Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) +8

Thanks everyone, the +8 is the car I’ve always wanted, so it’s an itch that has to be scratched. Although I wouldn’t discount an early 3.7.
I take on board the mileage and use comments, although as a very low car the mileage tends to reflect paintwork condition.
I will look at pretty much anything, unless you look you’ll never know for sure.
I have contacted a number of dealers including Williams my local outlet. Hopefully something will turn up before too long.
I have also logged on to the MMC site and enquired about the for mentioned car (the expensive one) hope to take a look soon.
I have an ad in August’s Miscellany so hopefully have most avenues covered.

As the owner of an immaculately maintained perfectly serviced, low mileage 2002 +8, I'm not clear how this makes sense?

Don't worry overmuch about mileage , I would be far more worried by low mileage than high, but it is a good bargaining tool.

My 1999 car has now covered more than 60,000 enjoyable miles , which may sound a lot , but it only averages 3000 pa. If it is below this then the car may have been stored for long periods, which can lead to problems.

I agree with others that the "optimum" spec is a long door car with stainless bulkhead and valences (post 1997) and prior to the introduction of the Lucas SAGEM engine management (2002 onwards?) . The latter cars are "branded" 4.0 litres but the GEMS system is complex and you will need a garage with Rovercom to help you debug and maintain the system. The "Hotwire" system is simpler and more easily maintained (although are long since obsolete , there are specialists who can help reconditioning some of the electronic hardware)

Other than that , buy on condition , good comprehensive service history, and personal choice of colours/spec. (I prefer alloy wheels , other prefer wires).The right car will find you

These are great cars and will give long lasting service when maintained correctly, and although fuel consumption can be high when using low gears and a heavy right foot, they will bring a smile to face five miles wide every time you drive one.

I suspect that it's because unlike yours, many low mileage cars tend to suffer from lack of servicing. If a car doesn't get fully up to temperature, it tends to generate problems with condensation for example. A car that is serviced on mileage intervals might only see an oil change every 3 or 4 years, which will compound the problem. Same with consumables like tyres, brake fluid, suspension grease, seals, and so on. They also may not sit in a nice dry garage and get moved frequently to keep the tyres from going off.

A 15 year old +8 should have a bare minimum of 30k miles on it in my view, ideally plenty more, and if not then good evidence of long distance usage (one big tour a year is better than dozens of small trips) and regular annual servicing to keep everything well lubed.

As a statement this has to be inaccurate, irrespective of ones views of how many miles a vehicle should have on the clock. Add "may not be" to it and no argument.



Not without a full, detailed, and receipted service history you wont.

There seems to be an occasional prejudice against low mileage cars, which puzzles me. Given an identical record of appropriate servicing I would always prefer a 20k miler rather than say an 80k miler. Disclosure I have a low mileage car

This low mileage thing I find personally a red herring. I bought my present one 5 years ago with 19,500 miles on it so 1,300 per year.
Apart from replacing the rear wheel cylinders and shoes together with the front pads that has been it other than doing my routine servicing. None of these jobs are a challenge to do.

I really do think too much attention is paid to a high mileage or low mileage, condition and the way it drives will always provide the right answer IMHO.

By and large, I think the high valuation given to low-milage cars is a good thing. It means that owners of such vehicles can look forward to getting more money for them when they sell, which is a reasonable compensation for not enjoying driving them so much, whilst allowing people who aren't bothered to be able to afford to buy higher mileage cars and use them as they wish without worrying about keeping the mileage low.

Everyone's a winner

I agree. Routine servicing is the key, the routine not necessarily based on mileage. My car has done 38K miles in 38 years but has been serviced every year.

I personally see no point in buying a Morgan and not using it. Seems such a waste. As many will know I along with a few others have a 250K mile +8. But then they have been owned for over 30 years.