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Healey: Good choice?
- Thread starter carfarmer
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Keoke
Great Pumpkin
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Re: healy good choice?
Carfarmer; don't listen to that fellow Jack you will go broke. Never mind all that fun stuff. It took him forty years and another forty worth of nights to put one together and he is so poor now he has to put card board inside his shoes to keep his feet off the ground.---Keoke-- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
Carfarmer; don't listen to that fellow Jack you will go broke. Never mind all that fun stuff. It took him forty years and another forty worth of nights to put one together and he is so poor now he has to put card board inside his shoes to keep his feet off the ground.---Keoke-- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
Randy Forbes
Yoda
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Re: healy good choice?
Best first British sports car to own, in my opinion, is an MGB. The chrome bumper versions look the best, and have other virtues over the later rubber bumper cars.
You could do a lot worse (Fiats come immediately to mind) but the MGB is fairly reliable, easy to work on and won't break the bank. Sprites and Midgets are too small (and I'm barely 5'9") and the Big Healeys aren't exactly cheap to buy or restore.
Best thing to do is (as was already said) buy the best one you can, and $5-6k should get you an xlnt driver, if not a show car.
Ask questions on the MG section of this forum, there are a lot of 'B' owners posting there.
Best first British sports car to own, in my opinion, is an MGB. The chrome bumper versions look the best, and have other virtues over the later rubber bumper cars.
You could do a lot worse (Fiats come immediately to mind) but the MGB is fairly reliable, easy to work on and won't break the bank. Sprites and Midgets are too small (and I'm barely 5'9") and the Big Healeys aren't exactly cheap to buy or restore.
Best thing to do is (as was already said) buy the best one you can, and $5-6k should get you an xlnt driver, if not a show car.
Ask questions on the MG section of this forum, there are a lot of 'B' owners posting there.
JamesWilson
Yoda
Offline
Re: healy good choice?
There's a nice variety of cars to choose from- Sprites/Midgets, MGBs, Triumph Spitfires/GT6s/TRs, Big Healeys and Jags, and others.
Spend some time trying them on for size and feel, etc. Some are cheaper to but and maintain, others easier to get in and out of, I think they all have their own appeals.
But a Sprite could be a nice start...
There's a nice variety of cars to choose from- Sprites/Midgets, MGBs, Triumph Spitfires/GT6s/TRs, Big Healeys and Jags, and others.
Spend some time trying them on for size and feel, etc. Some are cheaper to but and maintain, others easier to get in and out of, I think they all have their own appeals.
But a Sprite could be a nice start...
bighly
Jedi Knight
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Re: healy good choice?
Farmer,
An MGB is a good choice and can be had at a good price. A Jensen Healey is also a good value and is undervalued at the present time. You should be very clear about how you intend to go about this because keep in mind you are taliking about cars that are 30 plus years old. If you intend to do a restoration will you do the work yourself? Or will you pay someone to do it? Or do you want to buy a car that is done and requires little maintainance? Steer clear of eBay unless the car is nearbay and you can inspect it (along with a club member knowedgable about the cars). Beware of the impulse/passion driven purchase.
You are doing the right thing by asking questions. May I suggest you read this buying guide. Go to Austin Healey Club USA site go to resources and then buying guide.
If you get your heart set on a Healey then join your local club. There are two national Healey Clubs, join them as you will get a monthly magazine that always has cars for sale. You are better off buying from a club member than off eBay.
In short:
Educate yourself and get an expert to help inspect your canidate car. Buy the best car you can afford since that is cheaper than and faster to get on the road safely than getting a car in boxes. Don't rush into a emotion driven purchase. If you decide to restore take your worst case estimate in time and money than double, no triple those figures. Never ever keep track of the restoration costs, never throw old parts away during a restoration and remember it is a labor of love and a journey without a destination.
Welcome to the world of LBCs you won't be sorry. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Farmer,
An MGB is a good choice and can be had at a good price. A Jensen Healey is also a good value and is undervalued at the present time. You should be very clear about how you intend to go about this because keep in mind you are taliking about cars that are 30 plus years old. If you intend to do a restoration will you do the work yourself? Or will you pay someone to do it? Or do you want to buy a car that is done and requires little maintainance? Steer clear of eBay unless the car is nearbay and you can inspect it (along with a club member knowedgable about the cars). Beware of the impulse/passion driven purchase.
You are doing the right thing by asking questions. May I suggest you read this buying guide. Go to Austin Healey Club USA site go to resources and then buying guide.
