RE: SOTW: Bargain British Cabrios
Discussion
"In many ways, 1983 was a significant year ... your humble scribbler here was born (I know, I don't look a day under 45)."
Oh dear, that means that you'd be learning to drive in 2000. Cheap RWD cars had long since gone, whereas me and my fellow colleague were driving round in beat-up Dolomites, Cortinas and Chevettes, in 2000 first-car fair would have been Fiestas, Escorts & Novas. I don't believe that one can be qualified to pick SoTW at such a tender age!!
Oh dear, that means that you'd be learning to drive in 2000. Cheap RWD cars had long since gone, whereas me and my fellow colleague were driving round in beat-up Dolomites, Cortinas and Chevettes, in 2000 first-car fair would have been Fiestas, Escorts & Novas. I don't believe that one can be qualified to pick SoTW at such a tender age!!
LewisR said:
"In many ways, 1983 was a significant year ... your humble scribbler here was born (I know, I don't look a day under 45)."
Oh dear, that means that you'd be learning to drive in 2000. Cheap RWD cars had long since gone, whereas me and my fellow colleague were driving round in beat-up Dolomites, Cortinas and Chevettes, in 2000 first-car fair would have been Fiestas, Escorts & Novas. I don't believe that one can be qualified to pick SoTW at such a tender age!!
Fortunately I try to take the advice of my elders and betters when choosing Oh dear, that means that you'd be learning to drive in 2000. Cheap RWD cars had long since gone, whereas me and my fellow colleague were driving round in beat-up Dolomites, Cortinas and Chevettes, in 2000 first-car fair would have been Fiestas, Escorts & Novas. I don't believe that one can be qualified to pick SoTW at such a tender age!!
. And, since cheap RWD had long-since gone, I had to spend my student loan on a Nissan 200SX to get a fix of RWD...LewisR said:
"In many ways, 1983 was a significant year ... your humble scribbler here was born (I know, I don't look a day under 45)."
Oh dear, that means that you'd be learning to drive in 2000. Cheap RWD cars had long since gone, whereas me and my fellow colleague were driving round in beat-up Dolomites, Cortinas and Chevettes, in 2000 first-car fair would have been Fiestas, Escorts & Novas. I don't believe that one can be qualified to pick SoTW at such a tender age!!
Wouldn't a Dolomite or Cortina be cheap to buy and insure in 2000 as well? Classic insurance?Oh dear, that means that you'd be learning to drive in 2000. Cheap RWD cars had long since gone, whereas me and my fellow colleague were driving round in beat-up Dolomites, Cortinas and Chevettes, in 2000 first-car fair would have been Fiestas, Escorts & Novas. I don't believe that one can be qualified to pick SoTW at such a tender age!!
redgriff500 said:
There is a reason the MX5 is so popular....
It is better than everyone of those options by some margin and shockingly prices start at a similar level.
Sometimes the road less travelled, is less travelled for a reason
Because it's s
t.
Better?It is better than everyone of those options by some margin and shockingly prices start at a similar level.
Sometimes the road less travelled, is less travelled for a reason
Because it's s
t.Yes you are correct, a 1990's MX-5 does indeed rust better than a 1970's Triumph.
And a 1.8 MK1 MX-5 is also better at producing a bigger number than an MGF on the 0-60mph sprint. Or the 0-100mph sprint too.
So, the Escort seller is telling porkies about the bootlid (trying to turn a negative into a positive). The facelift lid was the one that did have the badge recess right in the middle. If this car doesn't have that then it is a pre-facelift (if you can call the Scorpio-like droopy styling a facelift) bootlid so the front and back of the car don't match.
PS. The MkV Escort wasn't so bad once they'd beefed up the chassis. Essentially the same layout as the much lauded Fiesta and Ka but scaled up, and there was a 4WD version.....
Edit - just realised what he/she meant. Referring to the droopy facelift as a Mk6. Mk5 effectively got 2 facelifts in it's lifetime I suppose.
