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What Triumph to buy as a first?

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Hi Jim i see alot off TR folks trying to sell their car stories and one day maybe i to will have a tr4 or 6 ;but for a 1st triumph i had a GT6+ and i have to say i out cornered and out raced on the street all my friends TR'S ; the car is so easy to work on and cheaper then a TR ; now don't get me wrong i do want to one day own a TR but for a first car you can't beat the GT6 OR A SPITFIRE.
 
Contact the club, drive both.

I would also recommend driving a Spitfire, for comparison purposes if nothing else. I love the look of the TR4/5/6.... Very manly, (ala' James May's Top Gear review) but I giggle uncontrollably every time I pilot a Spitfire.

Just a thought.
 
Hi Jim, probably any of the big TRs would be a good choice. I own a TR3 and love it but they are not for everyone. A solid axle TR4 would be my suggestion. Very rugged and easy to work on. Rack and pinion steering and slightly wider frame make it drive and steer easier than a TR3. The IRS cars are a little heavier and if you bought one that hadn't had been updated ( stregthened frame mount points) you'd have to completely disassemble the rear suspension of the car to fix it. Not something you want to do if you're not expecting to. I like the interior layout of the TR4 also , the dash is very nicely done ( the later models have a wood veneer dash panel). The TR4 also has a dash mounted ignition switch. The TR6's is under the steering column and hard for me to fumble with. Much better investment than an MGB also , in my opinion. Decent cars show up on ebay and craigslist from 7,000. Best of luck , Kevin
 
Jim,

Working on and driving these beasts is likely very different than the sorts of cars you're used to. But, the real question is are you looking for a car to drive, or a car to work on? That's two totally different things, and will greatly change the way you approach the cars. Many folks I talk to like the idea of being their own mechanic until it's a sunny sunday afternoon and you're stuck in the garage replacing bits instead of driving.

An option that's been mentioned is a Spitfire. For your budget you can easily find a really nice quality Spitfire for under 7k (these days you can probably pick one up for ~5K). The benefit of this is that the car should be highly reliable, and you can do the work when you decide, rather than when bits wear out. I love working on my Mum's Spitfire because it's A) idiot simple, and B) integrated seats when working in the engine bay (the tires. :smile:.

You can set aside your savings from the purchase for a bit and later decide to buy a 4 or 6 to tinker with, and eventually make into a good driver. This would ensure you have a nice driver, and something to fiddle with.

Jody
 
No matter what you pick, right now Triumph sports cars are probably one of the most under-valued british sports cars on the market. The cost to restore a triumph right now is far higher than the cost to buy one already restored. I personally dont see this trend lasting for too much longer, once the economy turns around, but I say buy the best you can afford, mo matter what car you decide to go with.

Myself, I went with a real driving restoration project TR6 which I enjoyed for one summer, and now I've got completely torn apart. I paid 4k for my TR6 and figure i'll have 20k total into it by the time i'm done restoring it. Would I have been better off spending that 20k upfront and buying a very nicely maintained / restored car? Probably.. but I'm enjoying tearing this car down and fixing stuff, and putting it back together with the changes / mods that I want to do to it. As said above, you need to decide up front do you want to work on the car yourself? or just drive it?
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]But, the real question is are you looking for a car to drive, or a car to work on? That's two totally different things, and will greatly change the way you approach the cars. Many folks I talk to like the idea of being their own mechanic until it's a sunny sunday afternoon and you're stuck in the garage replacing bits instead of driving.
[/QUOTE]

The working on it part is a significant part of why I'm looking at something vintage and simple - I'm one of those twisted souls who actually enjoys changing oil or learning how to rebuild carbs. Really enjoy working with my hands, another hobby of mine is building vacuum tube amps for stereo listening. Usually have a wrench or soldering iron in my hands on the weekend anyway :smile:
 
The first TR I bought was a 1958 TR3A. I bought it brand new and now, 53 years later, I still love it.
 

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JodyFKerr said:
Jim,

Then I doubly recommend the driver / restoration combo.

Drive the Spitfire to the store to buy bits for a TR4 or 6. :smile:

Jody
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Only enough garage space for one :laugh:
 
Jim,

Theres always room for just one more.... :devilgrin:
 
I got myself one of those shelter logic garages for temporary storage of my TR7 while the TR6 is being restored... restoring a car really takes +1 garage space. So if you are restoring one car, you need 2 garage spaces of space =P

I have a 6 and a 7, but someday i'll have a 2 or an early 3 =) Don Elliot's car is a great example of the classic cut down door roadster look that i love about the 2s and 3s =)
 
If I were doing it all from scratch and didn't marry into a really nice TR6, I would buy a TR8 and do it up right from there. The most under valued sports car in the market today (IMHO).

Having owned both, I can safely say that with a little authority.
 
One question about TR6s...I hear that the earlier ones (and '71 in particular) are the more desirable years. Is there a specific set of reasons for that? Less EPA restriction?

Thanks!
 
Earlier TR6's have a big valve head (left over from TR250), gives them a little more ump engine wise. Early ones don't have the big rubber bumperette on the front and back. High back seats as well. Other minor differences. Its harder to find a good not rusty early TR6. Wire wheels were put on the early cars as well. Think they quit putting them on in 1973(?) I have a green 1971 wire wheel car that is very solid that could probably be bought. PM if interested.

Marv
 
JimJ said:
One question about TR6s...I hear that the earlier ones (and '71 in particular) are the more desirable years.
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Funny, I've always heard the '72, in particular, is the most desirable year. Though, in my case, it's been determined as to what falls into my lap....
 
Sounds like you are leaning toward a TR4, maybe another solid axle. Some very nice ones remain out there, and have surfaced and disappeared from EBAY. Be patient. Within 4 weeks I'd predict a good number will show up again. TR4s are simple, fun, vintage, and reliable.

I do agree that there are more TR6s out there, and they may be a better buy.
 
Mickey Richaud said:
My vote is for an MGB.
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Actually, Mickey is not that far off. You will find a lot more availability of decent (cheap) MG's than you will of Triumphs. Parts are available, the cars are fairly easy to work on and they can be fun. Having said that, I have owned 4 Triumphs (am without currently) and love them, but have always noticed that there are a lot more MG's at British car shows than anything else. I am talking from the point that you are a recent grad (unless you are a trust fund baby, money is always an issure. I have three sons in that boat.) Start slow and work your way up (no offense to MG owners) but Triumphs can end up costing you a bundle.
 
TR6BILL said:
Mickey Richaud said:
My vote is for an MGB.
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Actually, Mickey is not that far off. You will find a lot more availability of decent (cheap) MG's than you will of Triumphs. ....
Click to expand...

Then he would be better adviced with a Miata or BMW Z3.

TR was always better technic than MG, higher class car.

Cheers
Chris
 
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