The Car Thread ... !

[A.Goldberg]

Going again back to the MG-B I've been threatening to buy for about 6 or 7 years now(along with half a dozen other cars ) I'd put antique plates on it and insure it with collector insurance. At the same time, though, it would strictly be a "fun" car and I'd keep a daily driver.

Go with a Triumph. Much Cooler. Austin Healy is my favorite, but they cost quite a bit more.

I'll have to dig out some pics of my father's GT6 (essentially a hard top TR6). He had an MG B at one point in the past. I like the bug eye TR4 myself.

 

[bunnspecial]

Go with a Triumph. Much Cooler. Austin Healy is my favorite, but they cost quite a bit more.

I'll have to dig out some pics of my father's GT6 (essentially a hard top TR6). He had an MG B at one point in the past. I like the bug eye TR4 myself.

Honestly, Triumphs just really never have done anything for me. Perhaps I've just never looked at the right one, but they just haven't "spoken" to me the way some of the others have.

Again, I'd love a "Big Healey" but an MG B is probably closest to it aesthetically. A Sprite/MG Midget is absolutely out of consideration just because I can't fit in one.

I have an uncle who's next door neighbor had a restored '60s 3000 2+2 roadster. I always admired it. The neighbor passed away, and I don't know what became of the car(I'd guess one of his kids probably ended up with it).

And, in the realm of "crazy projects that cost more than they're ever worth" it's also possible to shoehorn a V8 into a late model MG B roadster. The MG B GT was made in a V8 version(3.5l Rover V8), and the late 70s/early 80s roadster had most of the the same body and frame modifications to allow the V8 to fit. From what I understand, if you have a parts GT from the same era(not even necessarily a V8) you need to transplant a few parts out of the GT into the roadster and the Rover V8 will more or less drop right in. Interestingly enough, the aluminum Rover V8 actually weighs about the same as the cast iron I-4 used in the roadsters.

All these little British roadsters aren't that practical, but it's hard not to have a smile on your face when you're driving one and they really are a ton of fun to drive. I have the same reaction just seeing one driving down the road. Prices are going up on them from what I've seen, but most of them are still fairly affordable.

Of course, you should always make sure you have a plentiful supply of wiring harness smoke on hand. NOS Lucas smoke is getting hard to find.

http://www3.telus.net/bc_triumph_registry/smoke.htm

 

[A.Goldberg]

Honestly, Triumphs just really never have done anything for me. Perhaps I've just never looked at the right one, but they just haven't "spoken" to me the way some of the others have.

Again, I'd love a "Big Healey" but an MG B is probably closest to it aesthetically. A Sprite/MG Midget is absolutely out of consideration just because I can't fit in one.

I have an uncle who's next door neighbor had a restored '60s 3000 2+2 roadster. I always admired it. The neighbor passed away, and I don't know what became of the car(I'd guess one of his kids probably ended up with it).

And, in the realm of "crazy projects that cost more than they're ever worth" it's also possible to shoehorn a V8 into a late model MG B roadster. The MG B GT was made in a V8 version(3.5l Rover V8), and the late 70s/early 80s roadster had most of the the same body and frame modifications to allow the V8 to fit. From what I understand, if you have a parts GT from the same era(not even necessarily a V8) you need to transplant a few parts out of the GT into the roadster and the Rover V8 will more or less drop right in. Interestingly enough, the aluminum Rover V8 actually weighs about the same as the cast iron I-4 used in the roadsters.

All these little British roadsters aren't that practical, but it's hard not to have a smile on your face when your driving one and they really are a ton of fun to drive. I have the same reaction just seeing one driving down the road. Prices are going up on them from what I've seen, but most of them are still fairly affordable.

Of course, you should always make sure you have a plentiful supply of wiring harness smoke on hand. NOS Lucas smoke is getting hard to find.

http://www3.telus.net/bc_triumph_registry/smoke.htm

I never knew they made a V8 MG B. Interesting to know.

I do know that the Rover V8 is not the most reliable engine out there. It started off originally as the Buick 215 motor. Over the years, they progressively increased it to 3.9, 4.0, 4.6L towards the end of its life- which was used up until 2004 in the LR Discovery and 2002 in the Range Rover. It might actually still be used in the petrol V8 Defender... I'm not sure.

My father had an MG A at one point as well, after the MG B. He sold the MG A to get the Triumph and Land Rover Series III. Both have ben restored from the ground up. I'll send you some pics...

