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MGA MGA or TR3-A

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198686d

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If,trying to decide between these two classics, all things considered, which is the best to own and drive (est. 2,000 miles per year)? No project cars or barnfinds. I know what "good ones" cost and want that level car.

thanks (I'll ask the Triumph guys the same thing)

dave
 
This is a very personal decision based on style, looks , performance, upkeep, etc. If you don't know these two cars very well they are some different. I drove both back in the day and some of the differences are:

1. Ride: Mg much smoother, softer. Tr harder riding.
2. Performance: Tr has the edge, bigger motor, more HP, more CC's
3. Handling: MG more forgiving if you drive stupid
4. Parts supply: Probably a wash with a little edge to the TR
5. TR may have OD, not available on MGA

No choice for me I prefer the MGA, when I owned a big (new) Healey I enjoyed driving my buddys A more, except for the relative lack of acceleration.

Hard to say how either would drive now 50 years down the road, a lot depends on the level of preservation or restoration. Can't go far wrong with either one, if you pick a "good" one. Bob
 
Dave, Get the one with the best body you can find. Also alot of MGA,s have had poor sill replacements. Look for crash damage on both. Test fit yourself into both. They are a tight fit for big boys. I like them both! Bob
 
One fellow on the TR forum touched on the steering. Rack and pinion steering kits are available for the tr3. I think you have to run a electric fan when converting. Drive both and see what feels best to you. As far as power they are both slugs by modern standards. Let us know what you get. bob
 
I'd be happy with either!
They both look so different but I found them both very appealing-looking.

When I was 16, I bought a running MGA for about $200. A few years later, I bought a running TR3 for about $160.
This was 40 years ago. Those were the days!
For a while, I had both of them (see below) and both were in dreadful condition. They kept me busy with the spanners!

I've driven a number of nice MGAs and a nice TR3 since, and as a driver, I slightly prefer the MGA. It seems more a darty, lightwieght car that would be good for autocross. Sort of like a Sprite.

The TR3 is a better highway cruiser. Sort of like a TR6.

As implied above, the steering in TR3s can be rough if it's not in good shape. I've heard that swapping in a TR4 rack and pinion transforms it.

Two nice cars. Tough choice!


mg_tr3.jpg
 
In addition to the above, if you have to work on it, you will much prefer the TR-3. Also, there is something cool about being able to strike a wood match on the pavement as you drive along. Of course, I don't smoke anymore so that isn't really a plus in this day and age.
 
My primary interest is Spridgets, but when I decided on a cruiser a couple years ago I went with a TR3. Easy to work on, quite spirited (not sure what was intended by the earlier 'slug' comment), and a feel that's hard to get from most cars...even other LBCs. I think the cut down doors on the TR3 have a lot to do with not only the classic look, but the feel when driving.

Mine's a driver, not a show car. I do have a new interior for it...upstairs, in boxes, for about 18 months now. Someday I'll get around to putting it in...but you know how that goes. Right now, I just want to enjoy the car.

Ray
 

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Ray, Slug by modern standards is how i would compare the two cars. If one is a tick quicker 0-60 so what. They are both slow by MODERN standards.They both have enough power as is and the fun for me is not determined by the power or lack of it. Some of the + or - thoughts are about the small difference in power. What would a 1991 cc tr3 have ? 100 hp? 1622 MGA 94 hp? The TR series does have torque compared to a MGA. Besides the body condition the steering effort and look over the hood while driving would sway me. As i posted earlier , i like them both! I hope this clears up my slug comment. Bob (former triumph owner).
 

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The TR is gutsier and a fun sunny day driver, but the MGA is a better built better handling car that I find easier to live with long term.

I have owned many of both.
 
Hello Dave:
I had a 1961 1600 MK II. I loved that car. It had 40,000 miles in 1965, when I got it, and it drove perfectly, with plenty of power until an idiot ran a red light and totaled it.
I now have a 1974 1/2 MGB, that I've had for about 6 years. It's a great tourer, comfortable, tight, and plenty of power.
I'm restoring a 57 TR3, that I drove briefly, before I began to fit the body panels. My 69 GTO buddy drove it, and said "this car has balls" I take that as high praise, and it has tons of power. It also has steering slack, rattles, and shakes that the MG doesn't.
Everyone asks what will I do with the MG, once the Tr is finished. Why keep it of course. It's a wonderful car, but I've named the TR "Chopper" as it's not feminine in the least. I had a tr6, and a healey 100-6, and driven a MGC back in 69, and I wonder if a tr3 with the 2140 cc engine, and a weight of 2000 lbs, is actually faster than those 6 cyl.
So it really depends on what your going to do with the car- either one is a winner in it's own right.
Emmett
 
emmett1010 said:
Hello Dave:
I wonder if a tr3 with the 2140 cc engine, and a weight of 2000 lbs, is actually faster than those 6 cyl. Emmett
Click to expand...


Compared to a proper, as designed, 150hp Petrol Injected TR6... No.

Compared to the castrated TR6 that we received in the US, yes it could very well be.

Now you know why so many TR6 owners want to get closer to that 150hp mark. It becomes a totally different car.
 
I would call the difference in the TR and the MG in speed more than a tick, maybe two ticks, if you look at old Road and Track magazines the TR3 is shown as an 11.4 0-60 car and the MGA (1600) 13.3. When I was in college I went from owning an MGB to a TR4A--both are slughtly evolved versions of their predecessors with the same basic engine with a small increase in displacement and power.

The difference in power is very noticeable, the torque of the TR is much greater, yes both are slow compared to modern cars (the wife's Honda Fit, with a measly 1500cc will hit 60 in about 9 seconds, and most everything else on the road 10 years old or less is even faster than that) But the TR does feel much different that the MG as far as speed.

I have driven MGAs and TR3s, what others have said about ride handling and steering feel is correct, the MGA just has a better chassis, handling/steering ride.

Both cars a pretty simple and reliable to work on, and parts are plentiful, both new and used.

Depends on what you like and how you want to use it, the MGA maybe a little more fun in town with the nice ride and steering, although TRs can be a blast to drive around town too. The TR, especially with overdrive, will have a much more relaxed motor on long trips on the highways.

I like them both, considered myself more of a TR man, but was impressed with my first drive in the A.

If you like the looks and character of one over the other but want to improve them in other areas there are lots of documented upgrades available, MGB motors in the A are common, as are the big bore kits basically putting a TR4 engine in the TR3--we have a guy in our club who has fabricated and sourced the bits to do the rack and pinion conversion for the TR3 for much less than the kits available commercially.

Drive them both if you get a chance, I think you will find the feel quite different, the rough and ready character of the TR vs. the relatively smooth sophisticated character of the MGA
 
Dave -

Bottom line is that none of us can sway you in either direction. The choices are too subjective. Go look at and drive both of them, and whichever one "speaks" to you, jump on it. Do that, and you can't go wrong!

Mickey
 
Right on, Mickey.

The proof is in the driving. Get out and make it a point to drive one of each. Then, and only then may you make an informed decision.

Very different cars, if set up something near stock.

And, please keep us informed of your decision process. It always intriques me how everyone decides on which LBC to purchase and love.

My problem: I love 'em all (very expensive habit)!! :thumbsup:
 
Drive them both and which ever one will speak to you. I'm a TR guy, easy to work on. You don't have to pull engine to replace clutch like you do in MG.

Happy New Year to all!

Marv
 
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