I got my GT when I was 28. Granted, it was a total mess, but still. I too grew up around them--the GT was originally my dad's car. He drove it a few years, then pushed it into a garage when the tired engine finally went. Now, it's been restored, and most of the attention it gets...seems to be from the younger folks. Probably, because many of them have no idea what it is...or because it's bright orange and has a loud exhaust! Still, when I've been to shows, the younger folks usually do check out the MGs, and enthusiastically squeal when they find one for sale. Granted, they might not be able to afford it, or even purchase it...but the interest is there. Remember too, that there aren't as many of these cars compared to 30 years ago...and they're more expensive (usually) to obtain than a beat-up 10-year-old Honda.


Mine's only let me down twice. Mainly because I maintain it, and I resist the urge to fiddle with things. Plus, I don't let the car sit if I can help it. Regular use is a *good* thing for MGs. Plus, we're talking about a 35-year-old (or in my case, a 43-year-old) vehicle. It's going to need more attention than a newer car. Things are going to wear out after that many years. The MG gets a pass, in other words.


For me, the Miata/MX-5 has been a modern interpretation of what the MGB (Lotus Elan/MGA/Healey/etc.) could be. Mazda knew that the market for an affordable two-seater was still there...and exploited the hell out of that fact. In fact, most of their copy hinted at the Jaguars/MGBS/Healeys in the past. Same idea--build an affordable, fun-to-drive car with off-the-shelf mechanicals, and you'll have a winner--same now as then. As for the Camry, it's not a bad car, but is a bit boring in comparison. If you really want a sedan (saloon) that handles well, look at an older Mazda Protege (323). When the copy said "it has BMW verve for half the price," they're not kidding. Great driver's car, a blast on twisty roads, and (electrical issues, at least with mine--see the Lucas connection?) annoyingly reliable.

Fixed that for you.

I have already expressed that I love my MG's, but I don't know anyone with a totally stock MGB that does a track day and other motorsport events at "ten tenths" every single month without mechanical issues. I know a number of MX-5's that do just that.

Maybe you American folks just built your cars better to begin with.

I'm 26 and got into little British sports cars when my father bought a '57 Austin-Healey 100-6. There were a number of years when I did nothing more than hold the light (years in which the car didn't capture my imagination), but I learned lessons about repair, patience, and engineering as my father and uncle worked on the car. In high school my uncle gifted me his rolling tool chest once it became clear I'd put it to good use, and I started working on the Healey.

The Healey was both intimidatingly expensive and not comfortable enough to be a daily driver. Sophmore year of college I found an MG for sale nearby, and immediately fell in love with it. I tried my best to do an inspection for rust, bondo, faulty parts, etc., but still ended up overpaying for what knowledgeable MG owners would consider a parts car. I believed the DPO when he said it had no rust, that the carbs spitting back were just because it needed a tuning, that the engine rebuild was done by a competent mechanic. It had rust in the castle rails, lip of the bonnet, and trumpets, speaker holes cut out in the rear firewall, the head wept from what could be a hairline crack, and it had 86k miles. Still, I bought it, and I've poured TLC into that car; it's still my MG, and I still love it.

I love that I can work on it, make mistakes, and not worry that I've damaged something priceless; I can use it to learn, and it's all the more satisfying when I fix one of its numerous problems; the car rewards me with every mile I can drive in it. Sure, shitty DPO repairs often leave me stranded on the side of the road, and it was interesting when the clutch failed in rush hour traffic, but, for me, it's part of the spirit of the car. If none of those things could happen, I'd be driving a modern, plastic box.

I got a Miata with the idea that I'd have a reliable sports car to use while my MG is undergoing repairs, and it does serve this purpose...But the Miata feels soulless. It's too clean. I don't touch the road enough. Too much plastic. I can't feel the steering rack as I turn the wheel, and I can't picture the functioning of the hydraulic system when I push the brake. I have no idea what the computer is doing to the mixture and advance when I stomp on the gas. (And I get enough of computers in my day job.) And any old schlub can buy a Miata, turn a key, and drive. It takes commitment, patience, and mechanical ability to drive down the road in an MG.

I think the Brits built there TD`s motors after our Model A`s excep for that thing you call a carb..Just kidding around I drive my older MGB all the time.I drive it hard bring it home wet and park it untill i take it out again.It hasnt failed me sence I fixed the Grounding problem a year ago.It will do 70 like nothing and it cheeper to run then my full size Chevy PU and a hell of a lot more fun to drive.I found her about 8 years ago sitting behind a pile of dirt behind a house I gave $300.00 for it weeds and all stripped her down for a couple of years.Put a cheep paint on itand have been running it sence.Now I have bought a pile of new seals rubbers and crome will put a grant paint job on it this summer.
I have been playing arount with theses cars sence i was 14 my Br had a couple of bugeyes they were a blast to drive.Iam tinkering on the TD today the dam Vapor locking problem I will beat that problem.Being a old combat Eng.Iam used to doing strange stuff to get the job done.
Shirley Sr.

Why in the world would any youngster want to have anything to do with MGs.

They're unreliable, noisy, uncomfortable, underpowered, the electrics don't work and SUs are crap and need replacing with a Weber. That's according to many on this forum anyway.

If I'd seen this forum before buying an MG, I'd never have bought one, but fortunately I knew better. It did cross my mind that MG must have kept the good cars for the UK and only exported he rubbish.

