Replacing the Westfield with something classic....
Discussion
Thinking of replacing the Westy with something a big more sedate, classic, sporty and stylish.
Don't need a 0-60 time of 4 seconds anymore but would like something that did it in less than 10
Convertible
Tax free
£10,000 to £13,000
Easy and cheap to run/service so no V8's
Need to fit in a standard garage
Cheap parts on EBay and easy to tinker with in the winter months
Reliable
I was thinking of an MG Roadster, old English white with oxblood interior. Any other ideas?
Don't need a 0-60 time of 4 seconds anymore but would like something that did it in less than 10
Convertible
Tax free
£10,000 to £13,000
Easy and cheap to run/service so no V8's
Need to fit in a standard garage
Cheap parts on EBay and easy to tinker with in the winter months
Reliable
I was thinking of an MG Roadster, old English white with oxblood interior. Any other ideas?
I'm not sure which you mean, but neither a Midget nor an MGB will do 0-60 in less than 10 seconds in standard form. A MGBV8 would and an MGC wold get close, but I don't know if they're in budget.
How about a Lotus Elan+2? I think you'd get a usable one in budget (just about).
How about a Lotus Elan+2? I think you'd get a usable one in budget (just about).
Edited by kambites on Friday 19th December 10:58
I've had three Westies, a Zetec 1800 and two Rover V8s (3.9 and 4.6) before these I've had a converted V8 MGB roadster and at the same time a Spridget (Austin Healey Sprite, same as a Midget) and before those a 1800cc BGT
for the last 7 years I've had as a daily runner a 1275cc MG Midget Mk3 and that's what I'd suggest to you (or equivalent Austin Healey Sprite Mk4)
when I was looking to go back from, to me, relatively boring modern cars like the Honda S2000 I had to classic cars again I was reminded how much I'd enjoyed the Spridget before
even with the standard 15.5" steering wheel the steering is a delight especially with the standard 145/80/13 tyres fitted
0-60 in both a 1275 Spridget and B would be above 13 seconds but if they are in good mechanical running condition with perhaps updated items like fully electronic dissy and fully tuned up with perhaps better exhaust manifold on a Spridget then the torque can be exploited to give more fun - but in a Spridget (or a B with more torque) you won't be overtaking like, and as much, as with a Westie but you will probably be having more fun at lower, license saving, speeds on much more interesting B and unclassified roads and the better twisty A roads
the Spridget give a classic ride and handling but in good mechanical condition can give good ride and handling - though there are a lot that are not at there best including the little used and shiny
I'd suggest you try a few test drives of 1275cc Spridget that are in good mechanical condition (and not those that are little used with old hard tyres) as you'll soon know if you like them
with the budget you've got you will be able to buy a top example, probably to original spec, and have money left over to update and improve IF it's required
for the last 7 years I've had as a daily runner a 1275cc MG Midget Mk3 and that's what I'd suggest to you (or equivalent Austin Healey Sprite Mk4)
when I was looking to go back from, to me, relatively boring modern cars like the Honda S2000 I had to classic cars again I was reminded how much I'd enjoyed the Spridget before
even with the standard 15.5" steering wheel the steering is a delight especially with the standard 145/80/13 tyres fitted
0-60 in both a 1275 Spridget and B would be above 13 seconds but if they are in good mechanical running condition with perhaps updated items like fully electronic dissy and fully tuned up with perhaps better exhaust manifold on a Spridget then the torque can be exploited to give more fun - but in a Spridget (or a B with more torque) you won't be overtaking like, and as much, as with a Westie but you will probably be having more fun at lower, license saving, speeds on much more interesting B and unclassified roads and the better twisty A roads
the Spridget give a classic ride and handling but in good mechanical condition can give good ride and handling - though there are a lot that are not at there best including the little used and shiny
I'd suggest you try a few test drives of 1275cc Spridget that are in good mechanical condition (and not those that are little used with old hard tyres) as you'll soon know if you like them
with the budget you've got you will be able to buy a top example, probably to original spec, and have money left over to update and improve IF it's required
Edited by nta16 on Friday 19th December 11:45
Lordbenny said:
Thinking of replacing the Westy with something a big more sedate, classic, sporty and stylish.
Don't need a 0-60 time of 4 seconds anymore but would like something that did it in less than 10
Convertible
Tax free
£10,000 to £13,000
Easy and cheap to run/service so no V8's
Need to fit in a standard garage
Cheap parts on EBay and easy to tinker with in the winter months
Reliable
I was thinking of an MG Roadster, old English white with oxblood interior. Any other ideas?
