Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms How does it feel to be a Trad Owner?

And from Berlin (only today) also! Happy birthday KEVIN!

It is an interesting question Heinz and I am aware that there has been a huge response to this and the other threads on the topic of the new Plus 6 so I am sure I am only repeating views here, but I have a couple of thoughts having had a day to ponder and I was a bit surprised about my own reaction!
I liken this moment to the day that Bob Dylan performed with an electric guitar and there was an instant division in his fan base. I was on the electric side myself but I am not sure where I am on the Morgan issue except I detect I am being reactionary in that I honestly prefer the trad trad with all its flaws.
Funnily enough I don't think that the trad is anachronistic. In fact I find that the Plus 6 is, simply because the body shape has not been derived from what goes on underneath. Yes, the body has been made to work and that in itself is a clever piece of design but I feel that the aesthetic synergy has been lost on the way. I would certainly find it odd to open the bonnet flaps and be presented with an engine bay that looks like every other car these days. Goodness, you probably can't even see the garage floor.
I am wondering whether in fact the new cars will end up with the same sort of regard that pervades the remodelled beetle as a result.
I certainly see a new type of owner. The new cars will not be personalised and fettled at home. I see all the personalisation going on pre-delivery now and I would imagine that home made 'improvements' will probably reduce the worth when it comes to sell.
The shattering performance alone will also put many off and perhaps be of more interest to those who are absorbed by statistics rather than everyday driving.
Like Stewart S I still feel great about what I have got but I think I feel differently about the future Morgans. Of course I still wish this unique company longevity and future success and support all their developments if they help to keep it alive.

Absolutely 100% with both you guys on this.

I am saddened to see 110 years of a British motoring tradition end.
I hope that the new company is a success.
As for my feelings as a Trad Owner?
Well, motoring doesn’t come much more ‘Trad’ than Stanley!
I’ve owned my 4/4 for nearly 15 years and 40k miles. It continues to be a vehicle for great adventures, and friendships old and new.
A new +6 would obviously be faster and handle better, but I’m quite happy with my “poverty model”
As for value and residuals, they are of no concern, as my Son will inherit Stanley.

Firstly Happy Birthday to KevFitz.

On to OP, I think you make an interesting point Hienz.

I took delivery of my 110 +4 in January and TBH I feel really smug about getting one of the last pre sell-out models.

Like other on here, I really wanted a classic/vintage car experience without the reliability issues older cars can have. And the Morgan fulfills that brief admirably.

With current driving conditions where I live you really need a slim car without toooo much power to enjoy yourself. I’ve bought Aston V8 Vantage, Porsche 911 C4s, BMW 640 cab, two Boxsters and numerous other cars other the years (and lost a fortune as they were all new or ex demo) but the reason for the high turn over was that they are unusable on the road. All too wide, too harsh, too fast for driving on the roads over the moors and dales, and a complete pain in the @rse in traffic.

Hence the new 6 has no appeal at all, I love the Mog basically because over many years I’ve finally learned that less is indeed more.

So in summary, I feel even better about my Trad Mog today than I did a week ago. So the scale now goes beyond 11 and is on 12

I'm firmly in the trad camp. I doubt I would ever buy a Morgan built after 1968. Ok, maybe a very early plus 8. I wanted a car that was "classic" in age, shape and driving experience and I've not been disappointed. If I buy another Morgan it will be an original 3 Wheeler or a Series 1. Having said that, I love the look of the new Plus 6, wish the company much success in the future and will follow its fortunes with interest. I'm also more than a little saddened by the sale but have benefitted from reading the analysis by people with more experience than me over on the related thread.

How does it feel to me?

No different.

I still have a Trad mog and now there are even more nice mogs I can't afford.


My situation hasn't changed, I will still at some point need to change the radiator before the placcy bits crack, it will still wail like a banshee when I press the loud pedal, it'll still leave 11's at junctions when I pull away enthusiastically. I'll still have folks chat to me when I fill it up. The clutch pedal will still kill my left foot.

So all in all, a lot hasn't changed as far as I am concerned.

No different at all still exactly the same level of fun and enjoyment it is the purity of the Classic design and build that appeals to me, I have never been interested in owning an Aero based car but I can appreciate that the Plus6 is the right direction to head in for the last 10 years of the ICE.

It makes an awful lot of sense for the family to cash in the chips now too.

Happy Birthday Kev!

An antique grandfather clock with a digital movement, is what the new Morgan is.

Son of Aero Plus 8. It may still have the interior foibles of the trads, so misting instruments, and leaks through the hood under certain conditions, but it will still bring the essence of Morgan to new buyers, who will probably embrace the modern underpinnings.

Of the Aero family tree, I would say that the Aero Plus 8 is still my favourite, and had I had a bulging bank account I might have been tempted by one of the run out models, even without a spare....maybe.

But the essence of a trad is the ancient simplicity. For all the criticisms, it has continued to sell in the niche market for more years than any other car, with just enough eccentrics to maintain profitability.

Every passenger I've taken out in mine has marvelled at the ride quality, always commenting that it is much better than they expected, especially the 2016 Plus 4, which is remarkable from the box.

If I could justify it, I would order a 3.7 Roadster before production ends, but without a windfall I can't. With a windfall I might sniff round a manual Aero Plus 8.

So the Plus 6 doesn't fit my needs at all.

Moving on to whenever the company is sold again...…..depending where it goes may well define the future of the engine supplier.

All very interesting to watch as it plays out.

I just went to the garage and took inventory of My Trads. They all need a lot of help. But now the Market Value will allow this to happen. Thanks Morgan. I agree the Morgan Family held off as long as they dared.