There are youngsters interested in old cars, but most I know want to drive them and want reliability. The MGB has a much undeserved reputation for unreliability and won't interest the youngsters I know.

Keep perpetuating the myths and few will be interested.

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Member of The International Society of Luddites (Unrepentant Chapter).

Take the time to understand what a part does and how it does it, then you'll have a better understanding of how to fix it when it goes wrong. Beats the scattergun approach every time.

Ignition testing made easy.

Making your MGB handbrake work

My You Tube Channel

Life with an MG TA and an MGB GT in the UK.

And I have a good laugh as I in My 41 year old MBG pass by a Honda ricer with two teens under the hood,engine smokin,scratching their heads. Done properly the MGB with all the modern gear available is every bit a dependable daily driver and far easier to maintain than any current car. Have never hesitated jumping in and driving round trip cross country the U.S.A.
You just need to build them properly. The members that understand that and know how to do it enjoy their MG's.the ones who don't complain of problems and issues sorted out years and years ago.

"Have you hugged your MGB today?"

My five year old grandaughter is alway asking for a ride in my B. I rarely turn her down. 40 degrees out and raining are my usual reasons. My children always give me crap about my LBC, but I know they would like one of their own!

I plan on giving it to my kids. I need to keep it running for another 13 years though...better get used to me on the forum!

Two thoughts: One: As a teacher who acquired her license 3 days after the 16 th birthday, married to a pilot who was driving farm trucks at age 9; parents of two children who have been driving since age 11, (both now drive stick, one at age 15, the other at age 12); I cannot fathom the new "non-driving" trend.

Second: I don't know about you, but that MGB is a 12 year old head turner! From about third grade up, they go nuts for it! It is the one thing in middle/high school that catapulted those two kids to rock star status! I pull up to pick up either one of them, and as they are departing, the heads turn and the screaming (middle school, they're too cool for that in High School) starts. My son is like a friggin' parade king! Daughter can drive it, so she is tres cool...

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HuckFinn...Free & breezy

I had a reverse scenario - my 23 yr old niece re-infected ME with the MGB bug after a totally surprise 2 AM call in March '11. I hadn't given them a thought since I sold my college days '68 RD in 1986.

I tried hard to interest my foster kid (hes 20 now) in MG's but to no avail. However I have lit up kids eyes at local shows and one 16 yr old is diligently saving $200 a month towards a B as we speak; he keeps me posted and as time permits comes by to help me tinker with mine

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~ Marco and Viajero ~

That's interesting, Owen. MANY factors (real and imagined) and some rotten luck have conspired against my MG ownership over the last few years, and perhaps my fascination with this site is one of those factors. I think it will take a miracle now for everything to fall into place and for me to be happy with an MG in my driveway.

How timely this bit here is for me LOL. This weekend's work which I posted, (replacing an inferior pot metal water pump and 40 yr old timing cover seal), was hardly a "broken engine" issue, just maintenance ANY machine needs sooner or later. My 1972 "POS" has less things wrong than my hi - tech "no user serviceable parts inside" late model Chevrolet truck

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~ Marco and Viajero ~



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/29/2012 08:10PM by forestghost07.

I wish to be completely dissociated from
In reply to # 2053397 by 80MGBLE


He and I are diametrically opposed in thoughts on MG's.
If you can't keep one of the simplest little sports cars properly maintained and on the road without fear of it falling apart or not being both fun to own and drive,it is probably time to turn the keys in and as he so aptly put it make it his last British car.


Snow 2012 went for a drive later that day.No worries about anything breaking,falling off,or not getting me to my desired destination.

X2 Rob - the feeling I get from a successful work session on my B is the same as when I've composed a new guitar piece; creation, accomplishment, and satisfaction. And I am passing the karma on to those around me who are receptive

My B's gonna carry me 3000 fun miles this coming June; my SUV is NOT.

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~ Marco and Viajero ~

Took the roadster out for a 90 mile errand cause I couldn't figure out why the 'Check Engine' light was on in my modern mobile.

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"Not all who wander are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien

I'm 25 and currently own a 67 and 72 MGB, both grandfathers had Healy 3000's, and my father had 3 MGB's and a spitfire at one point. I try to infect who I can.

Get an obd2 scanner for $50 at harborfreight tools. Plug it in under the dash,read the code and post it.MG guys can fix anything

A few years ago I drove by a bunch of teenagers in Philadelphia in my 70 Mini Cooper (since sold) dark blue/white roof,right hand drive 10 by 6 Revolution Wheels loud Peco exhaust. I only got a few blocks before I was pulled over by a bunch of Hondas. They thought the car was really cool. I let the cat out of the bag and told them I guy in NC was putting Honda Vtech engines in them.

i'm 34 and have two boys, 5 and 7. they are curious about various vehicles and even though they have only rode down the street in the B (bought it a week ago and want to get insurance and registration in place first) they are anxious to go for a real drive. they like cars and are out there occasionally when i'm working on something but i don't want to force them to help me (that it until it's their car i'm wrenching on). they do like older cars (sound, smell, feel...) and go with me to the occasional car show so maybe one day they will buy something like a B. but in my area prone to car cancer, it is quite difficult finding decent older cars for sale. i can't imagine how limited the selection will be in 10 years.