MGB V8 Roadsters are available for this money and are not expensive to run. Some may even give better mpg than the std 1800 Abingdon unit @ 24mpg. Alternatively, why not a TVR S2/S3/S3C? A great all round car, easily within budget, low cost Ford components, a great TVR orchestral sound...just make sure the chassis is in near perfect condition...Don't need a 0-60 time of 4 seconds anymore but would like something that did it in less than 10
Convertible
Tax free
£10,000 to £13,000
Easy and cheap to run/service so no V8's
Need to fit in a standard garage
Cheap parts on EBay and easy to tinker with in the winter months
Reliable
I was thinking of an MG Roadster, old English white with oxblood interior. Any other ideas?
k underneath.
I'm thinking of doing the same thing.
A little classy motor to trundle about in - admittedly hadn't got much further than a BRG MGB GT.
An Austin Healey 3000 would be a stormer, but wayyyy outside my price range
Oh my.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C500633
A little classy motor to trundle about in - admittedly hadn't got much further than a BRG MGB GT.
An Austin Healey 3000 would be a stormer, but wayyyy outside my price range
Oh my.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C500633
Edited by Tonsko on Friday 19th December 13:32
That MGA looks perfect for the OP, as is the TVR S suggestion.
As an alternative, the early Lotus Esprit are starting to become more and more desirable :-
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
Yes, I know it's not a convertible, but just look at it..... Happy hunting.
Paul
As an alternative, the early Lotus Esprit are starting to become more and more desirable :-
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
Yes, I know it's not a convertible, but just look at it..... Happy hunting.
Paul
Edited by The Surveyor on Friday 19th December 14:58
vixen1700 said:
That's looks like a steal for £11k. These are easily convertible to RHD. MGA's have always had the most wonderful feminine lines.Re' the above note on rotten MGB's. You have to be VERY careful when buying. Many look great on top, shiny paintwork et al, but take a very close look underneath...and not just the inner and outer sills...check everything, rear spring hanger mounts, all suspension joints, all carpets out, inner/upper wings, a-pillar structural area, fresh air intake area...don't leave a stone un-turned. And if it's covered with fresh looking black bitumen/waxoyl...walk away. However, there are some seriously good unmolested B's out there where owners have genuinely coveted their cars, all available for under £10k.
Yertis said:
Obviously a TR6. Sems to match all your criteria.
Agree with the TR6 notion, you will need to buy now i.e. the winter as all the lower end £10-11k TR6's will be £15k in the spring, prices are going up very quickly.BTW most have been rebuilt (at least once by now) and most of the owners are TR Registered owners and know the rusty parts and most TR6's are fairly well sorted (obviously still a few dogs about?).
I don't think an MGB will "do it" for you, pretty ordinary to drive....I had one hated it!!
nta16 said:
for the last 7 years I've had as a daily runner a 1275cc MG Midget Mk3 and that's what I'd suggest to you (or equivalent Austin Healey Sprite Mk4)
...
with the budget you've got you will be able to buy a top example, probably to original spec, and have money left over to update and improve IF it's required
Excellent post, and good advice. ...
with the budget you've got you will be able to buy a top example, probably to original spec, and have money left over to update and improve IF it's required
I'd possibly do what he said, but probably do this:
vixen1700 said:
Whatever the decision, it's a rather nice position to be in. An interesting alternative could be a Sunbeam Alpine. It won't offer the performance you said you were after, and a Tiger is out of budget, but they're nice little cars and prices seem to me to be on the up. I've always liked them.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C462520
Rubbish photos in that ad, but gives an idea:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C462520
Rubbish photos in that ad, but gives an idea:
Thanks for all your replys especially Nta16, real food for though there. There are many cars I'd love but my budget won't stretch to like a TR4/5 and Austin Healy, I never thought I could get an MGA, they are stunning cars but I think one within my budget may well turn out to be a bit of a can of worms and possibly outside my comfort zone by the way of spanner wielding. I thought that a frog eyed sprite would be too small but there is a lovely one on eBay at the moment as well as a nice roadster. Any more recommendations will be gratefully received.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C504414#
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Austin-Healy-Frogeye-Mk1...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-MGB-ROADSTER-RARE-PUL...
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C504414#
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Austin-Healy-Frogeye-Mk1...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-MGB-ROADSTER-RARE-PUL...
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