Trying to prevent a future "ran when parked" sale

Forum for general car talk, upcoming events, posting photos, etc.
Post Reply
Fifty Six MGA
Core Member
Posts: 562
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:19 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1954 Velocette LE Motorbike
1956 MGA
1971 BMW 2002 tii (Sold)
the most generic gold tan minivan you can imagine
A pile of kayaks and bicycles.

Trying to prevent a future "ran when parked" sale

Post by Fifty Six MGA »

Is any one still using this forum?

My MG has been sitting for probably 2 or 3 years now. Sadly I can't even remember. It was running when I last parked it, but stumbling a little bit at idle. I tried to start it about 2 months ago and couldn't get it to start.

Between the kids getting older and having more activities, Covid
(we bought a trailer and lived largely on the road for 12+ months, was the silver lining to the weirdness), and me building a semi-successful business selling popsicles, and my wife having a very demanading job that involves a lot of travel, I just haven't found the time to spend any time with the MG. But everytime I open the garage and see it sitting there, I miss driving it.

We are not rolling in money, but budgets aren't as tight as they used to be.

Do I sell it? Either wait and buy another one when my schedule opens up in 8-10 years (we aim, and are working hard, to retire at 55), or buy a nicer restored one now? Or replace it with something with a backseat? If I could fit the family, maybe it would get driven more, even if just for quick runs to dinner or the occasional school run.

I had a 72 BMW 2002 tii for a short while and enjoyed that.

Alternatively, anyone know a good mechanic in so California? Malcolm used to help me, and when he moved I never really found anyone. I have tow coverage for 125 miles, so distance isn't really an issue. Maybe I drop it off somewhere and have them getting it going and give it a thorough once over. I could still use it for fun drives and driving to work on occasion.

Thoughts?
____________
Geoffcj@gmail.com
User avatar
Steve Simmons
Site Admin
Posts: 4106
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:45 pm
Vehicles Owned: .
1937 MG SA Saloon
1946 John Deere AN
1949 MG TC
1953 MG TD
1958 MGA Roadster
1959 Morris Minor 1000
1965 MGB
1967 MGB GT (UK-Spec)
1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
1969 MGC GTS
Location: Co-Nay-Ho Valley
Contact:

Re: Trying to prevent a future "ran when parked" sale

Post by Steve Simmons »

Hey Geoff, nice to hear from you, and I'm glad to hear you're doing well. I don't know that I can advise you on the MGA since it's really more of a personal decision, but I say if you love it then don't get rid of it since the money you'll get from selling an MGA would be nice but not life changing. Buying a better one isn't a bad plan unless you're emotionally attached to the one you have. Sorting out the one you have is the cheapest option but only if you do the work yourself, and since you don't have time then it could cost thousands for a shop at $100+/hr to fully go through it and make the car totally reliable.

A friend was going to sell his old VW that he had forever and asked my advice. What I told him was this... If you walk out tomorrow and there's nothing but an oil stain on the ground where your car used to be, would you be sad? If the answer is yes then don't sell it.
User avatar
tannyo
Veteran Member
Posts: 1057
Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 1:58 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1967 MGB GT
Location: North Hollywood, CA
Contact:

Re: Trying to prevent a future "ran when parked" sale

Post by tannyo »

If you decide to sell it, how much do you want?
User avatar
darkleaf
Active Member
Posts: 76
Joined: Wed May 02, 2012 1:47 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1969 MGB GT
1934 MG NA

Re: Trying to prevent a future "ran when parked" sale

Post by darkleaf »

Oh wow, I replied to your post on reddit without knowing it was you. Definitely keep the MGA. You would regret selling it.
User avatar
VWNate1
Veteran Member
Posts: 1402
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:41 am
Vehicles Owned: LBC's

Mercedes Diesels OM 616 & 617

1969 Chevrolet C/10 pickup shop truck
250 I-6 , TH350 slushbox

1959 Nash Metropolitan FH Sports Coupe

1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

Trying to prevent a future "ran when parked" sale

Post by VWNate1 »

Here we are a year later, I hope you didn't sell your MGA, they're extremely fun to drive cars and not terribly difficult to keep running .

