Time for a change?
Discussion
It's that time of year again, and with weather being nice I've been taking out the MGB quite a bit already.
However, I've been driving an MGB for a while now, and the itch to change to something else has come up again.
Basically, I currently have a 1965 MGB (pull handle model in very good shape) and a 1976 factory MGB GT V8 (converted to chrome bumpers), and whenever the weather is nice, it's the roadster that is chosen. While it is an absolute joy to drive, it does not have the torque and sound of a V8 (or inline 6 or...). On the other had, the GT V8 is not used as much as I'd like to for the reason above.
That got me thinking that maybe the time has come to sell both and get something to offer what they offer jointly, in 1 car.
So, that would be:
Cheers!
However, I've been driving an MGB for a while now, and the itch to change to something else has come up again.
Basically, I currently have a 1965 MGB (pull handle model in very good shape) and a 1976 factory MGB GT V8 (converted to chrome bumpers), and whenever the weather is nice, it's the roadster that is chosen. While it is an absolute joy to drive, it does not have the torque and sound of a V8 (or inline 6 or...). On the other had, the GT V8 is not used as much as I'd like to for the reason above.
That got me thinking that maybe the time has come to sell both and get something to offer what they offer jointly, in 1 car.
So, that would be:
- Fun to drive in the twisties
- At least 6 cylinders, with a nice sound
- Convertible
- Nice to look at (in a 60s kind of way I guess) - I'm quite fond of British and Italian character in cars...
- Fiat Dino Spider: the car I promised myself 'next', before they got so expensive
- Triumph TR6 and the like: don't like the way they look
- Austin Healey 3000: heard that they aren't really 'nimble' to drive, like they way they sound though!
- Aston / Jag...: too expensive and possible more boulevard than twisties?
- Alfa Spider: like them, but they don't offer a big enough change from what I currently have (even though they definitely are a lot more advanced!)
- Mustang: love the way they look but not really the kind of style I'm going for
- BMW Z1: going to test drive one soon, but not 'in love' with the looks and potentially not the most engaging car to drive
- Lotus Elise: going to test drive one soon: love the way they look, potentially very very good to drive, 4 cylinders though. I might be convinced if it's really that good to drive
- Older 911: still a bit to dear, might come down to reasonable levels perhaps?
Cheers!
TVR S Series - V6 or V8 - Great fun to drive and sound epic.
TVR Chimaera - 4.0 to 5.0 V8 - Great fun to drive and sound epic.
TVR Griffith - 4.0 to 5.0 V8 - Great fun to drive and sound epic but the most expensive.
Other TVRs with AJP engines - Great fun to drive, sound epic, but could be ruinous if you get a bad one.
My old V6 S2 on the way down to Aix-en Provence a few years back.
My Chimaera 500 - Nicknamed The Monster
TVR Chimaera - 4.0 to 5.0 V8 - Great fun to drive and sound epic.
TVR Griffith - 4.0 to 5.0 V8 - Great fun to drive and sound epic but the most expensive.
Other TVRs with AJP engines - Great fun to drive, sound epic, but could be ruinous if you get a bad one.
My old V6 S2 on the way down to Aix-en Provence a few years back.
My Chimaera 500 - Nicknamed The Monster
Edited by vixen1700 on Saturday 1st June 17:38
No Contest !
Griff 500, go for a 94 on T-5 box / Serpentine engine and ideally PAS.
The Chimp 400 is £ cheaper and has a boot that golf clubs will fit into, but it's "questionable MGB on steroid looks", do it no favours.
A few Chimp 500s were built, I had a really nice black one for a while. But the 400 is far more common.
Church of Noise said:
- Austin Healey 3000: heard that they aren't really 'nimble' to drive, like they way they sound though!
Not enough cylinders, but Jensen Healey (or Frogeye - great fun quotient but no performance) ? If it has to be six or more then Stag or Scimitar GTC ? Suspect a Vitesse wouldn't tick the right boxes, while of course a GT6 doesn't come as convertible.
Lily the Pink said:
Church of Noise said:
- Austin Healey 3000: heard that they aren't really 'nimble' to drive, like they way they sound though!
Thanks a lot for all the input so far!
I think SWMBO is on to me, as I've been browsing Pistonheads and all the usual suspects for interesting cars a bit too much lately
Definitely would like 6 or more cylinders as the current MGB has 4 and I would also be selling the GT V8 so would really like something with more cylinders than 4.
I came across some nice Lotus Elans (the originals, not the 90s version) and those seem rather really nice too.
