Saw a Triumph Stag for sale today...

I'd back an SLK as long as you can find a Merc specialist to look after it. If you think Alfa main dealers are expensive..think again.

If we are gettting down to SLK sized cars, then you are almost down to Mazda MX5. Affordable, reliable, nice to drive.

AlfaLincs

Well, after a bit of time to reflect I've decided that getting a Stag is probably not the right thing to do. I want a convertible (and yes, an MX-5 had crossed my mind, but only briefly) but I don't want a car that will end up turning into a second job. If I had the time, the space and possibly the inclination to run a classic car, I would, but at the moment (and for at least the next 18 months) they're all in short supply. Maybe in a year or two. I have committed to having a look at the London Stag, but unless it's spanking, I don't think I'll be making an offer.

I'm probably going to get a Spider - one of the GTV based ones. It's what probably best matches what I need right now, and they're cheaper to the extent that the first year or more of garage fees will effectively be paid for. I also need to get a car to keep abroad, and after a bit of looking around the net, have seen a couple of 147 1.6ls I wouldn't mind following up, so it could be that we end up being a 3 Alfa family.

Once again, thanks to everybody for their contributions to this thread

How about a TVR Griffith or Chimaera? My dad has an MX-5, its a good enough car but you can't deny its a bit girly. Even someone at work asked why he was dring a hairdressers car.

How about a TVR Griffith or Chimaera?

Would love one, but they're two other cars that I'd be reluctant to use fully, not least because I have a heavy right foot and my licence would probably last about a week in a 180mph car.

It's definitely going to be an Alfa, prob a 916 Spider. I'd love to get an older, "proper" Alfa, but to get one of those now would make as little sense as getting a Stag, really.

Funnily enough my dad has also had a 916 spider. He thinks the Mazda is a better car. It probably does drive better, but in looks, class and individuality the Alfa is leagues ahead.

Well, I'm now the owner of a slightly dog-eared Spider. Decided that in the end it wasn't viable to get something that I'd need to garage and look after as though it was a human child, and that getting something too expensive or unusual may attract the attention of ne'er do wells, of which my area has an abundance. Ended up picking it up for half the cost of the Stag, and have ordered a decent cover to protect it when not in use. If I can get a few years of fun out of it without it breaking the bank in maintenance (beyond what you'd expect for a 10 year old, 80,000m car), I'll be happy.

Cheers again to everyone who posted - much appreciated

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/2326/sg100413ab8.jpg

Nice car,red Spiders are the fastest!

Originally Posted by Seabadger

Well, I'm now the owner of a slightly dog-eared Spider. Decided that in the end it wasn't viable to get something that I'd need to garage and look after as though it was a human child, and that getting something too expensive or unusual may attract the attention of ne'er do wells, of which my area has an abundance. Ended up picking it up for half the cost of the Stag, and have ordered a decent cover to protect it when not in use. If I can get a few years of fun out of it without it breaking the bank in maintenance (beyond what you'd expect for a 10 year old, 80,000m car), I'll be happy.

Cheers again to everyone who posted - much appreciated

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/2326/sg100413ab8.jpg

Awesome. Hope you've got some new wheels on your shopping list

The Stag engine was, and still is, a piece of rubbish. Only Triumph would try to bolt down a heqad with straight studs on one side, and angled studs the other. The whole thing is uttery woeful and no amount of fettling can overcome the basic design faults like the overly long timing chain and puny crankpins.

Look at An old Alfa twin cam engine. This was how engines should have been built with high quality metals used, plenty of forth bridge over engineering and clever design. That's why they can do 200'000 miles with the occasional oil change.

As for a Stag. Hmmm. I'd only consider one with a properly executed Rover V8 conversion - that means sat down low, a Holley carb and flat filter to clear the standard bonnet and sorted suspension. Then it would be a very pretty, great sounding AND reliable car. I don't believe any of the 'we've sorted it now' claims. To me a 'sorted' Stag is like a reformed Serial killer. Could you ever really trust it?
One thing the Snag V8 needs is an electronic ignition kit. The Stag distributor was a nasty Lucas made copy of the Rolls Royce V8 and often the dwell angle would vary enough to blow an engine up. Horrid crap.

Dropping a Rover (actually Buick) V8 into a Stag is a good idea in theory but in practice there is quite a large weight difference between the two engines in favour of the Rover unit. Converted cars therefore have a different front / rear weight balance and are very difficult to get to 'sit' right, i.e. without the front looking too high.

I've always found the Italian styled - by Michelotti - Stag to be a really good looking car and as others have said they do sound great. It's such a shame they were so under developed when new.

That's why I mentioned sorting the suspension! It needs shorter springs with less poundage and some decent dampers. With a proper 'everything done right' Rover conversion, a Stag would actually be a viable everyday car. With a 5 speed Rover gearbox you could actually drive it 800 miles in a day without ****ting itself!

The famous Buick V8 was in fact a wartime design taken by GM as war reparations from a well known German manufacturer.....said manufacturer had to power its post war saloons with a revised version of an ancient straight six before building a V8 that is remarkably similar to the Buick/Rover version.

I take your point but to do a full 'everything done right' conversion would be inordinately expensive (not just suspension rates to be altered but brake bias as well as numerous other jobs). In spending all that money you'd actually de-value the car and really you'd be better off just setting fire to your cash.

Like I said, a shame it was not properly developed in the first place.

I don't think it would devalue a car if you were to take it on as a project. There are still plenty of Stags with the engine in bits or other maladies so if you bought a cheap but solid Stag, it would make sense. It's odd how now a Stag with the original engine is worth more than one with the Rover engine - not long ago it was the other way around!
As I see it, you're replacing one BL V8 with another. I wonder what the actual weight difference is? Someone once told me the Rover V8 weighed less than the MGB's B Series.

^ Yes I agree about the values issue. Personally I'd much prefer a sorted, usable car over an unreliable original any day; but I suppose originality is the be all and end all for a lot of people. It's the cost and value issues that would put me off rather than having any problem with keeping the car original for purist reasons.

There's a company (Spyder) that make replacement galvanised chassis for the Lotus Elan and the Elan +2. They also now offer a Ford engine conversion that many people consider to be some sort of treason! To me it makes perfect sense; you get a virtually rust proof car complete with modern day standards of reliability and performance combined with classic Lotus looks and handling. If you get one that's old enough you even get free road tax. Perfect!

Not sure about the weight difference between the Rover and Stag V8s but I think it was in the region of 50kg.

Originally Posted by Camp Freddie

I've always found the Italian styled - by Michelotti - Stag to be a really good looking car......

Agree Freddie, Triumphs of that age are really smart lookers, 2000,GT6,Spitfire, Dolly and the Stag....shame it all went belly up really.

There's a company (Spyder) that make replacement galvanised chassis for the Lotus Elan and the Elan +2. They also now offer a Ford engine conversion that many people consider to be some sort of treason! To me it makes perfect sense; you get a virtually rust proof car complete with modern day standards of reliability and performance combined with classic Lotus looks and handling.

Bit like the philosopher's axe though - at what point do you stop owning a classic car and start owning a kit car? Having said that, the Spider I ended up buying will be about 50% f*cking new by the time I get it back from the garage, so who am I to say?