Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Still willing to help? S2 vs. S3 time...

Hello!

Work and life has conspired against me buying my Aero 8 over the last few months [ Previous thread ]. Fortunately, due to the delay I have come across a few more options.

The dilemma is choosing between a 2005 S2 and a 2007 S3. Both cars are similarly equipped. The S2 is less expensive, but I've recently read some stories about the ills of the S2, are these stories real? Also, how significant are the upgrades to the S3? I'm slightly biased toward the aesthetics of the S3.

I need your most frank and honest opinions of the pros and cons of these two options.

Finally, I appreciate all your input thus far, thank you in advance for advise in this thread, and apologize for clogging this forum with my indecision!

Can't wait to join the ranks of Aero owner-
Mateo

Obligatory pics
S3 Exterior [Boston Black]

S3 Interior [Mango]


S2 Exterior [Rolls Royce Lake Blue]

S2 Interior [Grey with blue piping]

Changes from S2 to S3 are minimal. Main one is the lights, and wing configuration around the front lights. I'm sure others may pop over and add their 2p but as far as I can recall it will be nothing other than superficial.

Not sure what the "ills of the S2" are (care to elaborate?) and they won't be any different to the ills or the pluses of the S3. I ran an S2 for five years.

However, I prefer the S3 out of the two shown, and black with burnt orange interior is a great combination! May not suit a hot climate though?

There is another difference between those particular cars and that is the S2 has side exit exhausts whereas the S3 rear.

And lastly, that S3 has S2 wheels on anyway (which I prefer). Do you know the chassis number? You can compare with the list that's on here to see roughly when build was.

IMHO, the S3 is a more attractive car. I much prefer the frontal treatment. However as we all say, whatever Morgan you choose is a personal choice and in the end, only you can choose!!!

Enjoy whichever car you do buy!!

I think the solution to your problem is drive both and then let your heart decide.

I'm sure we've already said this but low mileage isn't necessarily the best buy, but if you want my two pennies worth I'd go for the Black one even though it doesn't have side exhausts.

+1

The early S3s (for instance my ex-419) had the S2 wheels.

As Boshly has said, mechanically the S2 and S3 are very similar. The series 4 was a significant jump mechanically and cosmetically (predominantly the interior, although not limited to).

The S2 is no different to the S3 in terms of reliability, so again, as has been said, buy on condition, maintenance history, price and what colour your heart prefers.

what Simon said.
S2 and S3 are pretty much the same car underneath, so it's really the cosmetics and condition that matter here.

Aomw things I'd be checking on both prior to buying - not that these are showstoppers, just things to get fixed if required.

steering rack (is it heavy at start up? Means it's on the way out.
Fuses,
Screenwash tubes (leaks cause electrical gremlins),
door seals
roof alignment
Door alignment (are they drooping or do they close smoothly

Good luck with your purchase!

After about a year of looking for an Aero S2/3/4 here is my conclusion: this is a frustrating process! Hopefully I can get the S3 pictured above for a fair price.

[rant]
There are only a handful of Aeros available for sale each year on the used car market and almost all of them are re-sold through the original dealers.
Prices are high and the dealers seem quite content to sit on a car for months--or a year--waiting for someone to pay full asking price. All Aeros are "about 100k" regardless of year, series, or spec. It's maddening. And should I mention the attitude of the dealership?
[/rant]

Please if you know anyone in the US looking to sell their Aero point them in my direction . I'd rather pay top dollar on a private sale.

If you want to play a Dealer at his own game, maybe you should talk to an ex Dealer

The 'spread' on Aeros between what a dealer offers and what he asks is very large - at least £10K from what I've seen so there should always be a good reason to buy privately if possible. But I expect that almost every Aero needs a bit of fettling or paint or whatever, and then there's the warranty too.

Quite a few dealers offer to sell 'on behalf of the owner' so only pay on sale, and then obviously take a lower margin. But it's still quite a lot.

Mind you, after experiences I've heard with Aston Martins this is hardly unusual in the semi-exotic part of the car market, and there's always the need to pay salesman's salaries, advertising, and premises, so perhaps we should expect nothing different.

It certainly stops me from thinking about changing my S3 to an S4, or a Supersports or whatever. Perhaps Charles should consider a special trade-in scheme for Aero derivative owners to make trading-up a more easily palatable exercise? I know he's keen to promote trade-ins and customers switching cars more frequently than is the Morgan tradition.