For 5 years I commuted from East Meadow, LI into NYC in my 69 Beater. It
always got me home (some parts dangling perhaps)!!! The only time I had an
"event" which required outside assistance was when I got a flat and my jack
broke - some benevolent soul pulled over and lent me one in response to the
sign I was holding "FLAT, NEED JACK". Another time I dragged the exhaust
manifold pipe from midtown all the way home - it was loud but I got home.
Now my FIAT 124 was another story - that puppy was always leaving me
stranded!!! One time the firewall collapsed where the clutch cable connects
just as I was getting on to the entrance of the 59th street bridge. I had to
push the FIAT and of course no one offered to help - oddly though, some of the
more cheery commuters did offer some advice, as they passed by, concerning
fornication with oneself and/or various family members.
As far as the AC is concerned - I use to wear a t-shirt/jacket on the way in
and then change into the monkey suit top once in the office.
However, I do not commute or where monkey suits anymore (in fact I don't think
I've even had socks or shoes on since June).
Just another hick (now) in PA
Dr. Doug
69 C Roadster
69 C GT
69 Beater
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net On Behalf Of Brian & Patricia LaVoie
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 1997 1:21 AM
To: mgrick@ptd.net
Cc: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: musings and a question
Rick Brown wrote:
>
> Brian & Patricia LaVoie wrote:
> >
> > And the new cars are boring, too. Just had to trade in my '92 Geo on a
> > '97 Civic. Picked the Civic b/c it was quiet, comfortable, and
> > reportedly very reliable (I commute 70 miles/day). Wish I could have
> > found something with a little character, though; everything out there
> > seems about the same. I was hoping to hold out for the new Beetle, but I
> > was told by the dealership it would be around $20K - ouch. I could
> > justify the boring car with the MG safely tucked in the garage. The
> > civic's for commuting, the MG for everything else. And don't lose hope,
> > there are a growing number of us under-30 enthusiasts out there!
> >
> > Brian LaVoie
> > '97 Honda Civic (Boring, but rock-solid)
> > '74 MGB (Suprisingly solid, and hardly boring)
>
> Why the Honda? Why not get another MG to commute with - I commute daily
> in my 74 MGBGT even in the winter - and we can have some severe weather
> here in NJ. They are cheap (compared to buying a new car), easy to fix
> (well sometimes) , always eyed with envy by other drivers!
>
> Rick
>
The thought had crossed my mind. Maybe a 1974 1/2 BGT with factory air
conditioning? I could have repaired anything myself, and god knows my 74
B has been the most reliable car we own of late. Unfortunately, I didn't
have a spare $6k in CASH to throw into an infinanceable lbc, and old a/c
systems are getting very expensive to recharge/repair. 70 miles/day
commuting on the highway in summer temps dressed in the standard
business monkey suit is unbearable without a/c. (Candy-ass, I know.)
Furthermore, if anything did go wrong, the prospect of having to sort
out the problem in said monkey suit on I-95 in Southwestern Connecticut
is daunting. We hear monthly of poor blokes getting picked off while
changing tires; the commuters up here are downright belligerent.
Consequently, we have a new Civic. Rest assured I'll trade it in when
the *NEW* MG arrives on our side of the pond. The B, however, will stay.
Brian
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