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Spitfire Spitfire or TR6 for sons first car?

Spitfire or TR6 for a first car?

  • Spitfire

    Votes: 9 25.0%

  • TR6

    Votes: 9 25.0%

  • Other British car

    Votes: 4 11.1%

  • Save the boy, get him a Toyota!

    Votes: 14 38.9%
  • Total voters
    36

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I have a Fair condition 1991 BMW 318is 5 speed I'll sell you. One air bag and a roof. I'm sure there's lots of these around Tampa.

With all these SUVs and people on the phone I get scared in my TR4 driving around at times. I wouldn't subject my 15 year old to the distracted drivers of today in a 60/70's British roadster yet.
 
Great responses! I appreciate everyone that has taken a few minutes to help with this. I am a bit surprised at how "anti-Triumph" the Triumph forum turned out to be - I guess I was expecting a bit more of a spirited debate on the pros and cons of the 2 cars in the tittle. Most "would not recommend either" folks sight a couple of very valid points: Safety and reliability. Safety - I don't really want to get into trying to justify the safety of a lbc - there is no way anyone can win that debate. There is inherent risk in driving, period, and lbc's are only safer than motorcycles. I get that. Thanks for the concern.

The other issue is reliability. We know the issues. He sees this as a "right of passage" as it were, he wants to be in the lbc family (3rd generation), and knows this is the best "window" to learn how they work, and how to deal with issues on the road - with dad behind him. We (our family) has several perfectly reliable vehicles and drivers to fill in the gaps when his is down. So, please take the reliability issues out of your concern.

Good stuff, keep it coming!
 
Do you really see the comments as 'anti-Triumph' specific per se ?
I think it was just the concept of a small sports car that's could be 40 to 45 years old as a 15 year old's first car.
You yourself said "And about 100 reasons NOT too. This isn't about that - I have spent the last year and a half trying to talk him into a more practical idea."
It's the 'talk him into' part that I don't get.
Heck if he's going to get his way, why not let him complete the decision, buy him whichever one he wants, Dad.
 
It depends on the kid. Some 16-year olds are (almost) mature; others are off the wall. You have to know your son. Neither car is very safe by modern standards but as I recall, doesn't the Spifire have swing axles? Not a great idea if you corner too fast or lift your foot in the middle of a turn. The TR6 is probably a safer car - marginally - but if safety is what you're after, but him a Ford Taurus or Impala.
 
Well, if you must choose, I would pick a tr6 over the spit. just for the reason of highway driving. IMHO the spit is a little rough out on the open highway. I much prefer the 6 on the interstate. Its just a bit heavier and smoother.
 
I have a Spit and drive it alot...I would go for the TR6...there is more room and its easier to get into/out of.
 
My teen has been eying my TR3 and my Porsche 968 Cab. However, he will get our Highlander or something else used. Teenagers, especially boys, are not the best or smartest drivers. I want him to start on something he can wrap around a tree and walk away from - with an automatic. Once he gets some miles under his belt, we can talk about sports cars and manual transmissions. Just my 2 cents.
 
Like poolboy, I am somewhat surprised with the statement regarding "how "anti-Triumph" the Triumph forum turned out to be." I wasn't trying to be anti-Triumph as much as I was trying to be realistic with the options that are available out there. Even the poll itself opens up the possibility of something non-British, much less non-Triumph.

To put this in perspective for you, my father was pretty much a dyed in the wool BMC guy owning MGs and Big Healeys. As I was getting my drivers license, I found an MGA Twin Cam FHC on a note lot on Ross Ave. in Dallas and wanted to buy it. I had the money but being a minor I could not title the car at the time, he would have to do that. He refused. Why did he refuse? His explanation was that I needed something that was somewhat more dependable than an MGA Twin Cam for going to school, running around to after school activities, going on dates, etc. He appreciated the car for what it was, but dyed in the wool BMC guy that he was, he just wasn't seeing that as a viable option under the circumstances. I still think about that car from time to time and consider the rarity of an MGA Twin Cam FHC, but deep down in my heart, I can see why he made his decision. Did this make him anti-BMC? Absolutely not, he still liked Healeys and MGs.

After about a year, I made my way into MGB ownership several times over and then completely switched gears and started doing Triumphs after not having an LBC for about ten years. For about a decade I used a TR6 as a daily driver, so I'm familiar with the that aspect but the reality is that now even the newest TR6 is 38 years old and the newest Spitfire is 34 years old. Both are climbing on the collectibility ladder and those factors are why I suggested something else such as a Miata if you want to stick with the small two seat sports car concept. That doesn't make me or my comments anti-Triumph any more than my father was anti-BMC. It's just that in my mind, the Miata is probably the most practical of the impractical cars based on my LBC experience having had several MGBs, several Triumphs in differing TR series and a couple of Spitfires (three currently TR250, TR6 and 1500 Spitfire) and a couple of Miatas (one currently, an NC PRHT).
 
