Advise me on this MGB!

[Rupert]

http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/910750793.html

1979 MGB beginner project. - $1200

This is a great 1979 yellow MGB, Engine head has been rebuilt, with many new parts, I?ve put about $1200.00 into it thus far but with my back problems I just can?t work on it. It needs new carpet , windshield reset, new dash was in the plan but wouldn?t need to be done. The weber Carb is great. I have the title, parts list, lots of older papers, Complete restoration manual and electrical manual. The body is in good shape, the plan was to do the mechanical and interior, then work on a few minor spots on the body and repaint. When these are done right they sell from $10,000-15,000. I just love the style and planned to make it my summer driver, With my back problems I need to work on something a bit higher off the ground. Call with any questions I always love to talk about my MG. Thanks



He says it needs a carpet (big whoop), a new top (eh, oh well), that windshield thing (meh) and some electrical gremlin worked out (!). It doesn't run because of the electrical problem. He thinks it's the distributor. Rust is not a bad problem on the car. The only thing I'm nervous about is the electrical thing, because I've never really dealt with that kind of problem before.

What I want is, basically, a fun sports car that's not entirely unreliable. I don't need to drive it a long distance, but it needs to spend more time on the road than in the driveway. I have time to work on a car, I (think) I have a place, and I have enough disposable income to afford such a thing, unless it gets way out of hand. I doubt I'll keep it more than a year unless I totally fall in love with it.

What would you do, and more importantly, what should I do?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Buy it.

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[Raza]

Buy it.

[S204STi]

I have several issues of Sports/Exotic Car scattered throughout my house with an ongoing MGB restoration, I can scan and email them to you if you do buy it.

Also consider a subscription to that magazine anyway, because it's great stuff if you like classic sports cars.

[Raza]

And check out Classic Motorsports, GRM's sister mag.

[Rupert]

I have several issues of Sports/Exotic Car scattered throughout my house with an ongoing MGB restoration, I can scan and email them to you if you do buy it.

Also consider a subscription to that magazine anyway, because it's great stuff if you like classic sports cars.

That would be most excellent (if I do buy it ).

Heh, I've already pretty much decided to buy it on Saturday if the guy looking at it tonight doesn't want it (*fingerscrossed*). I'm just fishing for someone (who knows something) to tell me it's a bad idea for some good reason.

[Rupert]

And check out Classic Motorsports, GRM's sister mag.

My uncle (the one who still has my old Miata) gets Hemming's Sports and Exotic. I've read some, and liked them a lot.

[Laconian]

Buy it, fix it, then trade it for your uncle's Miata. That's the better car to drive.  

[Eye of the Tiger]

That would be most excellent (if I do buy it ).

Heh, I've already pretty much decided to buy it on Saturday if the guy looking at it tonight doesn't want it (*fingerscrossed*). I'm just fishing for someone (who knows something) to tell me it's a bad idea for some good reason.

It's not a bad idea. Get a multimeter. Test wires. Make it run. I'll help.

[TBR]

Save for a Miata.

[Secret Chimp]

Get an Alfa Romeo instead. They sound better.

[the Teuton]

My friend's dad has an MGB.  If you're fine with wiring issues and quirky problems, it's otherwise a fantastic car.  For pure enjoyment with reliability, a Miata is a better car hands down.

[Raza]

Get a 911 instead.

[Eye of the Tiger]

My friend's dad has an MGB.  If you're fine with wiring issues and quirky problems, it's otherwise a fantastic car.  For pure enjoyment with reliability, a Miata is a better car hands down.

Good luck finding a $1200 Miata.

Get a 911 instead.

Good luck finding a $1200 911

Get an Alfa Romeo instead. They sound better.

Good luck finding a $1200 Alfa Romeo that sounds better.

[Onslaught]

http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/910750793.html





He says it needs a carpet (big whoop), a new top (eh, oh well), that windshield thing (meh) and some electrical gremlin worked out (!). It doesn't run because of the electrical problem. He thinks it's the distributor. Rust is not a bad problem on the car. The only thing I'm nervous about is the electrical thing, because I've never really dealt with that kind of problem before.

Good luck with that one.

[Cookie Monster]

Do it.

If not you can probably sell it for the same amount anyways.

[Rupert]

Good luck finding a $1200 Miata.

Good luck finding a $1200 911

Good luck finding a $1200 Alfa Romeo that sounds better.

Exactly.

Although, after fixing its problems and such, it will probably be closer to $2000. Carpet is $300, a top is $350, various other things are probably more than $150, but I bet I could get it for $1000 or $1100.

[GoCougs]

Do if you have a uber ultra mega penchant for MGBs, and get infinitely more pleasure out of fixing them than driving them.

Don't If you're looking for anything else.

[Rupert]

Do it.

If not you can probably sell it for the same amount anyways.

That's my other thought. If I get it running and all that, and I still don't like it, I could probably make a small profit.

[Secret Chimp]

Dude dude dude dude

1st or 2nd generation GTI, do it.

[Rupert]

Good luck with that one.

And my other other thought.

[Rupert]

Dude dude dude dude

1st or 2nd generation GTI, do it.

There's an Opel GT and a cheapish 911SC locally, too.

[Rupert]

Do if you have a uber ultra mega penchant for MGBs, and get infinitely more pleasure out of fixing them than driving them.

Don't If you're looking for anything else.

I knew a lady who had an MGB. She laughed at all the people who were scared of their reliability. 

[Secret Chimp]

There's an Opel GT and a cheapish 911SC locally, too.

FUCK

[Rupert]

The Opel is a ways away, but I might check out the 911, just for the hell of it. It's still $9000, though, and I don't want a loan right now.

[Secret Chimp]

The Opel is a ways away, but I might check out the 911, just for the hell of it. It's still $9000, though, and I don't want a loan right now.

As long as it isn't over 9000.

[Onslaught]

I knew a lady who had an MGB. She laughed at all the people who were scared of their reliability. 

I like them. I really do. But it's no laughing matter. You don't get a reputation like that for nothing.

[Rupert]

Yeah, that's true. I think it's been exaggerated, though. Besides, what else do I have to do on the weekends here in Boise?

[Rupert]

As long as it isn't over 9000.

Haha. It's really tempting. The 911SC is kind of my realistic near-term dream car, and I'd hate to pass up a really good one. I don't really have a stable enough job and living situation to allow for a loan, though. It's got 180 kmi, too. That's not really that high for a 911, but I'd much prefer to spend a bit more money on it when I can afford it so I can get lower mileage and put next 200 kmi on myself.

[Raza]

Exactly.

Although, after fixing its problems and such, it will probably be closer to $2000. Carpet is $300, a top is $350, various other things are probably more than $150, but I bet I could get it for $1000 or $1100.

Get more money.  All you need is a bandanna and a horse to rob a train.  Fuck man, stop making things so hard.