Talk Morgan Forums Community Welcome Forum New to all this

Hello Folks,

I'm brand new to Morgan forum (been an admirer for years) and feel I'm about to plunge! I've never owned one but have a fairly long track record on all things 'petrol'. I'm looking around for a car that will return reasonable mpg as I'll probably tour Scotland at least once a year and, as like as not do a 2/3 week continental holiday every other year. I feel that the V8's are probably a bit thirsty for this and although I'd love a 3.0 - I think the smaller engines are probably every bit as much fun 'off-track' and fuel manageable to a degree. (I'm not expecting 30 mpg but I'd hope for mid to high 20's - Comments invited?)

I'm hoping for something from very late 90's up to about 06. I've looked at spec etc and feel that if lucky .. I can fall in with a nice car reasonably quickly. The classic websites' prices all seem high but I appreciate that I haven't been monitoring since late 90's until 06 and therefore haven't a clue about how they hold their money or rise/ fall etc.

Some of the 05/06 cars can be as much as a basic new car and if I thought that this made more sense .. I'd probably go for that.: Comments invited.

Guys .. looks like a great site. Hope summer is good to rag-tops and maybe hear from you soon.
Mark

I think you will be surprised at the fuel economy of the recent classic cars. The 44 sport with the 1.6 engine I got well over 40 to the gallon, I still get high 20's and better in a Roadster. The Plus 4 exceeds your expectations and has well over 30 to the gallon.
On prices you are right, Morgans just seem to hold their prices strongly year on year. Once you are an owner you will be pleased about this.
Your plans for some touring suggest you might want to consider later cars (2001 ish onwards} with the better and simpler hoods. I have had both and the original type was not fun putting up in a hurry, although both versions work fine.

If you intned to do any kind of serious motorway driving ( or continental equivalent) you might find that the extra mid- range torque of a Plus 4 ( as opposed to a 4/4) might be what you 're looking for
G

Thanks to both of you.

Lightspere - Co Down????? Love the two tone. Curious I haven't seen the car around. Looks fabulous. Thanks for the reply. I haven't got my head around 4/4 and plus 4 and all the other configurations yet but looking forward to learning. Is there much of a Morgan following in co Down?

Cheers
Mark (Ards)

Mark, I remember having a conversation with Bob Harper once about touring and he had just returned from his second tour of Scotland, returning 36mpg in his Plus 8. My own experience with my plus 4 has been that of 40mpg on return trips to Britain. Meabh.

I get 30mpg from my +8 when touring but I have heard that you can get over 40 from the newer 4/4s. If 2 or 3 year old cars are the same price as new basic models I would try and spring the extra and get a new one speced to your needs.

Nothing beats the design process or the bitter sweet wait.

(But I would suggest looking at +8s, future prices are hard to gauge but I would expect the +8s to be depreciation free, ignore obvious bias)

meabh and Brian V

Thanks guys. I'm amazed at the fuel returns. Truly pleased to hear such figures. I am currently reading stuff online re 4/4's and +4's but I'm sure if I fell in with a Roadster I'd probably bite. Becoming familiar with all the terms is part of the fun too. Some folks talk about 'sport' and 'runabout/ runaround' and I haven't worked those out yet but having a ball trying!

Cheers

Mark

Mark,

Nice to see you online and getting your questions answered!

In an attempt to simplify your search - and glossing over some of the more trivial difference - what you'll find is that more recent traditional (Classic as Morgan call them) Morgan sports cars fall into 3 distinct groups: -

4/4 - smallest engine - in recent years a 1.8 (sold under the guise of the 4/4, Runabout and 4/4 Sport). Taking the standard model aside, the variations like the Runabout and 4/4 Sport simply offer different packages and levels of trim.

Plus 4 - 2.0 engine

Roadster - V6

Simon/ Ernst

Thanks for that. The site is a great help to clear confusion. Very convertible day here today if one just had one!

Mark

Welcome Moss.
Don't get too hung up on MPG.
25mpg will cost you 40 gallons per 1000miles
40 mpg will cost 25 gallons.
So the difference is 15 gallons.
Therefore even at 5000miles p.a. the difference is 'only' 75 gallons - OK at £5 per gallon that's £375, but on a car with minimal depreciation, and low insurance costs, it's hardly mind blowing.
Having said that, beware of road tax banding. Some Roadsters fall into the £400+ bracket, and that can be avoided - earlier ones and later ones are slightly less.

Check dealer websites to see how depreciation hits - most have a new +4 in stock and the MMC website has loads of used cars for sale at present.

It's a balance of 'Your Spec' against somebody elses used car.
I've no regrets about going used. If you buy right you'll be depreciation free.