Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Which model?

Bought a 2008 4/4 a few months back with the 1.8 Zetec engine and on the advice of the dealer, as opposed to a 1.6 Sport, advertised on here at the time.

Now, at the time, I was advised that the 1.8 was a better engine with a bit more power and more suited to longer trips.

I was pretty unimpressed with the engine in my 4/4 but, with an Italian tune, she had improved a bit. I did return her to the dealer on an S O R basis and with the intention of going back to motorcycles. For various reasons now, that is an unlikely option.

Anyway, I am actually missing the car more than I thought that I would and so have a few options:

1) To get my own car back
2) To try and do a deal with a new/newer Sport
3) To do a deal on a bigger engined car

All these are current options and I want to act before my car depreciates further with age and mileage (currently 5,650).

Can I ask what you would do in my position please? I'm a bit fed up with my own dithering on the matter.

I don't need the higher spec so long as I have a tonneau, shower cap etc.

Most of my trips are shorter distances with the option of a few trips up to Perth and back to Cheshire.

All comments welcome!

Having driven a few cars before I bought my +4, my opinion is that with the same tall gearing on all of the current cars a two litre is required (+4), unless you want to change axle ratios or engine upgrades etc.

I would love to try the 2L 4/4, but worship at the altar of six....

Grasp the nettle, buy a Roadster

Better still, grab the bank manager and buy a Roadster.

I can't help you on this but I see a pattern evolving

I agree get a roadster - I had a 91 4/4 and went to a roadster - you won't be disappointed !

If you decided on a 4/4 the new 3.7 litre Roadster is probably too much for you. I was thinking of the 3 litre model but it was discontinued I decided to opt for a Plus 4 with a whole lot of options.

You may find that for you a Plus 4 Sport fitted with a Librands exhaust system gives the ideal compromise between enough performance and what your pocket can justify, not only in purchase price but all the ongoing costs, tax, insurance etc.

Of course you could always slip a good second hand Mazda 2 litre engine into your existing car. Probably would not cost any more than changing over.

Had a 2003 4/4 but upgraded to a new plus 4 in October 2010. The difference in performance was very noticeable. Where the 4/4 disappointed the plus 4 does the job and has enough power to put a smile on your face. Haven't ever driven a roadster .... if I did I suspect it would prove an expensive drive.

The best thing I can advise is have a test drive of a 1.6 4/4 Sport and a Plus 4. On paper the 1.8 4/4 has more power and torque than the 1.6 that replaced it but the performance figures seem poorer. Not sure why that should be but you certainly do have to rev the 1.6 to get performance out of it and as I've found, the 4.11:1 axle ratio makes a difference.

I guess its also down to how much you want to spend, a Plus 4 with sports exhaust would be the option I'd go for but in my case I prefer the narrower 4/4 body....hmm......75th Anniversary 4/4 pops into my mind