General non-MG related discussions. No politics here please!!
Just sitting here art work trying to do something worthwhile and I had a thought. How may of you that use your MG as a daily driver would recommend a GT for a college girl who is 300 miles from her dad, but 30 mile from John Twist?
Depends on how much of your salary you want to earmark for Twist... :D
Our Daughter drove a 72 MGB during two years of college before she began to think they were just for old folks and then she bought a Toyota :)
You daughter going to Grand Valley or Ferris or ??????
I don't think that I would recommend an MG for a daily driver for a college student who may not be able to diagnose/repair his/her car, even if she lived next door to John.
Her safety would be my number one concern.
Then there's the concern for the MGB/GT....Michigan winters...daily driver.....rust....
:)
I would go with something bigger, heavier and with an air bag.
On the other hand, she could be going to Hope College
Bob, I believe I would spare the GT and find a good quality used car for your daughter.
We bought my son a used Ford Taurus for about $3,000 dollars. Car runs great and the gas mileage is good. Keep the GT when she comes home on weekends or during the summer.
We got over 114 inches of snow here in Holland this winter and I’m glad my cars were snug in the garage this winter.
-bcw
http://www.MG2008.com
gatorbrit Wrote:
I know a Honda Civic is too small for all the junk that goes to college for a girl. A used Toyota Scion Xb- good gas mileage and plenty of room for going to and from college.
She's going to Grand Valley. It was just a rambling thought. I am leaning towards a used Honda or Toyota or Taurus.
she would probably have to park it outside, which would kill a nice GT in no time. Plus there is a greater chance for vandalism.
It wouldn't concern me if:
You accept the car will be trashed.
She is already driving MGs and basically familiar with them.
It's in good shape.
Your daugher likes Bs.
My wife would override me. Airbags a must have in her eyes.
How did I not die, driving Bs, recklessly, in poor condition back.
I'm in college and my car of choice is my 96 buick century. Picked it up for 2 grand with only 18,000 miles on it from a 94 year old lady. Out of all the cars I've owned previous, its the best. Always starts, airbags, and the safest thing next to an SUV (hit a deer at 25 mph and only broke a headlight).
I got my daughter a 2002 Mazda Protege 5 with a 5 speed manual. Great car, inexpensive, great mileage, reliable, fun to drive, etc.
Would it be a different question if it was for a college son?
Which I was when I bought my own MGB, although I must admit that my parents very graciously and magnanimously kept me on their insurance.
I wouldn't do it for one reason and one reason only. 18 to 22 year old college students generally don't care about other peoples stuff including automobiles. If its on street parking I would give it less than six months before its first bumper replacement and body damage. My truck when I had to use the street to park on campus was bumped on a regular basis. I've seen people back over hoods to squeeze in to a spot and then just walk off. Parking lots are slightly better but still dangerous.
This being said I'm taking my 73 on campus tomorrow but I'm going to be using the pay lot where there are plenty of open spaces and its patrolled on a regular basis. I however will never park it on the street for the above reasons.
Your better off getting a modern used car that you wont mind to much when it gets trashed. And it will get trashed. The best thing you could do is to buy a small pickup. A 4cyl Tacoma or the like. Good gas mileage reliable and when it comes time to move she's set.
It's hard to find good "college cars" around here because of all the salt they use - BUT, two weeks ago we did find a 1996 Toyota Camry for Mary's son (Kettering College, Flint). We paid $1300 for it, put on new tires and front struts and it is great! It is the 4-cyl version with a 5-speed. It will need some exhaust work in the near future, but it runs great, and it doesn't look too bad either!
Almost forgot - found it on Craig's List
On the other hand, any body know where I can get a deal on a used M-1A Abrams main battle tank?
1979LBC Wrote:
George Patton Museum at Fort Knox, Ky. They have a whole bunch of tanks.
Bob,
Driving a tank on I-96 might help smooth it out :)
-bcw
http://www.MG2008.com
saysprite Wrote:
As a kid in the late 60's early 70's I remember being Passed on the interstate by a full size tank (M60?). They had the rubber block treads and it was passing us when we were doing 55 or so. It was one of those childhood memories you never forget.