Car Care in the NW

[LarryHoward]

My bride caught me lusting after a restored 912 on Bringatrailer and immediately spotted a restored MGB located in Bellingham. Probably sell for a high price for a driver quality restoration but it looks pretty sweet. Given that her first car in the US when I dragged her back from Australia was a red MGB that ended up going away when boats, babies and realities of Military PCS moves kicked in, I may have created a monster.

Any of you NW residents willing to do an inspection and test drive and then possibly store it while I make shipping arrangements should I pull the trigger on the auction? http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-mgb-touring/

[Panope]

Larry, Bellingham is a bit inconvenient for me (across the sound). But if the seller is willing to meet at the Bellingham airport I could fly over and take a look.

I did recently sell my old car and it's space in the hangar is still free.

Keep in mind that I have no MG experience.

Steve

[kimbottles]

My bride caught me lusting after a restored 912 on Bringatrailer and immediately spotted a restored MGB located in Bellingham. Probably sell for a high price for a driver quality restoration but it looks pretty sweet. Given that her first car in the US when I dragged her back from Australia was a red MGB that ended up going away when boats, babies and realities of Military PCS moves kicked in, I may have created a monster.

Any of you NW residents willing to do an inspection and test drive and then possibly store it while I make shipping arrangements should I pull the trigger on the auction? http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-mgb-touring/

Yeah, I have been looking at that 912 too Larry.
I would volunteer for MGB duty if we weren't about to leave on a trip!
Bad timing!

[LarryHoward]

My bride caught me lusting after a restored 912 on Bringatrailer and immediately spotted a restored MGB located in Bellingham. Probably sell for a high price for a driver quality restoration but it looks pretty sweet. Given that her first car in the US when I dragged her back from Australia was a red MGB that ended up going away when boats, babies and realities of Military PCS moves kicked in, I may have created a monster.

Any of you NW residents willing to do an inspection and test drive and then possibly store it while I make shipping arrangements should I pull the trigger on the auction? http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-mgb-touring/

Yeah, I have been looking at that 912 too Larry.
I would volunteer for MGB duty if we weren't about to leave on a trip!
Bad timing!

Had that been a LWB (69 or later) 912, I may have jumped on it. I loved the one I had. Nothing wrong with the water cooled Porsches but they have become very much luxury GT cars, not sports cars. The air cooled cars rule from that perspective.

I am suggesting to Lynne that she will get as much enjoyment out of that Miata SE on the site for less money and a more useful vehicle for running around. The MG (as the Porsche would have been) is a "keep garaged and bring it out on very nice days" vehicle. A Miata, S2000, or Z3 or even a Boxster would be more useful - if a 2 seat convertible can be called useful for "old folks."

Steve. Thanks. I'm leaning against it but I can be easily convinced when Lynne decides she really likes something.

[kimbottles]

I lust often for postings on Bringatrailer.

But having driven some of the older vehicles lets face it: there has been so much progress in drivability in automobiles. Heck even cars from 2000 can't compare to what is on offer now, let alone the cars from the 60's (which are the ones I really like.)

I was driving a 1958 MBZ 300 a while back and the owner had to remind me that drum brakes would not support the pace I was attempting. I read somewhere that a Honda van would outrun a XKE in all around performance to say nothing about what it would do to a 356C.

I have been looking at Super Sevens (in there various forms). Completely impractical, but so cool.

Susan keeps reminding me that I have five boats.

[JoeP]

I think the number of cars you own needs to be the same as the number of boats you own or there will be an imbalance in the Force. It's probably why the world is so whacky these days.

Those Sevens are so cool. I lust after one. The S2000 is a great car too. A friend of ours let me drive hers a lot. We would trade cars when she needed a sedan (this back when I had an Accord). High revving engine, sticky suspension and a really sweet short throw 6 speed makes for great fun. I have seen a couple of Sevens with S2000 engines in them. That would be nice.

