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I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer advice

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drooartz

drooartz

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I'm on the Bugeye quest, but I'm being tempted by a local TR3A for sale. I've posted some thoughts on the Triumph forum:

Thread #179883

I've gotten good thoughts from the Triumph folks, but now I want to hear from the Spriget people. TR3 vs Bugeye...

-Drew
 
Well I can't comment directly on the TR3, but I have a TR4. Very different cars. The TR is bigger, has a ton more room. More power, but not as tight. Kind of feels like a bruiser compared to the Bugeye. My TR4 provides better weather protection, but the TR3 has low cut doors and might not be as big of a difference.

Overall the TR feels like a different class of car, which it is, for better or worse.
 
Re: I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer adv

I agree. The TR3 feels much heavier and feels powerful, but they do not (IMO) feel like a sports car. They feel more like a touring car. But I've only driven a TR3 a couple of times.
 
Re: I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer adv

A bugeye is like wearing slippers rather than boots. However, will go just as fast, with a mod or two, if that is an issue
 
Re: I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer adv

Drew, having owned both, I'd say it depends on your intent.
Both are spartan in creature comforts, and bring back the fun of driving merely because you feel like it.
As others have mentioned, the 3 is more suited to the wide open road than a Bugeye, but I certainly wouldn't say it's not a sports car. It will do quite nicely on a twisty road, but doesn't communicate as well as the Sprite. It has a much bigger feel, as it could be expected to, as it's a bigger, heavier, car. You can really appreciate the 3 on gentle, swooping roads, whereas the Bugeye shines in the really kinky bits. I still own Bugeyes, but I sold my TR3 nearly 40 years ago. If I could find one today at the right price, I'd be all over it. Then I could enjoy the best of both worlds.
Jeff
 
Re: I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer adv

Everyone has their likes etc but for me, no contest - TR3.
 
Re: I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer adv

If you can't be with the one you love, baby, love the one you're with.

Just my $.02.
 
Re: I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer adv

And ... You can't always get want you want, but if try sometimes, you'll find ... you get what you need. Or something like that.
 
Re: I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer adv

Very interesting comments, clever, whitty and informational.

This is one reason why I have a "slipper" with a few mods /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif and not a "boot" - great analogy!
 
Re: I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer adv

I've never owned either, but both would make me happy... I would lean towards the bugeye though.....

Email this guy... He has one "almost" ready to go back together - at a Reallllly good price...
https://www.flatwater.org/images/gallery/bonn/bug/index.html
Act fast... Tell him Kenny sent you!!!

I considered this one before getting my Alfa today. Trust me on price - it's ready to move!
 
Re: I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer adv

Thanks all for the advice! I really like the slipper/boot analogy. I'm really excited to take the TR3 out for a spin and see for myself. Besides, being 6' 1" I'm always curious to see how well I fit in any given LBC.

Kenny, thanks for the tip on that car. I'm going to email the guy and get some info. I'm not really looking for a project, but at the right price... though I always worry about shipping costs, especially for a project that doesn't run.

-Drew
 
Re: I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer adv

On a very simple email question from me... He wanted $3000. Somebody go save it!
 
Re: I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer adv

Took him about 2 days to email me back... He's a busy man. Give him time /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
Re: I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer adv

So... I looked at the TR3 today. I put some pictures up on the thread in the Triumph forum. The car was pretty good, though with more patches then I am interested in. The work was good, but not what I was looking for.

More importantly, I had a revelation while I was looking over the TR3. It didn't make me smile like the Bugeyes I've seen. For that it was worth spending the time. If I'm going to have an old car in the garage, it will be a Bugeye.

-Drew
 
Re: I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer adv

Good to here, I wouldn't trade mine for anything
 
Re: I'm thinking of straying, need Spridgeteer adv

Ever consider buying a later model midget or sprite an putting a speedwell bugeye bonnet on it?

I have... but then I realize how much I hated being single.
 
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