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Lots of mods you can do to the Sigma engine too

Interestingly we had a Xflow 7 ‘till about two years ago. We let it go as it was so impractical that it didn’t get enough use to justify it. The Lotus Elise went last year ... they aren’t as good, at least on poorly surfaced roads, as the press reviews would suggest.

The 4/4 has very little body roll and can actually handle very well, but not until you’ve acclimatised to the strange steering feel and the slightly disconcerting rear axle waggling about behind. It’s all fine though, I’ve never gone beyond the absolute limit, I get the impression it would end in a ham fisted looking tank slapper, it certainly can’t do impressive drifts like the 7 does.

This was the exact advice I received from Russell at Revolutions, also small improvements have been made year on year that add up to a big difference over a ten/twenty year period.

Just to be controversial....
All those little improvements have equally diminished the charm of the car. Yes the sigma and mazda is a brilliant combination but the seats, steering wheel position, heated windscreen, easy up hood, electronics, especially throttle,lack of spare wheel, have, in my opinion, removed alot of the enjoyment.
I find myself yearning for an older one again. (It could be all in my mind but...)
And also consider that all the older ones will have been rebuilt so are of proper quality by now.
Lastly, problems with old ones can all be sorted whereas the problems with modern ones (see rev hanging issues etc) are effectively unsolvable.
I'll probably lie low for awhile now
Nick

My 2014 4/4 has a spare wheel. It also has a few leaks and is therefore a proper Morgan.

No rev hang issues with mine, or lack of a spare wheel

I forgot to add my biggest problem with the 4/4 which is ground clearance. I scrape on almost all sleeping policemen in car parks etc. In my Roadster it was even worse, I lived in fear of losing the sump.
In my 70's and 80's cars I used to drive in fields on fun days, I really wouldn't dare do that in my current car. The older cars have a completely flat underneath with nothing of the engine hanging down.

I still love my current car of course, but not all of the "improvements" have added to the joy.
Nick

Okay, I am starting to feel a bit conflicted now😳
I have seen a couple of older CVH cars that are significantly cheaper and they do leave change for any “fixing up”.

I’ve also seen a couple of late model Sigma engined cars of low mileage that I would hope should be relatively buy-forget-&-just-drive and enjoy. Some of the comments above suggest perhaps that’s a little naive?

I have had many lost hours in my garage restoring classics rather than getting out and enjoying them. Also, thousands spent restoring old cars is money never recovered. I have decided that those considerations and my knees and aching back suggest not to go there again.

So, on balance, I am leaning towards a late model car now.

All this has been internet browsing to-date but I have phoned a couple of dealers. They suggest click and collect but am slightly nervous about doing this with a purchase as big as a used car during lockdown.

Just as an aside, when I enquired, the cars were stored outside on the forecourt; is that a bad thing with a Morgan in winter weather?

Anyhow, am getting closer!!!

I would like to add something here again. Some points that are said against the Sigma 4/4 affect all Morgan cars because it is their principle nature. E.g. that you can not compare the road holding with a Lotus, I know it because I also drive a 2007 Elise since new with Rotrex supercharger.

I have had several Morgan models and the Sigma 4/4 is very reliable and unpretentious in my view. Also it is the Morgan with which I have never had ground clearance problems after 90,000 km. There is no Sigma 4/4 with rev hang. I would buy a Sigma 4/4 again immediately. With it you have the driving fun and you are not bothered by expensive restorations. All the service you have to do on the 4/4 is nothing different than other Morgan models. As I wrote weeks ago, just install the correct springs and the fun can begin.