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What to buy, second try
- Thread starter noKYtour
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:lol: *SNORT!*
I've put hundreds of thousands of miles on MGB's, owned five personally and been responsible for many, many others. Wrenched on euro-trash to earn my bean money for a couple decades. The MGB is the most forgiving, reliable and fun LBC you'll find for the price. An older (pre-1975) one is more "true" to the design, a pre-1968 is even better. They <span style="font-style: italic">are</span> getting harder to find in proper shape but they're out there.
This is a personal opinion, but: the newer stuff is soul-less. That is, anything built after 1974 whether British, Japanese or Italian, hasn't the personality of an earlier example. The English cars built between 1962 and 1967 are the perfect balance of practicality and mechanical reliability with an acceptable comfort level. Earlier cars are a bit too crude, later ones sacrificed simplicity for regulated standards and became shadows of the original designs. Of demanded necessity they were heavier and had less power, complicated by mandate. Along with that they became a bit too civilised (deeper carpet, stereo sound systems, plush seats, all the embellishments added to mimic the societal: "Oooh! I want that!" stuff). Remember: complexity BREAKS and requires fixing too. I like the <span style="font-style: italic">K.I.S.S.</span> rule.
On the Miata specifically, they are exactly what they were meant to be: a modern clone of an iconic British design, under-stressed, underpowered and predictable. Nothing wrong there, just a bit boring IMO. If you're fetching groceries or driving to work in it daily, it fits the purpose. "Fun" to drive? Not so much, but I admit it beats a Buick hands down.
...I'll go back an' sun meself on my hot rock now.
I've put hundreds of thousands of miles on MGB's, owned five personally and been responsible for many, many others. Wrenched on euro-trash to earn my bean money for a couple decades. The MGB is the most forgiving, reliable and fun LBC you'll find for the price. An older (pre-1975) one is more "true" to the design, a pre-1968 is even better. They <span style="font-style: italic">are</span> getting harder to find in proper shape but they're out there.
This is a personal opinion, but: the newer stuff is soul-less. That is, anything built after 1974 whether British, Japanese or Italian, hasn't the personality of an earlier example. The English cars built between 1962 and 1967 are the perfect balance of practicality and mechanical reliability with an acceptable comfort level. Earlier cars are a bit too crude, later ones sacrificed simplicity for regulated standards and became shadows of the original designs. Of demanded necessity they were heavier and had less power, complicated by mandate. Along with that they became a bit too civilised (deeper carpet, stereo sound systems, plush seats, all the embellishments added to mimic the societal: "Oooh! I want that!" stuff). Remember: complexity BREAKS and requires fixing too. I like the <span style="font-style: italic">K.I.S.S.</span> rule.
On the Miata specifically, they are exactly what they were meant to be: a modern clone of an iconic British design, under-stressed, underpowered and predictable. Nothing wrong there, just a bit boring IMO. If you're fetching groceries or driving to work in it daily, it fits the purpose. "Fun" to drive? Not so much, but I admit it beats a Buick hands down.
...I'll go back an' sun meself on my hot rock now.
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Well, now that you've been bombarded with input...
Drive 'em all; one of 'em will speak to you.
Drive 'em all; one of 'em will speak to you.
JodyFKerr
Jedi Knight
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So, I'm a little late to the party here But I can't resist sharing my $.02.
Go get a copy of the latest Hemmings Sports and Exotics. There's a great article in there on various convertibles to choose from.
Don't miss out on some of the neat alternatives out there. For example an extremely well sorted Jensen Healey will cost you 1/2 the price of a comparable MGB. Those have the sportiness of the Triumphs but the comfort of the MGB. You might want to consider giving the TR7 and TR8 a go as well.
But, what others have said, drive them. One will talk to you. Don't rush into anything.
Go get a copy of the latest Hemmings Sports and Exotics. There's a great article in there on various convertibles to choose from.
Don't miss out on some of the neat alternatives out there. For example an extremely well sorted Jensen Healey will cost you 1/2 the price of a comparable MGB. Those have the sportiness of the Triumphs but the comfort of the MGB. You might want to consider giving the TR7 and TR8 a go as well.
But, what others have said, drive them. One will talk to you. Don't rush into anything.
Bob Claffie
Jedi Knight
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This is a rerun of my previous post. At that time I thought we were dealing with a novice and not with someone experienced in automotive things. I will echo Doc's comment on the Miata. Mine is terribly boring. From a tinkerers point of view NOTHING ever goes wrong ! A major "repair" is an oil change. A "tune-up" is putting gas in it. A perfect car for someone who doesn't want to play with it or get their hands dirty.
At various times we have had several sports cars/convertibles in the family, sometime 3 or 4 at a time. Invariably my first choice for short haul, bopping around town was an MGB even when there were more expensive and prestigious roadsters available. The only down-side is that after a few years I would get tired of the B and my wandering eye would crave more variety. You could do much worse than a well sorted MGB.
At various times we have had several sports cars/convertibles in the family, sometime 3 or 4 at a time. Invariably my first choice for short haul, bopping around town was an MGB even when there were more expensive and prestigious roadsters available. The only down-side is that after a few years I would get tired of the B and my wandering eye would crave more variety. You could do much worse than a well sorted MGB.
Shinsen774
Jedi Warrior
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A guy in our local club here is selling his MGB roadster, 1972 I think. It is in great shape. Send me a PM if you want the information.