Midget RB or 1500 Spitfire

[hardcastlephil]

Apologies if this has been done to death but its a serious question which i cant seem to answer.
I used to run a BGT as a daily driver, although sold it last year to have some modern comforts for my commute and now miss having a classic. I'm now in the position where i can keep the modern and have a toy over summer.

I appreciate this is the wrong time to be buying a convertible but i cant see a way round that really. Budget is low at 2k so i'm looking at a RB midget or 1500 Spitfire. I don't want something concourse, just a little bit of fun what will keep going over summer. I'm okay with spanners although no interested in buying a resto project and i want my OH to drive it too (although she is quite adamant she dosent like the rubber bumpers). So which is best? Spitfire or Midget??! Any help would be great. Thanks.

[Richie Howard]

No-one likes the rubber bumpers. You do get twice the car for your money, though.
you'll have to go for an RB car with your budget. You might have to look hard.

[hardcastlephil]

No, thats deffo that case - quite agree that an RB is the only optioin midget wise, which is a shame. Half the problem is that the B was a chrome bumper and i spent years telling the OH that the Rubber Bumpers are not as good, which has now backfired!!

[Richie Howard]

ha. i didn't even want a b! i told all and sundry they were girl's cars, then they turned out to be the only little british sports car i could fit in! i love it now.

i had the budget to get into a rough cb, but was talked into looking at rb cars by a friend and couldn't believe the difference for the same money.

most of it is just car journo dogma anyway. ie - file under 1.6/1.9 205/stag engines/k series hgf. most of the problems have solutions now.

hey-ho. back to midget/spitty talk.

Edited by Richie Howard on Friday 22 June 16:33

[greeneggsnsam]

I've seen loads of conversions from rubber to chrome bumpers, so that's always an option if you go that route.

I have to say Spitfire though, of course Mine was £2000 and has run perfectly ever since I got it, and it's great fun.

[GadgeS3C]

contango said:

Then you were either an MG or Triumph driver..not that it makes any sense!

Think that's what it comes down to really. If you don't mind then buy the best you can of whichever for your budget, as someone's already said.

[garagewidow]

the RB midget and late spit share the same engine so there is no influence there.

the spit is easier to work on and not so dependant on dodgy body work bar the sills,unlike the midget which is monocoque,but the midget is regarded as having a stronger shell because of this.
i think the spit is better looking IMO,and i would always be thinking 'why did i buy a RB midget',sorry any owners that like em'.
it's a spit for me,but i've had a few so may be biased.

[na]

for that money it'd be a Spit

or better still an MX-5

[nicanary]

The driving experience is different, especially on a wet corner on a B-road. I had both 1275RWA Midget and 1300 Spitfire Mk4. Midget is cart-springs and actually corners better, the Spit dosn't like it and tucks up the rear wheels. Choice of tyres is crucial with the Spit.(Mind you, this was the 70s - Michelin X for the MG and Pirelli P800 for the Spit).

Like you, the thought of a rubber-bumper MG gave me nightmares - go for the Spit.

[HeatonNorris]

na said:

or better still an MX-5

This.

A tidy Mk1 will cost you a grand - you'll spend more time driving it and less time tinkering with it than you would with some old BL trash.

[Skyedriver]

I was always an MG man, 3 Midgets (1098, 1275 & 1500 RB)and a B Roadster
Always thought the Spit a soft car, but a mate of mine at the time (who also ran Vitesse & TR4 etc) thought the Spit better
Sat in a Spit once the alignment of the pedals steering wheel & seat felt very uncomfortable. Oh and it developed a petrol leak on the test drive and I never went back!

[nicanary]

Skyedriver said:

I was always an MG man, 3 Midgets (1098, 1275 & 1500 RB)and a B Roadster
Always thought the Spit a soft car, but a mate of mine at the time (who also ran Vitesse & TR4 etc) thought the Spit better
Sat in a Spit once the alignment of the pedals steering wheel & seat felt very uncomfortable. Oh and it developed a petrol leak on the test drive and I never went back!

I'd forgotten about that. You have to sit at an angle in the Spitfire, the pedals are over to the left I think.Mind you, you get used to it.

[6fire]

Personally I think RB MGs look horrid.

Your budget will get a half decent Spit 1500 and have a few quid left over to sort the rear suspension out.

[bobbyswanbourne]

mx 5 turbo or the rather nice supercharged version in the classifieds

[N Dentressangle]

The Spitfire.

If your OH doesn't like the rubber bumpers, this means she doesn't like the rubber bumpers. There is not much point in trying to kick against a fully formed female decision.

The 1500 rear suspension is fine, and no worse than the Midget anyway. I wonder if some people on here have ever driven a Spitfire. Early cars have nasty on-the-limit handling, granted, but by the MkIV onwards this isn't an issue.

I found the late MGB GT I once borrowed far more tail happy than my mate's 1500 Spit. Very predictable and controllable, but slow through bends because any real speed meant progress was sideways. Happy to admit I've never driven a Midget.

[itiejim]

Don't avoid a Spitfire because of ill-informed and often repeated misinformation about the rear suspension. They're great fun and very predictable little cars.

More useful information might be that a Spitfire will suit taller drivers better and that access is easier due to longer doors.

They're both well known and catered for cars which have a good following. DOn't buy a rusty one of either - just buy the one you prefer.

[hardcastlephil]

Thanks for all the help, much appreciated. I think the advice of buy the best possible is the one to go for, although this may point me in the RB midget dept as they are just so much cheaper, although have my eye on a couple of Mk4 spits. Will keep everyone posted!

[MrBrightSi]

I had the 1300 in my mk3 spitfire, but the suspension in the later cars improved. A lot of the naysayers will talk about crankshafts like chocolate and what not, but these cars are hardly something you'd use to race around. Spirited drives are wonderful in these cars at like 20-30% regular speed. If we're talking 1500 midget or spit, i suppose its in the eye of the beholder, which one do you find more attractive. If we're going on top trumps of the cars, both are pretty much similar, its just a different owners club really, spares quality and availability are huge and help is plentiful if you get a little stuck.

I'd go with a spitfire as before i go tthe mk3 i had a ride out in a 1500 and it was lovely.

[insideimsmiling]

Bought the Midget myself & have been very happy with it, having gone from a MG BGT too, however i also looked at Spitfires & ended up getting the best i could find within my budget. I think the suggestion of an MX5 is only worth considering if you ae interested in the very different feel of a modern sports car, although as has been said, they are more usable. I would say that if going down this route many of them are now as abused & rusty as the old BL sports cars were accused of being many years ago before most were restored or scrapped. I did consider both the MX5 & MGF when looking at modern sportscars as a daily driver a couple of years ago & again went forthe best i could find for the budget, a MGF VVC, a great car that handled so well & was very reliable. I would have one again if i could, but would'nt ever sellmy Midget, even if it is a rb car, as the vintage feel & character gets under your skin.

[Hooli]

MrBrightSi said:

A lot of the naysayers will talk about crankshafts like chocolate and what not

Indeed. I had a 1500 Midget & despite driving it as intended for nine years it never showed any signs of exploderating the crank or anything else.