Coupons69@aol.com wrote:
>
> I am considering buying a TR-6. My only concern is the reliabilty. I'm
> going to be driving the car every day in good conditions, (good weather), and
> am wondering how often I can expect a car (say, 90% restored) to break down
> and how costly it normally will be to repair. Any advice is appreciated.
> thanks....
Coupons(??),
The major problem with your plan is that even the very latest
TR6 will be a twenty year old car! I know, you said a restored twenty
year old car, but I tell you, even with a very thourough restoration,
there remains the unexpected, or just plain fatigued, component failure.
That is of course if the restoration was done correctly. There are cer-
tain inhierent design flaws to these cars (to numerous to mention here
<grin>) that require special attention during restoration that may be
overlooked. That is, whether due to ignorance, impudence, or ineptitude,
the car you purchase may not be "correctly" or "sufficietly" restored.
On the lighter side though, they (TR 6's) do make excellent "second"
cars. By this I mean they can be used for transportation to and from
work, play, or vacation, as long as there is a reliable vehicle to
relieve it in the event of any mechanical disfunction.
As for reliability, TR's are more or less simple, dependable, cars.
There is a problem with parts however, in that one cannot "go" to a neigh-
borhood Triumph dealer (unless you live in Armagh, Pa.) to retreive parts.
The vast majority of a TR owner's repair parts are either localy obtained
used parts or new parts that have been "mail ordered". Which is a misnomer,
since one usually uses the telephone now-a-days. And as such, one must learn
to tolerate the delays in part supplying that go hand-in-hand with back-
orders, incorrectly filled orders, and the obvious down time of "shipping".
Another aspect to consider is the reluctance of certain mechanics to re-
pair "foriegn" cars. That last problem has all but disappeared lately though.
But alas, many mechanics used to repair of more commonly available foriegn
cars still feel unfamiliar with our LBC's(little British cars) . But after
some time under the hood, they should see that these engines are quite simply
built, by today's standards, and soon lose all objections to repairing them.
I hope that I have been of some assisitance....
JOE IV
TR 250
WALLINGFORD, CT. USA
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