Porsche vs Morgan Experience
Discussion
I am a big Porsche fan, but remain perplexed at the reluctance of main dealers to welcome in enthusiast owners who bought second hand. I happened to go into an excellent Porsche main dealer on Sunday and bought my little lad a toy car. It's very impressive and the lady at reception was kind and helpful. But it's daunting, naff and peopled by aspirational buyers wearing tight trousers - with orange tans and plastic wives. People who've had hair implants. I mean, really! The motorsport heritage is like some kind of weird mood music when choosing what kind of veneer you want on the ashtray. And you certainly can't buy a GT3.
I took some lads to the Morgan factory in November and was bowled over by the authentic, enthusiastic welcome that I was offered. I was shown around by an older gent who had owned 8 Morgans and a couple were in the museum. He wasn't snooty in any way and he certainly didn't have hair implants. I came away SERIOUSLY considering chopping in the Turbo for a Plus 4. Not even a Plus 8. Bizarrely, I suspect customers of Morgan are generally better heeled than customers of Porsche. The cars were really very appealing and I was amazed at the level of individual, manual input and individuality. There was charm and warmth.
It is a real shame that the society now seems to want heritage veneer, a sort of synthetic throw away present that wont be any kind of meaningful past. Contrived and vainly expedient. I am not going to buy air cooled and I like 996's but I wish that I could connect with the modern brand and what it represents. Perhaps hybrid is the new future, and Porsche seem pretty good at that - authentically.
I took some lads to the Morgan factory in November and was bowled over by the authentic, enthusiastic welcome that I was offered. I was shown around by an older gent who had owned 8 Morgans and a couple were in the museum. He wasn't snooty in any way and he certainly didn't have hair implants. I came away SERIOUSLY considering chopping in the Turbo for a Plus 4. Not even a Plus 8. Bizarrely, I suspect customers of Morgan are generally better heeled than customers of Porsche. The cars were really very appealing and I was amazed at the level of individual, manual input and individuality. There was charm and warmth.
It is a real shame that the society now seems to want heritage veneer, a sort of synthetic throw away present that wont be any kind of meaningful past. Contrived and vainly expedient. I am not going to buy air cooled and I like 996's but I wish that I could connect with the modern brand and what it represents. Perhaps hybrid is the new future, and Porsche seem pretty good at that - authentically.
I visited Porsche Centre Leeds on Sunday morning, en-route to a meeting, with 2 other Porsche-owning friends. We had a mooch around and a sales guy approached us. We made it clear that although we were all Porsche owners we weren't there to buy and were, basically, killing a little time.
Sales guy talked to us about the current range, talked to us about the 'classics' in the showroom, led us into the workshop and showed us the 356 coupe and uncovered a semi-stripped 2.7rs.
He waxed lyrical about the little 356 convertible that had just sold, how he'd have loved to own the wide-bodied 3.2 convertible that was in stock, how we'd be welcome to discuss a car-club visit to the showroom etc, etc.
He wasn't wearing particularly tight trousers (and neither were we) and seemed to me to be 'Porsche' through and through!
Sales guy talked to us about the current range, talked to us about the 'classics' in the showroom, led us into the workshop and showed us the 356 coupe and uncovered a semi-stripped 2.7rs.
He waxed lyrical about the little 356 convertible that had just sold, how he'd have loved to own the wide-bodied 3.2 convertible that was in stock, how we'd be welcome to discuss a car-club visit to the showroom etc, etc.
He wasn't wearing particularly tight trousers (and neither were we) and seemed to me to be 'Porsche' through and through!
ScienceTeacher said:
I am a big Porsche fan, but remain perplexed at the reluctance of main dealers to welcome in enthusiast owners who bought second hand. I happened to go into an excellent Porsche main dealer on Sunday and bought my little lad a toy car. It's very impressive and the lady at reception was kind and helpful. But it's daunting, naff and peopled by aspirational buyers wearing tight trousers - with orange tans and plastic wives. People who've had hair implants. I mean, really! The motorsport heritage is like some kind of weird mood music when choosing what kind of veneer you want on the ashtray. And you certainly can't buy a GT3.
I took some lads to the Morgan factory in November and was bowled over by the authentic, enthusiastic welcome that I was offered. I was shown around by an older gent who had owned 8 Morgans and a couple were in the museum. He wasn't snooty in any way and he certainly didn't have hair implants. I came away SERIOUSLY considering chopping in the Turbo for a Plus 4. Not even a Plus 8. Bizarrely, I suspect customers of Morgan are generally better heeled than customers of Porsche. The cars were really very appealing and I was amazed at the level of individual, manual input and individuality. There was charm and warmth.
It is a real shame that the society now seems to want heritage veneer, a sort of synthetic throw away present that wont be any kind of meaningful past. Contrived and vainly expedient. I am not going to buy air cooled and I like 996's but I wish that I could connect with the modern brand and what it represents. Perhaps hybrid is the new future, and Porsche seem pretty good at that - authentically.
Aye, Porsche drivers don't all have good taste - or taste like yours anyway. But the cars are great. Unlike Morgans - been there, done that. My advice? Don't (although I might be tempted by the new Plus 8).I took some lads to the Morgan factory in November and was bowled over by the authentic, enthusiastic welcome that I was offered. I was shown around by an older gent who had owned 8 Morgans and a couple were in the museum. He wasn't snooty in any way and he certainly didn't have hair implants. I came away SERIOUSLY considering chopping in the Turbo for a Plus 4. Not even a Plus 8. Bizarrely, I suspect customers of Morgan are generally better heeled than customers of Porsche. The cars were really very appealing and I was amazed at the level of individual, manual input and individuality. There was charm and warmth.
