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Wales
by Joske Vermeule, September 1
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Forums39
Topics49,896
Posts837,965
Members9,635
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Most Online1,063
Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,945 Likes: 28
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,945 Likes: 28 |
The beaten up tatty smart is a fantastic tarmac hugger and 15 years on still enjoy driving the little 698cc turbo.
In terms of space the MX5 is the least capable with the 86 having the most room, you get surprised looks at the local tip on how much stuff you can get in it!
The little old smart roadster is like a tardis inside I am 6'3"
All different and all great fun.
Yes, wonderful little cars the Smart Roadster. Ours is 14 years old now and has never missed a beat. I always thought that it was as competent in the bends as the Elise and now its even going up in price - a bit!
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 469
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 469 |
Hi Stevemag,
I had Morgans for 10 years, I also got fed up with the factories poor attitude to the problems I had with a new Plus 4, I sold it and bought a SLK, the SLK I changed last year to a pre reg SLC amg line, do I miss the Morgan....no..not a bit, the Morgan was blessed with a faulty/poorly programmed ECU and did not provide a good driving experience, I was not bothered about putting a smile on other peoples faces or waves from other motorists, it was a smile on my face I wanted and the poorly constructed Plus 4 did not do it, the SLC is amazing, as people have said on here, depreciation is higher but I want to enjoy the car not worry about what it is worth when and if I sell it.
I enjoyed some of the time with the Morgans, but the last Plus 4 I bought was not properly developed and the factory were very unhelpful and even told lies regarding the ECU (they did a flash upgrade to cure problems, still found problems with that, when I contacted them again they said yes they were aware they had not cured all problems as promised and were working on another upgrade, all this took 1 year!!)
Two years of Merc ownership now and no regrets, especially seeing how much a new Plus 4 is with options, almost twice as much as the SLC.
2017 Mercedes Benz SLC 200 AMG.
2019 Mercedes Benz GLA 200 AMG
Now Ex-Mogger!
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 970 Likes: 1
Talk Morgan Regular
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Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 970 Likes: 1 |
SteveMag, are you disillusioned with your 4 4/4? getting bored with having problems with getting 6'02, 15 stone, size 12 feet and a bad aged back in and out. I may need to go more modern. oh yes I have driven a boxster hence my personal dilemma I may be moving out of the Morgan soon watch the sales section  In terms of character, going from Morgan to Boxter is sublime to the ridiculous. Sure the Boxter is a very competent car indeed, but it is really bland and I predict boredom after a while. The F type is IMO quite a bit better but both it and the Boxter are the product of mass manufacturers and very much the style of two seater saloon cars. If the back is a problem then maybe an M3 would be better for getting in and out. Or go left field and get an Aston or a Maserati?? Unless I win the lotto F type/Aston Martin / maeration etc are in another universe. Even s/h 
Magwa
1950 Allis Chalmers B tractor
2000 Porsche boxster
2014 Skoda yeti 4x4 elegans
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 970 Likes: 1
Talk Morgan Regular
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Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 970 Likes: 1 |
Hi Stevemag,
I had Morgans for 10 years, I also got fed up with the factories poor attitude to the problems I had with a new Plus 4, I sold it and bought a SLK, the SLK I changed last year to a pre reg SLC amg line, do I miss the Morgan....no..not a bit, the Morgan was blessed with a faulty/poorly programmed ECU and did not provide a good driving experience, I was not bothered about putting a smile on other peoples faces or waves from other motorists, it was a smile on my face I wanted and the poorly constructed Plus 4 did not do it, the SLC is amazing, as people have said on here, depreciation is higher but I want to enjoy the car not worry about what it is worth when and if I sell it.
I enjoyed some of the time with the Morgans, but the last Plus 4 I bought was not properly developed and the factory were very unhelpful and even told lies regarding the ECU (they did a flash upgrade to cure problems, still found problems with that, when I contacted them again they said yes they were aware they had not cured all problems as promised and were working on another upgrade, all this took 1 year!!)
Two years of Merc ownership now and no regrets, especially seeing how much a new Plus 4 is with options, almost twice as much as the SLC. As a carburettor and non ecu man modern cars are a mystery to me  I'm at 7th hand end of the market ( my 86 Morgan has had 7 previous owners) -until I retired I'd never ever bought a new car and that was a suzuki swift  Any replacement for the morgan will be 10yrs plus old at least  it's just a weekend car. I'm not bothered about outright speed ( after all it's replacing the morgan ) I got my thrill of speed sorted in fast response police cars and my grade one since 1985. So I'm now joined the porsche forum and am looking to find a Boxster. ...... The end is nigh for the morgan 
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,909 Likes: 354
Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
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Salty Sea Dog Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28,909 Likes: 354 |
Good luck with your Boxster search Steve. I owned a 986S for a year. Make sure it's had the needed engine mods done (even on the 987). You'll find plenty of information on that on Boxa.net 
Graham (G4FUJ)
Sold L44FOR 4/4 Giallo Fly
'11 MINI Countryman Cooper D All4
'90 LR 90 SW
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 990
Talk Morgan Regular
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Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 990 |
Interesting topic about values etc.
