Need some advice.

[artgod]

I fell in love with the Austin Healey 3000 very early on, before I can even remember, and I feel I’m in a place in my life that I could afford to buy one. But the question I keep running into is should I. Yes I can afford it but the car would be an everyday driver for me on the streets of I95 in DC. I’m going to buy a car in the next year, and I feel if I’m going to make payments on a car why not one that I dream about. I’m not dumb about the Healey, I know the history and the mechanical problems that it has, and I already own the repair manual and all the parts magazines. I know what I’m looking at for upkeep. The way I look at it I would be able to afford to keep the Healey running but not be able to afford if something big broke or do an overhaul when it needed it.

To wrap up – With my limited funds to put toward the car should I get Healey as an everyday driver? Keep in mind my budget to by one is around 12 to 14,000 so I couldn’t by the one with the engine you could eat off of.

Thanks in advance,
TJ
www.artgod.net – check out the dream car under the “my mind” section.

 

[Editor_Reid]

TJ,

That's a very impressive website you have there. Regarding running a Healey as an only car/everyday driver, it can be done, but falls into the category of "Do Not Try This At Home."

Don't get me wrong, I've done it myself during a couple of periods in my life, but it's not an ideal situation. I'd recommend taking a couple of thousand of your car budget and buying a small, used car for commuting and general errands, and save the Healey for good times. The wear and tear of everyday use, in traffic and in the summer heat, in the stop and go of I-95, and on the not-so-great streets of our nation's capital will combine to take a real toll.

Would also recommend you take a look at the
Big Healey Model Overview for more info.

Good luck.

 

[artgod]

Thanks for the advice – and thanks for the compliment on my site, need any work done?

Ya know…I wish I could convince my wife that I need two cars. I have a beat up Honda del sol right now that needs TLC every ounce in a while to keep it running, so I have the commuter. Now all I need to do is to tell her that I need another car that needs work on the weekends. Uh… looks like I’m going to have to wait.

I’m Just a poor boy who wants his dream car now. So sad…

Thanks again.

Tj.

Ps. thanks for the link.

 

[Johnny]

I don't think there is anything wrong with using an Austin Healey 3000 as a daily driver. With todays supply of parts, both used and new, there is no reason why anyone couldn't drive a Healey everyday. Afterall, it was done in the 60's. Many drivers just experienced a very long drive in their Healeys, to Lake Tahoe, and back. Sure, they may of had some problems, but they had no problems locating parts, help, to fix their car and continue on their journey. I own a 1997 Jeep cherokee with only 55,000 miles on it, and I would be hesitant driving to Tahoe. It's left me and my wife stranded twice. Taken to a dealer only to have the car returned with the comment, "We can't find anything wrong?"
The big question is, do you want to drive a Healey everyday?
Sorry for the long post, but many people, particularly younger people, are desiring Healeys but are turned off, by the supposedly high maintenance, of owning British cars. Which I think is mistaken.
Johnny, 75MGB, 59BN7

 

[artgod]

You’re giving me hope. One of my dreams in life is to drive my father in my own Healey. We spent countless hours talking about the history of British cars, he’s a MGB buff…72 and younger, he has 2, and if I’m ever going to get him in my car I’m just going to have to do it. I might be sleeping in the car when my wife finds out, but I have a year to bombard her with justifications on why I need this car. Maybe she’ll break. So in a year, all I need is a 3000 series car cheep enough to get that is solid enough to run. Holy Grail…

Thanks - TJ
www.artgod.net

 

[Shane]

Hey TJ,

Very impressive website. I've already shown it to a couple of programmers I work with, they were pretty impressed with the animation. Good luck...
As far as considering purchasing a Healey, like Johnny said, there seems to be a myth of major upkeep for Healeys and British cars in general. We got ours a little over a month ago and one of the reservations that I had before we bought it was availability/cost of parts. There are a couple of major supply houses out there and the cost of making the car reliable is not really that much. I'm getting ready to add electronic ignition to ours for reliability along with a conversion kit for a spin-on type oil filter. I'm making sure I keep the original parts in case I ever want to sell it (yeah, right

).
One thing I would suggest that I didn't do before we got the car is to join the local Healey Club. I pictured a bunch of old concourse judges standing around in tweed jackets disputing the correct placement of the jack handle in the trunk (the only thing I think I learned in high school in the 80's is how to stereotype). The guys at our club have been incredibly helpful, and I think they would have been even more helpful in locating a car if we didn't find ours.
Good luck, and maybe we'll see you at the conclave in DC next year...

shane

 

[Editor_Reid]

TJ,

Absolutely join clubs and learn before you buy. May I humbly suggest that you start at For A Good Time Click Here .

There is also a very active local group of enthusiasts right there in your area: the Capital Area Austin-Healey Club. I've been a member (and officer) of that club a couple of times in my life when I lived in or near Washington DC, and they're a great group and will be of TREMENDOUS assistance.

They may also be able to help steer you towards a car for sale. Then depending on your job situation (that is, your boss's sense of humor about arriving ocassionally late due to car problems), BUY THE HEALEY YOU WANT AND DRIVE IT EVERY CHANCE YOU GET.

