Spitfire as a Daily Drive
Discussion
If you get a car in A1 condition (£3700) you shouldn't have any real issues.
Yes, you will have to make some allowances - you probably will get dripped on from somewhere driving in heavy rain and to avoid problems you need to spend more time on regular maintenance than a modern car.
That said none of the maintenance is exactly hard or requires expensive special tools and is well within the capabilities of the average person.
I've used my Spit. as a daily driver in the past without many problems and everything is forgiven when you actually get a dry day and drop the roof.
Yes, you will have to make some allowances - you probably will get dripped on from somewhere driving in heavy rain and to avoid problems you need to spend more time on regular maintenance than a modern car.
That said none of the maintenance is exactly hard or requires expensive special tools and is well within the capabilities of the average person.
I've used my Spit. as a daily driver in the past without many problems and everything is forgiven when you actually get a dry day and drop the roof.
A Spitfire is a very practical everyday car. Suggest you visit the Club Triumph forum at: http://club.triumph.org.uk/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?
Make sure you exercise it regularly - get it properly hot - too many short trips and it will get out of condition.
Make sure you exercise it regularly - get it properly hot - too many short trips and it will get out of condition.
//j17 said:
If you get a car in A1 condition (£3700) you shouldn't have any real issues.
Yes, you will have to make some allowances - you probably will get dripped on from somewhere driving in heavy rain and to avoid problems you need to spend more time on regular maintenance than a modern car.
That said none of the maintenance is exactly hard or requires expensive special tools and is well within the capabilities of the average person.
I've used my Spit. as a daily driver in the past without many problems and everything is forgiven when you actually get a dry day and drop the roof.
How about (dare I say it) an MX5?! Power steering, leccy windows, starts when you want it to! And not much more to insure or tax. And they don't drip on you (either when your inside or underneath)!Yes, you will have to make some allowances - you probably will get dripped on from somewhere driving in heavy rain and to avoid problems you need to spend more time on regular maintenance than a modern car.
That said none of the maintenance is exactly hard or requires expensive special tools and is well within the capabilities of the average person.
I've used my Spit. as a daily driver in the past without many problems and everything is forgiven when you actually get a dry day and drop the roof.
cpas said:
//j17 said:
If you get a car in A1 condition (£3700) you shouldn't have any real issues.
Yes, you will have to make some allowances - you probably will get dripped on from somewhere driving in heavy rain and to avoid problems you need to spend more time on regular maintenance than a modern car.
That said none of the maintenance is exactly hard or requires expensive special tools and is well within the capabilities of the average person.
I've used my Spit. as a daily driver in the past without many problems and everything is forgiven when you actually get a dry day and drop the roof.
How about (dare I say it) an MX5?! Power steering, leccy windows, starts when you want it to! And not much more to insure or tax. And they don't drip on you (either when your inside or underneath)!Yes, you will have to make some allowances - you probably will get dripped on from somewhere driving in heavy rain and to avoid problems you need to spend more time on regular maintenance than a modern car.
That said none of the maintenance is exactly hard or requires expensive special tools and is well within the capabilities of the average person.
I've used my Spit. as a daily driver in the past without many problems and everything is forgiven when you actually get a dry day and drop the roof.
I drive a 1972 MkIV as a daily driver on my 60 mile round trip commute. I bought mine for £1400 and have invested an additional £1100 or so in machine work, rebuilding the engine and replacing some ancillaries. I can get 40 to the gallon if I drive like Miss Daisy, down to about 25/26 if I spank it. Highly recommend overdrive as it transforms the car into one which works much better in modern traffic.
Whether it works as a daily driver is down to you. If you're reasonably apt, and do 'preventative maintenance' (ie - identify worn components and fix them before they fail at the roadside) you will be just fine.
Whether it works as a daily driver is down to you. If you're reasonably apt, and do 'preventative maintenance' (ie - identify worn components and fix them before they fail at the roadside) you will be just fine.
I drive one, more or less daily, in the netherlands for the last 10 years. I drove it a while as my only car. It's best to have a second car for just in case (I have an old xj6 too) I used to do 120 km a day (80mls). Last 2 years It's only 60 km a day (40mls) If the car is well cared for It is no problem. All the spitfire "threw at me" was one worn gearbox bearing, but I put in a recon box with overdrive when that happened. Oh and I had a broken fanbelt once..those where the only things that kept me from driving..In the last ten years!!! Other then that the car never failed me. It's a great little car, and sturdy enough for daily use. It does need good attention and fidling too though!
And having a garage to fiddle in is nice too. First two years I didn't and changing bushes for the MOT in the rain...in november is cold and wet.
Note: I did have the occasional shower too...INSIDE the car.
And having a garage to fiddle in is nice too. First two years I didn't and changing bushes for the MOT in the rain...in november is cold and wet.
Note: I did have the occasional shower too...INSIDE the car.
Edited by Olav Bergman on Tuesday 16th October 14:34
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