Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) 2000 plus 8 or 2005 ford v6

Hi guys wanted to get your opinion as which you think is a better car to own both are Connaught green the 2000 plus 8 has 13k miles and is in mint condition and the same with the 2005 which has 3k miles.Also what do you think is the value approximately of each one.

An american asks about V8 vs V6?

When I bought my Plus4 in summer 2018 I had the choice. In cause I look forward to service the car as a DIY the V6 wasn‘t my cup of tea. But I had also the choice of one of the last 50 V8. A blue speedster… The speedster, not my car.

But today: yes, the Plus4 is a nice car for DIY, but the V8.

V6 and V8 are the more expierence DIY. In my eyes both very close. Have a testride. But in summary: nothing beats cubicinches. And torque.

Greets René

As a lover of all things V8 - which started in my teens when American Muscle Cars stirred my soul - no contest. The "Rover" actually Buick V8 is a pretty uncomplicated engine I think. Great First World conundrum to have a debate about though!

Well Plus 8 for me, I tried a V6 but found the clutch heavy and the wrong soundtrack but I'm a lifelong V8 man. The Roadster V6 will give far better mpg if you are a long tour man.
Prices your side seem high to me but I have included the MMC International used car search for you to play with and get an idea of prices, I have it set for Plus8 search but you can alter it as you wish for the Roadster V6 models and of course select a particular country.

Good luck with your choice both are highly desirable and capable cars, you need to drive both if possible.

The S1 Roadster has a lovely gearbox and would be my choice

John
Not to veer off topic but I was amazed at how sweet the gearchange on my S3 Roadster became after I changed the oil. Something to consider in the OP's decisions.

Interesting question, and similar to one I asked many years ago on the then MSCC DG and eMog, though my question was "Which Morgan" having grown up messing around with small Ford`s I thought the 1600cc 4/4 to perhaps the best balanced Morgan given the vintage underpinnings of any Trad.... But the idea of owning a +8 was also rather attractive even if I thought it likely to overpower the suspensions abilities to keep it on the road if I became a tad over exuberant... (-: Being a big fan of vintage sports cars with oversized engines, I was pleased with the general consensus of the time that the +8 was the one to go for.

I doubt that helps you much SAE, but most important is what hopes or expectations you might have relative to that which any Morgan might provide for you, the reality of ownership may be distant from any hyperbole..? When I asked which Morgan I typed up a resume of my automotive past and ideals I held at the time.

Good luck in your choice...

V8 all day and every day.
Price - I don't have a view on US pricing of Morgans, so difficult to comment

I suppose everybody is advocating their own car, so am I - but I will try to throw in a few facts.... The +8 is iconic, has a company history, the V8 blurb and loads of torque. A true classic. And it is the car that many morganeers and morganeers in spe dream of. Perhaps the easier car to sell at a good price when the day comes - more potential buyers. And yes, I have driven the +8, though only ocasionally.
But the V6 Roadster has a more modern, lighter and shorter aluminium engine, with the point of gravity further aft and thus the car better balanced. It is more powerful than the +8, but not overpowered relative to the chassis. The torque might be less than in a +8, but more than enough, believe me - and if you release all the power at higher revs it is quite a handful, although controllable. Being from 2005 it might be a S1 226 hp, with the german Getrag gearbox, virtually indestructible and with very good ratios. If you wish you can go around most of the day in 4th and 5th, almost like an automatic, if you whip it around twisty roads or want to ovetake quickly you have all the reasponse you need. And it might have perhaps best looking and well proportioned dash of all Morgans (IMHO). The S2 and S3 does not have the Getrag, they have 205 and 275 hp respectively (if I remember well), and they might have the dreaded rev hang. The early S1 had a full metal rad, no overheating - as the +8 ocasionally has. The later Roadsters had rads of metal combined with plastic, prone to leakage - which may have lead to a change of rad. The soundtrack is not very impressive, more like an ordinary sedan.
We do not buy such cars with rationale and cold hearts, so I fully understand those who eager after a +8 for it's iconic status and other reasons I have stated above. My opninion is still that the V6 Roadster is technically the better car. At least the S1, possibly the S2 and S3 as well. I would never change my S1.
But I admit I could do with a little more sound......Perhaps side pipes one of these days.......?

SAE is the V6 the one on BAT. Auction in 6 days.