Anyone here have any Triumph TR-6 experience?
10-03-1999, 02:28 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Anyone here have any Triumph TR-6 experience?
My brain is always throwing ideas around. As many know, I was planning on ordering a TT Roadster, but now I'm thinking that's not a good idea for several reasons.
1. The TT is very cramped in the legroom department for me
2. The cost is enough so that I would have to sell my 90Q, which I really don't want to do.
3. A Roadster in Seattle is not very practical for everyday driving.
4. I would miss the spaciousness of the 90Q.
5. I'd be afraid to park it anywhere but my driveway.
Reasons TT sounds good:
1. I've been in love with the TT Roadster since I first saw the concept vehicle,w ay back when.
2. TT is fun!
3. Quality and workmanship is first rate, it's solid, and except for short people legroom, the TT is comfortable.
4. Design and excecution is among the best in the world, and the TT is style through and through.
5. TT has warranty, which means no more $1K a week repair bills! :-)
So, let's say I decide to skip the TT (Could I give up my dream?). I was thinking that just getting a second car might satisfy my need for a sports car. I knew a couple guys in high school who had several TR-7's and TR-6's that held up really well. If anyone here has one, or has had one in the past, I would like to hear your experiences in regards to repairs, structure, and how the car performs. Thanks!
Charles
PS: A friend of mine is trying to get me to find a nice Fiat Spyder like his. That is another possibility, as my Sister had one, and I really like those also. My friends '79 is a very good example. And, the Spyder has enough room for me!
1. The TT is very cramped in the legroom department for me
2. The cost is enough so that I would have to sell my 90Q, which I really don't want to do.
3. A Roadster in Seattle is not very practical for everyday driving.
4. I would miss the spaciousness of the 90Q.
5. I'd be afraid to park it anywhere but my driveway.
Reasons TT sounds good:
1. I've been in love with the TT Roadster since I first saw the concept vehicle,w ay back when.
2. TT is fun!
3. Quality and workmanship is first rate, it's solid, and except for short people legroom, the TT is comfortable.
4. Design and excecution is among the best in the world, and the TT is style through and through.
5. TT has warranty, which means no more $1K a week repair bills! :-)
So, let's say I decide to skip the TT (Could I give up my dream?). I was thinking that just getting a second car might satisfy my need for a sports car. I knew a couple guys in high school who had several TR-7's and TR-6's that held up really well. If anyone here has one, or has had one in the past, I would like to hear your experiences in regards to repairs, structure, and how the car performs. Thanks!
Charles
PS: A friend of mine is trying to get me to find a nice Fiat Spyder like his. That is another possibility, as my Sister had one, and I really like those also. My friends '79 is a very good example. And, the Spyder has enough room for me!
10-03-1999, 05:38 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Chuck, think long and hard before you invest in an old Triumph...
we had a TR4A, TR250, and a TR6. You'll need to become a Stromb carb expert - because you'll be tuning them all the time. The Lucas electric is total crap. And worst of all these cars have a history of rot. But, when they are running they are a lot of fun.
If you are going the retro sports car route, go with an older 911. Now that the 996's are selling, people are selling their older Carerra'a and SC's. You can pick up a good car for around $15-25. You'll pay more for the '87-'98's, but you get the hydrolic clutch and the G-50 tranny.
Or, go new retro and slip into one of those beautiful TT's. FTD or quattro you can't go wrong.
It's a fun decession no matter what...
mpm
If you are going the retro sports car route, go with an older 911. Now that the 996's are selling, people are selling their older Carerra'a and SC's. You can pick up a good car for around $15-25. You'll pay more for the '87-'98's, but you get the hydrolic clutch and the G-50 tranny.
Or, go new retro and slip into one of those beautiful TT's. FTD or quattro you can't go wrong.
It's a fun decession no matter what...
mpm
10-04-1999, 01:14 AM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
You had a TR250? That is so cool! My mechanic had one...
...in his shop one time, and I absolutely fell in love. He was fiddling with the dual carbs and complaining about how hard it is to tune them and get them in sync. All he was doing was bitching about how he couldn't get it to run right when warm and when cold with the same settings, and then all of a sudden, it was like everything came together. Then he started telling me how much fun it was to drive, and I was thinking how wonderful that 6 cylinder engine sounded. Needless to say, I suddenly forgot about the dual carbs, and was off on cloud nine. That car was so extraordinarily beautiful and I wanted it soooo bad! :-)
Anyway, I figured a TR6 would be less expensive and probably easier to maintain than a TR250, but what do I know? Does the TR6 have a 6 cylinder also, or is it a 4 cylinder? I would love to hear more about the engines, etc. Some lady near me has an immaculate one that I think even has the original British Racing Green paint on it. I should try and talk to her about it and get some information.
