MG v. Triumph TR6/spitfire

Hello

Thinking about a brit drop top sportscar. For a second/daily driver/fun car. Something to buzz around backroads, but could also get used a bit at work for parts chasing/errands. Also thinking about a 60's pony car drop top. brit cars are a ton cheaper though. looking to replace my motorcycle. (hd electra glide) For some strange reason, while i get antsy if i don't get out on my dirtbike or trials bike, riding a bike on the road isn't doing anything for me??
Lots of mgb's in my neck of the woods, but always liked the tr6. How about a quick education between the two brands. strengths, weeknesses, how practical are they for actual daily use, that sort of thing. Don't need a show car but would rather drive then wrench. not against a solid daily driver that needs some basic attention tho. budget could go up to $20K, but I don't think I'd drop that on an mg or trumpet. see alot of stuff in the 5 to 10k range. can you get a solid car for that cheap??? thats what caught my eye. drop top 66 mustang for 20K or brit car for 7k to 10K, I would imagine the stang would hold/apprieciate in value better. but the brit cars would be more fun to drive!!

Hi David-

I think it's quite smart of you to join this site to help you make a decision. I think you'd be happy with any three of your choices. All are beautiful cars.

A well sorted B is a pleasure to drive. There are a lot of variants to choose from. As a general rule, you should buy the best you can afford. Body work and rust issues are much more time consuming and expensive that engine and drive train work.

If I were you, I'd find out if there are any members near you and, if they are agreeable, go visit them and their cars. I'm quite certain that you will find them hospitable, engaging, and willing to (weather permitting) take you for a drive.

I also can say you won't find a more knowledgeable and friendly group of people on a BBS than here. Everyone is willing to take time to help sort out problems and give advice.

But be warned...buying a B will do things to you...

Come on in...

David,

I currently own a MGB, TR6 and a Spitfire as well as a 66 Mustang(not a convertable:( ).

All of the british cars that you are concidering will be a good choice and lots of fun in the corners, while the Mustang will be faster in a straight line. It depends on what you enjoy doing, hauling ass in a straight line or carving up some corners.

The main problem with buying a 30+ year old car of ANY MAKE is that if ALL of the systems of the car have not been completely gone through and replaced/refreburshed then you will have nothing but headachs and breakdowns. This goes for all cars, Mustangs or British cars even exotic expensive ones. I have seen countless people on this forum buy a MGB because it looked good, yet constantly post about things breaking and how unrelialble an MG is, when in reality they bought a old worn out car that someone slapped a decent paint job on.

Some may not agree with me but IMHO there is not alot of difference between a MG and a Triumph in the large sceame of things. The Spitfire handles alittle better and the TR6 has more torque and power while the B is well rounded and comfortable.

here is a link that may be of interest to you http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,597054,page=1

Parts are available for all the cars and their cost is reasonable compaired to other exotic cars.


My suggestion is to buy the best, most properly restored car that you can find, unless you dont mind doing the work yourself or have a large checkbook :).

Hi David,

I own a BGT and a Spitfire, both are fun cars to drive. The parts supply for both are good and for the most part reasonably priced. Matt and Paul are both right, buy the best you can, both are enjoyable rides.

Hold onto your wallet. $20k will get you a daily driver ‘B, TR6 and Spitfire with plenty of change left over.

I own a shop that restores and repairs British and Italian cars. I've been doing it for over 20 years now. I have driven pretty much all of the British cars. IMHO of all the British sports car the MGB is the most comfortable, reliable and easies to work on. The parts are cheaper on the MGB simply because of supply and demand.

I also agree with the above, buy the best example you can afford. Even paying $20K for a fully restored MGB is a bargin at todays cost of a full restoration. One thing is for sure the only way you could get one fully restored under 20K is doing it yourself and it wouldn't be that much cheaper.

I probably don't have to tell you this, but be very carful buying it on line. I could wright a book about the customers that got screwed on E Bay buying a real pretty car on E Bay. Get them home and a week later they end up in my shop needing makor work done to them. You would do well to have a shop check out any used car you are looking at to buy B4 putting up the money for it.

I've had two BGTs and a Spitfire. Never driven or been in a TR6, but it's got a bigger engine than either so should be faster!!

The Spitfire is smaller, lower, it feels like a glove wrapped around you, you are really part of the car. At 6'3" I did fit in it, there's plenty of leg-room, but not much elbow room. The MG has you sitting higher, there's more space around you. Obviously not anything like a non-sports car, or even as much as most more modern sports cars, but more than a Spitfire.

The Spitfire is more go-kart like, super-responsive handling, although the MGB is certainly still good in this respect.

Of the cars I've had the MGB was probably a bit more reliable, but that's likely to be as much down to the condition of the actual car you buy as any comparison between the cars in general.

I ran both as a daily driver - on that basis the BGT was probably better, being that little bit more comfortable, and also having a proper roof which was handy in the rain (although I used a hard-top on the Spit all winter, which was totally weather-proof). Apparently others have made their soft-top totally weather-proof on their Spit, but in heavy downpours I always got a bit of water seeping in between the windscreen and the roof, and dribbling into my lap :( .

The MG is a bit faster in a straight line, I'd say, but the Spitfire felt at least as fast because my arse was that much closer to the tarmac (and also it felt more like it was about to fall apart above 90mph, while the MG still feels solid, but again that's probably as much to do with the actual cars I had).