[LarryHoward]

A twin cam seven has been in my "I want" list since I was a 16 YO with an MGA to take all of my time and money. At least gas was $.30/gallon for 100 octane. Unfortunately, I can't fit in any lotus. Each foot covers 2 pedals, my sitting height means my torso it too long and (now) my beam and draft just make it worse. Colin built those cars for jockeys, not bigger guys.

My son is worse. Fighting fit but 3" taller and size 15's. We weeded out a lot of cars when shopping for his first.

[kdh]

Nothing wrong with the water cooled Porsches but they have become very much luxury GT cars, not sports cars.

This is so painfully true for me. I have a 991 Carrera S, which I loved until I drove my Italia. The 458 is refined but raw. A fucking incredible drive.

What I can't forgive is the overly computer-determined shifts on the Porsche even in manual (paddle-shift double-clutch as with the Ferrari) and set on "Sport." "Just shift gears, thank you. I'm driving."

[Rob McAlpine]

There was a white 458 Italia in our parking lot yesterday. Forgot to snap a pic, but I'll say the red is much better looking.

[kimbottles]

There was a white 458 Italia in our parking lot yesterday. Forgot to snap a pic, but I'll say the red is much better looking.

Ferraris should be RED!

[BeauV]

There was a white 458 Italia in our parking lot yesterday. Forgot to snap a pic, but I'll say the red is much better looking.

Ferraris should be RED!

I actually like them in navy blue - but only if you already have a red one

[SloopJonB]

There was a white 458 Italia in our parking lot yesterday. Forgot to snap a pic, but I'll say the red is much better looking.

Ferraris should be RED!

Or Fly Yellow - many of them anyway.

Best yellow ever.

[SloopJonB]

Nothing wrong with the water cooled Porsches but they have become very much luxury GT cars, not sports cars.

This is so painfully true for me. I have a 991 Carrera S, which I loved until I drove my Italia. The 458 is refined but raw. A fucking incredible drive.

What I can't forgive is the overly computer-determined shifts on the Porsche even in manual (paddle-shift double-clutch as with the Ferrari) and set on "Sport." "Just shift gears, thank you. I'm driving."

Is the steering on the 458 as perfect as it is on the Porsche?

I have never experienced steering the equal of Porsche.

[Tucky]

As one who owns a 7 right now, the car on BringaTrailer that has me is the blue NSX. I suspect my car lust will stop going forward now that almost all performance cars are going computer. I guess I could buy a Viper:-)

[kdh]

There was a white 458 Italia in our parking lot yesterday. Forgot to snap a pic, but I'll say the red is much better looking.

Ferraris should be RED!

Or Fly Yellow - many of them anyway.

Best yellow ever.

I like "Tour De France Blue," and also "Giallo Triplo Strato:"

[kdh]

Nothing wrong with the water cooled Porsches but they have become very much luxury GT cars, not sports cars.

This is so painfully true for me. I have a 991 Carrera S, which I loved until I drove my Italia. The 458 is refined but raw. A fucking incredible drive.

What I can't forgive is the overly computer-determined shifts on the Porsche even in manual (paddle-shift double-clutch as with the Ferrari) and set on "Sport." "Just shift gears, thank you. I'm driving."

Is the steering on the 458 as perfect as it is on the Porsche?

I have never experienced steering the equal of Porsche.

There's no way I can complain about the 458's steering. I also prefer the shift paddles on the column rather than on the wheel. On the Ferrari everything else is on the wheel though: turn signals, etc. No stalks on the column. Apparently Schumacher made that decision.

[LarryHoward]

As one who owns a 7 right now, the car on BringaTrailer that has me is the blue NSX. I suspect my car lust will stop going forward now that almost all performance cars are going computer. I guess I could buy a Viper:-)

I agree on the NSX. Lynne doesn't care for the styling of the back end. A little too much "Prelude" influence, I think.