You're absolutely right, these cars are not practical, but they are fun. You can't entirely rely on them, but they're a fun hobby to have.

 

[bunnspecial]

I love MG As, but they're out of reach.

One of the things I love about spring is all the cars that start coming out of garages, and I saw a beautifully restored red MG A about a month ago.

I wish that Morgans weren't crazy expensive-if I were a Wallstreet banker , I'd have the newest and best Morgan I could find. Of course, I don't know that it would get me any notice since no one would know what it was.

EDIT:

I just looked at the Morgan website, and it looks like all of their models are now on a steel or aluminum frame. I didn't dig too much, but I'm also not sure if they are available in the US at all.

That kills it for me. I want one with an ash frame-I'll have to do some more digging and see when they quit making them. It wasn't too long ago. As I recall, for a while at least the factory converted them to propane for export because you could only import a wood framed vehicle as an "alternate fuel" vehicle.

 

[MatthewLTL]

Be careful with collector plates, and be sure to check your state laws.

At least here in Kentucky, the laws specifically say that the car CAN NOT be a daily driver. Of course, the definitions are intentionally ambiguous I think. If I only ever drove it to car shows cruise-ins, or for cruising around town I don't think there would be an issue. If I drive a car to work once a month or drive it to go out to eat occasional, though, is it a "daily driver?"(I would think not, but what a police officer or judge thinks is what matters). Even so, if it's your only car, it's pretty hard to argue that it's anything but a daily driver.

The chances of getting caught are realistically probably small, but the fines can be big if you are. At a minimum, you'd probably have to cough up the registration(with interest) for all the years you should have been paying it, and there's a decent chance you'd get hit with a fine also.

There are also special collector car insurance plans, but again you really have to read the fine print on these-some have mileage limits, storage restrictions(i.e. only in the garage) and pretty strict limits about where and how you can drive the car. Some companies would be okay with "driving it to work once a month" but others would say absolutely not.

Weigh the risks with the rewards...short term savings can turn into big expenses in the long term, and this is just one example.

Going again back to the MG-B I've been threatening to buy for about 6 or 7 years now(along with half a dozen other cars ) I'd put antique plates on it and insure it with collector insurance. At the same time, though, it would strictly be a "fun" car and I'd keep a daily driver.

MN Collector plate laws state it can only be drivin to special events (such as a car show) or to a mechanic. Also since MN is a 2 plates state there is a exception in the law that states if you have a car in the colletor class or a daily driver 1972 or older you only need 1

town of 111k and 133 cops not only could i remove my front plate and drive without it (something i did while fixing my plate bracket) not on;y would i get away with no plates at all but I would get away with driving a daily driver on collector plates

 

[MatthewLTL]

I've always wanted a DeLorean myself.

 

[venomgt95]

I've always wanted a DeLorean myself.

Me too. There was one in my home town, but i havent seen it in a while. I dont know where it went

 

[bunnspecial]

MN Collector plate laws state it can only be drivin to special events (such as a car show) or to a mechanic. Also since MN is a 2 plates state there is a exception in the law that states if you have a car in the colletor class or a daily driver 1972 or older you only need 1

town of 111k and 133 cops not only could i remove my front plate and drive without it (something i did while fixing my plate bracket) not on;y would i get away with no plates at all but I would get away with driving a daily driver on collector plates

So you're going to abuse the system because you don't think you'll ever get caught...

I see a fair number of antique plates around town here that are on obviously daily drivers. If the issue becomes common enough, I'm afraid that the General Assembly is going to change the law on them or just get rid of them completely-a big inconvenience for people who actually use the plates legitimately. I don't fall into that category yet, but if I did put antique plates on a car it would be strictly on a "fun" secondary car that would only get occasionally driven.

 

[spencers]

Really wishing I had went with an E46 ZHP instead of my E90 330i to replace my old E46 325Ci

 

[MatthewLTL]

UPDATE: I tried to pull the caliper off. It doesn't come off but BOTH brake pads are in good shape. I coated the entire thing with silicon spray and pressed the brakes to see if i could free up the caliper..... and the pedal sunk to the floor the passenger rear wheel cylinder blew out. Car has no brakes now. Once my grandpa has money I will turn the car around in the driveway and have our roadside assistance tow it into the shop.

 

[A.Goldberg]

UPDATE: I tried to pull the caliper off. It doesn't come off but BOTH brake pads are in good shape. I coated the entire thing with silicon spray and pressed the brakes to see if i could free up the caliper..... and the pedal sunk to the floor the passenger rear wheel cylinder blew out. Car has no brakes now. Once my grandpa has money I will turn the car around in the driveway and have our roadside assistance tow it into the shop.

