I have to put in my own 0.02c worth here. I agree with Ben, driving the
car is where the fun is. I am a 49 yr. old ex.pat. Brit, living with my
Texan husband in the Hill Country of Texas. We have some lovely roads
here, just suited to driving my modified suspension '72 B. I like to drive
fast, but I have many more years to drive (I hope) so I'm not silly. I
love the feel of speed and driving her (ERII) without a top helps me to
enjoy. I have a hard top for the few inclement weeks we have here, and
don't even bother to put the convertible top on the rest of the year. My
car is mechanically very sound, we both work on her, but not in pristine
condition. I have great plans for the eventual cosmetic look of my car,
and it won't be original at all!
My 21yr. old daughter liked driving my car so much that she has her own
now, and does ALL of the work on it herself. Maintaining the car is just
part of the fun, and that is why we get to love our cars. We get to know
their foibles, intimately, and treat them like our pets!
We have recently purchased a MkII Jag which we intend to be our family
car, but it will never be ERII. I don't even think about how much money we
spend on her, it is NOT an investment, it is maintenance of my pleasure. I
expect to keep her for ever!
How many other sports cars, in excellent condition, could you buy and
maintain for the cost of an LBC, not many I suggest.
As I said, my 0.02c worth, but mine.
Mrs. Fisher Jones Elizabeth
At 07:04 PM 4/29/98 -0400, you wrote:
>I don't really see what the point of the "tatty" argument is. For those who
>care, here's my opinion on things.
>
>First off, this is a hobby. The point of the hobby is to have fun. While all
>the labor and sweat that we put into our cars may seem to be a pain
sometimes,
>the finished product always gives a sense of pride -- no matter how you
>look at
>it, no two MGs are alike anymore. Perhaps they were when they rolled out of
>Abingdon, but now, years of use and "care" has made each car special.
>
>There are two groups of people -- those who buy a car, restore it, show it,
>and
>never (or hardly) drive it. The second are the people who do some repairs to
>the car, keep it drivable, and use the car for fun. Of course, there is a
>considerable grey area in between, but these are the most basic
>explanations of
>the groups.
>
>I don't think that it matters what way you go about it (it being "having
fun")
>so long as the end result is there. Concours MGs will be around forever,
>but my
>opinion tells me that all it is is a husk -- the car was designed for
driving.
>Of course, driving an MG and subjecting it to the rigors of road rage, pot
>holes, flying stones, stupid H*nda owners, etc will depreciate the value of a
>car, and yes - eventually the car will end up either restored as a concours
>car, or resigned to a fate of langusihing in a junkyard.
>
>I personally don't think much about the resale value of my car -- I
decided on
>an MG because I wanted a car that was different, I wanted a convertable,
and I
>wanted something that was fun. I think that I will be happy with my choice
(as
>soon as I start driving it!!!)
>
>It doesn't matter what avenue you decide on with MG ownership -- what matters
>is if you are enjoying yourself.
>
>RE: the people at car shows who adopt a "holier than thou because I have X
>rare
>part..." -- sod off. While you may have an MG that people drool over, your
>personality would make flowers wilt. While there is no crime in being
proud of
>ones car (investment??), one shouldn't use it as a tool to boost their own
>ego.
>
>
>Enough of this soapbox mentality for now -- it's time for dinner!!! =)
>
>
>
>BEN RUSET - ICQ # 10364973
>The MGB Haven & MG Cars Webring
>
>http://members.home.com/mgbhaven
>
>
>
>
|