Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Roadster- - To buy or not to buy?

If the whisper is true, that would make for a very desirable car, I would think.

Only if they have an option of looking standard.......

+1.

I don't disagree that 4/4s are fun.
I just prefer the Roadster.

For me, that's what MMC have got exactly right about their range. Each model has got its own unique character. Something to appeal to everyone.

If I was in the market for a new Morgan, I'd definitely be looking for a Roadster.

... is just a 4/4 with a bit of extra air in each cylinder. And a Duratec-engined, MX5-gearboxed, narrow-bodied +4 would be my perfect choice

Paul. You did not specify that you were thinking in terms of the turbo engines. The 1.6 EcoBoost would not be a replacement for the 4/4 but would be, in effect, a replacement for the Roadster.

A possible EcoBoost replacement for the 4/4 would be the tiny 1 litre 3 cylinder in its more powerful version: 92 kW (123 hp), 170 N·m (125 lb·ft) from 1,400–4,500 rpm and 200 N·m (148 lb·ft) on overboost

Compare that to the current Plus 4: Max Power 115 kw (154 bhp) @ 6000 rpm, Max Torque 201 Nm (148 lb/ft)

By comparison the 4/4: Max Power 82 kw (110 bhp) @ 6000 rpm
Max Torque 131 Nm (97 lb/ft)

At the end of the day it is all about torque from low to mid range. In the real world that is acceleration, overtaking, getting up hills etc.

Having said all that it is difficult to get good torque from a small engine until the turbo cuts in (turbo lag). I know that it is better now than it was in the past but it still exists. It surprises me that more work is not done on small supercharged engines.

The Lotus Elise SC is a good example of what can be done: 218 horsepower at 7800 rpm and 153 pound-feet of torque at 5500 rpm from a 1.8 engine. It has a very flat torque curve but is a fairly high reving engine. An engine tuned for less ultimate power at lower rpm would probably produce good torque from lower rpm too.

Power is nothing without control, or so one of the tyre adverts used to quote. Very wise words of course..

Morgan have it bang on, I think. The Trad range is very similar and yet so different, and that's the broad appeal. They are built to a tradition and appeal to the individual, but they are when all said & done, just a vintage car made in a better guise.

The idea of a turbo whizz bang engine in a 4/4 chassis frame is exciting, but not quite here yet. I'll leave that to someone with deeper pockets, and keep dreaming..!

There's also no substitute for cubes, and the soundtrack of a big vee whether a revvy Cyclone or lazy eight takes some beating when it comes to a Sunday toy. If you could couple all that torque and power through the absolutely delightful Mazda gearbox, it would be heaven.

Only you can decide Ken (or maybe Mrs Ken..!!), but life is too short for just one point of view..

Well, after all of this I have back pedalled a bit and ordered a PLUS 4 FROM BHM earlier today. I think the package will suit me and Mrs KenA better for some touring plus a bit of boy racer stuff for me when Mrs KenA is off on girly days out.
Many thanks to all contributors that helped with this decision.
The Plus 8 need(or not) for that Evans stuff is now history!!

Congrats Ken and well done!

What colour combo did u choose?

+1