I'd like to see a picture of these brake pads. 3 years of driving on a seized caliper? When was the last time you changed your brake fluid?

Regardless, I see no sense in shoveling money into this car. You have so many issues with this thing and it sounds very unsafe and unreliable. Junk it, take the $200 and put it towards your other car or a new car. Or part it out on eBay since you appear to have the time. It's not a valuable car currently and it likely never will be. I understand the value of sentimental value, but there appears to be no other reasonable reason to keep this car and waste money on it. It's quite unfortunate that it only has 45,000 miles.

 

[MatthewLTL]

I'd like to see a picture of these brake pads. 3 years of driving on a seized caliper? When was the last time you changed your brake fluid?

Regardless, I see no sense in shoveling money into this car. You have so many issues with this thing and it sounds very unsafe and unreliable. Junk it, take the $200 and put it towards your other car or a new car. Or part it out on eBay since you appear to have the time. It's not a valuable car currently and it likely never will be. I understand the value of sentimental value, but there appears to be no other reasonable reason to keep this car and waste money on it. It's quite unfortunate that it only has 45,000 miles.

I would take a picture of the pads..... BUT since the wheel cylinder blew i put the wheels back on and just have the car sitting. To take a picture would require jacking it back up. It will be fixed just not sure as to when. Perhaps my problem was a failing (now blown) drum brake wheel cylinder and not just the caliper. The rear drums have NEVER been serviced. brake fluid was last changed in 2013 and more was added today. Get rid of it? NAH NEVER! infact i just spent $10 on the phase one of LED Bulb upgrades! pack of 10 bulbs and they will replace:
Reverse light bulbs
3rd brake light bulb
rear turn signal bulbs.

EDIT: technically, there isn't "so many issues with this thing" It is the same issue that appeared in 2013 after the lines blew, went away and came back this spring. It was never fixed the shop didnt replace the caliper because they claimed they couldnt get one. the failed to even check the drum brakes. When you do an kind of brake work you are suppose to check all the brakes. I was as surprised as you are that the pads are fine. Must of been the rotor that overheated.

 

[addseo1115]

I like your posts.
Thanks for posting the great opinions.

 

[yg17]

BTW i called the mechanic in which ill be taking the car to just to ask if hed install parts id bring and how much he would charger for a caliper/pad replacement. He gave me a really rough estimate. here is all the estimates:

Timing Belt & Cam Sensor (unless i can get to the cam sensor myself) $400
New caliper and pads $260 give or take
Valve Cover Gasket: $80.
so roughly $700-800

The valve cover i can most likely do myself. I could most likely do the brakes too if i can get in there good enough and with the right effert.tools (or brute force) I could do the cam sensor.

I would take a picture of the pads..... BUT since the wheel cylinder blew i put the wheels back on and just have the car sitting. To take a picture would require jacking it back up. It will be fixed just not sure as to when. Perhaps my problem was a failing (now blown) drum brake wheel cylinder and not just the caliper. The rear drums have NEVER been serviced. brake fluid was last changed in 2013 and more was added today. Get rid of it? NAH NEVER! infact i just spent $10 on the phase one of LED Bulb upgrades! pack of 10 bulbs and they will replace:
Reverse light bulbs
3rd brake light bulb
rear turn signal bulbs.

EDIT: technically, there isn't "so many issues with this thing" It is the same issue that appeared in 2013 after the lines blew, went away and came back this spring. It was never fixed the shop didnt replace the caliper because they claimed they couldnt get one. the failed to even check the drum brakes. When you do an kind of brake work you are suppose to check all the brakes. I was as surprised as you are that the pads are fine. Must of been the rotor that overheated.

You need $800 repairs in a car that's probably worth between $900 and $1000 depending on how much gas is in the tank. If it were body damage from an accident rather than mechanical issues, the insurance company would total that piece of **** out because it's not worth spending the value of the car in repairs. It doesn't make financial sense.

 

[spencers]

LED bulbs instead of brakes. This is great stuff!

 

[yg17]

LED bulbs instead of brakes. This is great stuff!

You need to be able to see him coming from a far enough distance to get out of the way because he's not going to be able to stop.

 

[AustinIllini]

LED bulbs instead of brakes. This is great stuff!

It's terrifying. I should be able to take this forum to his local DMV and have his license revoked.

