• Notice: If you're posting to get rid of the little man (Lucas), please post A NEW TOPIC with something meaningful. Tell us about yourself and your interest in British cars. You need not share anything too personal. NOTE: this New Member's Forum is only to introduce yourself. If you have specific questions about your little British car, please post those in the appropriate marque-related forum.
    Thanks and welcome to BCF!
    Basil
  • Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Hello from Afghanistan

Share this page

Y

yzfone

Freshman Member
Offline
My name is Terry and I do not own a British car yet. I joined the forum to get info and research the purchase of one when I get back to the states in December. I have always liked the TR-6, Spitfire, MGB, and Midget. I'm not excluding any other models, but these are the common ones that have interested me. I've got several questions, that if I can get opinions on, it would be greatly appreciated:

1. I'm 6'4" will I fit comfortably in any of these cars with the top, up? I know the best answer would be to sit in them, but I can't right now and I would like to narrow my research down to one or two models.

2. I'm looking for something that can serve as a fairly reliable daily driver and also do well on the interstate. I have done quite a bit of work on cars and bikes, so maintenance and repair don't bother me, I would just rather do it in my garage not on the sif=de of the road. Should I exclude any of these cars?

Thank you for any input.

Terry
 
Welcome, Terry!

I would think you'd be fine in the TR6. There's room in the MGB, but you may find the windshield a bit short!

Your profile says Tennessee - are you stationed at Ft. Campbell? If so, I'm in Clarksville, and would be glad to give you a hand in your search.

Stay safe!
Mickey
 
Welcome Terry,

I cas say that at 5'10, the top of the windshield is in my view when I pull up to a light. Not that it really matters as I drive top down.

I like the handling of the Spitfire but you do feel like the rest of the world towers over you.

Try them all on for size. You should find a car that feel right for you.

Where you in Afghanistan. I came back from Laghman Province in November.
 
I'd say it depends on what you are comfortable with. I have a friend who is 6'4" and he fits in my TR3A with the top up without bumping his head or anything. But I'm only 5'10" and I don't like having the top & sidecurtains on.

Any of these cars can be made reliable, IMO, but it takes time and dedication to get there. And you will need to pay attention to all those little details mentioned in the manuals, that most garages will not do for you; like an occasional drop of oil under the ignition rotor and checking for loose nuts & bolts.
 
Terry, welcome to the forum! I have owned a Sptifire and several MGBs, using all but two as daily drivers. These cars are very reliable if they are properly sorted and then maintained. Having said that, at least if you do break down they can normally be fixed at the side of the road, barring anything catastrophic happening.

I'm 5'10" and the top of the MGBs' windshields used to block my vision, you should be looking over the top of it, no question...... But with the roof up, then you might have some issues. The reclining seats might help in that respect.

I loved my Spitfire, and would have another in a heartbeat.

You have your objectives narrowed down pretty nicely. The only car that I could see someone of your size having trouble fitting into is the Midget.
 
Hi Terry,

"Welcome" and wishing you a safe trip back home. I`m a "Vietnam Vet" myself & getting "SHORT" is a great feeling!

No punt intended relative to height. You know what I mean about getting "SHORT" being in the military. "SHORT TIMER"!

Anyways; In my opinion your best bet would probably be a "TR6" to suit all your asking needs. The least probable would be a "Midget".

Now; If you can afford one; A "Jag E-Type" would be really nice!!

As mentioned previously; Lots of the fun is simply to try a few on for size & see which one suits you best.

Have Fun,

Russ
 
Hello Terry, and welcome to the Forum!
 
Hi Terry, welcome to the forum and thanks for your service. As much as I hate to admit it, I really have to go along with Russ as to the TR6 as the car that most fits your requirements. Second would be the MGB and then the Spitfire and lastly the Midget, which is what I drive. You would probably fit in a Midget pretty well, but your requirement about the interstate leads me to favor the larger engined TR6. Price wise, the Midget and Sprite are about in the same range, with the MGB slightly higher and the TR6 at the top end. I'm also 6'4" and have ridden in MGBs, sat in TR6s and of course drive a Midget so can comment on the size with some experience and the TR6 or MGB are about the same with the Spitfire being just a little more roomier than the Midget, mostly leg room.
I will have to say this though, for the most driving fun I think the Midget would win hands down compared to the rest. They're like driving a go kart compared to the others, very quick response, small and low to the ground. An absolute blast to drive in the twisty parts, but lack the legs when it comes to the interstates without a 5 speed or OD.
 
