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Time to move on?

Posted by NOHOME

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Time to move on? #1
NOHOME Peter Plouf London, Canada 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite Bugeye "Lil" 1967 MG MGB GT "Maggie (GT From Hell)"	Posted: April 04, 2012 02:27PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 11,905

After reading a reply in another thread, I am wondering if it is not time to follow in Klutz's footsteps and give the MG ownership thing a break after almost 40 years? I was making a long list of stuff that I am going to be trying to sell at the Ancaster swap meet later this month and I kept putting the GT From Hell on the list. Just to see what it would feel like.

Felt like selling my dog.

However....

When I consider that I have redone the whole car front to rear over the last two years in an effort to convert it from a track car to a GT that I might drive more, and then finally admit to myself that driving to Dillard ain't gonna happen because it will be more stress than fun...I can't help but stop and think there is a message there: Dog might deserve a better home.

Pete

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Re: Time to move on? #2
Bryan73 Bryan G Virginia, USA 1973 MG MGB "Nametaken"	Posted: April 04, 2012 03:07PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 194

Don't do it smiling smiley

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Re: Time to move on? #3
rntanner Roger N. Tanner Ventura, CA, USA 1970 MG MGB 1977 MG MGB	Posted: April 04, 2012 06:46PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 504

You feed the dog. You scoop after the dog. Remember, you keep the dog so "you" stay happier.

Before MGB's, we had 18 large dogs. Dog house/kennel is bigger than the residence.

Now we only have four dogs (two over fifteen years old) and three MGBs.

Roger Tanner, Lompoc, CA

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Re: Time to move on? #4
Peter7307 Peter Thomas Victoria, Australia	Posted: April 04, 2012 06:46PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 1,657

Peter,
I went through a similar experience a few years ago with the cars I loved at the time.

I realised the vehicles were taking far too much time from other priorities and the reasons I had for becoming involved with them and their associated clubs had long since faded.

I did still like the cars and even now attend a few car shows each year but that is not ownership and keeping them on the road.

After some long thoughts I decided to sell the cars I had and moved on to other activities which now have a greater significance for me.

It IS a personal decision and most likely one which will not be undertaken or understood by those still enamoured to the vehicles in question.
That said it is also your decision not theirs.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Cheers , Peter.

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Re: Time to move on? #5
PaulH Paul Erslev Annapolis, MD, USA 1969 MG MGB "Betsy"	Posted: April 04, 2012 07:07PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 470

I also went thru the same situation. Soooo,I'm selling the boat and got the MGB out of storage. Maybe a $3000 a year slip fee had a influence on my decision. smileys with beer

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Re: Time to move on? #6
NOHOME Peter Plouf London, Canada 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite Bugeye "Lil" 1967 MG MGB GT "Maggie (GT From Hell)"	Posted: April 04, 2012 07:29PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 11,905

In reply to # 2031555 by PaulH I also went thru the same situation. Soooo,I'm selling the boat and got the MGB out of storage. Maybe a $3000 a year slip fee had a influence on my decision. smileys with beer

Funny...A sailboat is one of the options that I am considering. And beofre anyone brings it up, I am fully aware of what boat ownership eat$ up.

To say that my daughter is less than pleased about this possibility is an understatement, and yet she has made a firm commitment to not driving a standard transmission. Or driving at all for that matter!

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Re: Time to move on? #7
Soyokaze 72MGB Ryan Foster Ð¡Ð¾Ñ„Ð¸Ñ, Bulgaria 1972 MG MGB "Bitty"	Posted: April 04, 2012 08:01PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 3,476

It is possible to rent a boat for the day/week/month. Also, you can take sailing and power squadron courses that will help get boat fever out of your system and make you a better mariner. Typically these run like $1000, but are a super good deal.

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Re: Time to move on? #8
Simon Austin Surrey, BC, Canada 1977 MG MGB V8 Conversion 1994 MG RV8	Posted: April 04, 2012 08:36PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 8,231

Peter,

Life's too short to wonder "what if". If your interests are heading in a different direction, go for it. You can always pick up another LBC project later if you find yourself missing them.

