Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Would you Part-Ex your Trad for a CX?

I think the new Plus Four looks the business and might even take one for a test drive.

But I wouldn’t trade my Plus 4 for one.

The reason is that over my driving career, like others,I’ve spent a lot of my income chasing rainbows. I’ve been lucky enough to buy and run some powerful, scalpel precision cars which gave a great deal of pleasure on one level (owning) but all failed to deliver on another, more important level - the actual enjoyment of driving!

This might sound odd but with 400+ BHP under your right foot, the opportunities to use any Meaningful amounts of that power on public roads round our way is zero. The cars involved (Porsche x 4 Aston x 1 BMW x2) always felt wide on the quieter roads and never really got into their stride. When we went out for a day, I spent most of it worrying about whether some ar5e had keyed the car, broken into it etc.

My Plus 4 with its ladder chassis isn’t the worlds best handler, isn’t over powerful, but every time you drive it you have to actually drive it, and it feels alive at 30 over the moors roads in a way that better sprung, better handling cars just don’t. And I always end up wearing a stupid grin.

The crudity of the Trad is the reason why I like it so much. A better handling CX based car, with it’s more powerful engine, might be less fulfilling to drive because it’s too good. There would be limited opportunities to exploit either the power or the handling. And then I’d be back on the treadmill..I guess after all these years I’ve learned that less is more

Having said all of the above, if I was in the market for a Morgan now (as in I didn’t own one) I would almost certainly buy the new Plus Four over a pre owned Trad car. But I’d not swap my current car for one, even if the new car had an entry point of £50k.

Yeah, this is a serious problem. It has reached epidemic proportions among Trad drivers and can only be treated in a pychiatric group therapy, where all patients have to take turns driving an Audi to have their grin removed.
But I don't want to be treated, it's too late anyway.

It would be interesting to know how much it costs to build the CX Plus Four compared to the trad Plus4. Even allowing for the higher spec and better engine of the PlusFour, Morgan will no doubt be making more profit with the CX chassis and maybe need to do that to pay for development costs.

I cant see Morgan making any more Trads however as they can only make so many cars and higher priced CX cars will be more profitable. This does mean however that our Trads have become an instant classic if there is such a thing.

Whilst I think the CX Plus Four is a great package and probably necessary for Morgans survival, I will be keeping my classic 4/4 and will appreciate it for what it is!

[/quote]I think you are right to a large degree - the New Plus 4 is less likely to appeal to trad Plus 4 and, in particular, 4/4 owners.

The new Plus 4 is closer to the Roadster in terms of power but my feeling is that most Roadster owners will not be tempted. The Roadster pushes the trad to the limits of its traditional set up, but it works and delivers that power whilst preserving those vintage driving characteristics we all love. And it's those vintage driving characteristics that I think will persuade most Roadster owners to stick with their cars. It's not just about the power for many Roadster owners but the vintage nature of the car and its handling. I'm not convinced that the new Plus 4 will offer anything more than a modern, safe and environmentally better car with modern handling characteristics and comforts that will make it easier to live with - and that it will be all the duller for it.
[/quote]

I think that sums it up very nicely, David. So for the time being at least, I’ll stick with my Roadster. Which, apart from the complex engine electronics, I can tinker with and carry out virtually all of the maintenance and mechanical repairs myself. I’m a firm believer in the old Morgan adage:

“The correct approach to a Morgan mirrors the correct approach to life.
Enjoy it, don’t fret about it and be confident that whatever happens, you can fix it”

It would be nice to think that the CX platform will lend itself to us DIY-ers, but I’m not convinced just yet that this will be the case. And naturally Morgan, and the dealers, wouldn’t be too keen on it, either.

I just wonder if anyone who has been considering buying one of the delivery-mileage-only 3.7 Roadsters that some of the dealers have in stock for £69K or so, will now be tempted by the Plus Four instead? To get a Plus Four up to something akin to the Roadster spec it would take the price up to about £71K, so not a huge difference in the overall scheme of things. (Although you don’t appear to get bumpers on the Plus Four).
Or will the dealers be forced to drop the price of the Roadsters to make them more appealing, I wonder?

I was wondering this as well, Sid. My suspicion is that the new stock Roadsters will sell quickly because there will be a few collectors and perhaps even speculators that will want to get hold of one the last "mint" new Trads before they are all gone. After that it will only be used stock available.

Stewart

Oh that's good that you have a work around with Ralph, I remember that rather joyful picture you posted some time back with the look of joy on his face in the back of your Red one (Blackpool ?). It's good if not essential that you and Rachel get away together and the two seater Plus Four would lend itself nicely to this. I know you will be sorry to wave goodbye to your Blue machine it is rather splendid with a lovely spec and being a 4 seater and a Roadster will hold it's price very nicely I would say.

Good luck with your choices Stewart.

Pete you can add a poll - just look under forum help on the top tool bar and in the drop down click on the add poll and it walks you through the procedure apparently. It will be a very interesting result I think.

I kind of agree with all the above.. the reason most current Plus4 owners wouldn't swap is the new one doesn't have the very characteristics that enticed the owners to buy in the first place. I dont think it matters too much that it won't be too easy to tinker with, I suspect the future owners of the new P4 won't want to. Those of us that like to get out and get under and take pride in doing all or almost all of our own maintenance are a dying breed. Car drivers of the future won't want to muck about with it as they have neither the desire nor experience of it. Many of us grew up having to do it, now you dont and that has appeal for some. So i'm not surprised most won't change, hang on to what you enjoy. The new Plus 4 is i am sure a fine car, but its different, thats all.

So (and forgive the slight drift) if you own a, say, 1970's or 1980's trad, do you think it will increase in value now they don't make 'em?
Or do you think "who will buy an older car?". Presumably, pre cat cars will be banned soonish?
I ask this because I am heavily drawn to an older car that I could fiddle with, but they are still alot of money and I'm so used to zero depreciation over the last 25years or so of various Mogs.........what do you think chaps?
Nick

I find myself in agreement with all the other 4/4 owners - Love the new PlusFour but wouldn't trade in for one. Lottery win - yes i'd have one for an everyday car and keep the 4/4 as a cherished, special classic.

Pre-cat cars banned? No I don't think so. I expect fuel to be taxed more to discourage its use somewhat. Not sure about values - I don't expect any big increases or otherwise for 70s/80s cars. Condition will continue to be the big factor regarding values. The numbers on sale at anyone time vs demand dictate values and I can't see a surge of excess supply. As the new cars build the brand presence I expect it to have a positive effect on demand of older, cheaper ones as well so a safe place to put your money - not exactly an investment but fairly secure with lots of fun as a bonus.