Being a Herald, Spitfire and GT6 guy I vote for the Spitfire.

Why, Price, cheap parts and if something happens to it you are not out 10+ grand. A nice mk3 would do the job nicely. My two boys had these cars at 15 and 14. They paid half and I paid half. They also had to pay half for all repairs and pay 100% for gas. My one son drove a gt6 through high school and my other son drove the spitfire when it was working.

I always had another car for them to drive when the cars were down, a nice old 89 volvo 740. (tank)

I live in Minnesota so they only got the car for about 1 week between snow storms. :D

To me the spit was the way to go because of price and cheap parts. Neither car is as safe as todays cars but we drove them a long time ago when we were that age and we survived.

Have fun and try and find a good one because if he takes care of it he will have it for a long long time.
 
Ok , if the question is Spitfire or TR6 I say for reliability it is pretty much a wash, they both have the same or same design/supplier fuel pump, carbs, electrics, both have a somewhat primitive IRS, dependability will relate more to the condition and past care for the car over 40 years. If you worry more about mechanicals than cosmetics, and are willing to do some repairs yourself, you should be able to get a decent TR6 within budget and no problem at all staying under budget with a Spitfire.

Let me stir the pot more, how about an MGB? Most everything being equal between the Triumphs and the B except the B is a little wider than a TR6 and with solid a solid rear axle the cars suspension is both mor reliable and predictable. The unibody on the B is pretty solid also, anecdotally I hear they hold up pretty well in a crash. Look good in chrome bumpers and BRG too, show the kid a pic.
 
"Anti-Triumph"!?!?

"NOT AT ALL". Why would you say that?? Basically everyone here has a similar opinion based on 1st car, 15yrs old & what could or probably will happen (Hopefully Not) after scooting around town with his girlfriend & showing off what his "Sports Car" can do. Accidents do happen!!

Any "Older Sports Car" is simply an "Un-Practical" car for a "Daily Driver" & especially a young lad who will probably feel like an "Indy Car Driver" as soon as he gets behind the wheel.

Just my $.02 but We or this Forum are "NOT ANTI-TRIUMPH" at all!!!

LOL, Russ
 
If I was going to buy a kid a car, well that's not how we were raised, so I wouldn't. Your son has the ability to get a job, learn to be an adult with responsibilities, and save for a car, of course, after he saved enough for insurance. My dad said if I wanted to drive any car, I needed to save up the insurance money first which I did. Back then, we didn't need our own car as our family had 2 cars. And I got to buy Grandpa's old Rambler American from my Dad after a couple of years of driving it around town. And yes, I wrecked it twice in 2 years bercause of my lack of attention and inexperience.

If it was an lbc, I'd probably be dead. There's absolutely zero protection in these cars and new SUVs can't even see you. At least with a Harley, you can hear them coming (and going).

So my advice is to get the lbc in project form and let your kid enjoy the process as you restore it together over a couple of years. Not only will he build skills and maturity, learn how cars work, but also build the desire to keep it and not wreck it. And invole hime in the costs of restoration as well. Kids nowadays have no concept oif cost. I

n the meantime find a car that's inepensive (cause it's going to get dented, trust me) and safe, that he likes. He can talk up his project in school, just wait till it's finished, and have great pride in his new old lbc as it comes together.

But at 15, NFW. Not safe. Not safe.
 
Now that's a Dad that's not afraid to say "No".
I wish I had put those thoughts together, Peter !.....:encouragement:
 
Well spoken Peter & Poolboy. I had to convince my dad to let me buy a 10 year old Chevy from my oldest brother.
When I was working as an insurance agent, I offered the same service I provided my own children. I calculated the difference between what I paid to insure the car, and what the cost was with the youthful operator, and they paid the difference.
 
Putting myself in your position (which I will be in five short years), I'd want my son to go for the safety and reliability of a relatively modern vehicle for a daily driver, and I'd let him use my LBC for a bit of fun (I've only got five years left to get one of my cars on the road?).

Your "anti-Triumph" comment was obviously tongue-in-cheek. Who would have guessed that a group of Triumph fanatics would be trying to talk you and your son out of getting a Triumph, right? But if you're getting such a strong response from this group, to go with something other than a Triumph, that's pretty telling, isn't it?

