Survey - For those Under 40 some more questions

[kindofblue]

1. Did you consider any modern sports cars instead of an LBC? (Miata, Z4, Solstice, S2000, Crossfire, Boxster)?
2. Have you driven any of the above modern cars? How do they compare to your LBC?
3. How much does the English character of your LBC contribute to ownership? I.E the wood/leather/oil smell. Girling, Lucas, and SU as your lingo instead of Holley, Carter, and Detroit Locker. Hard ride, excellent handling. Pushrod engines. Lots of grease points, etc

4. Are you mad about your LBC? Would you sell it for something modern, or another classic with more technology? (like an Alfa or Porsche)

Any other comments about driving such an extinct motor car.

 

[Nunyas]

1) No
2) No
3) It contributes a lot. The simplicity of it's design, the easiness to work on and modify, and of course the nostalgia of my youth all adds to the car's character. NO modern car can ever bring the level of ownership satisfaction that my B brings to me.
4) I will never sell my B for something modern. This does not mean that I'll never get a modern car. It just means that IF i get a modern car, it will be in addition to my B. If I sell my current B for another classic, it'll be for an older MGB or MGC.

The only thing I don't like about my B is the lack of power. While it is ample, I still would like more power, it's humbling to be left at a light by a Scion xA, and struggle to keep up with a Prius from a light.

I drive my B daily, and I have to stay on my toes while navigating through the herds of inattentive/lazy drivers on the streets. Particularly when I'm along side vehicles where I'm below the bottom of their side windows. I try to stay out of those areas as much as possible.

 

[terriphill]

I drive my B daily, and I have to stay on my toes while navigating through the herds of inattentive/lazy drivers on the streets. Particularly when I'm along side vehicles where I'm below the bottom of their side windows. I try to stay out of those areas as much as possible.

Dang and I thought moving into a B from a Midget was going to help that!!!!!! I bet I have at least 1 close call a week from inattentive, lazy drivers not looking before they change lanes or pull out. I thought the B would be more visible.

 

[vping]

Re: Survey - For those Under 40 some more questio

1) I'd consider it as an addition to but not a replacement. Just can't afford one right now.
2) Only a Honda S2000. Unreal to drive.
3)I love the raw mechanical feel of the car. The smell is something that brings back memories of my first car, a 1972 Midget when I was 16.
4)Yes I am mad about my cars and would not sell them for anything.

 

[drooartz]

Re: Survey - For those Under 40 some more questio

1. Did you consider any modern sports cars instead of an LBC? (Miata, Z4, Solstice, S2000, Crossfire, Boxster)?
<span style="color: #009900">Not really - couldn't afford anything that I'd be interested in.</span>
2. Have you driven any of the above modern cars? How do they compare to your LBC?
<span style="color: #009900">Sat in a Miata once, didn't fit. Test drove a new Mini. Neat things, but can't afford them anyways.</span>
3. How much does the English character of your LBC contribute to ownership? I.E the wood/leather/oil smell. Girling, Lucas, and SU as your lingo instead of Holley, Carter, and Detroit Locker. Hard ride, excellent handling. Pushrod engines. Lots of grease points, etc
<span style="color: #009900">I like that they are different. Twin SUs just look sporty to me, and the British cars have such character.</span>
4. Are you mad about your LBC? Would you sell it for something modern, or another classic with more technology? (like an Alfa or Porsche)
<span style="color: #009900">If I sold the Tunebug, it would probably be for a different LBC -- but that's not likely, at least not yet. I still want a couple of driving seasons to enjoy the car.</span>

 

[aerog]

Re: Survey - For those Under 40 some more questio

1. Did you consider any modern sports cars instead of an LBC? (Miata, Z4, Solstice, S2000, Crossfire, Boxster)?

Yes - I own an MGB and a Miata and I'm considering a Mini (and a good number of our British Car Club members own a Miata, S2000, or new Mini)

2. Have you driven any of the above modern cars? How do they compare to your LBC?

My Miata is smaller inside than the MG and drives like a smaller car, otherwise I like it just fine

3. How much does the English character of your LBC contribute to ownership? I.E the wood/leather/oil smell. Girling, Lucas, and SU as your lingo instead of Holley, Carter, and Detroit Locker. Hard ride, excellent handling. Pushrod engines. Lots of grease points, etc

A little...I was interested in the MG because it is simple to work on, fun, and relatively cheap. My Miata is also easy to work on, it's also a pushrod engine, and relatively cheap.