We decided against the MG. A lot of its value is as a collector car and she wants to drive it anytime the weather is nice. That's great but it would rapidly erode the value of that car to DD it. We'll wait until we find a decent MGA (Haggarty class 2 or 2+) to keep for perfect days on back roads and maybe pick up something like a Miata Grand Touring with retractable hardtop with AC and modern FI, 6 speed, etc. as her 3 season car and put her AWD minivan into load carrier, people mover and winter road car. I found a207 Mazda of that description with 40,000 miles at an asking price of 13,500 that we may go drive. That way she gets a 3 season DD "fun car" at a small cost. The AC and hard top means she can stay cool during the summer heat but drop the top when it cools off a bit.

[kimbottles]

As one who owns a 7 right now, the car on BringaTrailer that has me is the blue NSX. I suspect my car lust will stop going forward now that almost all performance cars are going computer. I guess I could buy a Viper:-)

I agree on the NSX. Lynne doesn't care for the styling of the back end. A little too much "Prelude" influence, I think.

We decided against the MG. A lot of its value is as a collector car and she wants to drive it anytime the weather is nice. That's great but it would rapidly erode the value of that car to DD it. We'll wait until we find a decent MGA (Haggarty class 2 or 2+) to keep for perfect days on back roads and maybe pick up something like a Miata Grand Touring with retractable hardtop with AC and modern FI, 6 speed, etc. as her 3 season car and put her AWD minivan into load carrier, people mover and winter road car. I found a207 Mazda of that description with 40,000 miles at an asking price of 13,500 that we may go drive. That way she gets a 3 season DD "fun car" at a small cost. The AC and hard top means she can stay cool during the summer heat but drop the top when it cools off a bit.

Now you are getting all practical on us Larry! (Good plan.)

[kdh]

I can't imagine Ann being the least bit interested in a fun car. She did rent a Jag XK convertible, maybe 15 years ago in California and loved it, but any nice looking convertible with a 30-year-old in it is going be beautiful along the coast there.

She's adamant that her dream car is and always will be an old-style Saab 900 hatchback. She had a white one that she still mourns. There's a 1994 old-style 900 Turbo convertible in our garage that somehow doesn't scratch that itch.

We'll probably find a way to store her father's 60s Jags at some point. He's got an MGA, if he leaves that to us you can have it Larry. Not because it's not a great car but we'll be way out of garage space.

[LarryHoward]

I can't imagine Ann being the least bit interested in a fun car. She did rent a Jag XK convertible, maybe 15 years ago in California and loved it, but any nice looking convertible with a 30-year-old in it is going be beautiful along the coast there.

She's adamant that her dream car is and always will be an old-style Saab 900 hatchback. She had a white one that she still mourns. There's a 1994 old-style 900 Turbo convertible in our garage that somehow doesn't scratch that itch.

We'll probably find a way to store her father's 60s Jags at some point. He's got an MGA, if he leaves that to us you can have it Larry. Not because it's not a great car but we'll be way out of garage space.

I may hold you to that. To this day, if I find the person that stole my MGA when I was 17 there will be mayhem. A young car nut only buys and restores 1 "first car." Ran with a tonneau only for the first 6 months I owned it while I saved enought pennies to buy a top.

[Jamie]

As one who owns a 7 right now, the car on BringaTrailer that has me is the blue NSX. I suspect my car lust will stop going forward now that almost all performance cars are going computer. I guess I could buy a Viper:-)

Computers are like magic these days. You can get silly power and still have a daily driver because everything is adjustable. And in terms of reliability the car can tell you where it hurts - no guessing. And you should see what an NSX can do with a full race Syvvecs ECU.

With a new supercharger pully and a Syvecs S6, this little Lotus here now has 400hp at the wheel per the dyno.


Acceleration times from a 997TT on pump gas and near the limit of that PDK transmission.

