What is like an MG Midget without all the British "charm"?

And by charm I mean the constant fiddling. I know an NA makes the absolute most sense but it is too new looking for the wife.

My FIL has a new Midget but something always needs attention. It is a riot when it runs through. This is hypothetical as we are building a house this year and I can't expand the fleet for a good long while.

MG with Miata underpinnings and running gear?

NA with body kit to make it a bit more "classic" ?

Generally with LBC's the issues are with the electrical, suspension, drivetrain and engines. So if you replace all of that with modern equivalents the you'll have a more reliable vehicle.

Spitfire might be a little better at that, being a 60s British car, not a 50s British car in 60s clothes like a MGB or Midget.

Fiat 124?

Pit Crew Racing kitted NA Miata?

Suzuki Cappuccino or Honda Beat?

What constant fiddling do Midgets require? They look stone simple to me.

Blindfold wife.

Put her behind the wheel of NA Miata.

Edit: remove blindfold now....

Have her drive it for ten minutes.

Buy that and forget about all that British "Charm".

Enjoy.

A bit less sporty, but what about a (pre Super, pre 72 I think?) convertible bug? That's about as low maintenance as you can get in a classic car, every 3k change the oil, set the valves, adjust the brakes, and grease the front beam, trans oil every 30k, service the wheel bearings, ignition, and fan belt as needed, that's about it. EDIT: You can also still buy most ACVW parts at advanreillyzoneapa, in stock at the better stores.

Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: Generally with LBC's the issues are with the electrical, suspension, drivetrain and engines. So if you replace all of that with modern equivalents the you'll have a more reliable vehicle.

So, that pretty much leaves the glass as being trouble free. (I'm kidding of course)

Third gen Capri?

Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: Generally with LBC's the issues are with the electrical, suspension, drivetrain and engines. So if you replace all of that with modern equivalents the you'll have a more reliable vehicle.

Don't forget the leaking tops too. I'd dress up an NA with the ton of stuff available to make them look more "classic".

I have had, and still do have, MG's since the day I turned 16.

I would recommend them to others the same as I would recommend heroin. Yeah, it is a buzz, and an adventure every time you go for a drive and actually make it home on your own power, and it is addicting,and they are beautiful cars, but no good will come of it other than a strong sense of denial and financial ruin.

Miata is to the British car hobby what Methadone is to heroin addiction.

Datsun Roadster? 60's looks, Japanese (well, 60's Japanese) reliability.

In reply to RexSeven:

I want one of those someday.

I had one and sold it. Now the prices are too rich for me. The answer is the answer for me.

Nothing wrong with an MG! As they are older cars, things will go wrong with them. Once you have repaired through the old stuff they seem to hit a bit of a golden age where you get a reliable car! I have gone through this with most of the cars listed abouve (Not the Suzuki Cappuccino or Honda Beat). Had a 1960 Bugeye that was a bit of a pain until I did Electronic ignition, rebuilt brakes and one brake light issue, I got 3 years and 27,000 miles of fun! Spitfire was fun but it was a 1970 and those orphan parts sucked. The Datsun roadster, I had 3! Little friggin' bricks that were as fun as anything I have ever owned. My Fiats ran well, just had stuff falling off all the time. Mercury Capri is still an unknown as mine was purchased with a blown out turbo, but it is a 1.6 Miata motor!

I have every intention of combining my Miata drivetrain with a 1959 Austin Healey Bugeye that is just sitting around!

As for the Fiddling you must do to MGs and Healeys is regular valve adjustments, carb balancing and tuneups. A lot of the items such as brakes, shocks and electrical problems are just outdated tech that acts different and sometimes surprising ways. Modern upgrades are wonderful.

Bruce

I talked to the wife and she said that once we are able to get another weekend money pit that we will drive an NA. However, she said that something that will fit kids (2) so maybe something else to consider. Maybe a biturbo? Those are 4 seaters right?

M3

NOHOME wrote: Miata is to the British car hobby what Methadone is to heroin addiction.

Agree-- it will cut the craving, but it won't get you high!

I'm Basil Exposition and I an addict. I am three MGs away from being clean and sober.

Here you go. All the charm of an MG with the handing of a Miata and the reliability and power of a small-block Chevy.

Some assembly required.

Keith:

We need to see that car out misbehaving.

What about a proper Mercury Capri? Ya know the ones from Europe.