Anyone know anything about Triumph Spitfires?

[loman4ec]

I am looking for an affordable fun little convertible to drive here in florida. Since I have a bad led and don't have much use from it I cant ride a motorcycle I want a convertible. I have always loved the Mg's and Triumph's Especially after living in a British colony (Singapore) for several years. I am looking at 2 local 1976 Spitfire's that are both in good condition. One just needs a master cylinder and one needs a convert top but it comes with the car and just needs put on. Both are mechanically sound and I will take them to be looked at before buying of course. Does anyone have any experience with these? I like the triumph over the MG. I have also heard the MG's have bad wiring problems however I am a good at electrical so that can be fixed. The two cars I am looking at are each within 100 miles and are both just under $3000 and both have good newer paint and nice interior and are 100% rust free. I passed up 2 others that were rusty. Any opinions or advice?

[Creighton]

Well, Triumphs, MG's, Aston's are stylish cars that with a stout bank account run an 80% chance of getting you almost where you wanted to go.
Transmissions, clutches, electronics fail and then it is a spendy time consuming job to replace same. Had a few and don't care for the hassles of foreign cars anymore.

If your heart is set on a convert I'd recommend a fox body Mustang. Same money but much better performance/safety and parts are easy. If spirited driving is on the horizon get a rollbar and 6 pt. race harness.

Creighton

[davethebirdman]

A chap I work with has just bought himself a Spitfire. A mrk 2 I think with the rear bumper split.
He has had a few issues with it. Gearbox, clutch etc but parts are readily available here both new and repro. He is keen on the mechanics of it all so not too worried about these niggly bits that keep popping up.

The Spitfire was the sort of car I dreamed of when a kid. My favourite however is the Triumph TR range. The TR6 is a lovely car. The TR4 & 3 too.  Austin Healeys too are nice practical affordable classics (over here at least) and from the same stable.

Personally if I were to go for a classic soft top I'd go for a Nash/Austin Metropolitan.

Dave

[bubba]

Triumph or Spitfire will be almost like owning a Harley... They look cool, sound cool and fun to use when they work. If you'd rather spend that beautiful Sunday working on the car rather than driving it, go for it.

Like Dave, I like the Triumph TR series, but I really like the TR7 convertible. There is one sitting down the road from me that hasn't moved in years.. I keep thinking about stopping in and asking about it, but I already don't have enough project time..

[mznb1u]

I like both the Spitfire and the TR6.  My neighbor just picked up a nice TR6 with only 36,000 miles on it.  He has already run into some mechanical issues.  Everyone that I have ever known who owned a Spitfire had mechanical problems.  They loved the car when it was running which was about 70% of the time.  If you are looking for a nice little convertible about the same size and styling, there are a lot of Mazda Miata's running around that will run better and cost a lot less in the long run.

  Tim

[Kapri]

With all the lovely old tin you have over there, I'd never even consider a boring old Brit 'sports' car!
However, the Triumph will be easier to work on, as it has a flip front & everything on the engine is a piece of p*ss to get at.

[loman4ec]

wow I didn't know all of this. Thank you for letting me in. I think I will pass for now. I really want a "FUN" car but I con't really afford one. I have always loved the Triumph's and MG's. This one is in good condition. It could use a respray at some point but its not too bad. I may pass on it now that I know they don't run well. The one I found is dark green with a black top and the green is the color I wanted. During the time this guy has owned it he has put a lot into it. here is the list he sent me

Changed to an electric fuel pump(1999), replaced front ball joints(1999), starter
solenoid(1999), rear and front end suspension and spring to include
all bushings(2001). Brakes have been rebuilt with new calipers on
front disc brakes and new cylinders on rear and  Master cylinder was
rebuilt(2005). Radiator and alternator replaced(2010).
wooden dash restored, added a Crane electronic ignition,
installed a Monza exhaust system with header.


So as you can see he has done a lot. SInce you all like pictures here are a few. The top is bad but he has a new one in the box that comes with it and he also has a nice hard top that goes with it as well.  He is asking $2750 and I think I can get it for $2500. He said it is a great car and has always been good to him. He had it painted by Maaco about 7 years ago and said it was just an OK paint job. It is the original color. He also said it need the carb rebuilt. It runs good but he says it hesitates a little and has it looked at and the mechanic said it is the carb. I think he is an honest guy as he offered to let me take it and have it inspected anywhere I want. What do you all think?? I was hoping to play with it for a year or two and put a little money in it and then try to sell it for a little profit when the economy picks up a little.

