Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Roadsters

But............. if you were forced to let go of one........... which one would you keep........ Roadster or +4..........???????

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That's what I just check with the lovely Oakmere one, if it falls within a 2017 period still over £700!

This is the six million dollar question. Although my Roadster "edges" the performance, I specced the Plus 4 and watched it being built from a bare chassis and box of bits. This makes it like chosing a favourite child. I really think about this a lot, as I approach a time when they must be sold. Maybe the answer is to advertise both and see which goes first. The Roadster is easier to drive, corners flat, better engineered and with rocket acceleration. (Being 2005 it also has cheap road tax if that matters). My Plus 4, being on a 4/4 footprint really gives nothing away on the road. It would lose a bit of ground on a long drag on a straight road, but loses nothing on the corners. The thin tyres present a different feel but the grip is still there. There's a difference between the two in the bends but it's hard to explain, its a fingers on the wheel and seat of the pants as the chassis moves thing.

I had the pleasure of a very short drive in a for sale very low mileage 2018 Roadster the other day with the 5 link suspension and power steering. Certainly the 5 link and power steering made the car much easier to drive with more compliant ride at the rear.

There was no getting away from the crudeness of the sliding pillar front suspension, but it's always difficult to tell when it had last been greased. On a slightly damp section of road the tyres (which were still original) certainly did not like it and spun even in 3rd. Had the same problem with my 3 litre Roadster on damp roads in the lower gears even with new tyres.

The foot well was tight for my size 10 feet compared to a Plus 4 and I didn't manage to work out what the curved carpet intrusion on the right hand side of the foot well around the upper shin.area was all about, I assumed to do with the power steering The clutch had a nice progressive feel but still quite heavy and I'm sure in traffic the foot well would get very hot very quickly with little room for free movement for the feet.

Great engine but would have been more practical and better suited for me, if an auto was fitted as foot well space was at a premium for operating the pedals and finding some where for your left foot.

Obvious the build quality in general on the later cars is to be admired with far more options and modern conveniences making it a more accomplished conveyance, but still can't get away from that crude front end.

I'm sure its only a matter of time before the price differential with the CX will erode, and then question of annual running costs VED etc may swing more in favour of the CX, with its more accomplished ride and automatic options as they are easily on par performance wise. Then of course it becomes very subjective as to the feel of how the power is delivered, turbo 4 cylinder vs V6, for some it will never equal or be a substitute for a V8's grunt.

I find the nimble 4/4 with its stylish narrow body and tires more interesting, as it creates a harmonious old-style look—the whole package just works. If you need more power, I find the +8 (Trad only) more interesting than the Roadster. The powerful V8 sound is very appealing. So the Roadster is the Trad that excites me the least. It's still a great car, of course.

I don't envy your dilemma.......🤦🏻‍♂️😁
'must' one or both of them be sold.....? or are you looking too far in to the future....???🤷🏻‍♂️

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For me......... The whole point of a Trad is that it is essentially an 'old car'.......ok the engines have improved over the years.... and the hood is a bit easier to get up up.....
It's a throw back.....the missing link (Malvern link😂)...... air con, 5 link and puddle lights are all well and good but if I wanted all that I'd buy a Boxster......🤷🏻‍♂️
Surely the 'vintage' experience, the rose tinted view of bygone motoring days is why we drive such unique cars....?????????

I have to agree with Jens, for me the 4/4 sums up what a Morgan is......
Adding more power means bigger wheels and tyres, bigger brakes and 'modern' (5L) suspension...... all of which take it away from the light, skinny, nimbleness of a 4/4......😁

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Not selling yet, Julian, but the spectre of age is there. I'm 72, and still able to keep them as they are accustomed. But realistically as I approach 80, these difficult decisions must be addressed. Finding that sweet spot, where I no longer manage what I once did, and accept the inevitable, then I will move, but watching them leave will be a huge wrench. Unless fate intervenes.

Last year, I did this process by dismantling my loft railway. This was a tough decision, but looking back, was the right time. My daughter could not have dealt with that, and they have no interest in the Morgans.

It will come to us all at some point, when we have to recognise we cant do everything we used too or more importantly want to do, There is nothing like driving a Morgan, so when one;s trad days are over, you may be able to continue the journey in a CX for a while longer. With power steering, automatic transmission options, less demanding regular maintenance required more modern more compliant and less demanding ride may be part of the solution.

For me Morgans are more than the sum of their parts, they seem to engender and open access to a much wider audience,its the people you meet along the way that make the journey so special. So if a CX allows that journey for a while longer, theres nowt wrong with that.

Yep, thanks Richard I was hoping not to be reminded of that