Silly MGB Roadster idea.

a1ex2001 · 29 Nov 2011 at 11:15

I have a requirment for a convertible classic car for a week or so this June, renting these sort of things doesn't seem particularly easy (happy to be proved wrong!) anyway I have had an idea which seems sensible but I can't decide if it's mad!

A reasonable MGB Roadster with a decent length MOT can be picked up for circa 3k, I would look to make the purchase in February time as convertible prices tend to be a bit depressed in the winter keep it until I've used it and then look to sell it on late June. My thinking being this should result in a minimal loss with the only real expenditure being tax and insurance.

So OCUK motors am I being bonkers is there a better way?

p0ss3s3d · 29 Nov 2011 at 12:04

You won't pick up a decent MGB Roadster for £3k!!! Whats the purpose?... Have you been out to see any yet? If you buy a pre-74 it's tax exempt. I think you'll be looking more like £6k.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C177135

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C214219

Unless you fancy a rubber bumper car.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C263901

a1ex2001 · 29 Nov 2011 at 12:19

p0ss3s3d said:
You won't pick up a decent MGB Roadster for £3k!!! Whats the purpose?... Have you been out to see any yet? If you buy a pre-74 it's tax exempt. I think you'll be looking more like £6k.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C177135

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C214219

Unless you fancy a rubber bumper car.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C263901

It's a tricky balance the pre 74's command a premium becuase they are tax exempt and as I don't intend to keep it or want to spend to much money I'm trying to avoid. The chrome is of course much nicer and more desirable hence the price premium so I'm leaning more towards the rubber!

The temptation is always there to bump the budget as I should get my capital invesment back wether I go for the 3k or 6k option.

The use is a couple of week holiday driving round the country side and I want something classic, British and soft top which the MGB fits nicely and is pretty reliable easy to fix.

godinman · 29 Nov 2011 at 13:50

Isn't this a bad idea? What is it breaks?

For a 2 week holiday, can't you rent something utterly awesome?

Wizardskills · 29 Nov 2011 at 13:54

For 2 weeks it dose seem a little strange.

You wont get a decent MGB convertible for £3k, you can however get quite a nice Triumph Spitfire. Maybe they are worth a look?

EDIT: Or take a look here http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/

a1ex2001 · 29 Nov 2011 at 14:01

godinman said:
Isn't this a bad idea? What is it breaks?

For a 2 week holiday, can't you rent something utterly awesome?

It breaking is a risk but these are generally pretty reliable runners, most parts are cheap and they are easy(ish) to work on.

Hiring something 'awsome' in the UK is actually pretty difficult and very expensive, it also doesn't fit very well with my desire for something vintage, British and convertible!

Wizardskills said:
For 2 weeks it dose seem a little strange.

You wont get a decent MGB convertible for £3k, you can however get quite a nice Triumph Spitfire. Maybe they are worth a look?

Yes it is a little odd for two weeks your right but I can't find another way of getting anything close to what I want!

3-4K will get a good enough 'rubber bumper' MGB not concourse but a good enough daily runner to fullfill my needs an as I have said a little bit of budget slipage is inevitable and not a problem as I have the cash it's just the soundness of the plan that I'm questioning!

godinman · 29 Nov 2011 at 14:37

Just looking at prices for car rental, and anything remotely good seems to be over a hundred pounds a day. Madness.

Buying and selling does seem to best bet after all. Just make sure you know where all the garages are along your route!

p0ss3s3d · 29 Nov 2011 at 17:30

Perhaps a Midget or cheaper still a Spitfire?

Nothing wrong with rubber bumper cars but you'll find a nice chrome bumper car easier to shift. Your theory is good and correct - yes they are also easy to work on (providing your not a mechanical numpty!!). Classic car holidays are great - just remember to take a roadside toolkit!

If you buy one and join the Owners Clubs you get insurance discounts, parts discounts, technical advice and so on.

Remember to take spares, manuals and a moss catalog (overnight parts anywhere in Europe!).

Parts I'd consider taking depending on how far your going, condition of car and your mechanical skills...

Tool rool with screwdrivers, spanners, tyre pressure guage, circuit tester and so on.
Coil
Dist Cap
Duct tape
Fan belt
Gloves
HT leads
Insulation tape
Jack
Manual and parts catalog
Oil
Pliers
Plugs
Points
rotor arm
Torch
Voltmeter
Water
WD40

FlamBango · 29 Nov 2011 at 22:45

having owned both rubber and chrome versions in the past i can safely say the rubber version is pile of **** Handling is completely different, its like two toally different cars. Get the chrome version.

If you can get the money, get the V8

Just please for the love of god steer clear of the rubber bumper heap, more than enough chrome versions about to mean theres no need to get one ever.

godinman · 30 Nov 2011 at 08:12

I thought the rubber bumper models were meant to be better? Better handling etc..

Dogbreath · 30 Nov 2011 at 11:20

godinman said:
I thought the rubber bumper models were meant to be better? Better handling etc..

No, ride height was increased along with the extraordinarily heavy rubber bumpers to comply with Federal pedestrian safety requirements. Handling is most definitely worse on the later cars, but then again even a standard chrome bumper car has pretty poor handling by todays standards.