[Kilroy]

They are lookers, Since they are frequently in the shop, all you can do is look at them.

[Creighton]

Well Josh,
You've seen the reply's. 
One small bit I can pass on is never buy someone else's project car. There is a good reason why it is for sale.
The discovery of hidden flaws and correcting same is not fun and adds up fast.

Per the car you posted.
How bad was the wiring hacked for an electric fuel pump and the Crane system?
I don't see anything about motor or transmission work done.
A 7yr. old Maaco paint job is surprising in that it is still on the car.
Your money, your choice.
Creighton
   

[JBVending]

I had a TR3 that was really fun to drive. I did tear 1st & reverse out a few times but I was young and hard on cars. I think for 2500 bucks you couldn't go wrong or find a more fun car to drive. If you decide you don't like it I don't think you would have any problem getting your money or more back. Have a mechanic check engine compression first.

JB

[JBVending]

Another thought for a fun car in that price range is a dune or rail buggy if its used as a second car on sunny days. I am 66 yrs old and drive a rail buggy and a 2 seat sports car for fun cars. Choice is yours, a little box with 4 wheels and nobody will even notice, or a 2 seat roadster that will turn heads
Compare car ads for 2500 and see what you get.

JB

[loman4ec]

Thats what I thought. At $2,500 I could afford for some problem. No the motor has not been touched but he did offer to let me take it anywhere I wanted to get it checked. That is pretty confident. The guy has had the car for 14 years and is the second owner. I don't think he is selling due to problems as he is a mechanic and owns his own shop. I just think after after 14 years its time to get something else. I am thinking about it.


On another note I am also thinking about a Jeep CJ5. I just want a fun toy to play with and drive on the weekends. I know a jeep is on the other side of the spectrum but they are fun and simple. The one I am looking at has a 302 ford V8 in it. I am mostly a Chevy guy but the 302 is a very common motor and parts are cheap. Its just a beet up old Jeep for $2500. If I buy a jeep I want it to be rough so I can go out in the woods with it and not worry about scratching it up.. Its not a looker but rust free and runs good and local.

I don't know what to do. I need a garage. I am in an apartment right now and am looking for a house to buy. Unfortunately my grandpa passed away and left me some money. I know he wanted me to buy a house and he would want me to have fun with it too and buy a toy to play with. That is how he was too. EIther the triumph and the Jeep I think I could turn around and sell for what I have in them at any time. I would prefer the triumph but the wife wants a Jeep.

[bubba]

Being a former auto mechanic, my recommendation is to run from that car. After getting paid to work on cars all day long, the last thing any mechanic wants to do is work on their own for free. I got into working on cars so I didn't have to pay someone else. After a few years, I didn't want to touch my own, including changing oil and other basic maintenance. I've been out of it for 15 years now and I still pay someone to change my oil and rotate my tires. $10G in tools sitting in the garage that don't get used.

What year CJ?

[Marvin]

Being a former auto mechanic, my recommendation is to run from that car. After getting paid to work on cars all day long, the last thing any mechanic wants to do is work on their own for free. I got into working on cars so I didn't have to pay someone else. After a few years, I didn't want to touch my own, including changing oil and other basic maintenance. I've been out of it for 15 years now and I still pay someone to change my oil and rotate my tires. $10G in tools sitting in the garage that don't get used.

What year CJ?

Plumbers always have dripping faucets.  Painters houses need to be painted. 

[loman4ec]

The CJ-5 is a 1975 with a ford V8 302. Not a bad ride but still just a beater to pound on in the woods and in the mud. if I buy a jeep I want something I can hit something on accident or scrape the side on a stump and not give a darn about the paint. Maybe even a hammer and a spray can to fix it. It would just be to have fun on the weekends. I have been around 50's and 60's american cars (Mostly GM's) all my life. Working on a carburated american V8 I am not worried about. Its working on that little Brittish 4 cyl that I may not easily get parts for that worries me. Both the Jeep and the 302 I can get parts in one of 1000 catalogs or at the local pull and pay scrap yard.