To my eyes the Spitfire was always the prettier car, with or without the hard-top, but my MG is beautiful too :) .

I wouldn't recommend either particularly over the other, I loved both. Best bet is to take a drive in both, and see what you think!

You should be able to get a tidy and thoroughly reliable car for well under half your $20k budget. With that much money to spend you should be able to avoid cars with any significant rust at all. If possible, get someone familiar with the model to come and look at the car with you - see if you can find a local club.

Good luck, and tell us how you get on!

Richard & Sammy ('73 Black Tulip BGT)

you need to decide what you want to do with the car, and what you like more power or handeling

none of them have both without some work and money spent

MGBs are cheaper but they have a solid axle , early ones(64-73) have great power 98hp and decent handeling but the later ones 74.5 and newer handle terrible and have barely enough hp to get out of its own way parts are cheap and support on this forum is amazing, camshafts are weak and often go flat, heads crack, valve train issues, but overall a very good engine , transmissions are very very good as well as rear ends

looks like the MGB is holding the value and actually going up in value

my advise is get a chrome bumper B if you choose a B , they go for about 10k for a very nice driver

Spitfires are cheaper yet but have IRS and handle great, they are plagued with a terrible engine that grenades often with weal thrust washers and rod bearings and has only 70hp, transmissions are weak and rear ends require work all the time with u joints and seals

the value has been the same for years and even a very nice car will only cost you 6k

the GT6 is a more powerful car but is not a convertible

Triumph TR6

Great handeling cars lacking HP at about 120hp US cars and UK spec cars 150bhp, still a fun car to drive and parts are easy to get, engines are weak and have thrust washer problems same as spitfires, rear end weak and frame pick ups for front suspension weak as well as rear end mounts

Transmissions very strong but can break bronze bushings inside the trans and cause shifting issues, as well as weak shift forks

try to get an early TR6 as the later ones 74-76 have head cracking issues and way less power than the early ones

value is stale and not moving much in the last few years, good TR6 can be had for about 12k to 20k for a perfect one

one car that is not on your list is a TR4, they are a good car and have great power , IRS models handle great like a Tr6 actually much like a TR6 and they hold their value very well, the TR4 despite being a 4 clyinder tractor engine will actually outrun a TR6

good driver TR4 will run about 12k very very nice about 16k

Hello Dave, welcome! I'm new to the forum myself though not to LBC's. Noticed your from NH so was wondering if your looking for a 4 season ride. I'm from Westborough now living in Seattle and drive an MGB year long. Switch between a GT and a Roadster. Really love the GT, I'ld be hardpressed to pick one over the other. I've owned most at one time or another and my opinion is the MG is the most versatile, comfortable and maintainable of the LBC's. It's also my guess that as soon as you get one you'll become a wrench turner in short time. Something about these cars....your just gonna wanna do it yourself. And as home depot says...you can do it, we can help! Get a nice B, Roadster or Tourer, CB, and welcome.

Wow! Great responses. I love my B and have no Triuph bias. I wish I had room for a TR6 or GT6. :)

David, I've had all the cars you mention except a Spit. The Mustang will impress you with its torque, but its just too large of a car for the kind of corenr-carving fun you can have in an LBC. Plus, Mustang values have climbed and levelled off... I dont think there is much upside unless you find a rare car (K code V8, etc).

The Spit is very small, inside and out... I would concentrate on a TR or MGB.

A TR250 or TR6 will impress you with its torque and indepndent rear suspension, but for the frost-heaved New Hampshire roads, I would steer you toward an MGB. Unitbody construction gives the B a better ride than any TR, along with good handling and adequate acceleration. Plus, they are plentiful, relatively inexpensive, and as you've seen, MGB's have a great online community.

You should be able to find a good, RUST-FREE B under $10,000, with the early (1963-74) chrome bumper cars enjoying a premium over the rubber bumper B's.
Mike

Thanks for the replies!!
The car would be off the road for the winter. Primary use would be for running errands during work and the occassional afterwork or weekend ride. I could see putting 5 to 10k miles a year on it. 10 might be on the highside. generally like back roads over the interstate, but should be able to get down the highway as that is part of running around for work.

Here's a selection of the most expensive one's in your neck of the woods. None over $10k.

http://nh.craigslist.org/car/432001060.html
http://nh.craigslist.org/car/417088820.html
http://burlington.craigslist.org/car/436066345.html
http://burlington.craigslist.org/car/431859352.html
http://burlington.craigslist.org/car/435348124.html
http://maine.craigslist.org/car/435457024.html
http://maine.craigslist.org/car/413156214.html
http://maine.craigslist.org/car/410353349.html

Just buy one of each and forget the Mustang! When I saw a bunch of Spitfires at a recent British car show, I was amayzed. They are alot lower and smaller(just what I like, they made a Midget look big). I won't go on about this, as I see everyone has said it already. IMHO, American cars are ugly, handle poorly, and the fact that everyone that I have met seems to like them just makes me dislike them more,LOL.


peace, Kyle

Welcome to the forum David! Can't add anything to what's already been said, except that I agree with most of it.

Did want to mention that I'm surprised nobody's commented on your name.

If you are broad shouldered the TR6's, although I love them, are a tight fit. There's more room in a Spit.

I prefer MGB's for several reasons one of which is that they are a better fit for my bulk (6'4'', 260), especially the metal dash cars. I have a '79 Corvette in the driveway that has way less room than my B's.