the British made cars and motorcycles have never been known for their mechanical reliability. LOL

I just don't want to hassle with a car that constantly needs repairs, or feel like I bought an expensive mechanics's dream. If you pay $80k for a vehicle, it should be reasonably reliable.

I recently saw a Porsche for sale that was formerly owned by Charlie Sheen. It had quite a few expensive parts replaced before it hit 50k miles. Charlie probably didn't care, but I'm sure that cut into his drug and hooker budget.

Some would just throw it away when it needs repair.

It's like "if" you have to ask what kind of mileage a vehicle gets . . . . then you can't afford it.

I think the key word is "hassle"; but that's life. The only time life is hassle free is when it's over . . . . then it's someone else's problem.

I imagine he worked the engine over and did not baby the clutch. I am thinking those were some rough miles, alot like his own experiences as reported. See if his Gramma has one for sale.

As an outsider I have always heard the way to go is Lexus and Acura. Not saying I would go there, but if you want to stay out of the shop and experience luxury, that might be a way to ride.

An d british rides are trouble mechanically.

An off topic and inflammatory post has been removed. Save your sarcastic, caustic remarks for the Misery Index thread, please. Thank you.

No worries...your verbal description provided enough for a great mental image. I will make do with that.

So were those also related to the Austin Healey 3000 ?


These vehicles had real windows that rolled up and down. For a few decades, I attempted to obtain several vintage Austin Healey 3000 Roadsters before my enthusiasm waned. I'm probably far richer for having allowed the feeling to pass.

My 1960 Triumph TR-3A Roadster looked something like this; but I had a black leather interior.
Please note the little hole in the Grille which allowed for a hand crank to, in an emergency, be used to start that baby up when the battery went dead. Only once did I have to avail myself of this handy feature (in the Student Parking Lot at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois Winter, 1967-68) I drew an audience ! (Good thing I was successful)

Looking at these two cars together, I can see now that chicks couldn't see the difference. That's leather along the tops of the underslung doors . . . . no room for glass to roll up and down. These are warm-weather cars, and have no place in Vermont . . . . but I can think about them for free.

And I'll say this . . . . neither car pictured here has an appropriate boot for stowing away the convertible top. That's a disgrace. I can say from experience, the top on the Triumph would be whipping around behind the car if left loose as pictured above.

I wish, but I know someone with a few beautiful exotic cars they are going to post some pictures up soon! I will add a link

My old neighbor had an Austin Marina! A '74, I think. He loved it, but man was that a funky looking car. I'd never even heard of it before then, and I don't think I've ever seen one since.

A friend of mine just bought a '97 Caterham Seven. It's so tight that he has to drive it barefoot. I can't even fit my (6-foot-1, runner's build) body inside the cabin. I guess there's a reason some cars STAY in the "exotic" realm.

I've always had American classics, mainly for ease of repair more than dislike of the European models. It's a helluva lot easier to find parts for a '71 Mustang than a '71 Pantera.

Given an unlimited budget, though, I'd love to have a new Morgan Aero Eight...