The 911 idea is good. Problem is I want something that I can lower the top on. A guy I know has an '89, 911 Speedster with 8K miles that I would love to have, but those things go for about $75K. Also, I've read and was told by a Porsche mechanic that the engines have to be removed to do a tuneup, and that it's supposed to be done every 15K miles! Ouch! But I would really like a Porsche.
What do you think of the old Alfa Romeo's like the Guilietta (sp?). I was involved with a woman who had one, and she loved that car. I never did get to drive it, but I rode in it a couple times, and thought it was pretty fun. Hers was a hardtop though.
MG's are too small, and the Fiat Spyder is hard to find in good shape, especially here in Seattle. Most of them are pretty beat up and rusting. There is a '74 or '75 sitting abandoned in the Safeway parking lot though! It hasn't been licensed for 5 years, and my friend really wants to get his hands on it for parts. Body seems pretty good, but it must not run.
Well, thanks for the info! Tell me everything you know! :-)
Charles
Anyway, I figured a TR6 would be less expensive and probably easier to maintain than a TR250, but what do I know? Does the TR6 have a 6 cylinder also, or is it a 4 cylinder? I would love to hear more about the engines, etc. Some lady near me has an immaculate one that I think even has the original British Racing Green paint on it. I should try and talk to her about it and get some information.
The 911 idea is good. Problem is I want something that I can lower the top on. A guy I know has an '89, 911 Speedster with 8K miles that I would love to have, but those things go for about $75K. Also, I've read and was told by a Porsche mechanic that the engines have to be removed to do a tuneup, and that it's supposed to be done every 15K miles! Ouch! But I would really like a Porsche.
What do you think of the old Alfa Romeo's like the Guilietta (sp?). I was involved with a woman who had one, and she loved that car. I never did get to drive it, but I rode in it a couple times, and thought it was pretty fun. Hers was a hardtop though.
MG's are too small, and the Fiat Spyder is hard to find in good shape, especially here in Seattle. Most of them are pretty beat up and rusting. There is a '74 or '75 sitting abandoned in the Safeway parking lot though! It hasn't been licensed for 5 years, and my friend really wants to get his hands on it for parts. Body seems pretty good, but it must not run.
Well, thanks for the info! Tell me everything you know! :-)
Charles
10-04-1999, 05:55 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
You mean an Alfa like this?
<center><img src="07_04a.jpg"></center><p>I'll do a brain dump this evening, from home, but a couple of quick comments...
I bought my '87 911 cab in 1996 for $24K. Triple black, one owner car. It had 60K on the clock, but who cares? These cars run forever when properly maintained. Other then some normal wear items, I have done nothing to this car in 3 1/2 years. I've put $5 k into this car, but it went mostly into replacing the original roters, shocks/struts, tires, and CV boots.
Easy to drop that boxer 6 (designed that way). It's only a couple of bolts. Value adjustments every 15k cost $600. $75K for an '89 Speedster is way over market price. You could get a '96 or '97 993 C4S at that price, and talk about a sports car!
The TR6 is a 6, and yes that engine has a wonderful note when properly tuned. The TR250 was the precurser. Check the frame rails for rot. Look for welded steel, sure sign of rot. If they are too clean that could also be an idication work was done.
I love the look of the old British cars. The long bonnets, wire wheel, flat dashes, and chrome accents...it's too bad they had such bad build quality. Did you see the Austin Healy from the LV show? Look closer at the wind screen, it's a piece of art. But, if your neighbor has a clean car, it's a rarity...there's a reason you don't see them on the road everyday.
More to come...mpm
I bought my '87 911 cab in 1996 for $24K. Triple black, one owner car. It had 60K on the clock, but who cares? These cars run forever when properly maintained. Other then some normal wear items, I have done nothing to this car in 3 1/2 years. I've put $5 k into this car, but it went mostly into replacing the original roters, shocks/struts, tires, and CV boots.
Easy to drop that boxer 6 (designed that way). It's only a couple of bolts. Value adjustments every 15k cost $600. $75K for an '89 Speedster is way over market price. You could get a '96 or '97 993 C4S at that price, and talk about a sports car!
