Everyday driver - MGB roadster with hardtop or GT?
Discussion
go one or the other.
a webasto will not give you the best of both worlds, imo.
a roadster with a hard top would be a better solution, again, in my opinion, if you wanted the top-down option (a webasto wouldn't cut it, for me).
my roadster leaks where the windscreen meets the scuttle, but they probably all do that *i can't believe i just said that*
a webasto will not give you the best of both worlds, imo.
a roadster with a hard top would be a better solution, again, in my opinion, if you wanted the top-down option (a webasto wouldn't cut it, for me).
my roadster leaks where the windscreen meets the scuttle, but they probably all do that *i can't believe i just said that*
Edited by Richie Howard on Tuesday 28th August 23:24
unless you want/need the hard top for security why have one with a soft top car
hard top on means you miss many great top down driving oppitunities - probably more good top down days in late autumn, winter and early spring than the rest of the year
I used a B roadster all the year round for work, communting, holidays and tours and can't remember leaks from the soft top - leaks on my BGT yes
be sensible get an MX-5 roof up or down from inside the car within 2 seconds (if you're tall enough)
ETA: hardtop you have to store correctly and they take up a fair bit of room, my mate bought a hardtop model car and in 10 years his wife's never wanted it fitted yet the hard top and frame have caused him to have his garage 'loft' access to be widen so it can be stored out of the way, as he's stored it on the frame it will be the correct shape but as he hasn't attented to the rubber seals they'd probably leak now if it was ever to be fitted
if the soft top is dropped when still wet and hardtop fitted then damp in car and soft top can perish
(as above) once fitted they tend to be left on the car thus missing top day oppitunities
hard top on means you miss many great top down driving oppitunities - probably more good top down days in late autumn, winter and early spring than the rest of the year
I used a B roadster all the year round for work, communting, holidays and tours and can't remember leaks from the soft top - leaks on my BGT yes
be sensible get an MX-5 roof up or down from inside the car within 2 seconds (if you're tall enough)
ETA: hardtop you have to store correctly and they take up a fair bit of room, my mate bought a hardtop model car and in 10 years his wife's never wanted it fitted yet the hard top and frame have caused him to have his garage 'loft' access to be widen so it can be stored out of the way, as he's stored it on the frame it will be the correct shape but as he hasn't attented to the rubber seals they'd probably leak now if it was ever to be fitted
if the soft top is dropped when still wet and hardtop fitted then damp in car and soft top can perish
(as above) once fitted they tend to be left on the car thus missing top day oppitunities
Edited by na on Wednesday 29th August 11:09
na said:
unless you want/need the hard top for security why have one with a soft top car
hard top on means you miss many great top down driving oppitunities - probably more good top down days in late autumn, winter and early spring than the rest of the year
I used a B roadster all the year round for work, communting, holidays and tours and can't remember leaks from the soft top - leaks on my BGT yes
be sensible get an MX-5 roof up or down from inside the car within 2 seconds (if you're tall enough)
About the MX5 - its not big enough for me, although fine for her, but we like old cars, its for her commute only which is less than 2 miles a day.hard top on means you miss many great top down driving oppitunities - probably more good top down days in late autumn, winter and early spring than the rest of the year
I used a B roadster all the year round for work, communting, holidays and tours and can't remember leaks from the soft top - leaks on my BGT yes
be sensible get an MX-5 roof up or down from inside the car within 2 seconds (if you're tall enough)
My Morris Traveller would be perfect but she says it smells inside and is full of spiders (both true!)
I had a B roadster, for her, in winter, it needs to be drier than that, hence wondering about a GT or a hard top.
Reasons for thinking of an MGB are cheap parts, full parts availability, simple and easy to fix, tax free, cheap to nsure.
Huntsman said:
its for her commute only which is less than 2 miles a day.
that wouldn't do any car any good but a classic would fair a lot worse than a modernHuntsman said:
I had a B roadster, for her, in winter, it needs to be drier than that,
reasonable hood and seals and the roadster is just as dry as the GT if not more soHuntsman said:
Reasons for thinking of an MGB are cheap parts, full parts availability, simple and easy to fix, tax free, cheap to nsure.
yes and more servicing and maintenance required and requires regular driving of longer distancesnot all are tax free and the MX-5 is over 20 years ol;d now
having driven classics as everyday car all year round for 20 years including a BGT, roadster and two Spridgets I can tell you the soft top isn't the thing to worry about with leaks (subject to hood and seals being reasonable)
as ususal I'll srongly suggest you buy and read a copy of the (owner's) Driver's Handbook - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue...
and if you buy the car carry out a 36k-mile service/check asap and drive and service the car regularly
LordBretSinclair said:
Because a soft top won't fit over a full FIA roll cage 
fair enough but you wouldn't need a ful FIA roll cage on a normal road carLordBretSinclair said:
My hard top is in place 365/24/7 and is completely watertight 
yes and sun and fresh air tight too my wif wouldn't be smiling that much if it was a reasonable day and I had the roof up on my car or her car
each to their own of course but I can't understand buying a easily raised and lowered soft top car then putting a hard top on it or keeping the soft top raised almost always, I just think they're missing out on the point of the soft top
Huntsman said:
Thinking of having a bit of a switch around with cars here...
If my wife was to have an MGB as daily driver, how much more weather proof is a GT than a roadster and hard top?
Pro's and cons of each for daily use?
Daily driver, I'd go for a GT. The headroom's a little better, and having a hatchback is very handy; it's actually a fairly reasonable boot and it's pretty practical. I'd go counter to the usual suggestions and get a rubber bumper model if it doesn't cause ructions. The interior is a bit plusher, and the extra ground clearance is pretty useful. If you can find one in black they actually look pretty good IMO. If my wife was to have an MGB as daily driver, how much more weather proof is a GT than a roadster and hard top?
Pro's and cons of each for daily use?
Thanks for all the input.
We're going to make the switch from 2 80's/90's German machines to an MGB and a modern Jap hatch. (plus a moggy traveller, Gordon Keeble and E type all in varying states from shabby to dismantled)
I've concluded that either GT or rdstr with plastic top is fine, more important to get good body work.
We're going to make the switch from 2 80's/90's German machines to an MGB and a modern Jap hatch. (plus a moggy traveller, Gordon Keeble and E type all in varying states from shabby to dismantled)
I've concluded that either GT or rdstr with plastic top is fine, more important to get good body work.
having had a GT I'd say the boot space isn't as usefull as it seems, all that is in the boot, except the spare wheel and space around it, is exposed to the sun and pryinng eyes whereas with the roadster everything is locked out of sight
I agree for everyday use the r/b models can be handy
if you need more boot space - I've not carried a spare wheel, jack and brace for 20+ years just a foot pump and reliable gauge and used to carry a can of tyre foam but not any more as it went out of date and I've never used it, I've had three puntures in that time and always easily got home using the foot pump just once each time
I agree for everyday use the r/b models can be handy
if you need more boot space - I've not carried a spare wheel, jack and brace for 20+ years just a foot pump and reliable gauge and used to carry a can of tyre foam but not any more as it went out of date and I've never used it, I've had three puntures in that time and always easily got home using the foot pump just once each time
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