 

[MatthewLTL]

You need $800 repairs in a car that's probably worth between $900 and $1000 depending on how much gas is in the tank. If it were body damage from an accident rather than mechanical issues, the insurance company would total that piece of **** out because it's not worth spending the value of the car in repairs. It doesn't make financial sense.

Car is actually worth 2100. Older it gets, the more its worth thats how the automotive world works. Hence Y something such as a DeLorean runs as low a 26K

LED bulbs instead of brakes. This is great stuff!

LED Bulbs are $10.... brakes will be probably $400.

You need to be able to see him coming from a far enough distance to get out of the way because he's not going to be able to stop.

I ain't gonna drive the car! I'm not a idiot! I didn't drive it when the brakes blew in 2013 and im not gonna drive it with a blown wheel cylinder. The car doesn't have to be drivable to install LEDs.....

It's terrifying. I should be able to take this forum to his local DMV and have his license revoked.

I drive the Impala. It's in perfect shape other than a fuel pressure regulator and the damn hazard switch/turn signal relay.

 

[bunnspecial]

Car is actually worth 2100. Older it gets, the more its worth thats how the automotive world works. Hence Y something such as a DeLorean runs as low a 26K

15 year old cars aren't anywhere near the bottom of the "bell curve" of value.

By most standards, DeLoreans are classified as "exotic." Sure, they're not super fast(actually they're pretty much pigs in stock form by modern standards, and weren't even that outstanding in 1981), but are such an iconic design that was only made for 3 years(by a company no longer in business). I think there were about 12,000 of them made. They not only have a unique combination of design elements(stainless+gullwings), but also have a great story that goes along with their production and downfall.

By contrast, a Lanos is and never has been anything but an economy car. Sure, a never driven, concourse quality one might be worth a decent pile in 50 years, but by and large your average driven example is not going to start appreciating for a LONG time. As a prime example of this, look at current values on 80s K cars-collectors aren't shelling out big bucks for them.

And, as another example-the Ford/Lincoln dealer up the road from me has two Town Cars sitting on their lot. One is a 1979 model, and the other a 1984 model. The '84 model is just your average 80s Towncar-it has about 125K miles on it, decent paint, a straight body, and an okay interior. It's $3000. The '79 was bought new from the dealership, has only ever been serviced by that dealership, and has 15,000 original miles on it(with one owner). It has been garaged for the past 35 years, has the factory paper floor mats in the trunk, and is just in every way immaculate. The price on it is $19,000.

 

[MatthewLTL]

15 year old cars aren't anywhere near the bottom of the "bell curve" of value.

By most standards, DeLoreans are classified as "exotic." Sure, they're not super fast(actually they're pretty much pigs in stock form by modern standards, and weren't even that outstanding in 2001), but are such an iconic design that was only made for 3 years(by a company no longer in business). I think there were about 12,000 of them made. They not only have a unique combination of design elements(stainless+gullwings), but also have a great story that goes along with their production and downfall.

By contrast, a Lanos is and never has been anything but an economy car. Sure, a never driven, concourse quality one might be worth a decent pile in 50 years, but by and large your average driven example is not going to start appreciating for a LONG time. As a prime example of this, look at current values on 80s K cars-collectors aren't shelling out big bucks for them.

And, as another example-the Ford/Lincoln dealer up the road from me has two Town Cars sitting on their lot. One is a 1979 model, and the other a 1984 model. The '84 model is just your average 80s Towncar-it has about 125K miles on it, decent paint, a straight body, and an okay interior. It's $3000. The '79 was bought new from the dealership, has only ever been serviced by that dealership, and has 15,000 original miles on it(with one owner). It has been garaged for the past 35 years, has the factory paper floor mats in the trunk, and is just in every way immaculate. The price on it is $19,000.

The Lanos was made Iconic too It's in several movies, most famously known in "Pineapple Express" It's also in "Taxi" and they are the primary police car in Poland (or were).

 

[yg17]

Wow. The Daewoo is not iconic. Never has been, never will and the value will only go down. You are delusional if you think your car will ever go up in value.

And a mediocre Seth Rogen stoner comedy movie is not what I would call iconic.

 

[bunnspecial]

Wow. The Daewoo is not iconic. Never has been, never will and the value will only go down. You are delusional if you think your car will ever go up in value.

And a mediocre Seth Rogen stoner comedy movie is not what I would call iconic.

