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Wales
by Joske Vermeule, September 1
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Forums39
Topics49,896
Posts837,966
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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 |
In danger here of monopolising the thread, but I do understand the attraciveness of the Morgan to you guys. Its rare a month goes by without me calling in at our local Morgan dealer to have a look and a ponder. And I've roiad tested almost every model Morgan make, all because like you I fancy something out of the ordinary. But every time its been the dynamics that has stopped me from signing on the dotted line.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,435 Likes: 122
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,435 Likes: 122 |
I recently saw for the first time a new Alpine in the flesh and I was impressed. Howard, the boarding should be easier than at the Elise, try it once and please report.
'14 4/4 graphite grey
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,587
Charter Member
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Charter Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,587 |
In danger here of monopolising the thread, but I do understand the attraciveness of the Morgan to you guys. Its rare a month goes by without me calling in at our local Morgan dealer to have a look and a ponder. And I've roiad tested almost every model Morgan make, all because like you I fancy something out of the ordinary. But every time its been the dynamics that has stopped me from signing on the dotted line. Crickey ! Had no idea you have tried that hard to like the humble Mog !
Geneva 2016 plus 8' The Green Godess' 4 side exits .
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 15,794 Likes: 15
Formerly known as Aldermog Member of the Inner Circle
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Formerly known as Aldermog Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 15,794 Likes: 15 |
The Plus 8 is the car I want to drive and the one that leaves me smiling. Sure, it is flawed but is quick and comfortable. At 303 bhp/tonne not that powerful, BUT it is relatively small and I'm fully in control: the new MP4S rubber has made a massive difference.
The M140 is also fun, though a lot less powerful it has enough turbo driven low speed grunt to get the back end to step out (no LSD) and occasionally make me grin. Otherwise it is a posh Golf.
The AMG C43 is only 202 bhp/tonne, it has a clever 4 wheel drive and a trick exhaust. The only amusement comes from making irresponsible boy racer noises with the exhaust and pulling out of side turnings at very large throttle openings, knowing that it will catapult its self down the road. It has no real soul, a bit like the description of the Golf that started this thread.
I used to ride bikes, that is really connecting with the road and weather. But I've given up as my reactions are not what they were and my balance isn't either. Allowing the bike to fall on you whilst sitting on it, engine off, was embarrassing as I was trapped and couldn't move. I had to wait to be released. No damage to bike or me, but when you can't trust your leg to hold up.....
We don't have to justify our Morgans logically any more than we justify our choice of partners. My Morgan makes me smile, and I enjoy both owning and driving it.
Peter,
66, 2016 Porsche Boxster S
No longer driving Tarka, the 2014 Plus 8...
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 2,519 Likes: 320
miles of smiles Talk Morgan Expert
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miles of smiles Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 2,519 Likes: 320 |
I drove past the turn off to go to the Lotus factory, can’t spare the time today but I’d love a look around. When I bought an Evora, the salesman was also a lotus instructor and offered to take a day off and show me how to drive it on their track. I crashed it and wrote it off before I could take him up on his offer! Slight tangent, remember I said a don’t like airports or pub....well I’m in Norwich airport just now, they charged me an extra tenner to improve it, cheeky sods! Nice plane outside 
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 321
Learner Plates Off!
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OP
Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 321 |
Howard makes a fair point about us seeking to justify our decision to own and drive an anachronistic vehicle. But I think there's more to it. Modern life is de-skilling us in many ways and so by driving a vehicle that requires some skill to make it perform well we are bucking that trend. Then we take things further by driving in conditions that require endurance and exposure to the physical world of wind, sun, rain, heat and cold. In doing this we are quite rationally trying to measure ourselves against the men and women we admire; our role models from the past 1.25 centuries of motoring. We want to experience what they did, even though radar traps and multi-lane highways render that a near impossibility. At least we can escape air-conditioning, ABS and lane-keeping systems. I think we all get it, Howard too, because I'll bet that sometimes he's like me and just wants to whoop with the joy of clipping that apex and snicking second gear on the double clutch down shift.  Very aptly put! Couldn’t agree more.
3.7 Roadster
Porsche 964 C2
JCW Mini Cooper S Cab
BMW F750GS
+4 4 1995-2002 / LM 62 +8 2002-07
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 321
Learner Plates Off!
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OP
Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 321 |
The comparison is rather pointless. You are comparing a vehicle that is generally impractical, rides and handles badly ( please don’t tell me they handle better than a modern car🙄) but has character by the bucket load, to a modern practical every day car that is comfortable, doesn’t leak, reliable, well built, generally handles well and doesn’t need suspension greasing . You just cannot compare vehicles but there is room for both. “You just cannot compare vehicles”......................you just did! The comparison just reinforces the enjoyment we (or maybe just me?) get from a car which should have been consigned to the fifties, but hasn’t. Why do those fortunate enough to be able to fly a Spitfire in the 21st century say that it is the best plane ever designed in terms of pilot enjoyment? Sorry, there’s another comparison! Yes but if you wanted to fly four people economically somewhere you wouldn’t choose a Spitfire. Just as if you wanted day to day transport you wouldn’t chose a Morgan over an everyday tin top . Fair point. However, there goes another 109. Excuse me I’m off in pursuit! The mother-in-law will have to walk!
3.7 Roadster
Porsche 964 C2
JCW Mini Cooper S Cab
BMW F750GS
+4 4 1995-2002 / LM 62 +8 2002-07
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,224 Likes: 7
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,224 Likes: 7 |
We don't have to justify our Morgans logically any more than we justify our choice of partners. My Morgan makes me smile, and I enjoy both owning and driving it.
Quite right Peter but sometimes we're challenged and rise to the bait. For example an old friend, on learning I had a Morgan, said "well you must feel like a real English gentleman in that." That's a complete misreading of me and my reasons for owning a Morgan and I felt like ending the friendship right there but life's too short to get wound up. I like your analogy - partners and cars - and I would add planes - no justification needed.
1968 4/4 1600
1950 Auster J5B
Kitfox S5 Outback
Jodel D9
1988 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9
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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 |
Did you tell him that the continental idea of an English gentleman only exists in continental minds?
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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 |
John Steed? Or Terry Thomas?
DaveW
'05 Red Roadster S1
'16 Yellow (Not the only) Narrow AR GDI Plus 4
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