will be worth it!

Shakey,

where are you going to see, test and then buy the car!!
Do post your impressions and a photo....

Then you can make your exhausts look like this...

Peter

The Morgan dealer just outside Guildford. They are new to us but have been very helpful and dealt with a fairly long list of questions!

You have a LED fog light - how cool is that!!

Williams supplied us with new inner headlights which have a LED strip along the bottom which look good as day running lights. I guess the dealer will want them off the car but we enjoyed them.

Full account with pictures promised Peter.

This is the one at Bell and Colevill, cream/white with an orange interior?
It is simply gorgeous and has the "must have" and now unavailable Aeromax wheels, plus a lot of extras.

I fail to understand why anyone would buy a car like that, drive it so little and then sell it! I'd take it..... as they say is is effectively a £105k new car for £87,500 or less.... I suspect they will be keen to sell!

The fog and reversing lights on the one you are looking at are LED. MMC has a new LED head/dip light product, it was on a couple of Plus 8 cars at Run to the Hill including Graham Chapman from the factory. They look "right" and I'll be having them fitted next year...I suspect they will not be cheap!