Stag vs Elan +2

[Skyedriver]

Having sold the bike for mainly family reasons, I am considering a nice older car. Now I used to look only at 2 seaters but now need 3 or 4 (son and dog)
Two favourites at present are the Elan +2 and the TRiumph Stag.
Two similar but totally different vehicles

Elan: rust free body but must be a rechassised version, strong engine but slightly flimsy elsewhere, 2+2, not available as a convertible (but it rains a lot up here), most parts available, strong owners club, classic shape does not look dated even now, many pre 73 for tax reasons.

Stag: ever present rust problem in the body, strong mechanicals but engine needs respect, 2+2, hard and soft top but reckoned to leak (see above about weather), reasonably strong owners club, parts availability unknown, pretty shape but looks a little dated. Most post 73 so need road tax.

Has anyone ever owned BOTH of these and can compare them?
Curious about performance, reliability, luggage capacity, mpg etc too

Other possibles would be Ginetta G21, (rare) or Scimitar GTC (tiny boot and suprisingly heavy weight increases fuel consumption and reduces performance)or a Gilbern I suppose (rare too)
I'd appreciate any comments from owners past or present, but not hearsay from those who have read in a magasine.....
Regards
Tony H

[Lashout_UK]

Well, I can only comment RE the Stag, so I shall answer the questions you pose for that bit

Rust in the body - well, pay enough and you'll get one without A lot depends on the car, I've seen very cheap ones with good bodywork and expensive ones with very poor bodywork, so I guess it's just a case of looking at them.

Engine - Yup, treat it well and it'll be a thrashable, strong, good working lump with a fantastic exhaust note. Slack on the coolant or oil levels and you're in trouble. Tune well, up to 210BHP on twin Strombergs is possible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03mJsr6Ufhk - Oh yea!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X9sF8uE7uA

Hard top - Can leak but only if poorly fitted/adjusted and has a weak seal. I find a few hours fettling and testing can actually make these things pretty waterproof.

Soft top - Again, as long as it all fits/works properly, should be good to go.

Owners clubs - There's the Stag Owners Club, Club Triumph and a few others. Very strong groups and constantly holding events and sprints.

Parts availiability - You want it, you got it. Virtually all parts off the shelf next day online. Panels, engines, service items, upgrades, all easy to get hold of. Look at Rimmer Brothers or Quiller, for example. Also several Stag Specialists out there such as James Paddock.

Pre 73 - Actually, if you look, it's not hard to get hold of a tax exempt one. Quite a few 70/71/72 ones out there. A lot seem to turn up on eBay as well!

Pretty shape but dated - Can be sharpened up very nicely by adding a GT6 spoiler, lowering it slightly and changing the wheels. Makes a world of difference!

Hope that's a bit of help

Edited by Lashout_UK on Friday 29th June 10:20

[Skyedriver]

Thanks Lashout, almost convinced already after those vid too.

What sort of carrying capacity has the boot? I know I can fit a tow bar to the Stag for a small trailer to0, whereas the +2 wouldn't accept one.

Also general mpg figures anyone?

[Lashout_UK]

The boot is very wide and very long but doesn't have much depth to it. You can stand a 5 litre jug of oil vertically at the end but it is quite shallow nearer the tail. I'm off to tinker with mine in a bit so I'll take a photo so you can see.

Erm, the manual Stag typically returns about 25mpg on twin carbs, a little less lugging around town. Not really sure about the auto but it's probably not far off to be honest as the 'boxes in those are good little things.

The 4 speed OD box is the one to have, if so inclined, it suits the engine's 6500RPM capability a little better, as the autobox tends to change way before this so you have to lock it in gear to make real progress. The manual box is very nice to use as well, if in good nick.

Edited by Lashout_UK on Friday 29th June 10:37

[Sporting Bear]

For what it's worth I've got a Triumph GT6 and I've found the quality of the reproduction parts, from all sources, to be abysmal and can see no reason why this wouldn't be the same for most Triumphs

[Yertis]

Sporting Bear said:

For what it's worth I've got a Triumph GT6 and I've found the quality of the reproduction parts, from all sources, to be abysmal and can see no reason why this wouldn't be the same for most Triumphs

the
It's the same for everything isn't it, with repro parts? At least you can get bits, unlike many old Italian cars, or Audis...

[Lashout_UK]

Sporting Bear said:

quality of the reproduction parts

I too have suffered a few minor inconveniences from repro parts - a dodgy fuel float and a poor fitting repro light.

However, the majority of mechanical/service components all seem fine so far and that's spread across 6 Triumphs that I've owned! A lot of the bits are still old stock (Although depleteing) or made with the original patterns and toolings.

[Sporting Bear]

Lashout_UK said:

Sporting Bear said:

quality of the reproduction parts

I too have suffered a few minor inconveniences from repro parts

You've been lucky then, I think most of the parts I've had this year have taken three attempts

The (two) alternative horn relay that no one seems able to get to work was only solved by a very kind GT6 owner who gave me a scruffy but working s/h one

I'm still waiting for my money back on the non-functioning (or I suspect wrong) alternative relay

Having no working horn for the MOT went from a minor inconvience to a complete PITA

Sorry but the garden is not all roses in classic car land

Edited by Sporting Bear on Friday 29th June 16:24

[Lashout_UK]

I'm selling one with a Rover V8 in come this weekend, presents a less-problematic alternative than the Stag engine.....

[//j17]

...until it eats it's cams.

Anyway, Stag V8 sounds so much better than the site-lined Buick engine.