Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) 2005 Runabout compared to 4/4

Hi - I'm new!

I'm buying an 05 reg runabout, my first Morgan. I've looked everywhere I could find on google but cannot find details of how the runabout spec differed from a "standard" 4/4. MSCC describes it as a "basic spec without options".

Can anyone point me in the right direction, or give me a list of the differences?

Mine (well, it's nearly mine, 2 weeks to wait) is one of the last to be built, it's silver with chrome wires, and had the upholstery upgraded to leather (black) at the factory. 1800 Zetec, obviously. It has overriders (not long bumpers), spots, door handles, a motolita wood steering wheel, and the new hood system.

It has the reduced number of bonnet louvres, but that doesn't worry me - indeed it looks to me as if the latest 4/4s have no side louvres (on the MCC website photo anyway).

As far as I can see it's been pretty much upgraded to a 4/4 in most respects - but I'd like to know if there's anything else to consider! One thing I'd like to do fairly soon is have a walnut dash fitted - any suggestions?

I'll be happy to post photos when i've got it.

Cheers
Nigel Puttick
(North Yorkshire)

Hi Nigel, congratulations and welcome!

Had the walnut dash on ours - lot of money for a bit of veneer, but you do notice it all the time, and for us, it just looks so 'right'. Divide the cost by the number of times/miles you plan to be sitting in the car, and I think that will help you decide.

Similarly, I was debating the cost between 4/4 and plus 4. The clincher in the end was being told that the extra money tends to stay in the vehicle - I think you'll find the same is true for the dash.

Why not ask the dealer and/or factory for a full breakdown of the differences between the runabout and 4/4? This must be information you are entitled to receive as a buyer.

Check out this link re the stats

http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/sales/runabouts.html

It may be wrong, but MPG looks a bit iffy when compaired to the figures currently given for the 4/4 - especially with less BHP. I assumed that they were using up old engines, but it could just be a typo, or something else.

Hello Nigel and Welcome to Talk Morgan

My understanding - and there will be people on here with a far better understand of the Runabout (and I'm sure they will help answer your question in time! ) - is that it was designed as an entry-model for the Plus range: a way of tempting younger buyers into Morgan ownership.

With this in mind they cut down on the extra bits and cut costs where they could. I'm sure, as said previously, Cereal, SpeedMog, GoMog or someone equal in knowledge will come along soon and give you the full spec difference!

When the Runabout was introduced it was available in three colors only, red, white and blue. Most 4/4 options were not available. It didn't have the louvers and it had textile seats only. Otherwise it was exactly like the normal 4/4 (body, engine, chassis etc.). (Later more colors (like silver) and other options were available.) The most important difference was the price. A 4/4 was several thousand GBP more expensive and for this premium you got the louvers and the right to pay for more options.

Roderich

Nigel - welcome.......... Silver is a great colour

Thanks all so far ... I think the mpg issue is because this has an 1800 zetec (114 PS) whereas the new 4/4 has the duratec powerplant (125 PS) which is also more efficient. I supose the runabout did use up the zetecs while the 4/4 got the newer engine. The price (it is 2 years old) is perhaps a little lower than an older 4/4 with the 1800 zetec yet it will have the advantages of a newer car. I'm not really bothered if the resale value is a little less than a "true" 4/4, as I will probably keep it. The previous owner has done most of the upgrades anyway, even beyond the standard 4/4 spec (chrome wires for example).

So on my list are - sunvisors, wind deflectors, dash, roll bar, and a little engine work perhaps.

I had looked at older cars and most had "issues"!

Nigel

Welcome Nigel to TM. Don't forget to post some photos of your new acquisition, once you actually take delivery.

Nigel,

When the Runabout was introduced Runabout and 4/4 had the same engine. I do know it as I owned a 2002 4/4. The 125 bhp version of the engine was introduced some years later.

Roderich

The car looks good. I assume it is the Berrybrook one.

Welcome to the Clan Nigel; Sorry been away for a few days so only now catching up on things.

You have basically bought a 4/4 at a hefty saving, despite what it says on on the car. The lack of Louvres is not going to cause you any problems in terms of over - heating with a Ford engine. As you mention, Louvres are an 'Option' on the current 4/4; like everything else - a 23k Base Car can easily cost that amount again in extras !

Morgans are individual cars and like dogs, they/you eventualy become one! Congratulations on your choice, in IMHO, the 4/4 remains the Morgan most in - keeping with it's heritage and more importantly 'in cinque' with it's chassis and suspension design - ask Speedmog!