Back To The Future(I love the trilogy-it's among my favorites) certainly has helped the DeLorean reach "iconic" status, but as I said it would easily fall into that class without the movie.

I was in Pigeon Forge, TN a few years ago during the annual DeLorean collectors club meeting that's held there(or use to be held there) in the summer. There's nothing like literally seeing DeLoreans everywhere you go.

BTW, there was an '80s movie where virtually every car in it was a Yugo. Yugos are iconic, but often more as the butt of jokes than people lusting after them.

 

[MatthewLTL]

Wow. The Daewoo is not iconic. Never has been, never will and the value will only go down. You are delusional if you think your car will ever go up in value.

And a mediocre Seth Rogen stoner comedy movie is not what I would call iconic.

ALL cars go up in value, for instance the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air was $2,000 brand new, Today it's worth around $10,000
Another example with the DeLorean is these cars were junk. The sound system sucked, the roof and windows leak, they are plagued with several mechanical failures yet STILL got for $26k OR if you have one built for you, They cost more than a Cadillac Exclade (86k vs 84k).

Like anything antique, Once a car hits the antique or collector status they go up in value because of their age.

Another example, The 1988 LeBaron I looked at is being sold for $995 but I could buy it and turn around and sell it for $1,600-$6,500.

 

[bunnspecial]

ALL cars go up in value, for instance the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air was $2,000 brand new, Today it's worth around $10,000
Another example with the DeLorean is these cars were junk. The sound system sucked, the roof and windows leak, they are plagued with several mechanical failures yet STILL got for $26k OR if you have one built for you, They cost more than a Cadillac Exclade (86k vs 84k).

Like anything antique, Once a car hits the antique or collector status they go up in value because of their age.

Another example, The 1988 LeBaron I looked at is being sold for $995 but I could buy it and turn around and sell it for $1,600-$6,500.

Just like anything else, cars are subject to the ebb and flow of the market.

From what I've seen(and I've followed it) prices are down on '57 Chevys and even '60s Muscle Cars(where a lot of the action was a few years ago) have taken a hit. BTW, the value of a '57 Bel Air is still pretty dependent on body type. 4 door Sedans have always had the lowest value, and convertibles have the highest. My dad and I looked into buying one several years back as a project for he and I to work on together. We looked at several, and one that stands out was a running and driveable(but with a crummy interior and body) 4-door that was $5000. We looked at a couple of non-running ones with bad floor pans and other body issues that were in the 2-3K range. Of course, a well restored Bel Air convertible is still a $40K car all day, but that's down from $50K a few years back.

Again, though, the '57 Bel Air is something of a special case. They were made in huge numbers, but even non car people can recognize them from a mile away. '56 and '58 Bel Airs also have a unique body style, but don't stand out as much as the big white V on the tail fins of a '57. Consequently, a well restored or good condition original '56 or '58 will still bring a decent price, but they're a big notch down from a '57.

Deloreans have their problems. I don't think you can criticize the sound system since all cars had crappy sound systems in the early 1980s. Window leaks and the like were also a common problem. Many of the mechanical issues were thanks to the early 1980s fuel injection-again something that was not uncommon(the Bosch injection on my dad's 1980 Porsche was an absolute nightmare). Still, the combo of gullwing doors and a stainless body makes them instantly recognizable-again part of the recipe for an "iconic" car.

We can talk again in 20 years, but I don't see a Lanos checking any of the "iconic" boxes that the '57 Bel Air or the Delorean do.

 

[yg17]

No, not all cars go up in value. Only certain cars that have an appeal to them.

The Bel Air is a classic car and an icon of an era. The DeLorean is a rare, exotic car with unique features such as a stainless steel body and gull wing doors, not to mention it's one of the most famous movie cars ever. Your Daewoo is a cheap economy car. It has no redeeming qualities. It has no appeal. No one will ever want to buy one to feel nostalgic. Your car will only go down in value. Most cars go down in value.

Not only that, the Bel Airs and DeLoreans that are fetching top dollar are in showroom quality. They have service records recording everything that was done to the car, from changing wiper blades to complete engine overhauls. And all work was done by certified mechanics that specialize in those kinds of cars. Do you have complete service records for your Daewoo? I sure as hell know you're not a certified mechanic, there's no doubt about that. From the pictures on your website, the car looks exactly how I'd expect a 15 year old economy car, daily driven and driven in Minnesota winters looks. Not to mention you've ruined any value it had by putting those god awful pedals and shifter on. Nothing hurts the value of a classic car more than aftermarket parts.