Morgan or Polaris 3 wheeler [Archive] (2024)

Plus 2

17th February 2024, 12:22

I know the correct answer is neither as with 3 wheels, it's gong to hit even more of the pot holes in our lousy roads.

But I've always had a soft spot for Morgans, including 3 wheelers. Their current 3 wheeler

https://www.hagerty.com/media/great-reads/polaris-slingshot-vs-morgan-super-3-fewer-wheels-more-fun/

The Polaris is much less expensive and arguably better at everything, although being useful isn't a strong point for either.

Despite the cost, the Morgan would be my choice in a heartbeat. For unfathomable reasons, the Morgan can't be sold in Canada, but I could buy a Polaris Slingshot

Dry Martini

17th February 2024, 12:28

I know the correct answer is neither as with 3 wheels, it's gong to hit even more of the pot holes in our lousy roads.

But I've always had a soft spot for Morgans, including 3 wheelers. Their current 3 wheeler

https://www.hagerty.com/media/great-reads/polaris-slingshot-vs-morgan-super-3-fewer-wheels-more-fun/

The Polaris is much less expensive and arguably better at everything, although being useful isn't a strong point for either.

Despite the cost, the Morgan would be my choice in a heartbeat. For unfathomable reasons, the Morgan can't be sold in Canada, but I could buy a Polaris Slingshot

If I had to pick between the two, I would go witrh the Morgan. The Sling$h*t is too cartoonish looking.

But why limit your choices to three wheels, why not go for a Caterham 7?

Plus 2

17th February 2024, 13:04

But why limit your choices to three wheels, why not go for a Caterham 7?

A 7, or a 4 wheeled Morgan, or something with 4 wheels. There are lots of great roads around here with curves and hills, but they are not smooth.

Ronin38

17th February 2024, 13:48

Beerthief

17th February 2024, 13:48

BetweenMiatas

17th February 2024, 14:13

I've gotten to sit in a Morgan 3 wheeler once, and would drive one if given the opportunity. But to own one tips my risk/reward scale a little too far toward risk.

I'm not interested in the Polaris at all.

jamesqf

17th February 2024, 14:25

I know the correct answer is neither as with 3 wheels, it's gong to hit even more of the pot holes in our lousy roads.

Just think of them as government-supplied autocross and slalom driving courses :-)

NJBrit

17th February 2024, 15:08

01CryBlue

17th February 2024, 15:17

I thought the Slingshots were for old, fat people who can't ride a motorcycle anymore. That's all I see riding them, anyhow.

I've never seen a Morgan in real life so I'm unable to judge the people riding them.

Do you ride or drive a 3 wheel vehicle?

Little Englander

17th February 2024, 15:57

Modern Morgan 3-wheelers are not actually a Morgan desigh. They brought in a design from a Seattle firm who was trying to imitate a 1930s design. I can't imagine a "real" Morgan 3-wheel is less fun, and its probably a bit of an investment. There's not that much to them, to keep them running.

Looks a lot more attractive than modern versions: Looks incredible value, though the JAP engined ones go for more. This one I think has a Ford sidevalve

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1668883

Jap engined Family Sport is reasonable money

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1650816

The Aero Sports though fetch a decent coin though

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1668927

These I think will have a lot more character than modern imitations, and can be cheaper as well, with zero depreciation.

IvectoredU

17th February 2024, 16:45

JTod

17th February 2024, 16:58

Lance Schall

17th February 2024, 17:42

Interesting they both have a Miata 5 speed.

I'd rent the Morgan when I was on vacation or whatever. The Polaris does not interest me to own, rent, drive, ride in, touch, or even look at. It seems that they rent them in Sedona and everybody drives them to Jerome, so it's not like I'm not already forced to see them before I avert my eyes.

gpbailey

17th February 2024, 17:54

I confess, the new Super 3 has been on my mind lately. I love the new drivetrain and modern take on the classic Morgan three-wheeler. What surprises me is that they're actually for sale in the US. I'm always dismayed by the restrictions and hassle of owning specialty machines that can't believe Morgan is giving it a shot here. Or course, it's puzzling Canada won't get a chance. Is there a way to buy in the US and register there?

