Discussion
Try the "used car locator" on the Morgan website and you will get an impression what you can get for 20,000 GBP.
These are the 4/4s listed on the page:
http://tinyurl.com/cpdttx
Try the same with +4s and +8.
For 20,000 GBP you can get a very good/new 4/4. +4s or +8s for the same price will be (much) older. I would recommend an official Morgan agent or a dealer that has a lot of experience with Morgans.
Here is a buyer's guide that might help. Presumably there are other guides too.
http://www.gomog.com/guide.htm
These are the 4/4s listed on the page:
http://tinyurl.com/cpdttx
Try the same with +4s and +8.
For 20,000 GBP you can get a very good/new 4/4. +4s or +8s for the same price will be (much) older. I would recommend an official Morgan agent or a dealer that has a lot of experience with Morgans.
Here is a buyer's guide that might help. Presumably there are other guides too.
http://www.gomog.com/guide.htm
jfk1958 said:
Hi wife is 50 in May and always wanted a Morgan. So i have a £20k budget but know nothing of Morgans. I would really appreciate some general guidance on what to go for. Model, practicallity, where to buy, what to look out for? We live in North Bucks. Many thanks in advance.
Roderich's comments are solid. One can no longer be sure of a used Plus 8 within your price range. On the other hand, Plus 8 residuals are the most solid and rising of any Morgan model. Unless, one pays a crazy price, it is impossible to lose. The prices of the good Plus 8s ones have risen remarkably in the last two years. Roadsters (the Ford V6 model) are also still beyond 20K. However, my guess is your wife (unless she drives like a hooligan [smile]) wouldn't want that much power anyway. The newer Plus 4s (post 2004) have not dropped to 20K yet. Good car!I would also tend to avoid Rover Plus 4s..(1985-2002) very hard to find parts for now. Very serious issue. Pre-cuprinol cars (aka pre-1987) often hide sadness especially in a damp climate unless the car has been completely restored. Cuprinol is the Morgan wood preservative. Of course, early Plus 4s and 4/4s (1936-1980) are lovely and are preferred by many enthusiasts and collectors.
Your best bet for a hassle free driver is a 1987-2004 4/4. (In 2004, the Company placed them on the much heavier Plus chassis). They are light, lithe, reactive, easy to handle, easy on petrol and the perfect car for a English country road. Most people think their slimmer shape makes them the most beautiful Morgan ever built. Outside of the Plus 8, they have been the most popular model since the thirties and the most sought after new model even today (the agents are presently glamoring for them).
If you want to refine the era I indicate, after 1990 the suspension improved. After June 1993 the brakes became better (4 pots versus 2) and the rear handbrake linkage became MUCH safer. In the mid-90s, the steering went to rack and pinion (though there is nothing wrong with the Gemmer steering it replaced). In 1998 the wings became Superform and that might cause bubbles on the wing molding edge...so check that out and beware if you are told the car has been recently resprayed.
20K is more than enough to find a beautiful example. For that reason, I strongly suggest you do NOT show your wife a possibility until you have it checked out properly. This may sound nuts but there is a tendency for Morgan buyers to fall so deeply in love at first sight that they are blinded to other realities that come back later to haunt. Be warned. Think first, love later.
Do NOT buy a pre-owned Morgan privately unless you have a reputable older agent or Morgan restorer completely survey the car, the log book and all invoices ever charged on it. You are safest paying slightly more to buy from a reputable agent. Many agents will not sell a car they are not 100% confident in..often those they have cared for from birth. Morgans respond very well to great care and very poorly to poor care. These agents will help out in all cases, even without a warranty. Other agents are different. If you want recommendations (or non-recommendations) on agents, it can be done privately.
As a last word of advice. This is not the only or best Morgan forum. There are other 3 Morgan community 4-wheeler forums. Any one of them will broaden your knowledge base and contacts.
Lorne
Edited by gomog on Sunday 22 February 16:09
jfk1958 said:
Hi wife is 50 in May and always wanted a Morgan. So i have a £20k budget but know nothing of Morgans.
One other suggestion to add to the rest of the good advice already proffered is that you (and she) should go to a dealer and get a test drive before going much further. Morgans are a particular taste and not all who like the idea of Morgan owning actually like the reality. Those who do are bitten forever, but there are a lot of nearly new Morgans in dealers from those who just couldn't get on with them...I currently have 2 Morgans and have recently sold 2 others. With a budget of £20,000 I would expect that you could find something nice.
I would suggest that you visit a Morgan specialist and look at the range of models and take a few test drives to get a feel for the models.
I am biased towards Richard Thorne Classic Cars as I have bought 2 of my cars from them and they have serviced all 4 and sold 2 for me. www.rtcc.co.uk They are situated close to Junction 10 of the M4 (Reading)and have been Morgan dealers for around 25 years.