It is a real shame that the society now seems to want heritage veneer, a sort of synthetic throw away present that wont be any kind of meaningful past. Contrived and vainly expedient. I am not going to buy air cooled and I like 996's but I wish that I could connect with the modern brand and what it represents. Perhaps hybrid is the new future, and Porsche seem pretty good at that - authentically.
FarQue said:
I visited Porsche Centre Leeds on Sunday morning, en-route to a meeting, with 2 other Porsche-owning friends. We had a mooch around and a sales guy approached us. We made it clear that although we were all Porsche owners we weren't there to buy and were, basically, killing a little time.
Sales guy talked to us about the current range, talked to us about the 'classics' in the showroom, led us into the workshop and showed us the 356 coupe and uncovered a semi-stripped 2.7rs.
He waxed lyrical about the little 356 convertible that had just sold, how he'd have loved to own the wide-bodied 3.2 convertible that was in stock, how we'd be welcome to discuss a car-club visit to the showroom etc, etc.
He wasn't wearing particularly tight trousers (and neither were we) and seemed to me to be 'Porsche' through and through!
Sales guy talked to us about the current range, talked to us about the 'classics' in the showroom, led us into the workshop and showed us the 356 coupe and uncovered a semi-stripped 2.7rs.
He waxed lyrical about the little 356 convertible that had just sold, how he'd have loved to own the wide-bodied 3.2 convertible that was in stock, how we'd be welcome to discuss a car-club visit to the showroom etc, etc.
He wasn't wearing particularly tight trousers (and neither were we) and seemed to me to be 'Porsche' through and through!
or
Right, I've set my stall out...
Have you driven a Morgan? Quite an appropriate comparison as they are the polar opposite as both vehicles and engineering approaches. How many cars have you seen for example where the front suspension moves up and down on a greased pillar! it was archaic in the 1960s let alone now. A friend of mine has an old +8 inherited from his Dad, I have offered to help him get it back on the road again this year, will be mega fun.
NJH said:
Have you driven a Morgan? Quite an appropriate comparison as they are the polar opposite as both vehicles and engineering approaches. How many cars have you seen for example where the front suspension moves up and down on a greased pillar! it was archaic in the 1960s let alone now. A friend of mine has an old +8 inherited from his Dad, I have offered to help him get it back on the road again this year, will be mega fun.
Morgans do go extremely quickly around a race track, despite the sliding pillar suspension. Probably a feature of their light weight but they seemed to handle well round the twisty bits when I was dicing with one at Snetterton last October. I was quicker down the straights (944 turbo) but they were quicker through the corners. Probably says more about me than the cars!!!I achieved a minor ambition the other month; saw my first (new type) Morgan 3 wheeler on the road. Freezing cold day too - kudos to the full-face helmeted pilot. It is on of the very few 'new' cars that really, seriously temps me. I may have to hire one for a few days, although I can see that might merely increase the itch, rather than scratch it.
Morgans are good value compared to a very used 964 I have been thinking about. Mentioned this new idea to my wife. Shouldn't have done that. Over her dead body, she said.
She reminded me of our factory visit 15 years ago when I last thought about a Morgan. Production seemed to be like repairing an old sofa with scraps of wood and lots of hammers being used.
She reminded me of our factory visit 15 years ago when I last thought about a Morgan. Production seemed to be like repairing an old sofa with scraps of wood and lots of hammers being used.
andy97 said:
Morgans do go extremely quickly around a race track, despite the sliding pillar suspension. Probably a feature of their light weight but they seemed to handle well round the twisty bits when I was dicing with one at Snetterton last October. I was quicker down the straights (944 turbo) but they were quicker through the corners. Probably says more about me than the cars!!!
There rock hard Andy, light weight and many of those racing crazy moody engine tune but I didn't say that of course, lol! I was very very tempted to buy a decent +8 myself but missed the boat sadly and now many are too expensive. Still though I am hoping my mate lets me loose on his, he never let me near the keys of his Lambo but maybe that says more about me than than the cars!!!
Lastly these guys on our doorstep down here which again says something about the cars and demographics as most Porsche specialists are concentrated around the big urban conurbations.
http://www.newelms.com
...fantastic local pub up the road the Bennett Arms as well.
Dam I wish I didn't click on the links, he has a really lovely looking restored +8 for sale for OK money:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291756894791
The mrs would kill me, supposed to be paying the house down.
NJH said:
Have you driven a Morgan? Quite an appropriate comparison as they are the polar opposite as both vehicles and engineering approaches. How many cars have you seen for example where the front suspension moves up and down on a greased pillar! it was archaic in the 1960s let alone now. A friend of mine has an old +8 inherited from his Dad, I have offered to help him get it back on the road again this year, will be mega fun.
I've never actually been in one. I suspect that they can in the right trim be nimble and certainly have a bit of go in a straight line. From what I determined the lighter Plus 4 was a more desirable motor, but it's hard not to want the V8. The narrower bodies look more attractive in my opinion and if I really wanted thrust a Caterham or the Turbo would clearly be better. I like touring and feel that a Morgan would be good for a weekend away but not for a real tour. I did meet a man at Calais once who'd been around Italy with his wife in an Aero 8. I imagine he had some splendid outings, but it looked far from comfortable. Not sure I like the idea of motorway driving at night in the rain...Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff