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Hi, and Merry Christmas to everyone.
I am one 200+ mile journey and multiple 30+ mile B-road blasts (all roof up, so far) into my 2,000 mile, new to me, Plus Six. In a lull in the day's festivities, I thought I'd jot down my initial impressions:
The Morgan replaces a 1959 TR3A as my 2nd car. After 14 years ownership, I loved that car, but couldn't trust it for touring trips. I didn't want to completely go to a modern car and Morgans have always drawn me to them. I have had a couple of days track training and used to regularly play a bit in go-karts, but I'm a spirited, not fast road driver, with a healthy sense of self-preservation!
Negatives:
- On my first long trip from north of York to south of Colchester, the car was very comfortable, but with significant wind noise. On my subsequent short blasts I've been working through the wind noise and it is much reduced by adjusting the front left hood catch (which was self undoing!) and tightening up the sidescreens.
- On rough roads, I seem to have a bump sound from the rear. I've checked bolts I can see for tightness.
- On both sidescreens the rear seals at the bottom where they seal against the door, are sticking out when the door closes and the 'B' profile is weak in the centre and splitting.
- I have a squeak somewhere behind my right ear.
- The standard stereo is pretty useless.
- Both front bonnet catches are incredibly stiff and tough to re-secure.
- The driver's side window seems loose and works open about 1/4" after a few miles.
- The black powder-coat on the luggage rack has worn off and scuffed in places from my drive home with the factory luggage case attached.
- The bottom dome-head fixing nuts for the rack were rusty.
- It's a 'Pinnacle' model. The studs attaching the sheepskin rugs(!) to the floor are impossible to line up.
- The silver of the steering wheel reflects in the windscreen, a distraction, but not affecting visibility.
- too much delay in the paddleshift. I will need to learn to anticipate changes to allow for the delay. At the moment I'm also struggling to manual shift with the stick, finding it too easy to knock the gearshift out of sport mode.
- Fuel tank needs another gallon.
In my view, most of that is fixable and definitely are minor and not affecting my enjoyment of the car. I mention them for balance!
Positives:
- Just look at it. Wow!
- Fast. Is it really legal to have this much performance on the road. Again, wow!
- Firmish suspension, but not jarring. I clench as I see a bump, then it's an anticlimax. It copes very well with poor local road surfaces.
- Handling is good. No bump-steer, no wallow, no noticeable lean into bends. Roadholding even on cold slightly damp bends has been impressive.
- Throttle pedal is smooth and nice to use.
- Brakes are a bit mushy in feel to start with, but strong.
- No scuttle shake.
- Despite the early fit/finish niggles, it feels really well put together and solid, with decent paint and interior materials. I love the quirkiness of some of the build features. Sidescreens, bonnet stays, wood on the bulkhead etc.
- I admire those willing to drive one of these pre-traction control. When in standard 'Drive' mode, the kickdown can be 3 gears. The shove is then phenomenal and I have activated traction control on one overtake. You do feel the horizon coming towards you!
- It is very easy-going and relaxing to drive at 5/10ths.
- Comfort seats are great.
- the noise in S and S+ is hilarious. Time will tell if it's just a novelty!
So, a great 1st week. Very pleased with my decision. 😀👍
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