How practical?

[rlw]

I am tempted to buy a Morgan as I feel that they represent a lot of the things I like about driving and cars. It wouldn't be an only car but could be called on for the occasional work trip as well as being the fun car for weekends and Le Mans, Spa etc and possibly even some trackdays. After a run of 911's I am now in a 1999 GT3 so comfort and noise are not huge issues but practicality is so how much luggage, realistically please, can you get in one of these cars. The GT3 will take two big soft bags and can be filled to the gunwhales under the bonnet and behind the seats so quite a lot - how does a Morgan compare? All thoughts and comments gratefully received (before I go and start looking...................)

[1560]

not practical, unless you mount a luggage-rack at the back,
trunk can carry luggage for 1 person

just go to a dealership they'll show you, explain you: the morgan-world gives you always warm-welcome, so do their dealers

but they are huge fun,
I took mine twice already to Spa and Nuerburgring: you'll enjoy it!!!!!

[Boshly]

rlw said:

I am tempted to buy a Morgan as I feel that they represent a lot of the things I like about driving and cars. It wouldn't be an only car but could be called on for the occasional work trip as well as being the fun car for weekends and Le Mans, Spa etc and possibly even some trackdays. After a run of 911's I am now in a 1999 GT3 so comfort and noise are not huge issues but practicality is so how much luggage, realistically please, can you get in one of these cars. The GT3 will take two big soft bags and can be filled to the gunwhales under the bonnet and behind the seats so quite a lot - how does a Morgan compare? All thoughts and comments gratefully received (before I go and start looking...................)

Are you looking for a Traditional Morgan or an Aero? Can't speak too much about space in a Trad as I am not that familiar with them.

On the other hand an Aero has a reasonable sized boot and space behind the seats (series 4 no space behind boot but bigger boot), enough for two big squashy bags and a helmet we've been down to South of France and whilst it's tight it's very doable for two.

I've done the 'Ring (briefly) and Spa trackdays in the last few weeks and the car was brilliant. Light weight (1150Kgs approx) rose jointed suspension AP racing 6 pot brakes, it's crying out for a track

[1560]

Boshly: why did you only use one piston to brake at La Source

[cerealsurfer]

In a Trad you can get a couple of good size holdalls on the back shelf and thats about it without the use of a rack. For work I use the passenger footwell. In a 4 seater you can get a lot more and the behind the back seats you can get a couple more bags.

In an Aero I think we won the "who packed the most bags" prize in the South of France trip.
2 Duffle bags on the back shelf as well as a pretty big camera bag. 2 Suiters (1 down the back of each seat) and 2 Sparco helmet bags in the boot. (Which can fit a slim golf bag & clubs if you wanted).

Generally though if your used to a Porsche 911, then Morgans will be a lot less ergonomic.. unless you opt for a Mk4 Aero, Aeromax or SuperSport....

[Boshly]

1560 said:

Boshly: why did you only use one piston to brake at La Source

Braking is for wimps

[Boshly]

cerealsurfer said:

Generally though if your used to a Porsche 911, then Morgans will be a lot less ergonomic.. unless you opt for a Mk4 Aero, Aeromax or SuperSport....

A series 4 has no more space than a series 2 or 3. (You can tell easily a series 1,2 or 3 by the more pronounced upwards sweeping bootlid compared to the flatter sleeker lid of the serIes 1)

The fuel tank on the series 4 has been moved from under the boot floor to behind the seats, gving a deeper boot but it loses the parcel shelf behind the seats.

You probably 'gain' by having all the space in one area but 'lose' by missing out on the practicality of the generous parcel shelf right behind you.

[Boshly]

cerealsurfer said:

In an Aero I think we won the "who packed the most bags" prize in the South of France trip.

....

By a mile

[mr_tony]

I can confirm the series IV boot is larger than the previous series, and I'm about to head off to Europe for two weeks with mrs_t and we're confident on luggage space. Done 2 weeks touring in France in a Series I Aero as well and that was fine as well..