That said, several posts in this thread appear to offer unsolicited advice on how you should be parenting your son. I can only assume they don't know you, your son, or the dynamics of your relationship. How your son's first car is being paid for is no one's business but yours.

Good luck, and I hope your son loves his first car, whatever it is!
 
My first car was my TR4A when I was 17 back in the late 70s (my sister's was a mid 70's VW Beetle convertible and my brother's a 1976 Fiat Spyder so you can see a trend in our family). I learned a lot about fixing and maintaining a car from that $500 car! My wife (girlfriend at the time) also bought a 1968 Spitfire Mark III which I of course maintained as well. Having experience with both a TR and a Spitfire, I don't think you can go wrong with either choice and if he prefers the Spitfire then I agree to let him get what he wants. I think it's great that he wants to get the experience and rite of passage in working on one of these older cars. :smile:

We went the route of a 1997 Miata a few years ago when my son was 16 (shared with my wife) so he could have the same experience my wife and I had driving a 2-seater convertible in our youth. He gets to keep it when he graduates from college otherwise he gets our old beater 1996 Ford Contour. :smile:

Scott
 
I haven't read all the replies, but here's my take to the OP.

1. Sounds like if he gets a Triumph, he wants a Spitfire. We pick the TRs we like for one reason or another. He has made a good choice. :D

2. Miatas are always a good choice, too. Like Scott says, you get the experience with airbags and easier-to-get insurance for a daily driver.

3. Albeit this was in 1988 (yeah, I'm old...), my first car was a GT6. I guess things have changed, but I was always the smaller car on the road, etc. It has it shares of dings and dents from being a daily driver that will be fixed during the restoration, but we earned them. I didn't get that car as an investment, I got it because I grew up looking at a TR4 in a corner of the garage and wanted to share sports car driving with my Dad!!

I think this is great and I hope it works out.
 
Bainesy said:
Your "anti-Triumph" comment was obviously tongue-in-cheek. Who would have guessed that a group of Triumph fanatics would be trying to talk you and your son out of getting a Triumph, right?
Click to expand...
Exactly! I didn't mean to ruffle anyone, I was just making light of how many - looks like about 1/2 - think its not a good idea!

We haven't made this decision lightly -there is a lot to it. 1) He is very mature for his age. 2) He will have 1 full year of driving experience (with me), before he can get a his license. 3) As a motorcyclist - I am teaching him the "drive like anyone who can kill you, will try" method. 4) I feel that a car that requires your constant attention, will keep your head in the driving game. 5) I feel that a car that his own money, and time fixing, has gone into will be better taken care of. 6) His driving privilege will be dependent on maintaining his grades - His "job" is getting ready for college. In his spare time, he plays Jazz in a quartet. and solos Hip-hop gigs. (did I mention hes a bit mature for his age?) - that will be the bulk of his cash. His cash and grades will dictate if dad drives him, or he drives himself. 7) I had a "motor-driven cycle" license at 14, and a running Spit at 16 (it took 2 years to get it running) - in a good sized city. I simply do not believe that "every 16 year old boy will dent his first car". 1/2 of you, and my insurance company, think otherwise. But, I would not be o.k. with that, no mater what he was driving. That's why the 1 year work up is so important. It ok, I am not mad at you, keep it coming! LOL, Matthew
 
I have been through two beginning drivers and have been driving a Miata NB as my daily driver for about seven years. One new driver has never had a car "issue" the other one has had four. I would not want my beginning drivers in a older car without air bags and shoulder belts no matter how mature for their age they are . I two seat car will eliminate the "too many" friends problem. There are some advantages of a cheap pickup as far as size and insurance, but you and your son will have to decide. I do like the idea of a father/son project for a few years.
 
I hope my earlier response was not taken as "anti-Triumph". It was not meant to be.

Safety: Before buying the Spitfire for my son we had two other 35-40 year old British cars. They were not then, nor are they now, daily drivers. However, I think nothing of hopping in those cars and driving around town to run errands. As my son's drive was not going to be any further or to different parts of town, I did not feel I could argue against any old British car. I would have appeared hypocritical if I said "absolutely not... they are not safe". That is NOT to say I don't worry when my son drives the Spitfire on busy secondary roads. We don't let him take it on the interstate even now when his is 21.

The point I was hoping would be apparent from my previous post was that the cool factor of a 40+ year old car may wear off quickly if your son's friends are forbidden to ride in the car by their parents. While those of us here may accept the safety and reliability issues of our cars the circle of your son's friends and their parents may not.
 
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