If you get your heart set on a Healey then join your local club. There are two national Healey Clubs, join them as you will get a monthly magazine that always has cars for sale. You are better off buying from a club member than off eBay.
In short:
Educate yourself and get an expert to help inspect your canidate car. Buy the best car you can afford since that is cheaper than and faster to get on the road safely than getting a car in boxes. Don't rush into a emotion driven purchase. If you decide to restore take your worst case estimate in time and money than double, no triple those figures. Never ever keep track of the restoration costs, never throw old parts away during a restoration and remember it is a labor of love and a journey without a destination.
Welcome to the world of LBCs you won't be sorry. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
nevets
Jedi Knight
Offline
Re: healy good choice?
A Sprite would be a good choice as an intro to the world of Brit sports cars, and would come closest to fitting your budget of $5-$6K. As others have stated, find one in good running condition. Don't worry about missing out on all the fun of fixing it up...that will come later, it's British afterall.
A Sprite would be a good choice as an intro to the world of Brit sports cars, and would come closest to fitting your budget of $5-$6K. As others have stated, find one in good running condition. Don't worry about missing out on all the fun of fixing it up...that will come later, it's British afterall.
Randy Harris
Jedi Warrior
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Re: healy good choice?
Get a Bugeye, definitely. You'll be sorry if you pass up on one of these great little cars and instead purchase a Sprite/Midget. They're becoming rarer by the day. By far they are the better investment if that means anything to you. They're a blast to drive and very easy to work on. You'll pay a bit more than your budget for a good example but you will never lose a dime on it. Everyone loves Bugeyes!
Just my 2 cents...
Randy '66 BJ8
Get a Bugeye, definitely. You'll be sorry if you pass up on one of these great little cars and instead purchase a Sprite/Midget. They're becoming rarer by the day. By far they are the better investment if that means anything to you. They're a blast to drive and very easy to work on. You'll pay a bit more than your budget for a good example but you will never lose a dime on it. Everyone loves Bugeyes!
Just my 2 cents...
Randy '66 BJ8
Ed_K
Jedi Knight
Offline
Re: healy good choice?
I would go for an MGB as a first choice and a bug eyed
sprite as a close 2nd choice. I owned a 69 MGB many years ago and had a blast with it. I am 6'2" and had no trouble getting in and out of the MGB. As others have said, don't buy on emotion or impulse. Take an experienced LBC car person with you to thoroughly check the condition of the car, especially for rust.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
I would go for an MGB as a first choice and a bug eyed
sprite as a close 2nd choice. I owned a 69 MGB many years ago and had a blast with it. I am 6'2" and had no trouble getting in and out of the MGB. As others have said, don't buy on emotion or impulse. Take an experienced LBC car person with you to thoroughly check the condition of the car, especially for rust.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
Dave Richards
Jedi Knight
Offline
Re: healy good choice?
1967 - 1969 MGB fun, easy on the wallet, and easy to work on. Easy to get in and out of.
Still lot's of good drivers available for $5k - $6k.
1967 - 1969 MGB fun, easy on the wallet, and easy to work on. Easy to get in and out of.
Still lot's of good drivers available for $5k - $6k.
BlueRidge1
Jedi Warrior
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Re: healy good choice?
Make mine an MGA! I just think they are cool looking.. BR1
Or an old Jag would be nice.
Make mine an MGA! I just think they are cool looking.. BR1
Or an old Jag would be nice.
Re: healy good choice?
I've had my 72 MGB for almost 33 years, five since a complete frame off, home garage restoration. Now I'm 2 1/2 years into the same pursuit on a 66 BJ8. Some observations:
* MGBs are fun, simple to work on, plentiful, relatively inexpensive to work on or restore.
* My entire MGB restoration cost around $15,000.00. I'm over $17,000.00 into the Healey at this point, before body work, paint, chrome, interior, wheels or tires. And I've done most of the work myself.
* The Healey complexity factor is about 3-4 times that of the MGB.
* The Healey sex appeal factor is about 3-4 times that of the MGB.
* MGB horsepower - 90. BJ8 horsepower -150. 'Nuff said about that.
* A decent BJ8 driver costs 4-5 times a comparable MGB
Your quickest ticket to British motoring fun is the MGB. That experience will probably make you yearn for more.
I've had my 72 MGB for almost 33 years, five since a complete frame off, home garage restoration. Now I'm 2 1/2 years into the same pursuit on a 66 BJ8. Some observations:
* MGBs are fun, simple to work on, plentiful, relatively inexpensive to work on or restore.
