I did much the same thing. I was about to turn a leased car bck to the
dealer and was going to get the TR6 ready for everyday use. As it turned
out the repairs have taken longer than expected. You always run into
more than you bargained for on old cars and old houses.
I was fortunate in that the dealer worked out an extension...still paying
through the nose for this machine, but as I have had to wait for parts,
etc, I am glad to have this other car for the time being. I would rather
put the monthly payments into the LBC, but it's too far to walk to work.
I drove an MG everyday for fifteen years and figured it cost me an
average of $1,000 a year, and that was tax, gas, insurance, everything.
Granted it was a few years ago, but still a cheap ride. After paying big
bucks for two new cars, I have decided to go back to an LBC. I will save
enought to rent a car for long trips and I only use it for going back and
forth to work.
I lived in Nebraska and now in St. Louis, so snow and rust is a problem.
I just figure part of the cost of running the thing is new pannels every
few years. Besides, there is nothing more fun than kicking up snow in a
LBC! Have fun and DRIVE 'EM!!
On Sun, 17 Nov 1996, Ed Burger wrote:
> Hello all! I had an interesting day yesterday. My Riviera (my daily driver)
>broke down for good. I
> was driving and the water pump burst. The engine overheated, stripping the
>bearings. Thats the short version
> anyway. Anyhow, I am without running car now. I have to reach a decision
>about this, and I wanted everyone's
> advice. I also own a '65 Spitfire. Its the one with frame damage/nonrunning
>engine that I bought a month or
> so ago. Could this become an everyday driver, at least for now? The frame
>is being repaired and should be
> done within the next two weeks. The timing for that is OK, but what does
>anyone think is the likeliness of my
> getting the engine/brakes into decent shape within reasonable time? I could
>put all of the Triumph funds into
> a temp car, which I guess would be the practicle solution, but who wants to
>take a step back.
>
> What kind of inconviences are there to driving a '65 Spitfire? I'm not
>coming from such a great car,
> so I'm not used to frills anyway. If the title for the car says coupe, will
>my insurance be for sports car
> rates? Will my insurance go down because of the car's age? (I live in NJ by
>the way).
>
> Thanks for your help,
> Ed
> '82 Riviera (the engine is shot)
> '65 Spitfire4 (frame/engine repairs, who knows what else =)
>
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