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Right Car for a High Miles Daily Driver?

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Good point Bruce. I do have considerable control over meetings.

We've had two major car failures this past year, in each case, we were able to get a tow to a local shop, have Hertz, or Enterprise bring a car and be on the way in about 1-1/2 hours.
 
dar100 said:
I've burned through 3 late model vehicles in the last 6 years, it's just part of the expense of doing business, and the costs were stated in the opening post. It's time to get the next car and that's what started me thinking about using a modified BGT.
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks. One more question... are you looking for a transportation appliance or something that's a hoot to drive?

I probably already know the answer.

If it were me, I'd buy a late 90s BMW M3 (the E36), maybe even the convertible. It's fast, reliable, safe, has conveniences, HUGE aftermarket parts availability, a bit expensive, but not maintenance intensive and it's loads of fun to wrench on. It's already down the steep bit of the depreciation curve. When you're done, sell it to a boyracer type.

I love my MGB, but not enough to drive 35k miles a year.
 
If I'm late to a job, it will cost the company thousands of dollars per hour and would affect my future employment opportunities. I drive a 1967 MGB GT every day, to every job.

I better start knocking on wood now.
 
Touché Steve.

I’ve thought long and hard about a BMW. The simple truth is there is a perception on the part of my clients that if I had a BMW, even an older model, I’d be making too much money. I know it’s stupid, and has no basis in reality, but I’ve learned that their perception might as well be my reality. I’ve floated a test balloon on the MG idea and that was received pretty well. The only other ideas that had some positive response was an older Volvo, or SAAB. I'd rather drive an MG.
 
This thread has needled me into writing an anticdotal tale I've submitted to Basil for inclusion in the Articles section.

I've driven LBC's my entire adult life and never had to make excuses for not getting where I needed to be (so far, anyway). Even have a story of an MGB emergency clutch R&R on my own (first) wedding day. Me mum helped push the car under the dangling engine to speed things along. I got to the ceremony on time...

the marriage ran out after seven years tho. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
 
I was never a fan of BMW until I drove one. Now I'm a real fan. My first was a 1988 735i which I bought 1 years old in mint condition with only 50K miles. It was a real pleasure to drive, but I got a lot of attitude from other drivers, many driving new cars which cost far more than I spent on my used old BMW. Eventually I got bored with the big luxury car thing and replaced it with another MG. I haven't regretted that decision yet. My wife has a 2000 528i and it's a wonderful car. Well mannered, reliable and comfortable. i would own another BMW in a heartbeat if I were looking for that type of car.
 
Article is up.

Thanks, Basil. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
To Quote Doc: "What seems to shade folks' opinion is the result of poor quality maintenance the cars
generally received and the poor level of respect they had from most independent shops. Not any inherent
frailty of the machines."

Well said and amen!
 
A dear (ex-pat Brit) friend of mine has oft-times said: "These lumps were engineer'd to run in th' bottom of a bucket of s**te!"

He ain't far from truth, IMO... and my experience.
 
Looks okay overall. It'd be worthwhile to see if anybody can check it out for you.

R.
 
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