[1560]

Boshly said:

1560 said:

Boshly: why did you only use one piston to brake at La Source

Braking is for wimps

or for people who know what the pedal on the right stands for

OnTopic:
if you look at a Trad: don't forget: water incoming beside the windscreen+windnoise

[Philippo]

An traditional Morgan beats an Aero 8 (even S4) hands down on luggage space, basically because you can put an old school trunk or large canteen on the boot rack of a trad.

On my S1 SWSBO is becoming inventive and making yellow sausage bags for her shoes (to better use space in boot) and a tailored squashy bag to go below her thighs. Like the idea or a suiter bag down the back of the seat Mr Tony; it won't work for me due to longish legs but I'll certainly be moving the passenger seat forward for our Centenary trip.

Cheers

[ukshooter]

Philippo said:

An traditional Morgan beats an Aero 8 (even S4) hands down on luggage space, basically because you can put an old school trunk or large canteen on the boot rack of a trad.

On my S1 SWSBO is becoming inventive and making yellow sausage bags for her shoes (to better use space in boot) and a tailored squashy bag to go below her thighs. Like the idea or a suiter bag down the back of the seat Mr Tony; it won't work for me due to longish legs but I'll certainly be moving the passenger seat forward for our Centenary trip.

Cheers

Actually, the same is true of the Aero. There is nothing (except perhaps good taste) preventing a boot rack to be fitted to an Aero 8. However, I find that the my series 4 can take plenty of luggage without the need for external devices!

[Philippo]

Ukshooter

I am intrigued. Are you saying you have seen a boot rack on an Aero 8. I ask since we are going to the North Cape in June 2010 and really will find it challenging to accomodate clothing required for a month. Looking at how the Aero 8 (S1) boot lid is made I would imagine any rack would use a strap & clip system?

And Cerealsurfer thanks for the idea on the suit carrier down the back of the seat; this worked well for our trip to Malvern last week.

Cheers

Philip

[cerealsurfer]

Philippo said:

And Cerealsurfer thanks for the idea on the suit carrier down the back of the seat; this worked well for our trip to Malvern last week.

Cheers

Philip

No worries... we found that the Antler Suiters have no sharp edges and are exactly the right size. http://www.antler.co.uk/catalog/0531x62.cat

[sospan]

I have a 1992 4/4 2 seater. I find it practical for most things apart from shopping for large items and huge luggage loads!!!
I use it for commuting 12 miles each way. Only bought this year so will know more after winter number 1!
Oh... I havent taken the dogs in it yet!
got 2 spaniels and am looking for suitable harnesses to starp the buggers in!
I used to car share on a 60 mile each way trip in previous job so 5 seater cruiser was needed
I still have thwe focus I bought so best of both worlds really.
When I analysed my car usage I found that a 2 seater is fine for a big chunk of my driving.
My wife enjoys the Morgan as well as she gets taken out on trips - lunch etsc!

[Plus Faw]

Sospan, I also have 2 spaniels and they will never be allowed in my Morgan!!! They are plain hyper -- one we think must have ADHD!!!!!

Cheers

Plus Faw

[GLLHG]

Robbie,
Never mind spaniels. When I got my first Morgan (in fact a gift from a generous father because it was his old one and he was getting a +8!) I very proudly invited my then partner out for a drive. We'd gone about four miles when she suddenly announced that she hated the car- it was 'too low' too exposed' and it 'frightened her'
We then got into the old 'I'm never travelling in this again' routine

Got rid of her, still drive Morgans and have never regretted the decision for a single moment. Hey Ho!

regards,
G

Edited by GLLHG on Friday 5th November 17:40

[sospan]

Spaniels.....I have a lunatic springer named Alfie and a cocker named Millie.
As for a wife...
yes I have one.
She has grown to like the Morgan but is starting to complain about the amount of time i "play" with it. In a cossetting sense I mean!
I have joined the MSCC and been to a Taffmog "noggin" and intend extending attendance asap!
Some good looking days out seem to be planned. The social/get-togethers for Taffmog and more widespread localities look good too.
Its not just a car you buy when you get a Morgan!