Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Trad prices ..versus owners dreams..

When I bought my Mog I was well aware that buying an elderly classic would involve spending. I don't expect to get back what I have paid out so I can just enjoy it, though I don't take it out in the wet!

Exactly right Dave. Mine ticked over 128000 miles on the way back from Scotland last week. Mind you, one thing I don't have to worry about is its resale value. What with the high mileage, Vauxhall engine with aftermarket ECU, fibreglass wings, non-standard suspension, I doubt if it would fetch £15k even though it goes like a stabbed rat.

I am glad I started this thread as I thought most of you would all be realistic on values + it also provides any lurkers with a realistic price guide. My idea being that they might be persuaded into ownership knowing prices are not as fierce as in the past.

So it did have a bit of a mission and thanks for all your responses, as always much appreciated

One of my best buys was a 1938 4-4 Series 1 DHC, complete car albeit in kit form with log book.

Paid £1k for it....2 years ago.

Beat that!!

Arwyn

I think the point about 'toy' cars, is that, in most cases, one has to justify the cost involved, both to oneself, ones other half and sometimes even to anyone who might inherit, and certain cars have historically depreciated very little and in the case of our marque some years ago, even appreciated.

Whilst it is true that they should be driven as much as possible, there is no doubt that low mileage is desirable at sale time, however if the market is falling over and low mileage is no longer going to help achieve a higher than average price, then yes, put thousands of miles on it and enjoy it.

My view is that there are just too many Morgans around for the limited number of punters who would buy one. The prices of new cars have also risen to stupid levels. Back in the day, they were relatively well priced and the factory had restricted output, however things have changed, as they do, the factory appear to be making more cars than there are buyers and there are now a dozen or more dealers, who all want a slice of the cake - something has to give and it is prices which are softening noticeably. It will become more difficult to justify spending all this money on a toy car, knowing it will probably lose half its' value in the 1st 3 years. There are other cars which are both nicer to drive and less money, so why buy an anachronistic Morgan, even if it does have a bonded and riveted aluminium chassis? Only die hard Morganisters will continue to do so, and as we 'boomers' get older, so Morgans target customer will just disappear, like mist in the morning.

So, it looks as if my hope, when buying a limited edition Morgan, that it might hold its' value have been dashed, so I had better get on and drive it..............now where did I put the keys..........................

PS. Added to say well done to you Richard, this is very definitely something that we, and future owners, should be aware of, the dealers will certainly be denying it.

Arwyn, I suspect you may be one of the very few "old school" Morganeer types around, and who is still young, fit and skilled enough to take on such a wonderful project.... I can only imagine what it might cost someone to have your Series One restored professionally, or perhaps restomodded to some degree, potentially making it a whole different financial proposition, and more so if current and future market trend expectations might be applied....?

Paul, I must admit your description of Morgans as "toy" cars, rankled somewhat, but when I thought about more about it, I guess even those amongst us who ever spent more time in the garage restoring, repairing and or modifying our Morgans and other machines, than enjoying them on the road, would perhaps think more to describe our machinery as our hobby cars...? However it does seem that as we aged perhaps they have indeed become more like toys to those of us who are perhaps ageing somewhat, and may have succumbed to the alure of changing to a more bling and comfortable Morgan that better suits our current priorities and might even attract a younger buyer on a rare occasion..? Thus for baby boomers I suspect the adjective toy may be more appropriate.. Sigh! (-:

As for market value... or perhaps more accurately advertised prices, of say 80`s--90`s Trads, compared to similar era 911`s.... It seems some classics may perform better to some degree...?

Yes, I use the word 'toy' advisedly, as to me, having been born directly after the war, this is just what they are, something for me to play and spend time with, just as I used to as a kid with Dinkys, Hornby trains and model aircraft and their little diesel engines. No way would I consider my Morgan an everyday car, I keep it for special driving, when I am in the mood for noise, rawness and gearchanging. Everyone to their own I know.

Well, in terms of a hobby (car) I've had unimagineable fun since 2008, a lot of which was in my garage, but also on serious road trips, and how do you put a price on that?

Ok if you spend £50k on a fun car and only go to the pub on a few Sundays each year, that doesn't make much sense, and even less now we're seeing prices shrink. It's not a good time to own an over valued car of any sort.

I have no regrets. None whatsoever.

They are only toys Paul as you rightly state and all of us fully understand that and don't buy one if we can't afford to write that cash off as the fun fund I think, any thing that might come back at the end of the journey being a bonus.