Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Plus 4 and Roadster V6 comparison

Thanks for reply, Lowflyer. No, I wasn't thinking the Morgan. It's just the case that I have bought a 2007 1ZZ Elise new still with Rotrex loader from Komotec since 2008. First it was unreliable and the engine blew up. Then I got other pistons with less compression and other connecting rods. Since 11 years the Elise is running ok from time to time. But I changed the workshop 4 years ago. My lesson is never have a car tuned when there is another production model that performs better in the original. Komotec (Daniel) is a bit narcissistic and he doesn't like to take care of old loyal customers. He always wants new customers.
I had the idea to have an Elise with lots of torque. It was realized. With 270 NM she was very good from the bottom up.
But in retrospect you're always smarter. I had so much trouble over all these years that I should have just bought an Elise R and left everything original.

I can understand your situation Heinz, sounds like quite heavy mods. My Exige was just a normal 240PS car so giving it a small tweek it was only a 25% power upgrade, nothing too drastic, but still very good on lowdown torque, fuel economy and of course acceleration.

I have driven both extensively - a long term Plus 4 loaner and then owned a 3.7 Roadster before trading up to a +8.

The Plus 4 is a lightweight very 'chuckable' car - feels like the essence of what a Morgan should be. Not very powerful, lightweight and you need to wring every ounce of power out of it - but that's the fun. I really enjoyed my time with it.

The Roadster is different and I can't say it delighted me. The engine sounded like a bag of spanners (I have driven others with equally rattly engines). It felt much more stable on the road than the Plus 4, much more planted, as others have said. But the suspension would bottom out regularly, the drive shaft would knock underneath on sprint starts... it felt compromised. The dials and switchgear looked cheap.

Neither the 4 or the Roadster handle anything like Elise! Handling is fairly shocking in comparison - I've driven an Elise too. But the 4 is much closer to a historic or classic car - there's some real 'feel' in the corners, you know where the limits are. It's good fun.

If you wanted something with power AND handling - the +6 would be the way to go. Without a doubt. Very similar to my +8....

What type of driving are you intending to do?
What is your driving style?
I have had a 1993 4/4 and currently a 2002 Plus8.
BIG differences in the cars. Engine performance was the biggest with suspension, tyre size, width of car adding together. A bit like comparing apples with pears.
The 4/4 was nimble and fun. You needed to use revs and gear changes to make fast progress. A great car for a driver who liked reading the road and using the gears/revs. It was standard with no upgrades
The Plus 8 had a chunk more power and much more torque. It can be a bit like an auto if you are just pootling around. It is more planted than the 4/4. Wider tyres, Panhard rod, AVO shocks, roll-bar that has stiffened the car. It is a great tourer due to the power/torque characteristics. For more get up and go...it comes alive when 3000rpm is hit, especially in 3rd gear ( 5 speed gearbox).
My advice is to test both variants if you can. You can then see which one matches your needs. As your cars will be of similar age the real difference will be engine related. Assuming both are the same chassis design not new CX versus original ladder style.
Just be aware when test driving that you should ease your way in to the higher speed, harder acceleration drive! Keep a sensitive right foot!
Personally I would prefer the higher power/torque car as it gives more options for driving style. Trouble is not testing both means a true comparison is not possible. The P4 could well be up there as an option with enough performance to not make a difference.
There I have contradicted myself!