That said, I'm also keeping an eye on the Vanderhall Santarosa electric roadster. The Slingshot? Not so much. That styling looks like something out of a fantasy car chase game.

rloewy

17th February 2024, 19:22

In he late 90s I found an early 30s Morgan in boxes for sale in Vancouver BC for a reasonable price. I contacted the owner and said I am interested, he decided that since I never owned a Morgan before I was not "qualified" to try and rebuild his precious collection of parts. It was both a shame and probably a blessing as a couple of years later I bought my super-7.

In my excitement I did find an original owners manual from the 30s that I still have somewhere in a shed among other automobilia nonsense I collected. IIRC, the manual described the total-loss oil system and how to manually prime the oil delivery, but it has been a long time since I read that booklet.

While I would probably be interested in sampling a Morgan at some point, this experience pretty much soured me on the Morgan experience, unfairly, I suspect, but so it goes.

jamesqf

17th February 2024, 19:36

I thought the Slingshots were for old, fat people who can't ride a motorcycle anymore. That's all I see riding them, anyhow.

I think you're thinking of the Harley-Davidson and similar tricycles, which you ride in an upright position, like a motorcycle, and operate with handlebars and motorcycle-style controls. The Slingshot has seats that you sit in, like a rather low-slung car, and has a steering wheel and other car-like controls.

JTod

17th February 2024, 19:52

Dry Martini

17th February 2024, 20:45

I think you're thinking of the Harley-Davidson and similar tricycles, which you ride in an upright position, like a motorcycle, and operate with handlebars and motorcycle-style controls. The Slingshot has seats that you sit in, like a rather low-slung car, and has a steering wheel and other car-like controls.

The Slingshot is for people who are totally inept at riding a motorcycle.

Lance Schall

17th February 2024, 21:21

ahutcheon

17th February 2024, 22:07

This would seem contingent on whether you consider a Polaris a motorcyle with an extra wheel for the "inept" or a car with one wheel deleted for added lightness.;)

They do it for lightness? I assumed it was because as a snowmobile manufacturer they didn't know what a differential was.

Lance Schall

17th February 2024, 22:57

jamesqf

18th February 2024, 01:21

The Slingshot is for people who are totally inept at riding a motorcycle.

Nope, unless you consider all cars to be for people inept at riding motorcycles. Now those Harley trikes...

If you've ever gotten caught in a sudden snowstorm while riding your motorcycle, you quickly learn to appreciate that having 3 or more wheels has certain benefits, like staying upright :-)

Dry Martini

18th February 2024, 05:07

Nope, unless you consider all cars to be for people inept at riding motorcycles. Now those Harley trikes...

If you've ever gotten caught in a sudden snowstorm while riding your motorcycle, you quickly learn to appreciate that having 3 or more wheels has certain benefits, like staying upright :-)

No I don’t consider all cars for that purpose, just slingshots and the can-am three wheeler. They give the inept person the feeling of riding in the open breeze.

This does not include a motorcycle with sidecar, as that takes skill to ride safely, unlike the other two.

I don’t ride sport bikes in the winter time. Ice on twisty mountain roads is too much of a risk to be hooning it up.

SvahaDean

18th February 2024, 08:57

jamesqf

18th February 2024, 13:57

Are you looking for the recreational vehicle for leisurely rides, or do you need it for daily commuting or practical purposes

That's really not a question for some of us. Back when I owned motorcycles and did daily commuting, I used the bikes far more for that than for recreation. (And recreational use meant getting to a beach, trailhead, &c.)

No I don’t consider all cars for that purpose, just slingshots and the can-am three wheeler. They give the inept person the feeling of riding in the open breeze.

Err... Miata with the top down? Plus the fact that most of my bikes had pretty decent fairings.

And again, with the Slingshot, you're not riding, you're sitting.

