An owners perspective

[mach1rob]

Good evening all.

The Stag is a car I've admired for many a year, but never owned, I'm due an insurance payout in the not too distant future, and as it's my 40th this year I feel like treating myself.

Now I've had many a various classic over the years, every Rover from a P5 3 litre to the 75, several old Fords from a Zodiac to a 69 Mustang, and plenty of BL tin over the years but never a Triumph. My experience of the marque doesn't bode well, dads 1850 HL Dolomite snapping its camchain one snowy day in the middle of the Cotswolds when visiting family in the Midlands and leaving us stranded, and a friends Dolomite breaking down, pushing it into the workshop and falling down the inspection pit!

I also have 2 young children, so now need a 4 seater, a convertible would be nice too, so the Stag fits the bill a treat. It wouldn't be a daily, just high days and holidays, and I don't want a concours car as it would have to live outside as I don't have a garage alas. I'm not adverse to getting my hands dirty, and I'm well aware of the engine problems of the past, but my theory is most will have been sorted by now, and it's not a major issue.

I know I'll get a biased view from the owners club, but what are they like to live with this day and age?

Thanks, Rob.

[mach1rob]

Thanks for all your help, maybe I'll try elsewhere

[brian0443]

Hello Rob
We have been slow at getting back to you. We are probably the most biased lot you will find anywhere as far as the Stag is concerned. Yes cam chains still snap if not properly maintained, and engines can and still do boil over, but in general we would subscribe to the view that most of the surviving cars have been reasonably well sorted, are easy to live with , and very rewarding on the 'fun' aspect of ownership. Have a good trawl through the various postings on this forum.

Stag Owners Club is an incredibly strong and loyal, knowledgeable and supportive bunch, with good local branches to boot. If you go to the main Club web page http://www.stag.org.uk/ and select regions and areas you will find links to the club in your area, and I'm sure someone will be willing to talk to you and introduce you to local members and their cars.

Lots of owners have fitted child seats, but be warned you should consider investing in some of the side panel kits, otherwise the children or other back seat passengers will be well blown away.

Brian

[DJT]

Hi Rob,

Sorry, missed your post first time around. Your situation is very similar to that of mine when I started in Stag ownership. Although back then (1989) there wasn't the information available on the interweb that there is now. That in itself is a double-edged sword as it is human nature to always look on the dark side, so much of the info concentrates on engine maladies, rust, etc., etc. But in reality, as there are still over 25% of the UK registered Stags still on the road, the truth is that it is now a well-sorted, family-friendly cruiser. As always when buying a car, look at as many as you can. Take someone knowledgeable with you, and buy the best you can afford. You say you aren't looking for a concourse car, so there will be plenty of choice. Buy a tidy one with no major structural problems and a good mechanical history and it will fulfil your requirements very well. Just remember that they do require regular attention and are better used than ignored.
I would recommend joining the SOC and contacting your local members. There are usually a few cars for sale failry close at hand for viewing. As Brian has said, there is a lot of information available on the main website.

Good luck.

Dave

[jleyton]

Heaven knows how I managed to miss your post first time round - there are plenty on here who will tell you that I'm ready to write about anything

Yep, you're right, we will be biased but I think if you just read on here for a week or so you just sense the passion, devotion and love for our cars that the Stag instills in us and I think that, if you took the plunge, then you'd feel the same way before long.

It's a classic car that brings out good comments wherever I go in it (ok, there's the obvious ones about overheating or reliability, but those are only passing ones and the vast majority are of admiration). I still get a buzz whenever I look at the car and, unlike many, it's two different cars with the hardtop on or off - I really do feel that it transforms the car. Do you get a good feeling when you look at a Stag ? - If so, it's the car for you - if not, fair enough and maybe try something else to add to your impressive ownership list.

As for the practicalities of running one, there are several on here who use their cars as everyday transport and, as Dave has said, there's now so much info and so many parts available that it's not hard to keep one in good condition if bought carefully in the first place.

Something that may seem an odd thing to praise on a classic, is just how modern it is ! When I drive my car, there's very little compromise compared to driving an up to date car. I've got power steering and electric windows and a good level of comfort etc etc- it just doesn't feel like stepping back several generations, yet it still draws admiring looks and comments.