Where are you located ? there's got to be an L.B.C. oriented shop in the greater L.A. basin .
-Nate
Fifty Six MGA
Core Member
Posts: 562
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:19 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1954 Velocette LE Motorbike
1956 MGA
1971 BMW 2002 tii (Sold)
the most generic gold tan minivan you can imagine
A pile of kayaks and bicycles.

Re: Trying to prevent a future "ran when parked" sale

Post by Fifty Six MGA »

So, I didn't sell it. Took it to Darrins MG and spent a very modest amount. It's running better than it ever has under my care, and my garage doesn't stink like it's about to explode everytime I open the door.

Found the registration stickers in a pile, put the most recent one on, and have been enjoying driving it.

My youngest daughter is a big fan.
____________
Geoffcj@gmail.com
User avatar
Steve Simmons
Site Admin
Posts: 4106
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:45 pm
Vehicles Owned: .
1937 MG SA Saloon
1946 John Deere AN
1949 MG TC
1953 MG TD
1958 MGA Roadster
1959 Morris Minor 1000
1965 MGB
1967 MGB GT (UK-Spec)
1967 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
1969 MGC GTS
Location: Co-Nay-Ho Valley
Contact:

Re: Trying to prevent a future "ran when parked" sale

Post by Steve Simmons »

Bravo! :thumbs:
Stewart
Core Member
Posts: 687
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:56 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1966 2cv
1967 mgb gt sc
1975 mgb sc
1973 1800es
1972 Citroen ID21 wagon
Location: Santa Barbara CA

Re: Trying to prevent a future "ran when parked" sale

Post by Stewart »

Awesome!
User avatar
whitebuffalo
Core Member
Posts: 453
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:57 am
Vehicles Owned: 1973 Morris Marina (Morri)
1971 Morris Mini (Kiwi)
1967 Sunbeam Stiletto (Banjo)
1965 Lotus 7 (Westfield) (Westie)
Location: Lancaster, Ca
Contact:

Re: Trying to prevent a future "ran when parked" sale

Post by whitebuffalo »

Super fantastic! Now to hopefully get your motorcycle to someone who has the time and ability to get it going.
User avatar
tannyo
Veteran Member
Posts: 1057
Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 1:58 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1967 MGB GT
Location: North Hollywood, CA
Contact:

Re: Trying to prevent a future "ran when parked" sale

Post by tannyo »

Way to go! I remember your oldest daughter liking the car. Drive the car as much as you can. My psychologist says that driving my MGB GT is therapeutic. I agree with him.
User avatar
gorms68
Core Member
Posts: 678
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2008 8:10 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1914 Chandler model 15
1929 Chandler model 65
1966 MGB roadster
1968 Mustang Dlx coupe
Location: Monrovia

Re: Trying to prevent a future "ran when parked" sale

Post by gorms68 »

"My psychologist says that driving my MGB GT is therapeutic."

How often does your psychologist get to drive the GT? :hammer:
Chris Gorman
User avatar
VWNate1
Veteran Member
Posts: 1402
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:41 am
Vehicles Owned: LBC's

Mercedes Diesels OM 616 & 617

1969 Chevrolet C/10 pickup shop truck
250 I-6 , TH350 slushbox

1959 Nash Metropolitan FH Sports Coupe

1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

Waitaminnit !

Post by VWNate1 »

He said "therapeutic" not 'I'm stupid " .

Old vehicle therapy is indeed a real thing .

I've been sweating a major drive line out of the car job and finished it Friday, too sore to take a test drive, got to bed well after rark, the test drive early Saturday morning was great , since then I'm happily resting and reducing my pain .
-Nate
User avatar
Larry Kluss
Veteran Member
Posts: 1087
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:28 pm
Vehicles Owned: -
1967 MGB (Works tribute)
1968 E-type Jaguar FHC
1974 Chevy Nova SS (faux)
2000 Ford Ranger XLT
2008 Jaguar XJ L
Location: Conejo Valley

Re: Trying to prevent a future "ran when parked" sale

Post by Larry Kluss »

Fifty Six MGA wrote: Fri Jun 02, 2023 8:27 pm So, I didn't sell it. Took it to Darrins MG and spent a very modest amount. It's running better than it ever has under my care, and my garage doesn't stink like it's about to explode everytime I open the door.

Found the registration stickers in a pile, put the most recent one on, and have been enjoying driving it.

My youngest daughter is a big fan.
Glad to hear it!!
Post Reply