At 12:03 PM 12/28/97 -0500, you wrote:
>>I subscribed to this list in an effort to gain some more knowledge of the
>>TR7. It has always been my understanding that the MGB is a much more
>>reliable means of transport. I couldn't possibly afford to get him a TR8,
>>they're quite expensive here. So, I guess my question is, which one is
>>better for a young driver? Which is more practical? Easier to work on?
>>More fun??? Thanks!
>> Brian Furgalus,
>> Avon Lake, Ohio (Suburb of Cleveland)
>>____________________________________________________________________
Get an MGB, but get a '74 or older one. The TR7 will fall apart even when
sitting. I drove a TR7 once- it was a slug. I've owned many MGB's and one
TR8. Many componenets on the TR8 broke in the short time I had it- and this
was a low-mileage adult-driven car given very good care. MGB's break also,
but when they do, repairs are relatively simple to diagnose and repair.
However, I would classify the 1975 and newer MGB's with a TR7- slow and
unreliable (and prone to self-ignite). I would not take a TR7 or
rubber-bumper MGB unless it was a gift. A TR8 is, in spite of its
unreliability, great fun to drive. Metal-bumper MGB's are not mechanically
complex, are very attractive, and are fun to drive- get one of them if you
can. The problem now is that the older MG's are rusting away, but sometimes
you can find one that someone has stashed away. Even in California, many of
the older B's show signs of rust in the sills.
|