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Wedge TR-8 or Stag for a daily driver/commuter

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angelfj1

angelfj1

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Folks: I have an opportunity to acquire another TR to use as a daily driver, that is, basic transportation. From the standpoint of reliability and maintenance, which is the better choice a Stag or TR-8. The assumption would be that both cars were in sound mechanical condition to begin.
Your opinion/comments are welcome.

Thanks in advance!
 
Both are rare in the States, and both are desirable and attractive cars. In terms of reliability and maintanence, I'd have to suggest the TR8 - only because the Stag engine is a fairly high maintenance item. In my personal case, I chose a Stag with a GM transplant and have what I think is the best of both worlds.
 
Yes, it currently has the V6. It has good power and excellent reliablity and my wife loves driving it. I'm happy with it currently, but I'm thinking about upgrading to a V8 when I rebuild the car - which will be after I complete my TR4A.
 
Thanks. Always another project, correct? I'm leaning towards the TR-8. I have heard that the Triumph Stag V-8's have had many serious issues.
 
Just a constant cycle, but it keeps me out of trouble. If I were to put a V8 into the Stag, it would be the same engine as the TR8.

The original Stag V8 did have some issues, most of which have been worked out by the specialists. It will always be a higher maintenence motor than the TR8, but it is a nice little engine once sorted out.
 
Agreed, I own both,the TR8 is more of a daily driver.(engine wise}. Should you buy the Stag,and put the TR8 into it,the stag engine value should just about pay for the swap.
 
My TR8 is my daily driver. It was also the PO's daily driver from 1982 until 2000. Just turned over 132k miles and still runs strong and reliably. Very comfortable car to spend a lot of time in.

Since I have purchased the car the only maintenance that has been needed on my part (other than standard used car purchase stuff of belts hoses, plugs, plug wires, cap & rotor, fluids etc...) has been an oil pressure switch, Coil, and fuel pump. They were all original so 27 years of service is pretty good really.

My suspension was also original and worn out so it has recieved a good amount of attention as has the exhaust and I had some preventative work done on the radiator. Other than that it's been a gas drive and change the oil car. Good stuff and fun too. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
SSHHHH! Shawn - don't tell them that! You're gonna run the prices up! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Mickey
 
[ QUOTE ]
SSHHHH! Shawn - don't tell them that! You're gonna run the prices up! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Mickey

[/ QUOTE ]

Since we already have ours, isn't that a good thing? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Yeah, kind of a mixed bag. Good if we want to sell, but bad if we're looking for another one.
 
hummm...daily driver you say huh?? maybe a mean green machine replacement? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
I've been using my TR8 as a daily driver for the past two summers and it's been great. You hardly mind tedious tasks when you can jump into a little rocket like this, and once everything's all sorted out, it's a very low maintenance and reliable machine.

They're getting harder and harder to find in decent shape, so if you've got a line on one, better keep it to yourself or else the vultures on this board are going to be all over it. PM me the location and I'll safeguard it for you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif

Tom
 
You can't beat a TR8 coupe for a daily driver. I drove one for years. There will be a brown coupe on ebay soon that is essentially a new car. Everything has been rebuilt. It has a 4 liter with all of the goodies that Woody at The Wedge Shop sells. It also has new Panasports and a leather interior. The owner is looking to get $10K. It would cost twice that much to build this car. You will not find a better used car for that price. Think about it, for ten grand you can get a LBC that does a 13 second 1/4 mile, will cruise at 120MPH, and won't leave you stranded. You can even get A/C, rear window defrost, and heat that actualy works. For comparisons sake, my buddy just sold a super beetle convert for $15K, and it wasn't nearly as nice as the TR8. I just don't get it!
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Hey Snake, as long as you have the Lucas sorted out and don't drive at night.
 
I would have to say that a lot of it depends what kind of daily drive you have, as well as how the Stag is set up. A Stag with the original drive train will have the aforementioned maintenance issues. My Stag has a Ford 289 V8 with a SROD 4 speed (Third gear is direct, fourth is overdrive). It is a great highway cruiser but a little closer to a "boat" when it comes to around town. I really like the steel hardtop. I have not had a TR8, but owned a TR7 for a short while. My biggest complaint about it was getting in and out. Those high sills are kind of a pain. Even being a huge Stag fan, it seems like the TR8 would be a better daily car. You'd just have to get used to driving something that resembles a doorstop. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
I believe you can drive anything daily...If it's well sorted, and has at minimum some kind of weather protection. My wife drives her MGA daily pretty much year round, but will use one of the modern vehicles in a storm storm or something of that nature. Once I got the A sorted out it's just general maintence from there, all thats been done in the last year(4000miles) was a radiator and oil changes. I think someone who used to visit the forum once and awhile drove a model T or something like that daily(if memory serves right this person also had a cream colored TC?). I'd be inclined to drive anything daily(I used to drive my B's daily...and then we got "his and hers" Spitfires)if I felt it well sorted enough.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I would have to say that a lot of it depends what kind of daily drive you have, as well as how the Stag is set up. A Stag with the original drive train will have the aforementioned maintenance issues. My Stag has a Ford 289 V8 with a SROD 4 speed (Third gear is direct, fourth is overdrive). It is a great highway cruiser but a little closer to a "boat" when it comes to around town. I really like the steel hardtop. I have not had a TR8, but owned a TR7 for a short while. My biggest complaint about it was getting in and out. Those high sills are kind of a pain. Even being a huge Stag fan, it seems like the TR8 would be a better daily car. You'd just have to get used to driving something that resembles a doorstop. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I always thought my Stag was a blast driving around town as a daily driver. Even with the underpowered Capri V6 it had in it at the time. They are a bit of a boat though.
 
Wow, First post from this member. I think we could give him a hearty welcome. I think he has the makings of a true british car enthusiast. And he's nice enough to leave his Stag parked in my driveway.
Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
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