PS. The MkV Escort wasn't so bad once they'd beefed up the chassis. Essentially the same layout as the much lauded Fiesta and Ka but scaled up, and there was a 4WD version.....
Edit - just realised what he/she meant. Referring to the droopy facelift as a Mk6. Mk5 effectively got 2 facelifts in it's lifetime I suppose.
Edited by r11co on Friday 24th June 10:18
Oddball RS said:
For the first time in a long time bravo...........
TR7's are the best kept secret, over the next ten years they will go up in value like all earlier TR's maybe not at such a high % but now is the time to buy a tidy one and keep it (Particularly the FHC), MG's are on the same path but just a bit more modern to use, a friend on mine has a very early F and a late TF both unregistered (and two shells). They will definately be worth hanging on to, in the future they will be very highly thought of, the last 'British' MG?
In the mean time - drive and enjoy and tidy up as funds allow.
Sorry but I have to disagree. Am I the only one that thinks TR7s are awful cars? I mean, just look at that interior! TR7's are the best kept secret, over the next ten years they will go up in value like all earlier TR's maybe not at such a high % but now is the time to buy a tidy one and keep it (Particularly the FHC), MG's are on the same path but just a bit more modern to use, a friend on mine has a very early F and a late TF both unregistered (and two shells). They will definately be worth hanging on to, in the future they will be very highly thought of, the last 'British' MG?
In the mean time - drive and enjoy and tidy up as funds allow.
An MX5 may be better in absolute terms, but that's not what old cars are about.
I don't think the TR7's time has yet come since it carries so much negative baggage, but it will and one day they will be very sought after. They look striking; I saw one a couple of weeks ago and amazed myself at how much I liked it. The MX5 is a fine car, but in comparison with the TR7 it is bland and derivative. I just wish the TR7 had been launched with the Dolomite sprint engine from new.
I don't think the TR7's time has yet come since it carries so much negative baggage, but it will and one day they will be very sought after. They look striking; I saw one a couple of weeks ago and amazed myself at how much I liked it. The MX5 is a fine car, but in comparison with the TR7 it is bland and derivative. I just wish the TR7 had been launched with the Dolomite sprint engine from new.
St John Smythe said:
Oddball RS said:
For the first time in a long time bravo...........
TR7's are the best kept secret, over the next ten years they will go up in value like all earlier TR's maybe not at such a high % but now is the time to buy a tidy one and keep it (Particularly the FHC), MG's are on the same path but just a bit more modern to use, a friend on mine has a very early F and a late TF both unregistered (and two shells). They will definately be worth hanging on to, in the future they will be very highly thought of, the last 'British' MG?
In the mean time - drive and enjoy and tidy up as funds allow.
Sorry but I have to disagree. Am I the only one that thinks TR7s are awful cars? I mean, just look at that interior! TR7's are the best kept secret, over the next ten years they will go up in value like all earlier TR's maybe not at such a high % but now is the time to buy a tidy one and keep it (Particularly the FHC), MG's are on the same path but just a bit more modern to use, a friend on mine has a very early F and a late TF both unregistered (and two shells). They will definately be worth hanging on to, in the future they will be very highly thought of, the last 'British' MG?
In the mean time - drive and enjoy and tidy up as funds allow.
As for the interior, I think the plastic on the dash is cheap looking/feeling (but 100% period for the time). But I like the layout a lot.
300bhp/ton said:
St John Smythe said:
Oddball RS said:
For the first time in a long time bravo...........
TR7's are the best kept secret, over the next ten years they will go up in value like all earlier TR's maybe not at such a high % but now is the time to buy a tidy one and keep it (Particularly the FHC), MG's are on the same path but just a bit more modern to use, a friend on mine has a very early F and a late TF both unregistered (and two shells). They will definately be worth hanging on to, in the future they will be very highly thought of, the last 'British' MG?