Better to try different things to find what you like or dislike rather than not taking a chance and never knowing.

They're just cars. Maybe my interests are wavering to come up with a statement like that....

"Speed costs........how fast you want to spend?"

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Re: Time to move on? #9
favedave David Church Saint Joseph, MO, USA 1967 MG MGB GT "Marilyn" 1995 Ford Probe 1995 Ford Probe "The Probe"	Posted: April 04, 2012 08:43PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,827

My father's sage words come back to me whenever I contemplate boat ownership. On the way home from a day's sailing on his best friend's boat, he and I looked at a beautiful little mahogany hulled sail boat at a dealer in the Long Beach Marina. I said "Wow, are we going to get it?" He said "Son, it is not important that you own a sail boat. It's only important that you have friends own a sail boat."

The same cannot be said of cars. My dad's sail boat owning friend was also responsible for getting my dad into sports cars. He had a Bug-Eye and then traded it in for a 356. My dad responded by getting his Volvo P-1800 and getting me a 62 Sprite.

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Re: Time to move on? #10
ClayJ Clay Johnston Mt. Olive, MS, USA 1972 MG MGB	Posted: April 04, 2012 08:45PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 7,364

The neat thing about an old car; just close the garage door for a few months, it cost nothing, unlike a boat.

X2 about boating lessons and being far cheaper to rent for a week or two, anywhere in the world you want.

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Re: Time to move on? #11
wkarhan Wade Karhan Orrville OH, USA 1966 Ford Mustang 1967 Ford Mustang 1980 MG MGB Limited Edition (LE)	Posted: April 04, 2012 08:54PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 656

In reply to # 2031590 by Soyokaze 72MGB It is possible to rent a boat for the day/week/month. Also, you can take sailing and power squadron courses that will help get boat fever out of your system and make you a better mariner. Typically these run like $1000, but are a super good deal.

There are plenty of marinas that will rent out sailboats for varying periods of time. My son became a Certified Yachmaster Instructor (yes, i am bragging) and taught for a sailing school in Gibraltar for a couple of years. Once, when he was home in Ohio for a visit, we rented a 27' Catalina sailboat for a day sail up on Lake Erie. Had a blast. What better way to decide if you enjoy the hobby enough to really invest the $$$ than to rent?

Wade

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Re: Time to move on? #12
gooser Drake Myers Danville Va, USA	Posted: April 04, 2012 09:03PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 6,938

you're thinking too much. you married? no difference if you are. get yourself a young girlfriend (one that can drive a straight shift), both of you put on your best foster grants and take turns sharing the drive dillard. forget about all the work you've done, all the work you've got to do and your ungrateful daughter. these are my lyrics, not the kinks.

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Re: Time to move on? #13
Brian Brian Livingstone Georgetown Ontario, Canada 1980 MG MGB	Posted: April 04, 2012 09:15PM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 580

In reply to # 2031344 by NOHOME After reading a reply in another thread,

Peter. Now you have me curious as to what you read in another thread?

Brian

Brian
Ontario
80 MGB

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Re: Time to move on? #14
twigworker Jack Austin Blowing Rock, NC, USA	Posted: April 04, 2012 09:29PM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 20,766

Don't make any decisions until after Dillard.

Rent a car that doesn't have "costs-per-mile and come to Dillard.

I want to meet you and shake your hand and it would be a good thing for you to buy me several beers.

I know that if I looked like Jay Lo it would be easier for you to make the decision, but lots of folks have come to enjoy your posts and your sage advice on body work. You simply can't disappoint them, could you?

Jack

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Re: Time to move on? #15
trymes Tom Rymes Concord, NH, USA 1959 Riley 1.5 1969 MG MGC GT ~ For Sale ! ~ 1971 Jaguar XJ6 Series 1 1971 MG MGB GT 1972 Chevrolet C20	Posted: April 04, 2012 09:36PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 3,243

Not to mention the avatar!

