British Sports Cars

[Silurian]

What are these Alpha Romeos that everyone keeps talking about?

[HHP]

Originally Posted by Long Jon

Anyone remember the E Type Jaguar ? They were quite nice looking cars (IMO).

Sit on one more pizza and this is the Jag You'll be riding in.

[jpd]

Originally Posted by Silurian

What are these Alpha Romeos that everyone keeps talking about?

*Gulia*....

[KevWind]

I had an MG Midget sold it after 6 or 8 months .

Depending on your budget I agree with t Bob Lomax .... Mini Cooper

[Long Jon]

Originally Posted by Silurian

What are these Alpha Romeos that everyone keeps talking about?

Ah ,, I see,.. I’d have sworn .... Guess it’s not a badge I’ve ever really looked twice at.

[BradleyS]

I really enjoyed reading all responses to my post. There was originally some doubt about the purchase of the MG, I guess I just need some nudging in the right direction.
Thanks all, I think I will redirect my thoughts towards a Miata.

[Warren01]

I owned a 1975 MG Midget for about 15 years, sold it 2 yrs ago for $30 less than what I had in it. Just loved the car. Always had a huge grin when I drove it. Was my daily driver when weather was good- always had the top down. Super easy to maintain and was surprised how easy parts were to get for it from local auto parts dealers. Anything special could be ordered from Victoria British or Moss Motors. I even found some dealers in Vancouver and Calgary

[JonWint]

There's a reason why over 900,000 Miatas were sold as of end of 2013 and they are the most raced production model in the world.

I'm trading the 2008 Boxster S next month for an SUV but keeping the 2007 Miata Grand Touring.

[HodgdonExtreme]

I'm late to this party, but I can see that very excellent advice has already been given... Avoid Brit cars unless hunting for overpriced parts, and wrenching a lot more than driving sounds enticing to you.

The Miata is sport roadster perfection, regardless what year model you buy. Absolutely fabulous little car in any configuration. I'm 6'2" and I fit in my 1993 model just fine. A bit tight, but it worked. Mine had the early 1.6L engine, which was rated at ~120hp. It was a total blast to drive and honestly didn't feel slow - until you tried to drag race something you knew was actually slow - like a mid 1990s Ford pickup truck...and it beat you. Handily.

I ended up approximately doubling the power of the car by installing a turbocharger. The car was much, much faster - and definitely more fun, but certainly not twice as much fun.

It'd be extremely difficult to go wrong with a Miata!

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

Dirty Little Secret of the Day: First- and second-generation Miatas will accommodate the stock running gear from a similar-year 5.0 Mustang with relatively few structural modifications

A later-model GM LS V8 is an easier, more modern and superior approach. 400hp is boringly simple and easy to achieve.

[Ozzy the dog]

There seems to be a lot of bashing Brit cars in here (and I have been guilty of that in my offerings) so I'd just like to offer a bit of balance.

Some decent car brands have been born from these Isles.

Rolls Royce, Mini, Land/Range Rover, Jaguar, Bentley, Mclaren, Noble, Morgan, AC, Caterham...

...and here's a pic of me driving another great British car.

[philo426]

Well don't forget the Lucas"Prince of darkness" wiring problems.Plus it is natural that the much higher end cars would be better cars.

[Bob Womack]

Easy now. The Alfa badge is a prayer:



It is interpreted by aficionados as representing:
"My god, these repair costs are eating me alive."

We had a '63 Giuletta, an Alfetta, and a GTV6. Lovely cars and a guarantee of full-time work.

Bob

[Otterhound]

Originally Posted by philo426

Well don't forget the Lucas"Prince of darkness" wiring problems.Plus it is natural that the much higher end cars would be better cars.

When the smoke gets out you are done .

[lowrider]

deleted double post

[lowrider]

Originally Posted by BradleyS

So I am looking for a daily driver and the wife doesn't like the idea of a motorcycle. I found a clean MG Midget, but my mechanic Son In Law can't tell anything about them and my Brother In Law tells me that parts are not available.
Can someone please school me on MG Midgets? Should I turn and run the other way?

I'm an MG Midget survivor. I had a 1970 for about a year and a half. Sold it and got a MGBGT. Neither car ever stranded me, but both cars always needed something. They weren't modern cars even back in the day. They weren't made for going down the expressway at 75 mph. They were made for having fun, not commuting. These days an MG would be a real chore to keep driving every day.

Now a Miata is a great alternative. Who doesn't like a Miata. But they are just not cool.

A British roadster, daily driver, reliable, cool, hmmmmmm this is it;



A Mini Cooper Roadster, made in England, in the same place that Mini's have always been made. It feels British, looks British and even smells British but it will start up every morning and not leak oil all over the garage floor.

They only made them for a year or two so get yours now while you still can!