In the mean time - drive and enjoy and tidy up as funds allow.
Sorry but I have to disagree. Am I the only one that thinks TR7s are awful cars? I mean, just look at that interior! TR7's are the best kept secret, over the next ten years they will go up in value like all earlier TR's maybe not at such a high % but now is the time to buy a tidy one and keep it (Particularly the FHC), MG's are on the same path but just a bit more modern to use, a friend on mine has a very early F and a late TF both unregistered (and two shells). They will definately be worth hanging on to, in the future they will be very highly thought of, the last 'British' MG?
In the mean time - drive and enjoy and tidy up as funds allow.
As for the interior, I think the plastic on the dash is cheap looking/feeling (but 100% period for the time). But I like the layout a lot.
St John Smythe said:
I love old cars and have had quite a few. I just don't 'get' the TR7 and never will. It would be boring if we all thought the same don't you think?
Truly 
Have to say I'm more of a love, like and like less sort of person though. Very few things I'd claim to actually hate.
None of these are really my cup ot tea.
However, for me, would have to be the MG.
Went to pick one up with a mate a few years back, and was pleasantly surprised by the way it drove and handled.
Pretty poky engine, so performace was respectable.
Not the best build quality, but nor are any of the others there!
If you lok around though, you could pick up some German alternatives! (I've seen E36 Convertibles selling for under £1k these days).
However, for me, would have to be the MG.
Went to pick one up with a mate a few years back, and was pleasantly surprised by the way it drove and handled.
Pretty poky engine, so performace was respectable.
Not the best build quality, but nor are any of the others there!
If you lok around though, you could pick up some German alternatives! (I've seen E36 Convertibles selling for under £1k these days).
Oh dear. I open PH and look forward to reading SOTW covering cars from my era and it's turned into a slagging match.
The TR7 does over 50mph in first gear.. find me another modern day car in that class that can do that. Yes these older cars are different but you cannot compare them with modern day MX5's et al. The 80's was an exciting time for British car manufacturer's with historic entries in the form of the XJS, Lotus Esprit and the TR7/8 to name a few. They are motoring history and are present here also for nostalgic reasons. It's not just performance that makes these attrative, but also the memories you hold when you 'were there'.
Nice article Riggers although but would agree that the Escort looks a bit out of place.
The TR7 does over 50mph in first gear.. find me another modern day car in that class that can do that. Yes these older cars are different but you cannot compare them with modern day MX5's et al. The 80's was an exciting time for British car manufacturer's with historic entries in the form of the XJS, Lotus Esprit and the TR7/8 to name a few. They are motoring history and are present here also for nostalgic reasons. It's not just performance that makes these attrative, but also the memories you hold when you 'were there'.
Nice article Riggers although but would agree that the Escort looks a bit out of place.
pSyCoSiS said:
None of these are really my cup ot tea.
However, for me, would have to be the MG.
Went to pick one up with a mate a few years back, and was pleasantly surprised by the way it drove and handled.
Pretty poky engine, so performace was respectable.
Not the best build quality, but nor are any of the others there!
If you lok around though, you could pick up some German alternatives! (I've seen E36 Convertibles selling for under £1k these days).
I looked at about 10-15 E36 convertibles in the last few months..you will not get a decent one for under 2k..wasted so much time looking at cars with rusted arches, slipping clutches etc etc...worth spending the extra grand..Ended up getting a really clean 97 323i, genuine 66k miles for 2k..had no tax or mot but it sailed through..i would be very surprised if you could get one for a grand..very surprised.However, for me, would have to be the MG.
Went to pick one up with a mate a few years back, and was pleasantly surprised by the way it drove and handled.
Pretty poky engine, so performace was respectable.
Not the best build quality, but nor are any of the others there!
If you lok around though, you could pick up some German alternatives! (I've seen E36 Convertibles selling for under £1k these days).
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