Lance Schall

18th February 2024, 14:56

And again, with the Slingshot, you're not riding, you're sitting.Right. Federally they only recognize cars or motorcycles (with 3 wheels being "motorcycles"). State law however defines an autocycle between the two federal ends of the scale. In most states anyway. Autocyles have a seat and steering wheel instead of a saddle and handle bars and in most states (again definitions vary) does not require either a helmet or a motorcycle license endorsem*nt.

In Arizona an autocycle has a roll bar, seatbelt, steering wheel and pedals (instead of pegs). Although federally it's still a motorcycle so it doesn't need, for example, airbags. Autocycles are plated as motorcycles.

kallsop

18th February 2024, 15:45

Other than the Slingshot and Morgan, the reverse trike/autocycle is pretty much dead.

Elio is mailing out checks to people that had refundable deposits and their website domain shut down and the name has been put on hold. Paul Elio is actually running a business buying salvage cars, fixing them, and then selling them with a branded title.

https://renewautomotivesales.mycarsonline.com/

Arcimoto with the FUV has laid off staff, is having financial issues and for those that have one getting it fixed can take months because of a lack of parts and service centers have quit from not being paid.

ElectraMeccanica with the Solo has shut down production due to a design flaw in the drive system, it just randomly quits and you coast to a stop. They are buying back the ones they have sold, and the business has merged with Xos vehicles in California.

Aptera is hoping to start delivery of vehicles later this year, they have 37,000 reservations and are hoping to produce 40 units a day after production starts.

Ronin38

18th February 2024, 19:04

Dry Martini

18th February 2024, 19:45

That's really not a question for some of us. Back when I owned motorcycles and did daily commuting, I used the bikes far more for that than for recreation. (And recreational use meant getting to a beach, trailhead, &c.)

Err... Miata with the top down? Plus the fact that most of my bikes had pretty decent fairings.

And again, with the Slingshot, you're not riding, you're sitting.

I know what the reality is. But this is what the inept person sees as a replacement for the motorcycle, they are unable to ride. Stop trying to use logic here. It will not work.

BTW, everyone sits on a motorcycle, when they ride one.

BetweenMiatas

18th February 2024, 19:50

In he late 90s I found an early 30s Morgan in boxes for sale in Vancouver BC for a reasonable price. I contacted the owner and said I am interested, he decided that since I never owned a Morgan before I was not "qualified" to try and rebuild his precious collection of parts. It was both a shame and probably a blessing as a couple of years later I bought my super-7.

In my excitement I did find an original owners manual from the 30s that I still have somewhere in a shed among other automobilia nonsense I collected. IIRC, the manual described the total-loss oil system and how to manually prime the oil delivery, but it has been a long time since I read that booklet.

While I would probably be interested in sampling a Morgan at some point, this experience pretty much soured me on the Morgan experience, unfairly, I suspect, but so it goes.

I guess you can take some comfort in the fact that he apparently wasn't qualified to rebuild it either.

BetweenMiatas

18th February 2024, 19:56

A gent local to me was selling his 2014 Morgan three wheeler this past fall, he bought it new and at 83 found it hard to get in and out of! So he bought it at 74 and drove it for nine years, sorta my automotive hero. I didn't even go see it because I just don't have any room although a buddy was trying to convince me to store it in my living room. It's a large room and I probably could have made that work but I think a vehicle that's actually in use would perfume a house with the intoxicating scents of gasoline and oil.

ftfy. :D

Ronin38

18th February 2024, 20:47

jamesqf

19th February 2024, 00:02

I know what the reality is. But this is what the inept person sees as a replacement for the motorcycle, they are unable to ride.

I very much doubt that. If they want a motorcycle replacement, they buy one of those Harley trikes.

BTW, everyone sits on a motorcycle, when they ride one.

