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Contemplation

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69sprite

69sprite

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Well, I got my Sprite back from the body restoration guy, who completed his work on the hood/bonnet/valance area after my bonnet 'fly-up' incident last month. Monday, I take it to the paint shop to have them re-spray the entire front end. The body work appears to be pretty good, even though not getting the hood to 'original showroom' condition. It seems that the wind/fly-up played more havoc that originally estimated with the hinge mounts on both sides. Due to the BMC design, it was not that simple to get the rear underside bonnet braces exactly back to the original position, as it is double-walled and the welds along the double wall were broken when the incident occurred. The restorer was able to clean up/re-weld some of the braces, but others only 'stretched' when the welder was applied, so he discussed it with me and did all he could. It will take a close eye to tell, but I will know it is there.

Now I have to go look at the paint codes to make sure I have the right '1969 Dark British Racing Green' paint code to tell the paint shop on Monday. When this is done, I expect the car to be good as new.... at least I know it is all better than the day I bought the car 13 years ago.

Anyway, I titled this post contemplation, so here goes.

As the car has been in the shop, I have been contemplating moving up. I am toying with the idea of selling this car and looking for a new 'toy'/project to add a new challenge to my garage/life. I have been 'pipe-dreaming' of looking for something larger and maybe with some comfort added to it.

The pipe-dreams always include Jaguar (XKE/MKII or newer XK), Mercedes (older SL/SLC), BMW (Z series), etc, etc.....

Maybe I am just sweating too much through too much in the Texas heat and wanting air conditioning.

Someone help either convince me these are good thoughts.... or talk me out down from the roof before I jump!

Larry
 
I bought a 2006 XK8 back in March with 31,000 miles. A lot of mags say they are a good value for the money right now. That's when I decided I better find one. I found it at a dealership. If you look for one of these find one with the best detailed service record. You don't want to be working on one from the start.
It is weird to have the top go up and you dont have to touch anything. Even the Chrysler Sebring we have has to be manually latched.
But be prepared to be noticed everywhere you go; not too many XK8s floating around.
But I also am keeping Midget and Sprite. They are still fun to drive!
 
I know a kid that stole an M Roadster for $8000 and it's a blast. BUY IT!
 
Don't sell the bug eye! It's been a while since you drove it and you have forgotten how much fun they are to toss around!
Remember also how simple and easy they are to work on and perhaps if you check out some of the old air sites you can even figure out how to air condition one!

Kurt.
 
If you need an alternate car that won't bankrupt you (and will still allow you to keep your Bugeye), there is only one answer: Miata. I bought mine new 12 years ago and I still love it (and the A/C still works perfectly). Used ones are cheap and reliable. I have a street Midget and street MGB and they are both great, but sometimes, I'll go with the Miata....it just depends on how I feel. If you have a Miata and a British sports car, there will be no bad choices when you want to go for a drive! :friendly_wink:
 
Nomad, mine is not a bugeye... it is a 1969 MKIV. It is fun to drive, especially after the Rivergate conversion a number of years ago.

While I do agree that they are fun to drive, with the thoughts of a 'new to me' vehicle my problem is storage space. My two car garage is filled up with my wife's vehicle, my golf cart, and the lawn tractor. My 'man cave' shop holds the Sprite, my tools and all the woodworking equipment. My truck already is relegated to outside, so adding one to the lot without decreasing by one only adds to the problem.

Still dreaming...but also trying to not to screw up.

Larry
 
So, you don't need another car, you need a bigger garage. :D
 
"The pipe-dreams always include Jaguar (XKE/MKII or newer XK), Mercedes (older SL/SLC), BMW (Z series), etc, etc....."

Larry

I drive a 2000 Z3. It's a modern car yet simple and uncomplicated. I refer to it as my German made British roadster. The Z4 is a bit large but way too sophisticated for my taste. At 6' 3" I fit the Z3 much better than the Whitephrog.

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And don't forget a Honda S-2000. Prices for S-2000's are coming down and I've seem them down close to $10K. 5.5 0-60 times, light, and almost unbreakable. Most of these were owned as a 3rd fun car and usually taken care of.
 
Jim_Gruber said:
And don't forget a Honda S-2000. Prices for S-2000's are coming down and I've seem them down close to $10K. 5.5 0-60 times, light, and almost unbreakable. Most of these were owned as a 3rd fun car and usually taken care of.
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Yeah but no torquey 6. I'm with Ray, Z3 fo' me!
 
Yeah but 8K Red Line. And light on their feet. Both are very, very good.
 
And an XK8 Convertible . Classy and the price now is good as long as you get a 2001 or later after the bugs got worked out.
 
Well I'm with Nial. I have a Miata as well as several LBC's [bucket list!]. The Miata hasn't been anywhere yet this year while I've put thousand's of mile's on the LBC's. I call it the wife's car even though she doesn't drive. Great car and one we use if We need AC but not much otherwise. My midget gets half again better gas mileage.

Kurt.
 
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