You could also look at a cheaper car that needs some care and attention. I had a driveable 4/4 4 seater which needed about £1,200 spent on the chassis, exhaust and some new sidescreen rubbers and then I had a good little car which then I sold for close to just half your budget.
My 1952 Flat Rad Plus 4 cost me a little under £20,000 and could have got by with just spending some money on the wiring to make a fantastic little car but as I plan to keep it for some time, decided to completely replace the wiring with a new loom, rebuild the starter and dynamo and rebuild and calibrate the instruments. I will also probably recover the seats and have a new tonneau made during the year as well. I would guess that all in, when completed the car should stand me in for £25,000.
I would suggest that you visit a Morgan specialist and look at the range of models and take a few test drives to get a feel for the models.
I am biased towards Richard Thorne Classic Cars as I have bought 2 of my cars from them and they have serviced all 4 and sold 2 for me. www.rtcc.co.uk They are situated close to Junction 10 of the M4 (Reading)and have been Morgan dealers for around 25 years.
You could also look at a cheaper car that needs some care and attention. I had a driveable 4/4 4 seater which needed about £1,200 spent on the chassis, exhaust and some new sidescreen rubbers and then I had a good little car which then I sold for close to just half your budget.
My 1952 Flat Rad Plus 4 cost me a little under £20,000 and could have got by with just spending some money on the wiring to make a fantastic little car but as I plan to keep it for some time, decided to completely replace the wiring with a new loom, rebuild the starter and dynamo and rebuild and calibrate the instruments. I will also probably recover the seats and have a new tonneau made during the year as well. I would guess that all in, when completed the car should stand me in for £25,000.
jfk1958 said:
Hi wife is 50 in May and always wanted a Morgan.
Silly question probably, but has she driven one? Can she cope with the steering weight etc? 20k is a lot to spend if she likes the look more than the reality.personally I never found it paid to surprise my wife, present wise.
Apologies if you've sorted everything out already!
I spent a couple of hours at AllonWhite yesterday near Milotn Keynes where i live.
If any of you can be bothered can you please take a look at this link.
http://www.allonwhite.co.uk/used-morgans
I am keen on the fourth car down Ref ST304. The dealer was very good and he is trying to get me interested in a brand new 4/4, better finance etc. The only big problem i have is that the new model doesnt have a spare wheel, or bumpers, therfore to me anyway doesnt look as good.
Any comments on the Car(s), price, dealer etc would be greatly appreciated. My business is going crazy at the moment and i dont have time to travel far to see many cars.
Many thanks, John
If any of you can be bothered can you please take a look at this link.
http://www.allonwhite.co.uk/used-morgans
I am keen on the fourth car down Ref ST304. The dealer was very good and he is trying to get me interested in a brand new 4/4, better finance etc. The only big problem i have is that the new model doesnt have a spare wheel, or bumpers, therfore to me anyway doesnt look as good.
Any comments on the Car(s), price, dealer etc would be greatly appreciated. My business is going crazy at the moment and i dont have time to travel far to see many cars.
Many thanks, John
Hi John
Is this still going to be a surprise?
I would hold off until your wife has had a chance to drive both and make the choice herself – it will be such a personal thing. And has already been said, not everyone gets on with them anyway.
If you are thinking about the possibility of buying a new car anyway, then part of the fun is choosing colours and fittings (admittedly fewer options available with the new 4/4) – again, very personal.
Why not take her to the factory on her birthday, and try out a few cars first (or hire one for a weekend as part of the trip)? Unless, of course, it would not be a problem at all if she didn’t like the car you bought, so you had to take it over instead….?
As to the finance part – I always try to split this part out of any purchase. It is often possible to get a better deal by looking round a bit, rather than taking the most convenient option...
Is this still going to be a surprise?
I would hold off until your wife has had a chance to drive both and make the choice herself – it will be such a personal thing. And has already been said, not everyone gets on with them anyway.
If you are thinking about the possibility of buying a new car anyway, then part of the fun is choosing colours and fittings (admittedly fewer options available with the new 4/4) – again, very personal.
Why not take her to the factory on her birthday, and try out a few cars first (or hire one for a weekend as part of the trip)? Unless, of course, it would not be a problem at all if she didn’t like the car you bought, so you had to take it over instead….?
As to the finance part – I always try to split this part out of any purchase. It is often possible to get a better deal by looking round a bit, rather than taking the most convenient option...
Paul thanks for the comments. It still needs to be a surprise!!!. After 26 years of marriage and owning a multitude of different and fairly interesting cars i am convinced (after test drving the 4/4) that she will love this model.
She is a very verstaile woman. Any further help will be appeciated.
She is a very verstaile woman. Any further help will be appeciated.
jfk1958 said:
I spent a couple of hours at AllonWhite yesterday near Milotn Keynes where i live.