With the Slingshot, as with a car, you sit IN the vehicle, not on it. Quite a different sitting position :-)

JTod

19th February 2024, 00:22

ftfy. :D

This guy lives about 15 miles away and sparked the idea but he built his house for the purpose, notice the giant doors in the story linked below. My solution would not have been so elegant...

https://forum.miata.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=410148&stc=1&d=1708316406

https://forum.miata.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=410149&stc=1&d=1708316423

Story:

https://www.dispatch.com/story/lifestyle/home-garden/home-decor/2017/12/31/porsches-parked-inside-delaware-county/16343327007/

Dry Martini

19th February 2024, 07:53

I very much doubt that. If they want a motorcycle replacement, they buy one of those Harley trikes.

-)

I don’t doubt it at all. I am well acquainted with the demographic around here that buys them.

Besides, even if they wanted a motorcycle, their SO may not be willing to get on one.

Dry Martini

19th February 2024, 07:58

This guy lives about 15 miles away and sparked the idea but he built his house for the purpose, notice the giant doors in the story linked below. My solution would not have been so elegant...

Very nice. In a previous home, I had a motorcycle in the family room. It was winter and I was reassembling the body work and other bits, and I wanted some where warm to work.

Little Englander

19th February 2024, 09:04

This guy lives about 15 miles away and sparked the idea but he built his house for the purpose, notice the giant doors in the story linked below. My solution would not have been so elegant...

https://forum.miata.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=410148&stc=1&d=1708316406

https://forum.miata.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=410149&stc=1&d=1708316423

Story:

https://www.dispatch.com/story/lifestyle/home-garden/home-decor/2017/12/31/porsches-parked-inside-delaware-county/16343327007/

When you need to buff the G-Wagen or Land Rover when watching TV

https://forum.mx5oc.co.uk/uploads/default/original/2X/f/f7b79a74773c2e8078d523ff75d970160c0f56d4.jpeg

https://forum.mx5oc.co.uk/uploads/default/original/3X/e/8/e89128766cc31f64a222050f8915e6f9a8726eb9.jpeg

BetweenMiatas

19th February 2024, 09:55

This guy lives about 15 miles away and sparked the idea but he built his house for the purpose, notice the giant doors in the story linked below. My solution would not have been so elegant...

https://forum.miata.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=410148&stc=1&d=1708316406

https://forum.miata.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=410149&stc=1&d=1708316423

Story:

https://www.dispatch.com/story/lifestyle/home-garden/home-decor/2017/12/31/porsches-parked-inside-delaware-county/16343327007/

That's a pretty place! (I thought that car on the left was an early Aston, but then I realized that was just a chair sticking up in front of the car where the Aston grill would have been. LOL)

I kid, of course, but I do agree with you. I like the smells I mentioned, but in my regular living space, it would probably be a bit much.

rloewy

19th February 2024, 10:55

I guess you can take some comfort in the fact that he apparently wasn't qualified to rebuild it either.

It's been a long time ago and I think I am over it :rofl:

gpbailey

19th February 2024, 11:49

Other than the Slingshot and Morgan, the reverse trike/autocycle is pretty much dead.

Elio is mailing out checks to people that had refundable deposits and their website domain shut down and the name has been put on hold. Paul Elio is actually running a business buying salvage cars, fixing them, and then selling them with a branded title.

https://renewautomotivesales.mycarsonline.com/

Arcimoto with the FUV has laid off staff, is having financial issues and for those that have one getting it fixed can take months because of a lack of parts and service centers have quit from not being paid.

ElectraMeccanica with the Solo has shut down production due to a design flaw in the drive system, it just randomly quits and you coast to a stop. They are buying back the ones they have sold, and the business has merged with Xos vehicles in California.

Aptera is hoping to start delivery of vehicles later this year, they have 37,000 reservations and are hoping to produce 40 units a day after production starts.

Aptera is a fascinating vehicle, but I fear they may go the Arcimoto route. The delivered product may be a good bit more expensive than promised, range is compromised and demand doesn't truly match the number of reservations. Then comes servicing and support for those autocycles that do make production. If they can stay in business long enough to support their niche space, excellent. However, I think the appeal of a rolling two-seat teardrop might remain to a limited few (me among them).