In 2005 I bought a pre-reg MX5 ( list price £17,500) for £15K. 13 years later its covered 21,000 miles and remains in immaculate condition - its value today? about £3000. So its "lost" less than £1000 per year. Not bad really but no where near as good as a Morgan.
I have no exact idea what a Morgan 4/4 or plus 4 cost in 2005 ( anyone know?) but today that same Morgan, in condition/miles as my MX5, would surely be worth £30-35K? Maybe around the same as in 2005?
While they are both 2 seat sports cars and both fun to drive, thats where the similarities end really. One feels really special and needs greasing / lots of attention - the other is a glorified domestic appliance ( albeit a very brilliant one).
2015 Morgan 4/4 (Wolf fettled) previously 2014 M3W
MINI Cooper S and numerous BMC/BL relics.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 9,552 Likes: 134
Needs to Get Out More!
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Needs to Get Out More!
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 9,552 Likes: 134 |
New Morgans are expensive and there are so many used with low mileage to be had. It does depend on how fussy you are the colour/spec but your car will come along if you wait. It took me several weeks to get mine. Got a tip-off from Taffmoggers and a week later did the deal on trade in of the 4/4. I nearly bought a S1 Aero but  put her foot down...within a year of getting the Plus8. Again our Taffmog S1 guru was in the frame with insider knowledge.
Plus Four MY23 Furka Rouge
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,342 Likes: 49
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,342 Likes: 49 |
Hi Stevemag,
I had Morgans for 10 years, I also got fed up with the factories poor attitude to the problems I had with a new Plus 4, I sold it and bought a SLK, the SLK I changed last year to a pre reg SLC amg line, do I miss the Morgan....no..not a bit, the Morgan was blessed with a faulty/poorly programmed ECU and did not provide a good driving experience, I was not bothered about putting a smile on other peoples faces or waves from other motorists, it was a smile on my face I wanted and the poorly constructed Plus 4 did not do it, the SLC is amazing, as people have said on here, depreciation is higher but I want to enjoy the car not worry about what it is worth when and if I sell it.
I enjoyed some of the time with the Morgans, but the last Plus 4 I bought was not properly developed and the factory were very unhelpful and even told lies regarding the ECU (they did a flash upgrade to cure problems, still found problems with that, when I contacted them again they said yes they were aware they had not cured all problems as promised and were working on another upgrade, all this took 1 year!!)
Two years of Merc ownership now and no regrets, especially seeing how much a new Plus 4 is with options, almost twice as much as the SLC. Wow exbiker, that is some commentary... Strangely enough I am seriously considering an SLK myself. I've found a very nice low mileage 2007 AMG that I may just find too tempting
A Morgan Identified Fastidious Owner...
2011 4/4 Bespoke, 1981 Delorean, Auburn Boat Tail
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,370 Likes: 354
Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
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Roadster Guru Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,370 Likes: 354 |
The Roadster in 2005 was around £40k so the Plus 4 would have been in the £35k region new.
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,009
Member of the Inner Circle
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Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,009 |
Hi Stevemag,
I had Morgans for 10 years, I also got fed up with the factories poor attitude to the problems I had with a new Plus 4, I sold it and bought a SLK, the SLK I changed last year to a pre reg SLC amg line, do I miss the Morgan....no..not a bit, the Morgan was blessed with a faulty/poorly programmed ECU and did not provide a good driving experience, I was not bothered about putting a smile on other peoples faces or waves from other motorists, it was a smile on my face I wanted and the poorly constructed Plus 4 did not do it, the SLC is amazing, as people have said on here, depreciation is higher but I want to enjoy the car not worry about what it is worth when and if I sell it.
I enjoyed some of the time with the Morgans, but the last Plus 4 I bought was not properly developed and the factory were very unhelpful and even told lies regarding the ECU (they did a flash upgrade to cure problems, still found problems with that, when I contacted them again they said yes they were aware they had not cured all problems as promised and were working on another upgrade, all this took 1 year!!)
Two years of Merc ownership now and no regrets, especially seeing how much a new Plus 4 is with options, almost twice as much as the SLC. Wow exbiker, that is some commentary... Strangely enough I am seriously considering an SLK myself. I've found a very nice low mileage 2007 AMG that I may just find too tempting My other half has a three year old SLK. I really enjoy driving it I have to admit. She loves the Roadster but you have to be in the right frame of mind. Great on a smooth road but the crude suspension lets it down on most country lanes whilst the SLK tackles everything. Then there’s the creaks and groans, the leaks over the back of the dash...I can put up with the rest of the leaks... and the need to keep the battery on charge all the time. It grates at times and then at times I think the world of it. Once I thought I’d have a Morgan for life.....now I’m not that certain. There’s a lot of year old or less Morgans at the dealers which suggests that a number of owners whilst originally liking the idea of a modern classic rapidly fall out of love with it due to its shortcomings.
Jays
Former Morgan owner. Gone but hopefully not forgotten!
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