I know that I earlier counseled you (above) to take a couple of thousand of your car-buying budget and buy a used car for commuting and general errands, and while that's still a good idea, life is short.

Take the plunge. Break down. Run out of gas. Get soaked in a downpour even with the top up. Walk for assistance. Be late for work. Sleep by the side of the road waiting for assistance. Hold a flashlight in your mouth while trying to diagnose a problem on a deserted rural two-lane in the middle of a cold night. Spin out and get stuck in a ditch on your first date with (her name here). I've done all of those things and a lot more in my Healeys, and would not trade those memories for all of the reliable used cars in the world. Oh yeah, and then tell us about your adventures.

Reid

 

[Johnny]

Your website appears to be really nice. Definetly not for us modem users, (Too many bytes, bits etc). I wasn't able to wait for all the downloads. Did see your car though. I know you'll find the car of your dreams, they are out there.
Johnny, 59bn7, 75mgb

 

[artgod]

You guys rock! Thanks for all the complements on my site and Thanks for the subjections on the local Healey Clubs. I really never knew you could join with out having an actual car. That only makes scene, I do need some group therapy before buying, and any help would be very welcomed in finding a car.

Can I ask one more question to the group? I learned, since I never bought a classic car, that loans are shorter for older cars. If I need a loan to buy a car, and I do, what would be the best way to finance a classic? Are there companies that only deal with older cars? Or should I just get a consolidation and incorporate the cost in?

Sorry Johnny for the high bandwidth thing on my site… I know it is a bit over the top for dial up. I did build it for shelf life though; I didn’t want to keep updating the look. I just wanted to add on to it. I’m thinking about building a little app that you can build your dream Healey. Year, color, interior, rims, and other modifications would all be changeable and then you could print it out. We’ll see.

Thanks again -

TJ
www.artgod.net

 

[Steve]

If you need to borrow money to pay for the car, the easiest and most hassle-free method is a home-equity loan. That is, of course, assuming that you own your own home. This way, the money is for you to do with as you please. There will be no lien-holder listed on the vehicle title, you can set the terms of re-payment to suit your own budget, and best of all, you get to deduct the interest that you pay as mortgage interest. Don't own a home? I'm stumped. Other than to suggest visiting a few open hoses this weekend! "Honey, we ought to buy a home, not rent". Brownie points into the bargain. Win-win situation, my friend.

 

[artgod]

Thanks - I do own my home, just bought it in March so maybe by the time my other car is paid off and I'm ready to buy I might have enough equity to do that. Thanks for the advice.

ps. Dig your tag line.

TJ.
www.artgod.net

[ 08-05-2002: Message edited by: artgod ]</p>

 

[Shane]

Hello again,

Peoplefirst.com and JJBest offer special financing for classic cars. Another institution you might want to check first are credit unions. They are often a lot easier to deal with than a typical bank and usually offer the best rates, at least that's what we discovered...

shane

 

[UnionJack]

TJ,
Just wanted to tell you to keep the faith. Everyone of us, with the exception of a few from the lucky sperm club, have been in your shoes. I bought my first Big Healey while in college. It was a '61 Tri-carb that was financed by maxing out my first-ever credit card at 18.5% interest. Financially stupid? No doubt. Regrets? Not a one. I am on my second Big Healey now and after owning and storing the car for 10 years, I have just started a total rebuild. Moral of the story? You may have to wait for the right time, but if you want it bad enough, you can make it happen. By the way, I have driven only pre-1968 British sports cars for the last 12 years. No regrets and in the long run a lot cheaper than the two new Japanese and German cars that my wife has had in the same amount of time.

Best of luck,

Paul

[ 08-07-2002: Message edited by: AHCUSA ]</p>

 

[artgod]

Thanks Jack for the Hope. I see, with a wishful vision, that I will find the right car at the right time. Its that waiting thats going to kill me.

TJ
www.artgod.net

 

[Arch 93]

TJ:
Having once lived in DC, I wouldn't subject an older British car to those road conditions. (I'm not sure I'd subject any car to those conditions). Sitting alongside I-95 or the George Washington Pkwy. in August heat would not be my idea of fun. Is mass transit an option? If so, you only need some rusted out clunker to get you from home to the parking lot at the metro station.

If you need to have a daily driver, fix up the honda and save a little while for the Healey. As someone else said, if you really want it you can make it happen. I do think that we should all have a few toys, and life is indeed short. Therefore I don't want to spend any of it sitting on the side of the road, broken down.

One comment on financing: I agree with everything Steve said concerning a H.E.L. but one more point.
Find a bank that will allow you to make interest only payments each month. Of course you want to be paying on the principle, but if cash is short for a little while, this gives you some maneuvering room.
Good Luck.
Tom

 

[Scott Brunkhurst]

You might want to try an MGB first. Besides the Healeys I own(ed), I have had 2 MGAs, 1 MGB,
2 MGB GTs and an MGC GT. I drove the "C" from New York to Denver and back and only had a flat tire hinder my trips. They are fun cars, reasonably priced and parts are a lot cheaper.
And very British motoring.

SB