* My entire MGB restoration cost around $15,000.00. I'm over $17,000.00 into the Healey at this point, before body work, paint, chrome, interior, wheels or tires. And I've done most of the work myself.
* The Healey complexity factor is about 3-4 times that of the MGB.
* The Healey sex appeal factor is about 3-4 times that of the MGB.
* MGB horsepower - 90. BJ8 horsepower -150. 'Nuff said about that.
* A decent BJ8 driver costs 4-5 times a comparable MGB
Your quickest ticket to British motoring fun is the MGB. That experience will probably make you yearn for more.
Dave Richards
Jedi Knight
Offline
Re: healy good choice?
Well said and quite true...
Well said and quite true...
tahoe healey
Yoda
Offline
Re: healy good choice?
More grief, bud. I had an MGB GT for 8 wounderful years. Great car to cut your teeth on.
More grief, bud. I had an MGB GT for 8 wounderful years. Great car to cut your teeth on.
Johnny
Darth Vader
Offline
Re: healy good choice?
[ QUOTE ]
Best first British sports car to own, in my opinion, is an MGB. The chrome bumper versions look the best, and have other virtues over the later rubber bumper cars.
You could do a lot worse (Fiats come immediately to mind) but the MGB is fairly reliable, easy to work on and won't break the bank. Sprites and Midgets are too small (and I'm barely 5'9") and the Big Healeys aren't exactly cheap to buy or restore.
Best thing to do is (as was already said) buy the best one you can, and $5-6k should get you an xlnt driver, if not a show car.
Ask questions on the MG section of this forum, there are a lot of 'B' owners posting there.
[/ QUOTE ]
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif MGB's are a good bet and can be had for far less money. The size of the driver (and the pocketbook) is important when shopping for British cars. The earlier chrome bumper models are faster, but the later rubber bumper models do offer more creature comforts and are safer to drive, with the disc brakes and all. Be aware of the rust worm and mechanicals when looking. I would suggest joining a local car club and seek their advice.
Good Luck
[ QUOTE ]
Best first British sports car to own, in my opinion, is an MGB. The chrome bumper versions look the best, and have other virtues over the later rubber bumper cars.
You could do a lot worse (Fiats come immediately to mind) but the MGB is fairly reliable, easy to work on and won't break the bank. Sprites and Midgets are too small (and I'm barely 5'9") and the Big Healeys aren't exactly cheap to buy or restore.
Best thing to do is (as was already said) buy the best one you can, and $5-6k should get you an xlnt driver, if not a show car.
Ask questions on the MG section of this forum, there are a lot of 'B' owners posting there.
[/ QUOTE ]
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif MGB's are a good bet and can be had for far less money. The size of the driver (and the pocketbook) is important when shopping for British cars. The earlier chrome bumper models are faster, but the later rubber bumper models do offer more creature comforts and are safer to drive, with the disc brakes and all. Be aware of the rust worm and mechanicals when looking. I would suggest joining a local car club and seek their advice.
Good Luck
Randy Harris
Jedi Warrior
Offline
Re: healy good choice?
Austin Healey Bugeye - Yowza! Funometer = 8.5 $$
Any Big Healey - Yowza, Yowza! Funometer = 9.5 $$$$
MGA - Oh Yeah! Funometer = 8.0 $$$
MGB - Ummm, kinda boring Funometer = 6.0 $$
MG Sprite/Midget - Very Boring Funometer = 5.5 $
Austin Healey Bugeye - Yowza! Funometer = 8.5 $$
Any Big Healey - Yowza, Yowza! Funometer = 9.5 $$$$
MGA - Oh Yeah! Funometer = 8.0 $$$
MGB - Ummm, kinda boring Funometer = 6.0 $$
MG Sprite/Midget - Very Boring Funometer = 5.5 $
Offline
Re: healy good choice?
Hi, Carfarmer -
All good advice, but bear in mind the Forum that you posted in! (No bias here - uh-uh!)
Seriously, you might want to seek out a local club and attend a meeting or two - hitch a ride with some of the members and get a feel for several models. Good way to get informed quick-like.
Let us know your findings.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif Mickey
Hi, Carfarmer -
All good advice, but bear in mind the Forum that you posted in! (No bias here - uh-uh!)
Seriously, you might want to seek out a local club and attend a meeting or two - hitch a ride with some of the members and get a feel for several models. Good way to get informed quick-like.
Let us know your findings.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif Mickey