What Should I Buy

[glemon]

terp83, I thought of that too, if a get a modern roadster that can run rings around even my slghtly modfified (and not yet completed) Triumph will I still drive it?

But if it were all about the numbers I guess I wouldn't even have an old British car that most any garden variety Honda or SUV can blow off from a stoplight.

The look, smell, sounds and mechanical directness you get with an old sports car just cant be beat.

Thanks to all for some great input and discussion, sounds like you huys spend some time thinkinh about the same things I do.

Although new is out of my price range I also have to say other than really expensive stuff there is not that much new on the market that interests, ecerything has gotten so big and heavy (look at the evolution of the BMW 3 series for example).

I drove a 350Z and while fast and good handling all I could think of was that this thing is a boat for a two seater,

I did read about a new RWD Toyota with a Subaru enngine described as having 200-250 horsepower and being about the size of the last generation Celica, if they stick to that formule and keep the weight comfortably under a ton and a half that would be an intriguing vehicle.

 

[TRDejaVu]

terp83, I thought of that too, if a get a modern roadster that can run rings around even my slghtly modfified (and not yet completed) Triumph will I still drive it?

On a hot day you might think, "well the AC in the new roadster will be nice, I'll take the Triumph out another day", or on a cooler day, "well the heater in the new roadster will be nice, I'll take the Triumph out another day". A slippery slope...

The look, smell, sounds and mechanical directness you get with an old sports car just cant be beat.

That's it for me. Any modern grocery getter should beat me so I'm not expected to win, but if I do (often around twisty roads) then that's embarrassing for the other guy; teehehe.

 

[terp83]

glemon

I agree wholeheartedly about the attributes of an old sports car. I don't have a radio of any sort in the Healey preferring instead to listen to the drone of the straight six. It's been more than 5 years since I had either top on the roadster. I just didn't get out and drive the Healey near enough in 2009. I hope to do much, much better this year.

If my old sports car gets caught out in the rain or elements, it's because I didn't pay enough attention to the weather forecast. In this part of the country at this time of year, it is rare indeed to have a day to take the Healey out for a drive.

Year round, there are only so many "Healey Days" in Ohio, or "Triumph Days" in Nebraska. In either state, there would be a lot more "Miata Days."

After a somewhat nasty (for us) first half of January, we had a bit of a warmup and the snow all melted. There were a couple of days that were nice enough to take the Healey out, but for some of the crap left on the side roads. If I owned a Miata, I wouldn't think twice about taking it out in the elements.

Whether or not I wind up with a Miata, I have no intention of ending my 35+ years of Healey ownership and enthusiasm.

Keep us posted on what you finally get.

 

[glemon]

glemon


If my old sports car gets caught out in the rain or elements, it's because I didn't pay enough attention to the weather forecast. In this part of the country at this time of year, it is rare indeed to have a day to take the Healey out for a drive.

Year round, there are only so many "Healey Days" in Ohio, or "Triumph Days" in Nebraska. In either state, there would be a lot more "Miata Days."

After a somewhat nasty (for us) first half of January, we had a bit of a warmup and the snow all melted. There were a couple of days that were nice enough to take the Healey out, but for some of the crap left on the side roads. If I owned a Miata, I wouldn't think twice about taking it out in the elements.

I agree, but it is too bad, back in the day I used to drive British sports cars as everyday drivers, a Sprite is great fun in the snow, but I don't have the heart to do it anymore after seeing rust destroy those cars in just a few short years.

 

[aeronca65t]

I have a Miata and an MGB.

If I didn't have the Miata, I'd probably drive a Honda Fit or new MINI as my "new car". Decent appliances but not sports cars.
If I have to drive a "modern" car, at least the Miata is <span style="font-style: italic">sort</span> of neat and isn't a tin-top, "old man's car".

I don't think it takes away from the MGB ownership at all. Really, I think they compliment each other.

Actually, right now, we have <span style="text-decoration: underline">three</span>, white 2-seaters (see below). :laugh:

 

[glemon]

reviving this old thread, I have not made a purchase, but have pretty much decided what I want, I drove an RX8 and it was love at first drive.

Love the size, love the cockpit, love the fact that you really can put adults in the rear seat.

The steering, motor, suspension, driving experience are all great. The handling is very sharp, and the ride is very supple. The engine revs to forever and doesn't feel strained at all doing it.

I have driven a couple cars with a 6 speed tranny and to be honest it seems like overkill, but on the lower torque, more revvy rotary it works and makes sens.

I was a litte concerned with some of the issues I have heard about the rotary engine, but it sounds like most of these are not issues if you properly care for and run the car.

Lastly now that the TR250 is running I have my roadster fix and don't feel like a need another sports car (not saying I wouldn't have fun with a Z3, Miata, or S2000, but the TR250 is pretty nice too, and satifies my roadster itch).