I'd like to echo the remarks of other TR-6 owners re:
reliability...I've owned my 73 since 1980 and it has failed only
once...when the rotor disintegrated in the distributor. I drive the
car all the time and have more than 175K miles without engine teardown
or bearing replacement (course that may be getting close to necessary
judging from oil consumption at 75-80 mph).
This is not to say that I haven't spent some money to do
maintenance...the more expensive repairs being replacement of the
suspension bushings and springs with welding around the differential
mounts. I replaced the transmission recently after hearing a new and
uncomfortable noise...but the car hasn't abandoned me yet.
PMcQ
76 Spitfire
73 TR-6
72 GT-6
69 GT-6+ (2)
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Triumph longevity
Author: bills@pagesz.net at Internet
Date: 7/14/97 11:42 PM
Justin Wagner wrote:
>
> James Charles Ruwaldt wrote:
> >
> > To those of you who've owned your cars for some time,
> > I realize this is a hobby where I will have to make fairly
> > frequent repairs, but I'm wondering if any of you have found that you
> > reach a point, when you get most of the bugs worked out, so that you can
> > fairly readily predict when the next repairs will be needed. My mechanic
> > says British cars are actually pretty reliable, which goes somewhat
> > contrary to everything I've heard. However, so far I've never replaced
> > anything more than once. I haven't found maintenance to be more
> > frustrating on this car than on any other I've worked on. Of course,
> > I've been desensitized by the probably lemon Rabbit Diesel I owned for a
> > few years, which was always breaking down. Nevertheless, I wouldn't be
> > surprised if part of what I've experienced with the TR6, is just what's to
> > be expected with a twenty-five year-old car. Now that I've asked if
> > anyone's found their cars to be somewhat reliable, do more of you find that
the repairs
> > are the nightmare that they're cracked up to be? Not that any of this
> > will make me get rid of the '6. It's too much fun.
> > Jim Ruwaldt
> > '72 TR6 CC79338U(being restored)
>
> I bought my basket-case TR 4A a few years ago... I methodically went
> over the mechanicals... I've rarely had to go back over the same thing
> twice...(as you said).. and now, knock on wood, I can pretty much trust
> the car as much as my Nissan... The best example would be... I thought
> nothing of driving up to San Francisco, (from Los Angeles), on a whim...
> without any special preparations... it's been turn-key for quite some
> time now. YES... I think they can be reliable.
>
> Justin
> jmwagner@greenheart.com
> http://greenheart.com/jmwagner
> Los Angeles
I've had my present TR6 for 9 years and 2 months now. It's been a very
dependable car. The only time I had to tow it with my truck was when the
clutch slave cylinder blew out. That was really my fault because I knew
it was going but didn't fix it until I had to. IMHO, with routine
maintenace and care, these cars are as dependable as any well maintained
car. I think part of the bad reputation they had was due to poor
maintenance. Many people bought these cars, ran them hard and never even
bothered to change the oil. They then sold it to someone else who did
the same thing.
I once read that $100.00 a month keeps these cars highly reliable and in
good condition. I honestly have not spent that much (that computes to
$11,000.00 for me). Depending on the condition when you buy the car,
the initial fixes may be expensive but it evens out. And when they're
running and looking good, they pay you back ten fold.
These are not ordinary cars.
Bill S.
76 TR6
Raleigh, NC
|