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Re: Time to move on? #16
Bryan73 Bryan G Virginia, USA 1973 MG MGB "Nametaken"	Posted: April 04, 2012 09:41PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 194

X2 Jack

But Jack This is J.Lo

This is Jay Lo devil smiley

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2012 09:41PM by Bryan73.

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Re: Time to move on? #17
Mark Jones SW, Ontario, Canada 1970 Triumph Spitfire MkIII 1995 MG F "Barney"	Posted: April 05, 2012 07:01AM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 3,139

Hard decision Peter. I preceded Paul (klutz) by almost a year in terms of selling my MGBGT, and boys, did Paul ever give me a hard time at the time for even thinking of selling my GT. I have to say that I don't miss my GT and am enjoying my new ride.

Canadian Modern MG Rover Car Club - www.cmmgrcc.org

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Re: Time to move on? #18
Speedracer Hap Waldrop Greenville, SC, USA 1967 MG MGB "The Biscuit"	Posted: April 05, 2012 07:26AM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 20,337

It's the same thing with racing, it's a buttload of work and I uded to race sometimes a dozen times a year, it felt like I spent my all free time working on the race car geting it ready for the enxt race, now I got another race car, this time vintage instead of SCCA, no more national shedules and national Championship runoff races on my radar, those hectic days are over now just 2-3 races a year, well spread out over the year, so I can still work on the race car sometimes and somewhat retain a normal life in the meantime.

Peter ever since I known you on this forum you have been in the middle of a restoration, it easy to get burned out in the garage, if the GT is driver, then cover up the project, and drive the driver for awhile , take a break from the project, you get burned out over time, when all you do is work in garage, you need to get drive one of your cars, if they are projects, then get a car you can drive. I think one has to fiquire out in this hobby, so you like working on and restoring cars, or do you like driving them, once you get decnt driver going, they are pretty relaible,and you spend mre time driving and less time working on them.

I'm quickly becoming of the opinion, that I will never restore a street car, way more work than what I would ever want to do, and I built many MG race cars, but it will take act of god for me to ever build another one from the ground up, even for a customer who wanted to pay me very, very well.

Hap Waldrop
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Re: Time to move on? #19
JMoore John Moore Clifton Park, NY, USA 1961 Austin-Healey "Bugeye" Sprite 1968 MG MGB GT 1970 MG MGB 1999 Land Rover Discovery II	Posted: April 05, 2012 07:44AM Registered: 10 years ago Posts: 18,393

Hap gives good advice! Give it a break for awhile.

Currently, my projects are on hold. For many years I did everything under the sun to my MGB. But for the past few years, I've decided to instead invest my time in my two boys. Currently, they are about to be 13 and 15. We're having a great time hiking, camping, kayaking and enjoying Scouts. (I'm a Scoutmaster) Soon I want to start restoring the GT with my 15 year old, but that should be relatively easy, we're making a driver. But for now, my MG and bugeye projects are just sitting and I have my 70's to drive. The boys will only be young and wanting to hang out with Dad for so many years. The cars can wait. Buy a boat, enjoy it. DOn't sell the MG, just let it rest and comeback to it later. I think you would regret letting it go.

John Moore

'70 MGB, '68 MGBGT, '99 Land Rover Discovery II, '61 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite

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Re: Time to move on? #20
Woodypear Roger Sharpe EUNGELLA, QLD, Australia 1969 MG MGB MkII	Posted: April 05, 2012 07:45AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 330

Hey Pete,

Why would the drive to Dillard be more stress than fun? If it's that you doubt whether the car would make it, I'm sure there'd be a fair few people out there who'd be willing to help out and give your car the once over to allay any fears of unreliability (especially after all the contributions you've made to this forum). Why not leave earlier and give yourself more time (just in case there are unforseen problems)? The upside of this would mean you could enjoy the drive more and have time up your sleeve to sort out any problems. Either way, forget the destination. Enjoy the journey, as we've enjoyed the reporting of your journey on this forum.

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