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... if I had stupid kinds of money the Duetto would be exactly the way I'd go.
Statistics: Posted by thewalrus — Mon Nov 23, 2015 9:31 pm
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Statistics: Posted by thewalrus — Mon Nov 23, 2015 6:32 pm
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They're definitely fun cars - way more character than anything new. And tons of fun to drive, even though they're slower than almost anything else on the road. Plus you get tons of thumbs up. Some of my thoughts as a non-mechanically inclined MGB owner.
1. In my opinion, go with an MGB over a Spitfire - if you want a somewhat reasonable, regular, practical car. The Spitfire is tiny. Even by MGB standards. My British Car Mechanic also told me he finds them more difficult to work on - and more prone to issues. Dent could probably give you a better idea about Spitfire ownership, though.
2. Research a ton first (kinda common sense) - the difference between a good MGB and a bad MGB is huge. The difference between a good year and a bad year is huge. I'd avoid anything from the rubber bumper era - personally. From a largely aesthetics perspective. But also when it comes to performance and handling. Spend a little extra money and try to get some of the things that increase value and driveability - electronic overdrive is a big one for the MGs. Mine didn't have it - and driving it at anything over 35 - 40 mph was.... loud. Go for the later 5 bearing engine over the 3 bearing engine. From what I read, during my research, a rust-less, straight, body is absolutely most important. More so than perfect mechanicals. is a great site. I got a lot of questions answered there.
3. Know that if you get wire wheels they'll require maintenance - they look great, but I heard nightmare stories from my mechanic about people who never once trued them... wasn't pretty. definitely look closely before buying a car with them.
4. Things go wrong. Usually the car will tell you somethings about to go wrong before it does. Sometimes it won't. My MG developed an overheating problem not long after I bought it. Shocking - I know. No warning. The thermostat failed. It was an easy fix. But the car effectively left me stranded for the better part of a morning. If you absolutely have to get somewhere - don't use a 45 year old British Roadster. All things considered, though, I drove the car regularly during the Summer and Fall months, and it was reasonably reliable. Small things kept cropping up that needed addressing. But when it came to the fundamental requirements of transportation, it was actually pretty good.
5. Have a mechanic look at the car before you buy. Bad restorations and quick fixes from accidents, are easy for casual hobbyists to miss. I avoided a couple of lemons simply by having my mechanic do a 5 minute inspection of the car before I bought.
6. All the jokes about electrical gremlins are based on elements of truth. Mine was better than some. But the headlights would still cut out when signaling to turn right (but not left), if I had the highbeams on. Translation - I lost light, in the dark, when making turns. Not ideal.
7. Buy the Haynes manual and try to do as much work as you can on your own. It helps if you have a well lit work area. I lived in an Apartment at the time - and working in a dimly lit parking garage was tough. A lot of places have rules in place against doing much mechanical work as well. So it's a balancing Act. If you don't think you'll be able to do a lot of small stuff on your own (oil changes, basic maintenance), expect to pay a lot to a mechanic. If you can do small stuff on your own... still expect to pay a lot to a mechanic - but at least you won't be embarrassed at having to come in and have him change your oil for you!
8. I guess in the end, I'd say that I loved having the MG. It was our second car. It should have been our third car. Especially in Canada, with real winter. Without serious knowledge of how to repair cars, a significant overhaul by a good mechanic, and a full set of tools (ie not being Peter Egan) - I probably wouldn't take it on a long road trip. That said it was definitely worth the inconvenience and limitations - it was also the most fun I've had on four wheels. Going to car shows is awesome. Getting thumbs up is awesome. Having people stop you at the supermarket and tell you all about how 'they used to drive one in the 60s or 70s' is awesome. You get attention - even in the relatively common MGB. It's not a car for serious introverts! There is absolutely nothing better than driving a British Roadster, on a winding road, and a cool fall day.
Statistics: Posted by thewalrus — Mon Nov 23, 2015 6:24 pm
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