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

Happy Birthday KevFitz

For what it’s worth, by and large, I agree particularly with Rob Thornton and Fat Wolfie - and my car hasn’t even arrived yet (but it will be from current MMC). I’ve read all thoughts on all the threads with interest and it’s amazing to see how calm and balanced people have been.
I have spent many many years loving the style of the basic Morgan shape. I’ve loved the tradition of skilled artisans carving out these statues of artistry and form. I have mainly loved the individuality and simplicity yet astounded most recently (and in part discovered since joining TM) at the variety of choice and ability to “make it my own” and, dare I say, “unique”. I am about to become a very proud Trad plus 4 owner in the next 8 days!!!!! There, I’ve said it and a shiver went down my back. The factory and the car help to make me proud of our country in troubled times. I don’t believe any other modern car or carmaker would have that effect on me. I enjoy driving my Audi, it’s safe n quick with lots of gadgets (eg on way to the factory last week, set the adaptive cruise control on one of the motorways only to recall later something about maximum 70 and no leeway so am concerned that my clean licence is clean no more- wonder if I passed enough cameras to lose it 😢🥺). That comfort zone is dangerous in itself so I plan on becoming a less lazy, slower, more aware and safer driver through the use of less tech. I can’t wait to experience driving again.
Nothing has changed with the update in ownership for me although I am sad that the arrangement at the top is different even if the family haven’t been involved in the same way since Charles left. It doesn’t stop me wanting the marque to continue to thrive and amaze the next generation in this complicated, technical and electronic world. I don’t believe the Plus 6 is aimed at my old fuddy duddy approach but at younger, quicker thinkers than I. And that’s ok with me.
Sorry for the long ramble.
HB

I was going to add something about the change but a drive intervened. It must have been 70 pr 80 klms with a lot of uphill twisties and of course, the reverse. We never exceeded 80kph and sometimes were lower than 30kph. It was delightful, exhilarating even and after lunch, when I caught sight of the front end at the end of a long passage I had a smile. It has been like this since I first had a Morgan in the eighties and I doubt very much that it will ever be different. I count myself very fortunate, in lots of ways, and having a Morgan is one of them.

The Morgan trad shape is iconic and this shows up by the interest people show. How many heads turn when you drive past?
How many give the thumbs up?
“Nice car” is often heard.
The engines are good and suit.
The suspension is the big question though. This, I suspect, is a big turn off as the ride is definitely old school.
Coupled to the relatively high price for a new car means this doesn’t sit well unless you are prepared to accept it.
The Aero chassis leapfrogged a change to full independant suspension in a trad but again cost is a barrier.
Car makers who do not move forward will not survive so developing the Aero route is a must. OK the Plus6 is essentially and Aero8 style with turbo6 but good looking upgrades. It fits in to the upper end of the range.
The question has to be about the future prospects for trad chassis’d cars.
How much longer before regulations make them obsolete?
How will they fit in with the future plans re image and nostalgia?
If I had £80k+ to spend then I would like an Aero Based car to combine looks with modern feel and drive. However I am happy with my standard Trad. I enjoy owning and driving it. Maybe a good idea to keep it anyway as possible investment?

Glad I bought mine when I did, I wouldn't want a "modern" Morgan

I really like the new plus 6 and I’d happily buy one right now, but I like my 4/4 too much to get rid of it, it’s everything I want it to be and other than the extra room inside the plus6 , there’s nothing there I’d need.

Clearly, if I could only indulge in one silly car, the plus 6 would be perfect, it’s a far more usable version, and still in every way a Morgan, they’ve done a great job and it’s a car I would be glad to recommend to an ordinary person. Not something I could honestly do with a 4/4, only special people understand the attraction!

A perfect description of what the Classic is all about Ian .

Many very comprehensible posts have come here. I understand everyone and their personal point of view.
Your point of view, ewn, I take as an example how I also experience it.
Not without reason I came over 14 years from Roadster over P4SS to see the 4/4.
I'm very confident about one thing with my 4/4. That is the joy she emits and gives.
So I could be sad if I lacked the feeling of the 4/4. The Plus six would be a totally different car but I love the simplicity and the direct transmission of feelings of my 4/4. I don't want to lose that. And rational reason says that I save for our age. so it is a win win situation.
To sum up I am already looking forward to the next weekend with my wife and the 4/4.

What hasn’t been addressed yet in all this turmoil is, who even said the bouncy trad is to be discontinued?

It still makes money, people like me still buy them and nobody else makes a similar product. As I understand it, all that’s happened to the 4/4 is the engine is no longer compliant, surely another engine will be sourced, the 4/4 has had many and varied engines already.

Very true. TMhas already debated next gen engines for trads.
The EV route has been looked at too.
Sudden massive ditching of a profitable product? Doesn’t make sense.
Legislation is the potential enemy.

If the 4/4 continues to be built, perhaps with a newer engine that meets the requirements, this would be the perfect completion of the range. And then there is also still a classic model on offer. I think it would be great.
Then MMC can offer a really wide range of different cars with different character, even more so than before the new CX chassis which is a good thing I would say.