[Tucky]

I don't mind computers in engines, its just a certain level of computer assist in handling isn't what I want in a car. I love the way my Caterham communicates and deals with the problems a car faces when going through a corner- it gets me thinking, which I find more fun than having a computer thinking about the problem. My pleasure in auto crossing is entirely in trying to figure out the right line and mixture of inputs the car wants. I'm just a beginner doing it for enjoyment. I think I'm saying its like enjoying a laser because it is a great way to understand the fundamentals of what is going on when sailing rather than a more sophisticated boat.

[Jamie]

I don't mind computers in engines, its just a certain level of computer assist in handling isn't what I want in a car. I love the way my Caterham communicates and deals with the problems a car faces when going through a corner- it gets me thinking, which I find more fun than having a computer thinking about the problem. My pleasure in auto crossing is entirely in trying to figure out the right line and mixture of inputs the car wants. I'm just a beginner doing it for enjoyment. I think I'm saying its like enjoying a laser because it is a great way to understand the fundamentals of what is going on when sailing rather than a more sophisticated boat.

Ok, I get it. You can use the ECU to turn the nanny off - but most cars don't communicate as well as your Caterham.

[kimbottles]

As one who owns a 7 right now, the car on BringaTrailer that has me is the blue NSX. I suspect my car lust will stop going forward now that almost all performance cars are going computer. I guess I could buy a Viper:-)

Computers are like magic these days. You can get silly power and still have a daily driver because everything is adjustable. And in terms of reliability the car can tell you where it hurts - no guessing. And you should see what an NSX can do with a full race Syvvecs ECU.

With a new supercharger pully and a Syvecs S6, this little Lotus here now has 400hp at the wheel per the dyno.


Acceleration times from a 997TT on pump gas and near the limit of that PDK transmission.

That looks like kilometers to me.......

[BeauV]

Jamie,

That Lotus looks like the closest you can get to a 3 cyl. Kawasaki Motorcycle engine powered 500cc shifter cart I once drove. Utterly and Totally Terrifying!!

[kimbottles]

Oh Larry! Looky!!

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1968-p ... 912-coupe/

[LarryHoward]

Oh Larry! Looky!!

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1968-p ... 912-coupe/

Pusher!

I saw it. Not happy with the corrosion showing but the pics make the pan look pretty good so it might be OK. Early price jumps are puzzling. It has a decent pedigree (matching numbers and all) but i think the one last week that went at 34,750 seems a better car.

Pre-1975 Porsche's had high carbon steel bodies and rust never sleeps. Pans were usually the first to go. Take a look at that 911T project car. I did the partial pan replacement on mine and a lot of rocker panel repair when I did a bare metal refurb on it and never want to chase rust again.

[JoeP]

Nice!

[Jamie]

Jamie,

That Lotus looks like the closest you can get to a 3 cyl. Kawasaki Motorcycle engine powered 500cc shifter cart I once drove. Utterly and Totally Terrifying!!

That Lotus was one of the most frightening cars I've driven because of its light weight: about 900kgs.


Yes, those are km/h. The 0-100 time is not so special, but the 100/200 km/h is pretty fast for a street car. Much faster than a stock 997.

The NSX looks bland, but will DD and is such a sweet drive.

[kdh]

Jamie,

That Lotus looks like the closest you can get to a 3 cyl. Kawasaki Motorcycle engine powered 500cc shifter cart I once drove. Utterly and Totally Terrifying!!

That Lotus was one of the most frightening cars I've driven because of its light weight: about 900kgs.


Yes, those are km/h. The 0-100 time is not so special, but the 100/200 km/h is pretty fast for a street car. Much faster than a stock 997.

The NSX looks bland, but will DD and is such a sweet drive.

The 991 Turbo S has a 0 to 60 mph of 2.9 sec, I believe, better than my 458 which is 3.0 sec.

The new Mclarens and the Ferrari 488 reportedly drive like a Lexus with the appropriate settings. Supercar daily drivers.