Excellent dealer! A lucky choice, Honest..reliable with a notable trim shop. If they are close and you need help, use them no matter where you buy. They will not knowingly sell a bad car. Top stuff only.jfk1958 said:
If any of you can be bothered can you please take a look at this link.
http://www.allonwhite.co.uk/used-morgans I am keen on the fourth car down Ref ST304. The dealer was very good and he is trying to get me interested in a brand new 4/4, better finance etc. The only big problem i have is that the new model doesnt have a spare wheel, or bumpers, therfore to me anyway doesnt look as good.
Any comments on the Car(s), price, dealer etc would be greatly appreciated. My business is going crazy at the moment and i dont have time to travel far to see many cars.
I peeked in as you asked. Here are my humble thoughts;http://www.allonwhite.co.uk/used-morgans I am keen on the fourth car down Ref ST304. The dealer was very good and he is trying to get me interested in a brand new 4/4, better finance etc. The only big problem i have is that the new model doesnt have a spare wheel, or bumpers, therfore to me anyway doesnt look as good.
Any comments on the Car(s), price, dealer etc would be greatly appreciated. My business is going crazy at the moment and i dont have time to travel far to see many cars.
1. A new 4/4 Sport they are suggesting (I presume) is the hottest Morgan model at the moment. She will get lots of oohs and ahs from Morgan people. It has limited choices in colours, interior (leather) and set up. It has a smaller engine (1600). However, it has been declared much lighter than other new trads and it IS fun to drive. The Factory Parts Department have designed a rack that will fit a spare tyre AND hold luggage. As a new car, you can expect it to go down in resale value for 5-10 years.
2. #ST305 is tempting. The car is past any value depreciation it is ever going to have. You will never lose on a resale whether it be in 2 years or 10..assuming you maintain the car in reasonable condition. Like bordseye, I like the colour. I cannot judge the interior or general appearance, have to be on the spot for that. Low mileage. The price is fair
3. #ST304. Biggest engine of the three. Still considered a "new" car. Easy parts access and anyone can fix it. You will lose on a resale within the next 5 years as it will still float down a bit and then start to rise. It will likely bottom at £15k "ish" 2 years from now. The price is fair but there is room for a bit of bargaining..whether in price or warranty.
Examine the wire wheels for ANY sign of rust and the wings for ANY sign of bubbling paint..especially at the edge molding. Get all the numbers on the tyres. Often the tyres on Morgans are gone because of excessive age and will have to be replaced regardless of minimal usage. The numbers often indicate the month and year they were made. http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html I cannot over stress the need for good rubber on any Morgan.
This one is the sagest pick of the three, especially if it showed better then the Ivory one.
If you buy it, get rid of the wind deflectors. They don't deflect wind, make it hard to open the doors with the side screens on and are dubious aesthetically.
Good luck John.
Lorne
P.S. Call me Lorne, my friends do. Only the community knows me as GoMoG.
jfk1958 said:
Any further help will be appeciated.
In which case, I'd also personally go for ST304 from this selection (but based on much less experience than Lorne). Should be well 'sorted' by now, with the first 'hit' on depreciation already taken. Also has the bumpers & spare wheel you want, and looks to be in excellent condition. And 'red ones go faster'!
Paul Hurst said:
jfk1958 said:
Any further help will be appeciated.
In which case, I'd also personally go for ST304 from this selection (but based on much less experience than Lorne). Should be well 'sorted' by now, with the first 'hit' on depreciation already taken. Also has the bumpers & spare wheel you want, and looks to be in excellent condition. And 'red ones go faster'!
Lorne
only to tell: a friend of mine bought a morgan recently. he watched the blue 1993 +8 3.9 one for 24.995 at Richard Thorne:
untidy, rust, undersealed, dents....a total basket case!!!
interestingwise a new entry at the dealer with only 7800miles on the clock in new condition (new over here means new!!!) was "only" 2000pound more.
compared to this the blue one is worth maximum 20.000
recently a black +8 with red interior was sold privately for 17500...from first owner (70y old lady!!)..the buyer was a dealer and resold it immediately to a stupid buyer for 22500,-
the original seller told me that the car looked nice on the pictures but was never worth 22.500 cause of dents, rust and wear and plenty of underseal!!!
untidy, rust, undersealed, dents....a total basket case!!!
interestingwise a new entry at the dealer with only 7800miles on the clock in new condition (new over here means new!!!) was "only" 2000pound more.
compared to this the blue one is worth maximum 20.000
recently a black +8 with red interior was sold privately for 17500...from first owner (70y old lady!!)..the buyer was a dealer and resold it immediately to a stupid buyer for 22500,-
the original seller told me that the car looked nice on the pictures but was never worth 22.500 cause of dents, rust and wear and plenty of underseal!!!
jfk1958 said:
Many thanks to all. I finally did the deed today (i bought the one i mentioned earlier) and the dealer has agreed to deliver the car at my wifes 50th Birthday party next month. I will have a look for a Club near us and hope to meet some of you in the future.
Well done! 
Lorne
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