Talk Morgan Forums Community Welcome Forum Greetings from the California High Desert

Why do you think so? So that on a blistering hot day you can put the hood up, fit the side curtains and be comfortable? Or just blast the AC with the hood down? I’d really don’t see it but am willing to be convinced otherwise!

It depends on weather and traffic I reckon. If you can be confident of staying moving and less than 28 degrees I would be inclined to agree. But in slow moving traffic and high temps The trads get VERY uncomfortable. The CX models may be better (but modern engines run hotter don't they?)

Several years ago, a BMW Z3 owning friend claimed that the height of decadence is driving around on a hot day with the top down and the AC set to full cold. In our UK climate, I wouldn’t bother myself but in your climate, it could be worth considering.

My cockpit gets very hot so I often drive with the roof down and aircon on blowing cold air onto my feet. Also if its really hot your way you may be glad to erect the hood and enjoy the cool air.

A/C is starting sound like a real possibility! Seems silly but . . .

Welcome Prop Man, up here in North East Scotland Aircon would be a little used addition. However last summer in Italy, stuck in a traffic jam on the motorway in 40°+ I seriously wished I had it in the car. Still, I think it amused the other drivers seeing us melt in the intense heat.

Welcome to the forum, Prop Man. I love your area, which I know from a few holidays. Congratulations on choosing your Plus Four. I could imagine that the option to have an air conditioner could be useful in your climate. Of course you can not compare the effect with the air conditioning of a modern limousine. But if it should ever be exceptionally hot, even by your standards exceptionally hot, then it might be a good idea to use the air conditioning, even if it is not used very often. Here in Germany my 4/4 drives without AC, even holidays in Italy work well. If it is very hot there, I drive at dawn.
To the gearbox choice. I would always prefer a manual gearbox. But if I were you I would talk to TM participants who have driven both versions. I don't suppose there is a CX Platform Plus Four in the USA today? Or could you test drive both versions before you make your decision? I haven't ridden a Plus Four myself. But many TM members who have tested a manually shifted Plus Four say that the gears are unnaturally long because of emission standards, fuel consumption etc. So you can hardly make use of the six gears. On the other hand, the automatic transmission is equipped with eight gears. The intention of the manufacturer and the authorities is to keep the engine in the most efficient range as often as possible...because of the emission standards, consumption, etc.
But...if you change the 8 speed automatic to "manual" and drive with the hand paddles, then you can use the rev range of the engine in a very sporty way and you have more lively gear ratios. But of course...it can't replace the physical feeling of a clutch and a gear stick. And if you're more the epicurean cruiser type, the manual gearbox will be a nice and entertaining choice anyway.