Geez, Terry!! My 2P:

TR-6 for power, MGB for comfort and rock solid reliability.

Find a way to drive 'em both to decide which fits well.

I sat in S.E.A. for a year with the S-3 Elan in my sigfile waiting for my return to Th' World in 1974. My choice was made ahead of time... Your dilemma is MUCH easier: You get to choose! :wink:

Flog an example of each around a bit when ya get home, decide from the experience which suits best.


... and a hearty "Welcome back!" when ya hit CONUS. :thumbsup:

Is "FIGMO" still a phrase? :jester:
 
I'd like to thank everyone for their responses, they were very informative and suprisingly unbiased to the particular vehicle owned.
Mickey, Joel said to say hello, we are in the same company here in Bagram.
I think I will start to focus on the MGB and the TR-6, I like them both and I'll try to find an example of both while on R&R, and see how they fit.
Again thank you for the responses and opinions.

Terry
 
Hey, Terry -

Yeah - say "Hi" back to Joel. And don't let him talk you into a Midget! (So much for unbiased!)

Let me know when you get back.

Mickey
 
Okay, mebbe *MGB* I wasn't *MGB* bein' quite as *MGB* subtle as I usually *MGB* am. If you're lookin' *MGB* for a solid dependable *MGB* English car, it's difficult *MGB* to beat an MGB.
 
DrEntropy said:
Okay, mebbe *MGB* I wasn't *MGB* bein' quite as *MGB* subtle as I usually *MGB* am.
Click to expand...
Now I know why you fib about your location, Doc!
:hammer: :hammer: :hammer:
 
:wink:
 
M = Mercedes
G = German
B = Benz
?????? :laugh:
 
Pete, yer gonna get sent to yer room... :smirk:
 
Terry - Thanks for your service from a Vietnam & Desert Storm vet!

When you get back, if you're anywhere near FT Campbell, drive Mickey's TR8...if you're near Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL, drop by & drive one of my MGB's....& if you luck into a car near either of us, we'll be happy to check it out for you.

Also, check out Austin Healeys - heck, the Jensen Healey is a neat car you'd fit into.
 
I think everyone's made some good comments so far, the best being drive them around and try them out.

I'm on the other end of the height scale (being 5'10" in the right shoes), so I'm not good for commenting on the "will I fit" thing.

I have, however, driven a ton of LBCs. As far as I'm concerned each one is fun to drive and they all have their own merits/detractions. Before you get too far futher also consider how you're going to drive the car, and what sort of highways speeds you're expecting.

I just put my Mum into a '78 Spitfire, which she loves for farting around town. I couldn't drive it too often though because it just runs out of steam at highway speeds (an overdrive would help a lot but she's not interested).

I would also like to second the Jensen Healey comment. I have a pair of them, and you can find a nicely sorted one *very cheap*. But as with any vintage car, reliability at this stage depends more on who owned it before you than it does on the original merits of the car. I also like the Jaguar XJS V12's which are now in the 6-10K range depending on quality and options. Beautiful to drive, and generally well kept up. The caveat on those is that they're a lot more complex electrically/mechanically than say a TR6 (which I also really want.)

Hang out here long enough and I'm sure that members from each of the marque groups will come out of the woodwork offering free drives! :smile:

Jody

And if you make it to Phoenix I'd be honored to let you drive what ever happens to be running that day. :smile:
 
tony barnhill said:
When you get back, if you're anywhere near FT Campbell, drive Mickey's TR8...if you're near Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL, drop by & drive one of my MGB's....& if you luck into a car near either of us, we'll be happy to check it out for you.
Click to expand...

Well, you can try either the TR8 or an MGB on for size - got both!

(But the Wedge WILL spoil ya!) :wink:
 
Again, thank you for all the information.
Mickey, I appreciate the offer, I will send you a PM when I get back next week and see if we can arrange a time. I would like to let the wife take a look at one also.
 
Back
Top