The TR6 is a 6, and yes that engine has a wonderful note when properly tuned. The TR250 was the precurser. Check the frame rails for rot. Look for welded steel, sure sign of rot. If they are too clean that could also be an idication work was done.
I love the look of the old British cars. The long bonnets, wire wheel, flat dashes, and chrome accents...it's too bad they had such bad build quality. Did you see the Austin Healy from the LV show? Look closer at the wind screen, it's a piece of art. But, if your neighbor has a clean car, it's a rarity...there's a reason you don't see them on the road everyday.
More to come...mpm
10-04-1999, 11:50 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Nice red X! :-) Sorry! I'll have to see if I can find pictures of...
...the cars I like, and then maybe have you grade them! :-) My friend with the Fiat said the TR6 only had 105HP in the US, but that the British models had 150. Is this true? If so, what's the difference, and is it easy to upgrade?
I am very concerned about buying a car that is rusting out or has any severe structural issues, so I would certainly check it out thouroughly and have someone else look also.
The 911 Cabriolet would be awesome! I'm thinking maybe my Brother might want to buy one with me, and we could share it. I know he wants a 911, so this may be an opportunity. Problem is, we are both pretty tight on money right now. Maybe next summer!
Thanks again! I appreciate the time you've taken.
Charles
I am very concerned about buying a car that is rusting out or has any severe structural issues, so I would certainly check it out thouroughly and have someone else look also.
The 911 Cabriolet would be awesome! I'm thinking maybe my Brother might want to buy one with me, and we could share it. I know he wants a 911, so this may be an opportunity. Problem is, we are both pretty tight on money right now. Maybe next summer!
Thanks again! I appreciate the time you've taken.
Charles
10-05-1999, 09:06 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Chuck, let me try this again...
<center><img src="http://131.107.68.28/a4org/07_04a.jpg"></center><p>That's a '55 one-of-a-kind Spyder. Bertone built and shipped to the US for evaluation in the process of deciding the final design for the Giullietta Spyder...
And my friend Jeff, an avid Alfa fan (3 164's and a Syder)
And my friend Jeff, an avid Alfa fan (3 164's and a Syder)
10-06-1999, 03:22 AM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
WOW! That's beautiful! WHat's your friend's "Syder"...
...like? :-) Sorry! I feel like picking on you for some reason! I found some Triumph sites, and they pretty much said the same thing you did about the rotting and electrical issues. God, i don't know what I want! The Porsche is probably the best idea, based on durability, and performance. However, there is something about those British cars like the Triumph that is so cool. Like you mentioned, I think it's the long front end and the short back end that really sets the looks of those cars. According to one of those sites, a fully restored TR6 is still not a whole lot of money, which is a pleasant surprise. I think it was something like $10-12K.
Maybe I should just get an old Jeep! :-)
Charles
Maybe I should just get an old Jeep! :-)
Charles
Trending Topics
10-06-1999, 05:55 AM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
oops, make that sPyder, it was late and I was still on my S4 rush...328? $60K + and the Italian's...
"we make a car - like a beautiful woman..." - that would be a high maintance woman. But, someday, somehow, I will have a Ferarri...they are the most beautiful cars in the world. Even sitting still they are screaming! German cars are tank like in comparison, but the sensation behind the wheel, as we know, leaves nothing to sneeze at, and they rarely let you down.
I didn't take a picture, but there was also a brand new - literally bought from surplus and built from its crate - '45 Jeep in full camouflage...Chrysler is a big sponsor of the show.
Porsches are reliable - and getting reasonably priced, Triumph's/MG's are rarer and more unique, Ferarri's...well are Ferarri's and may be the ultimate Sunday gone a meet'en drive...I can say one thing there is nothing like a good open car day!
I didn't take a picture, but there was also a brand new - literally bought from surplus and built from its crate - '45 Jeep in full camouflage...Chrysler is a big sponsor of the show.
Porsches are reliable - and getting reasonably priced, Triumph's/MG's are rarer and more unique, Ferarri's...well are Ferarri's and may be the ultimate Sunday gone a meet'en drive...I can say one thing there is nothing like a good open car day!
10-06-1999, 07:55 PM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
mpm, you are my "wheel of knowledge!" What to do, what...
...to do! There are so many cars and so little money! :-( Why can't I just buy myself an F355 Spyder and call it good? :-) There are so many spectacular European cars from the past, and I want them all. Oh my!
Charles
Charles