Barefoot

19th February 2024, 11:56

This guy lives about 15 miles away and sparked the idea but he built his house for the purpose, notice the giant doors in the story linked below. My solution would not have been so elegant...

My garage just doesn't have the same fragrance since I sold my Austin Healey.

Lance Schall

19th February 2024, 12:07

Aptera is a fascinating vehicle, but I fear they may go the Arcimoto route. The delivered product may be a good bit more expensive than promised, range is compromised and demand doesn't truly match the number of reservations. Then comes servicing and support for those autocycles that do make production. If they can stay in business long enough to support their niche space, excellent. However, I think the appeal of a rolling two-seat teardrop might remain to a limited few (me among them).You never know. Any start-up is hard. Any automotive start-up is harder. And EV start-ups even harder. There's just huge barriers to entry. And if you're a legacy auto manufacturer, maybe you can get over some of the humps, but you're dragging a legacy business behind you too.

Even in this thread we see many posts saying the Morgan is interesting and the Slingshot is not. Both three wheeled open autocycles. Yet somehow not as easy to lump into a common group as might be imagined. I wouldn't group the Aptera and Arcimoto even a little. I'm on the list for an Aptera. I wouldn't take an Arcimoto if you gave it to me.

Demand? Who knew while the three wheeled market is about "dead" (I wouldn't make that generalization) the Slingshot has managed 20-30,000 sales per year for many years. And the Can-Am trike has over 100,000 sales as well. Slingshot sells tens of thousands and the Elio craters. The conversation has to be a little deeper than does it have three wheels or not. Or is it funny looking. Or whether it's electric. Clearly there is a lot at play here as the technology hunts for consumer pocketbooks.

JTod

19th February 2024, 14:42

I like the smells I mentioned, but in my regular living space, it would probably be a bit much.

Yeah, he drained those cars of fluids before storing them in the living room :)

Plus 2

19th February 2024, 16:57

I asked Transport Canada why the previous 3 wheeled Morgan was not allowed. It was because its bodywork was too car like.

The Aptera is more obviously intended as a ‘real’ car, so it would have to pass CMVSS 208 etc to be sold here.

Ragtops

20th February 2024, 16:26

gpbailey

20th February 2024, 17:42

You never know. Any start-up is hard. Any automotive start-up is harder. And EV start-ups even harder. There's just huge barriers to entry. And if you're a legacy auto manufacturer, maybe you can get over some of the humps, but you're dragging a legacy business behind you too.

Even in this thread we see many posts saying the Morgan is interesting and the Slingshot is not. Both three wheeled open autocycles. Yet somehow not as easy to lump into a common group as might be imagined. I wouldn't group the Aptera and Arcimoto even a little. I'm on the list for an Aptera. I wouldn't take an Arcimoto if you gave it to me.

Demand? Who knew while the three wheeled market is about "dead" (I wouldn't make that generalization) the Slingshot has managed 20-30,000 sales per year for many years. And the Can-Am trike has over 100,000 sales as well. Slingshot sells tens of thousands and the Elio craters. The conversation has to be a little deeper than does it have three wheels or not. Or is it funny looking. Or whether it's electric. Clearly there is a lot at play here as the technology hunts for consumer pocketbooks.

I hope Aptera succeeds. I'm a bit jaded after follow alternative vehicles for years, but the Aptera is clearly above the pack so I'm keeping fingers crossed. I hope they get the required funding. It's a singularly unique model of transportation.

gpbailey

20th February 2024, 18:34

I’ve test driven a Vanderhall. It was kinda buzzy and clunky. Noisy too. I didn’t see the appeal beyond the look.
I think it’s something that I’d consider if I had a lot of disposable income. Otherwise, nah. I think they’re making an electric one now which may be better in that it wouldn’t be buzzy and clunky?
For that kind of money I’d buy a Miata.

Yep, the Vanderhall didn't appeal due to the lack of a manual trans. That Chevy-based engine was a noisy beast as well. I'm curious how the upcoming electric Santarosa plays out.