Budget would be around the sum of what I would get from selling the pull handle MGB and the MGB GT V8, could be anything between 30k and 40k EUR (guesstimate). I could potentially increase for the 'right' car
I think SWMBO is on to me, as I've been browsing Pistonheads and all the usual suspects for interesting cars a bit too much lately
vixen1700 said:
TVR S Series - V6 or V8 - Great fun to drive and sound epic.
TVR Chimaera - 4.0 to 5.0 V8 - Great fun to drive and sound epic.
TVR Griffith - 4.0 to 5.0 V8 - Great fun to drive and sound epic but the most expensive.
Other TVRs with AJP engines - Great fun to drive, sound epic, but could be ruinous if you get a bad one.
My old V6 S2 on the way down to Aix-en Provence a few years back.
My Chimaera 500 - Nicknamed The Monster
TVR Chimaera - 4.0 to 5.0 V8 - Great fun to drive and sound epic.
TVR Griffith - 4.0 to 5.0 V8 - Great fun to drive and sound epic but the most expensive.
Other TVRs with AJP engines - Great fun to drive, sound epic, but could be ruinous if you get a bad one.
My old V6 S2 on the way down to Aix-en Provence a few years back.
My Chimaera 500 - Nicknamed The Monster
Edited by vixen1700 on Saturday 1st June 17:38
neutral 3 said:
No Contest !
Griff 500, go for a 94 on T-5 box / Serpentine engine and ideally PAS.
The Chimp 400 is £ cheaper and has a boot that golf clubs will fit into, but it's "questionable MGB on steroid looks", do it no favours.
A few Chimp 500s were built, I had a really nice black one for a while. But the 400 is far more common.
I really really like TVRs, especially the Griffith! However, in terms of styling, I don't feel a Griffith would be a replacement for a 60s car like the MGs. I am aiming to have one in the future, but more as 'another' car if that makes sense?Griff 500, go for a 94 on T-5 box / Serpentine engine and ideally PAS.
The Chimp 400 is £ cheaper and has a boot that golf clubs will fit into, but it's "questionable MGB on steroid looks", do it no favours.
A few Chimp 500s were built, I had a really nice black one for a while. But the 400 is far more common.
Yertis said:
You don’t mention budget but TR5 would appear to tick the boxes - solid British hardware and pure Italian styling. (The TR6 was styled by Germans.)
In the thread about TR4s and TR6s (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=140&t=1808589 ):cardigankid said:
To get back on topic, while the old TR’s are charming things they are a bit crude, rather quaint and extremely small. I had a 4A and a 5, but not as a daily driver. Back in the 60’s yes, but the world has changed. For this experience you have to pay increasing sums of money.
Similarly to the Healey 3000, I'm somewhat worried about nimbleness.Lily the Pink said:
Correct on both counts.
Not enough cylinders, but Jensen Healey (or Frogeye - great fun quotient but no performance) ? If it has to be six or more then Stag or Scimitar GTC ? Suspect a Vitesse wouldn't tick the right boxes, while of course a GT6 doesn't come as convertible.
Not enough cylinders, but Jensen Healey (or Frogeye - great fun quotient but no performance) ? If it has to be six or more then Stag or Scimitar GTC ? Suspect a Vitesse wouldn't tick the right boxes, while of course a GT6 doesn't come as convertible.
Ambleton said:
depending how original you like em, I've seen several Spitfires with the 6pot shoe horned in.
A Spit GT6 would probably not work in where I live (Belgium, regulations have become quite strict sadly).Definitely would like 6 or more cylinders as the current MGB has 4 and I would also be selling the GT V8 so would really like something with more cylinders than 4.
I came across some nice Lotus Elans (the originals, not the 90s version) and those seem rather really nice too.
Budget would be around the sum of what I would get from selling the pull handle MGB and the MGB GT V8, could be anything between 30k and 40k EUR (guesstimate). I could potentially increase for the 'right' car
Yertis said:
Well, from reading all that, the car you desire doesn’t yet exist. You want a ‘60s six cylinder brit sportscar, you’re going to get ‘60s brit sportscar handling.
I get your point, and I actually really enjoy 60s cars' handling (raw, direct, pure, ...), it's just that the handling of some cars (such as a Healeys, which have been very high on my wish list as I love the way they look and sound) seem less enjoyable compared to others.Definitely some food for thought here already, thanks for the input so far!
Church of Noise said:
I get your point, and I actually really enjoy 60s cars' handling (raw, direct, pure, ...), it's just that the handling of some cars (such as a Healeys, which have been very high on my wish list as I love the way they look and sound) seem less enjoyable compared to others.
Definitely some food for thought here already, thanks for the input so far!
A mate of mine had a Healey 3000 a few years ago and I loved how it drove - but I can't see a good one being in your budget anymore. Definitely some food for thought here already, thanks for the input so far!
Which may well be why Triumph TR prices have been creeping up!
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