4. Are you mad about your LBC? Would you sell it for something modern, or another classic with more technology? (like an Alfa or Porsche)

Maybe, maybe not

 

[Guest]

Re: Survey - For those Under 40 some more questio

1. Did you consider any modern sports cars instead of an LBC? (Miata, Z4, Solstice, S2000, Crossfire, Boxster)?

Had a 996. Loved it. Now have a mortgage, wife and kid instead /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif

2. Have you driven any of the above modern cars? How do they compare to your LBC?

S2000 is too small for me.
Ditto the MR2.
Drove a Z3(M) and nearly bought one a few years ago.
Drove the Mini Cooper and wasn't impressed - the S - but that's because we were on an awful road and it was for da Missus. Ended up with a VW instead (her choice I swear).
Drove a Miata for a friend - it's way better than I expected, but still underpowered.
Also drove an F430 and a Murcie (and assorted other stuff, mostly single seaters) on a track day a while back.
Loved the F430, didn't like the Murcie.
Thought the Quattroporte was overpriced compared to the 911 when I tried it (nice v8 grunt when you hit the loud pedal though). I was in a bad mood that day - we got invited to Lime Rock to drive the things, but found out only after getting there that it wasn't around the track, but on the local roads - so that might have contributed to me not liking it. I remember that it has really nice leather, but that little joystick gearshift knob was awful. The paddle shifters weren't as nice as in the Ferrari either, which is odd since istr the box is the same.
Also drove a whole raft of different UK spec Elises thanks to a friend who kept buying the latest one. They are a bugger to get in and out of with the top up, and underpowered, but still a fun drive. They'd get destroyed on the roads around here though in 10 minutes flat. We have potholes bigger than the car...

Not a single one compares to the TR. The closest thing that would is a go-kart, but it's faster and corners better (the kart that is). These things are so primitive compared to something modern that it's an unfair comparison.

3. How much does the English character of your LBC contribute to ownership? I.E the wood/leather/oil smell. Girling, Lucas, and SU as your lingo instead of Holley, Carter, and Detroit Locker. Hard ride, excellent handling. Pushrod engines. Lots of grease points, etc

It's a totally different world compared to a modern car. The fact that parts are (relatively) cheap and can be changed without access to a supercomputer is attractive.

4. Are you mad about your LBC? Would you sell it for something modern, or another classic with more technology? (like an Alfa or Porsche)

I'd swap it for an F430 in a heartbeat. Seriously, I'd prefer to keep the car and upgrade the running gear. I like the looks, but the performance isn't that exciting. Watch the top gear clip on 10k supercars on youtube and see how a 70's pasta rocket compares to a modern diesel mini car round a track and you'll see exactly what I mean.

Any other comments about driving such an extinct motor car.
They look good. You notice it way more than a Camry. You tend to notice other ones more too.

 

[wkilleffer]

1. Did you consider any modern sports cars instead of an LBC? (Miata, Z4, Solstice, S2000, Crossfire, Boxster)?

Looked at and drove several Miatas, nearly bought one. Still like them and may have one in the future. They're cheap and cheerful.

2. Have you driven any of the above modern cars? How do they compare to your LBC?

I've driven Miatas and a Z4. It's not really fair to compare, especially the BMW. Great car, but aimed at a different audience.

3. How much does the English character of your LBC contribute to ownership? I.E the wood/leather/oil smell. Girling, Lucas, and SU as your lingo instead of Holley, Carter, and Detroit Locker. Hard ride, excellent handling. Pushrod engines. Lots of grease points, etc

I like its relative simplicity. It doesn't require knowledge of rocket science to get it right. I don't always get it right, but it keeps on going anyway.

4. Are you mad about your LBC? Would you sell it for something modern, or another classic with more technology? (like an Alfa or Porsche)

I will never sell this particular MGB as it is a cherished gift, but other cars I might own might not provoke such an attachment.
Any other comments about driving such an extinct motor car.

They're just special cars to me. I'm glad to be able to own and drive one.

 

[Banjo]

1. no, although I woulden't mind a Miata too
2.yes. Miata,Z4,Toyota MR2, they are FAR more civil. handle better, have more power (usually) more comfortable, and predictable.
3.EVERYTHING! I like the look, feel, smell, sound, and evereything surrounding vintage cars. I feel far more connected with the driving experience, the elements, and the people I meet along the way.
4. I woulden't say "mad" It's still just a car. But I'd not trade it for somthing more technically advanced just for that reason. I relish mechanical simplicity. I enjoy seeing something work, and understanding completely what's happening, not having to say "the computer tells such and such to do so and so"
Black boxes suck the living soul out of machinary. in the piece as well as in the design.