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Hello BCF. BC Newbie here

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Goatfarmer03

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I'm happy I found this forum. You all seem like a good group, and the variance of the vehicles covered makes for a good community. I am yet to own a British Car, but I have always been a fan. Just recently got rear-ended in my current Daily Driver and was hoping on getting some pointers on a good old British Car that would serve as my new Daily Driver.
Car Styles that interest me are the old Roadsters (Triumph Spitfire, MGB, etc) And the Hatch Styled Micros (Morris Minor, Fiat 500, etc). But I have read so many negative reviews of these for their reliability, I am not sure if there are any cars that would be dependable enough to be my Daily Driver. I don't want a Restored Show Car, but I am looking for a good compact British Car that can get me good gas mileage as a Daily Driver, and still be reliable mechanically. If you guys have any tips, feel free to post them here. I will probably also launch another Thread in the proper forum to get a better response.
Either way, thanks for the great forum and I will be talking with you soon.
 
Hi There Goatfarmer,

Welcome & We`re happy to have you on board.

You really have a simple request (I think)? As far as a "Daily Driver"; Your best bet (In my opinion) would be either an "MGB/GT" or "TR6". Both are quite reliable & economical; Relative to "Gas Mileage"! If you plan on driving in snow; Then you may want to re-consider perhaps a "VW" or something like that cause these Brit Cars do not have a "Posi-Traction" rear etc.

What you would find with a Brit Car is the "Heaters" typ. don`t throw off too much heat (When they are working). The Conv. tend to leak. Their "Tempermental" starting in cold weather. Do you enjoy "Tinkering"?

Just some passing thoughts after owning a bunch of these Cars. Otherwise, They are a blast to drive!!

Best Wishes,

Russ
 
Goatfarmer,

I wouldn't worry so much about reviews. When it comes to any of the standrd issues with these cars, they've been sorted out long ago. And *all* cars have issues. I recently learned that modern Toyota Corollas have door handles that disintegrate. Let me say that the days we learned that was an interesting one!

When it comes to vintage cars, and this is true of any of them, as long as you are A) willing to learn, B) willing to work, and C) pay attention to maintenance then any one that strikes your fancy will be a good choice. The main thing to keep in mind is that these cars were designed to be worked on and maintained on a far more regular schedule than modern cars.

Before diving into things I would highly recommend you personally define your budget, and determine how much of your own work you're willing to do. These are the two driving factors in terms of which cars to buy. The greater your initial financial outlay, the better the car and condition you can buy. In terms of doing your own work, it will always be far cheaper than taking it to a shop.

You'll also be suprised at how good on gas some of these cars can be. The Spitfire is supposed to get around 40mpg from what I've read. What you do give up, though, is fast highways speeds in most cases. That's something that folks have to get used to.

And, for the winter time, there's nothing more fun than driving a RWD in the snow. :smile: When I was in high school outside of Boston we would remove the interior carpets & padding so that the exhaust pipes and engine heat would heat the cabin because the heaters were worthless. :smile:

Jody
 
Welcome!

If you are a reasonably good mechanic and can do "basics", most of these cars are fine.

Like any car that's 30+ years old, they can have "issues", but most problems are simple to deal with.

For ease of parts and reasonable size, I'd look at MGBs (I have one).
Even the newer, rubber-bumper MGBs (somewhat maligned due to the safety bumpers) are fine cars and the prices aren't bad.
 
Wow, thanks a lot for quick overnight responses. I have a pretty decent budget for buying something. The only thing out of budget is probably a freshly restored one. But in all truthfulness, those shouldn't become daily drivers. I am ok with tinkering and car mechanic stuff, but i wouldn't really trust myself doing it on a day to day basis. I'm sure I would get better as time went along, but perhaps one of these little roadsters aren't really what I should be looking for.
How much $$ approximately would I be pumping out annually if I took the car to a foreign/import mechanic to fix things? About how much downtime would I be experiencing as well? And do regular mechanics even have the knowledge base to work on these things? You guys said they are simple to work on, but simple in a specialist type of way; or simple as long as you have basic car knowledge? Sorry about bombarding you guys with so many questions. I have done a good amount of research on a car, but nothing trumps experience, and that is what you guys have.

PS: If any moderators feel this should be moved to a proper forum, please tell me. I would be glad to start a new thread there (should i just put in in "General BC"). Or a mod can just chop it/move it to one where it would be more appropriate, that is perfectly fine as well.

Thanks again for your help
-wes
 
Hey, Wes - welcome to the party!

Simple means just that. These cars are about as basic as they get. They are great to learn on, and very forgiving. You can delve into them as far as your comfort level will take you, and you'll find that level increasing each time you pick up a wrench.

You can't go wrong with either the MGB or the Spitfire. Find someone local who has one and get acquainted. Go to a car club meeting and ask questions. Get in one of the cars with them and you'll be hooked!

Oh, and as for assistance, you've found all you need right here. Folks here on the forum can walk you through most any issue.

Once you've decided which car(s) you want to buy, check them out, and post them here for appraisal. Pictures are required! :wink:

Good to have you on board!

Mickey
 
A hearty WELCOME, Wes. I'll refrain from posting my usual subtle hints regarding a choice of LBC's and simply say MGB. They're stout, reliable well engineered cars. Well suited to being driven as daily commuters. Easily repaired without the need for a pile of specialty tools. There are some jobs more easily done with some specific "task tool" but not many. With a standard set of hand tools you can just about reduce one to component level in a day.

...okay, mebbe TWO days.

Pricing can vary wildly. All depends on what the buyer and seller agree on. Frame and body rot are the only things to beware of. Body filler and shiny paint can hide a LOT of sin.

Mickey set a good suggestion: get with a local British Car Club and ask about known examples for sale.

Good luck and keep posting! This place moves kinda quick so don't expect answers in days, rather hours or minutes.
 
Welcome, Wes....lots of LBC owners in SC....find a good club near you....ask specific questions on each of the forums here on the BCF....do your homework & the right car will find you.
 
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