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So I've had the MGB for a couple weeks now, and have a few hundred miles on it. I've driven it back-to-back a few times with the Tunebug as well and have some initial thoughts on the two cars. So, in no particular order:
* The MGB weights 600# or so more, and you can really feel it. Good, in that it's more comfortable and less twitchy. Bad, as it is noticeably less responsive in the twisties. MGB = Cadillac, Tunebug = sportbike. Okay, not that bad, but it feels it when switching back and forth.
* The extra CCs matter -- I believe the MGB is stock, and the Tunebug is no where near stock. That extra torque can be felt.
* Full throttle and shifting at 6k in the Tunebug is unbelievably fun. Addicting. I want more.
* Roll up windows, leg room, shoulder room, comfy seats -- these things may have a future.
* RHD really is fun, though in the end not as noticeable once you are underway.
* You can really tell that the cars share DNA. So much of the mechanicals feel familiar on the MGB. Same sort of world at 125% of the size.
* Overdrive is not overrated.
* Never really understood how light the steering in the Tunebug is until I drove the MGB.
* My wife loves the Tunebug, but not to ride in. She's already been for more rides in the MGB than in the Tunebug -- she has not even ridden in the Tunebug since I got him back on the road last year.
I was surprised at how different the two cars are. Neither is better, but different. I admit that in the beginning I was prepared for the MGB to replace the Tunebug (more space and the OD are *really* nice). I also really like more stock vehicles, and the MGB doesn't need much more than some tuning to be modern-usable, while the Tunebug has taken lots of work to be usable here in the mountains.
If I really had to choose, I'm not sure which I'd pick. Luckily, neither is worth so much that I have a need to choose -- a benefit of liking cars at the low end of the price spectrum. I do believe they will both stay.
* The MGB weights 600# or so more, and you can really feel it. Good, in that it's more comfortable and less twitchy. Bad, as it is noticeably less responsive in the twisties. MGB = Cadillac, Tunebug = sportbike. Okay, not that bad, but it feels it when switching back and forth.
* The extra CCs matter -- I believe the MGB is stock, and the Tunebug is no where near stock. That extra torque can be felt.
* Full throttle and shifting at 6k in the Tunebug is unbelievably fun. Addicting. I want more.
* Roll up windows, leg room, shoulder room, comfy seats -- these things may have a future.
* RHD really is fun, though in the end not as noticeable once you are underway.
* You can really tell that the cars share DNA. So much of the mechanicals feel familiar on the MGB. Same sort of world at 125% of the size.
* Overdrive is not overrated.
* Never really understood how light the steering in the Tunebug is until I drove the MGB.
* My wife loves the Tunebug, but not to ride in. She's already been for more rides in the MGB than in the Tunebug -- she has not even ridden in the Tunebug since I got him back on the road last year.
I was surprised at how different the two cars are. Neither is better, but different. I admit that in the beginning I was prepared for the MGB to replace the Tunebug (more space and the OD are *really* nice). I also really like more stock vehicles, and the MGB doesn't need much more than some tuning to be modern-usable, while the Tunebug has taken lots of work to be usable here in the mountains.
If I really had to choose, I'm not sure which I'd pick. Luckily, neither is worth so much that I have a need to choose -- a benefit of liking cars at the low end of the price spectrum. I do believe they will both stay.