At 05:47 PM 12/1/97 -0500, you wrote:
>Someone said:
>
>If you have to ask this question then you are on the wrong list.
>Safety Fast,
> (proud that the only cars I have for daily use are MGBs)
>
>Such a flippant remarks are usually best left ignored, but the writer decided
>not to read the letter I had written and just give a knee jerk reaction.
>
> After having only an MGB-GT as a daily driver, an MGB for all the days it
>wasn't running, and an MG Magnette for every other moment, I can honestly say
>that driving an MG daily is a foolish thing to do. (Particularly here in not
>so sunny New Hampshire with the god awful winters we have.)
> First of all, you need more than one. Note that my critic said he is proud
>that his only daily driver CARS (plural) are MGBs. Even when maintained to
>the hilt as my cars are, a 25 year old car is inherently less reliable than a
>new one.
> Second, for all people say about blasting through the snow at Monte Carlo,
>the MGB is skiddish and handles like shit in the snow, even with the best
>tires.
> Third, the heater is feeble even with a new core and a new valve.
> Fourth, the seals only block out 90% of the wind. That 10% is what
>freezes your ass off.
> Fifth, MGBs are extremely noisy and the MGB-GTs in particular can cause
>hearing loss. If you don't believe me, ask your doctor is prolonged expose
>to loud noises will cause hearing loss and see what he says.
> I could go on and on, and if asked, I will.
> What the hell, I'm gonna go on without being asked. I got alot more
>critiques about MGs and MGBs in particular. MGBs are damn slow cars. The
>Magnette is even slower. They might have been faster than thier BMC
>brethren, but you are gonna live in the slow lane if you do any highway
>travel in your MG. Not being able to accelerate when needed is not safe.
> MGs are very very small. In accidents, that is not good. The only time
>the MGBs size has been helpful to me was at a gas station once. The gas
>tanker made a very wide turn and the middle of the tanker was over the hood
>(yes, hood, not bonnet. This is America.) of the MGB. The MGB was so low
>that tanker could partially cross over it without touching it. Had I been
>in a larger car, the car would have touched the under side of the tanker,
>suffered severe damage, and possibley have caused the gas tanker to blow up.
> Ofcourse if it were a larger car the driver of the gas tanker might have
>noticed it and the whole incident may never have occurred. So I guess that's
>a wash.
> MGBs uses expensive grade gas, and alot of it considering the
>performance. They pollute excessively. Fully re-built and excellent running
>MGB engines are designed to consume an amount of oil that was normal years
>ago, but would make the average person wince.
> I'll stop going on a get to my point. I own an MGB, and MGB-GT, and a MG
>Magnette. I love them dearly. Having used them as my regular normal car, I
>have found that they can not be used like regular normal cars. I find it to
>be very distasteful, when those who have been brainwashed into thinking an
>MGB can be driven like any other car, insult those who save their MGBs for
>more leisurely driving than going down Rt 101 in New Hampshire in a February
>ice storm.
> Again, I will pose the question I asked in my first letter. Why are MGs
>getting so damn expensive? And if you can't question your own car, and are
>totally blind to other cars, I don't want your answer.
> Not particularly safe, or fast,
> John
>
>
John,
I have had MG's for 30 years. I too love the cars and still have one. I
did use them (B's, A's, Magnettes, Austins, English Fords, etc. ) for
everyday driving, and it was somewhat feasible years ago. Now that traffic
goes so fast and now that the MG's are so old, it is not a wise proposition
to use MG's as everyday transport. I have a Miata that works great, is warm
when it's cold, and cold when it's hot (nice AC). Not to mention a CD
player to entertain me. Three cheers for the Japs! They know how to make a
good product. Unfortunately, the Brits never did.
Don Scott
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