Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms New plus 4 a week away

Is there an opportunity now with the new models for Morgan to re enter the Canadian market???
We live in hope!

First post, so please be gentle :-).

After decades of Morgan lust, I finally got myself into a position where I was (am) going to actually buy one and achieve a long held ambition. The plan was find a good example used Plus 4 in the high £30k / low £40k in time for the summer (should it ever arrive). I was even planning a tour of the dealers to see first hand what was available and all this was just about to happen. Then, for the first time in 70 years Morgan bring out a new Plus Four.

This leaves me in a bit of a quandary. The new Plus Four ticks a lot of boxes - Aluminium chassis, BMW engine, power steering etc. But, the downsides are the more traditional things that are no more, like Moto-Lita steering wheel etc. The big drawbacks though are £70k (which is what it will be when you add the options you really need / want) for a car I will only drive for around 2k miles a year and the waiting time which I am guessing will kill off any chance of enjoying it this summer. So in effect paying £70k for a car to garage over next winter.

So why even consider a new one? After all, I was happy to buy the "old" Plus 4. But now I am concerned about what the introduction of the new car will do to second hand values. I was wondering what you seasoned Morgan peeps think? My worry is now that I may have to wait and see which puts the mockers on a summer of driving fun. I guess I am hoping that traditional enthusiasts will keep the now "old" Plus 4 in demand but will this really be the case? Will people want a steel chassis when they can have aluminium, especially in 4 or 5 years time when I will very likely want to trade up? Will tradition be forgotten by then? Is it even worth considering the new car, even with the cost? will the first ones be future classics?

If you were me, what would you do?

Don't buy a new one , buy either a duratec plus 4 gdi or the previous duratec 2 litre or get the Morgan supersports which is on pistonheads morgan site at present which is £45k but is a special plus 4 model one of only 60 built !

( the downside apart from the money of buying a new one is you can't fettle it and thats the big fun of Mog ownership )

If you really want the new one go for it, there will be plenty around at the dealers just take a look at the Plus Sixes that are available as long as you don't want a custom one you could be enjoying one this spring.

The traditionals I believe will hold their prices and show gradual increases as always, there will always be a good market for these by people that prefer the raw handling and power characteristics of these cars.

If I was only to cover 2,000 a year I don't think I would spend North of £75k though on a personal level.

Good luck with your choosing, and welcome to TM.

That's not so easy to answer. It may even be the case that the new CX Morgan increases the attention for the brand as a whole. This would mean that the traditional steel-frame cars would also become more visible again. When we talk about double the price of the new PlusFour, I don't think a used Plus4 will become much cheaper. Unless the new cars are no longer as stable in value as the Trads. Then maybe the older Morgans would be a little bit cheaper in proportion.
But...it's all about having fun. Unlike most other brands, an older Morgan will remain relatively stable. Imagine you would buy a 7 year old SLK or Boxter for £40,000. It would probably be worth less in 5 years than a Plus4 which now costs £40,000.

Another thing, a used Trad addresses a different target group than a CX, even if it is used, it will not be available for the same price. Therefore, it is possible that the value structure of both cars will not be influenced so much by each other.

To sum it up, I wouldn't let the existence of the new CX stop me from buying a Trad now and having lots of fun with it.
Yes...as was said above, I would buy a Plus4 with Duratec engine and Mazda transmission if I were you, so about between 2011 and 2014, others here at TM know that better.

Need to try harder than 2k pa - I use mine in winter if it is dry - still fun if wrapped up.

How about holidays and touring?

One thing about cheaper cars is I consider the Plus 4 to be relatively expendable so just relax and enjoy it, but driving a car nearer a hundred grand makes me a lot more defensive and nervous, especially with a V8 underfoot.

Adrian777, try the Trad for a couple of years & if you fall in love with the marque, just trade up

BTW, the Trad will be cheaper to Tax (especially Vs the first 5 yrs on a new one) and service & insure - it all adds up !

Hello Adrian, from today on there are no new "cheap" Morgan fourwheelers, the CX-Morgans are much more expensive. I expect that will rise the prices for used trads a bit.
Maybe the classic Morgans will be sought after in a few years, as the "real deal", especially with the old hood.
Like the rigid frame Harley-Davidsons, like old watercooled Porsches. The trad is the original, the CX is something of a retro car.

I would also bet that while you say only 2,000 per year that you will do more than 2000 in the first month of ownership

I would suggest you join MSCC and go to the local meetings to talk things over.
If you are in Suffolk then let me know and we can meet up.
Welcome and good luck