Still looking for my first MGA...

Any opinions on these two eBay examples:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MG-MGA-1959-MGA-ROADSTER-1500-VERY-NICE-NO-RESERVE-/170787537461?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item27c3bb0235

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MG-MGA-1958-MG-A-ROADSTER-/280826718501?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item416293a925

What's a good offer price for the 2nd one?

Thank you.

I don't think it's a good sign when the seller can't take the time to produce an in-focus picture (2nd one). Also, you have to figure the snapshots are almost 5 months old given that the car is in Canada and there is vegetation in the background.

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www.chubbcollectorcar.com

Hi, Dan--

There's nothing with the first offering that leaps out at me with a warning flag. I wish that MINE could have lived in California instead of New England. There are a few small issues that will cost concourse points (e.g., poorly aligned and covered cockpit rails, incorrectly painted radio blanking plate) and some obvious missing parts (viz., the spare wheel cover, the carburetor-side air duct, the turnbutton on the LH cockpit rail), but these shouldn't be deal breakers.

Similarly, the second appears on its face to be as described, with a few notable minor flaws apparent (e.g., the trim strip below the rocker panel should be body color). Many details are difficult to make out given the poor quality of the images; if the door panels are separated from the rails above by a interior bead, they ought not to be. If the car is what it's purported to be--a solid, well sorted restoration--I'd think that an offer a couple of thousand below the asking price might be fair. If the recent Arizona auction prices are to be believed, prices for MGAs are recovering recently lost ground. Others who have been in the market more recently than I will have more authoritative advice on this.

For both cars the faults I note are all small matters; of course the real questions are always about the drive train, the body, and the frame, and they can only be answered by close and experienced inspection. Like the pretty girls at closing time, eBay cars seem often so well sorted out--and usually bear closer examination. Good luck and keep us posted!

Cheers,
Ken

First one claims to be "restored" (whatever that means to this particular seller), but no mention of body off. It could be top side paint only and rust underneath. Notice no useful pictures of the underside. The washed out shot underneath may be intended to show fresh paint on the chassis, but no picture of the inner sills. Need to be wary of the ads with 20 beauty shots and no substance in the underside photos. Replacement front bumper with incorrect profile. Minor misalignment of the doors that can likely be corrected. Odd stuffing shape for the seat backs (overstuffed), cam be fixed. Missing door pocket reinforcement bars. Steering heel wrap could be hiding cracks in the rim. No valve cover vent, which is a functional problem (but can be fixed). Missing air hoses ahead of the radiator, and incorrect material for air hose to heater. Missing pad under bonnet to seal on top of radiator. Incorrect hose clamps, which is no problem for a daily driver non-show car. Missing forward cover for spare tire. No sign of side curtains, tools, jack, starting handle, spare tire or 5th wheel. I would guess the body was never off, maybe new sheet metal in the body sills that was not painted after welding. No reserve, but it may not get an opening bid at the stated starting price. I'll be a little optimistic and say it might sell for $15K if it just had a lower opening price to get bidding started. But I wouldn't buy it if it has rusty inner sills.

Second one claims to be older body-off restoration, which is commonly a very good car to buy (at the right price of course). I don't like the mirror attached to the alloy door skin that may cause skin problems later. Should R&R the lower trim strips for Z-C primer and painting. MotoLita steering wheel is nice, but not period correct. Might have no side curtains, and possibly nothing inside the boot (tools, wheel, etc). If indeed it was off-frame restoration (older with a few scratches) and properly painted underneath, it will be worth substantially more than a newer on-frame restoration. This one could be a good deal at the asking price.

As always, never make a bid sight unseen. First hand inspection could turn up any multitude of sins in either of these cars.

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Barney Gaylord
1958 MGA with an attitude - http://MGAguru.com
Notice: - Do not leave a PM for me on the forum server. Send any private message to my personal e-mail address barneymg@mgaguru.com

both cars appear worthy of close inspection, but absolutely no way of determining a value without seeing more and driving. The black car is just a collection of old photographs, which I would find very annoying. Why no pictures of the car?

You have to go and see or get someone, who knows what to check and you trust, to look at and drive these cars.

I think when someone has the stones to sell an MGA1500 for over $20K, they should have the confidence in what they sell to fly Barney or Kent Prather or Bob Vitrikas... to the car for an inspection. Paying that kind of money for an ad on eBay scares the crap out of me - especially when I bought a running, driving, reasonable paint, rust free, 1500 a month ago for less than a quarter of that. pictures are no substitute for eyes and hands on. Just my opinion. Basil 707.762.0974 basiladams@yahoo.com

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Basil C. Adams
1956 MGA Coupe (Show Car)
1957 MGA Roadster (Driver)
1958 MGA Coupe (Racecar)
1959 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Roadster (Driver)
MKIII Elva Courier (E1056)
1967 427 Cobra
1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal
A coupla late MGBs
1960 Austin Healy BN7
More Cars than Brains

..Basil, I once dated the homecoming Queen and runner up in the Miss XXXXX pageant....was I to use her as a comparable for all future dates or except that it was an anomaly and get on with my life??

Dan,
Ther are many MGA Clubs and NAMGAR members in both CA and ON. Get contact phone numbers in Chapter Club Contact list on www.namgar.com. There will definitely be someone near both cars that can look at them for you. Good luck.
Peter.

Thanks Peter -- I did this two times already with vehicles I found on Craigslist and at least in one case the car got scooped up by the guy who was supposed to help me and look at it...

Of course with the eBay exposure there's really a reduced risk of this happening and I may try it after all.

Best regards,



Dan.

Wyatt, I can only hope that your taste improved beyond busty cheerleader types and that you ended up with someone with more lasting qualities

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Basil C. Adams
1956 MGA Coupe (Show Car)
1957 MGA Roadster (Driver)
1958 MGA Coupe (Racecar)
1959 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Roadster (Driver)
MKIII Elva Courier (E1056)
1967 427 Cobra
1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal
A coupla late MGBs
1960 Austin Healy BN7
More Cars than Brains

Dan B,

I would like to discuss your MGA purchase interest. I can also offer my view of those for sale.

Contact is Dave Pyle 713 464 6717 or dap8@comcast.net

......"if you want to be happy for the rest of your life never make a pretty woman your wife"...

" from my personal point of view - get an ugly girl to marry you"...

...Then pretend you had a choice...

Well that's another thread well and truly hijacked!

So who is going to check these cars out (and promise not to buy if it turns out to be a good one)?

...sorry Neil.....we'll try to keep the light heartedness in check....

We don't come on here to enjoy ourselves you know...

.....yes, Hear Hear......it's a thoroughly British thing....might I suggest a good keel hauling for the next infraction..

Public flogging and then hanging is a more suitable approach. Firm, but fair.

Or a simple tar and feather and a ride out of town..

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Gary

"A fate worse than a fate worse than death ... that's pretty bad!" (E. Blackadder)

OK, no more thread hijacking ...