But the clincher is that it still makes me smile

Good luck and I hope we'll welcome you on here as an owner befroe too long.

Cheers

Julian

[GrantE]

Hi Rob,

I have a pretty conventional/ unmodified 75 auto. Spares are easy to get and not too expensive. there are plenty of specialists around that can help on the difficult bits. in my 15 years of driving, i've never been stranded but do ensure a good annual service (from someone who knows stags or learn to do it yourself - but in my experience, paying someone to do a pro job once a year helps spot looming problems as well as ensuring it is done properly), including coolant flush and change. switch to electronic ignition and keep an eye on the coolant/ oil levels. Accept that the dreaded rust worm will be working hard against you and have a good look underneath when you buy and whenever you get a chance thereafter. Over the years i've (as an enthusiastic amateur) changed fuel tanks, front suspension, radiator, serviced, painted and repaired numerous faulty parts. All relatively easily done and not too expensive. The car is a joy to own and drive. Have fun!

[grumpy2]

I'm quite new to all this stag stuff having migrated from MG ownership during the last few months. Also I've owned many classics too, I tend to have one 'nice' car that I keep for years and a 'backup' that tends to get changed quite often. my stag is currently the 'backup'. I didn't want a concourse car either (much too expensive) I wanted a good compromise between cost and quality thinking I could tinker and add value during my ownership (something I consider to be part of my hobby).

I can offer a couple of observations for you
get one with good mechanical provenance, even though mine was cheapish it's mechanically fantastic
get the best bodywork your budget will allow
do not underestimate the cost of poor trim (I did and would need to spend around £2k to improve the hood and interior to the standard I'd like, yes thats £2000!! and it won't happen)
around £4000 will get you a car that's just about OK, £6000 gets a good one and £8000 car are looking very smart indeed.

also the folk on here are decent types, don't know why your first post got ignored, the forum is very lively and was very helpful to me when I started posting and continues to be so

hope all the above doesn't go unread

Gary

[elvimto]

The Stag was the car I wanted many years ago but it was out of my reach back then, a lot of years went by and I ended up in the US a few years ago I decided to take the plunge and got one I have only put about 130 odd miles on the car between redoing the engine suspension and well all the usual stuff but quite possibly 100 of those miles were just great. Best drive so far Xmas day from my house to the beach and back 15 miles at seven in the morning no traffic anywhere smiled the rest of the day, get one.

Stuart

[Frank G]

Hi Rob,
When my last Stag was written off in an accident; I looked around at what car I’d like to replace it with – TVR etc. but couldn’t see anything else I’d rather have, so I bought another one.
My Stag is my only (driveable) car. Admittedly, I don’t use it every day.
If you’re looking for one; I have a checklist, but there is a book that looks very good:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Triumph-Stag-Essential-Buyers-Guide/dp/1845842707/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308996448&sr=1-1

My recommendation is go for it!! - But check a few out; and buy the best one you can afford. There was a post on this forum recently saying how many there were on Ebay so the choice should be quite good at the moment.
Happy hunting.
Regards,
Frank

[Peter]

Rob,

Don't know why everyone seemed to miss your original post there is normally a rush to post replies:
Reasons not to own a Stag;
The cooling system is marginal with an early cross flow radiator design
The heads are relatively low grade aluminium and can lock onto the block due to angled retaining studs
It uses single chains to drive overhead cams and these can snap (pistons will touch valves)
It has a dual contact breaker system that requires maintenance
The suspension drive train and brakes are relatively basic
It wasn't nicknamed the Triumph Snag without reason!

Reasons to own a Stag:
There is a wealth of understanding of all the technical issues
Nearly every part is available
It is a genuine 2+2 hardtop and soft-top
It has independent suspension front and rear
There isn't an ecu
It sounds better then 99% of the cars on the road!

They are all now at least 25 years old so don't expect any to be perfect, if I was buying now I'd join the club first and look for a car being sold by a member having been looked after. I brought mine in 1975, expected to keep it a few years but its still with me and no its not for sale!!

[Stagdad]

[QUOTE=Peter;145710]Rob,

Don't know why everyone seemed to miss your original post there is normally a rush to post replies:
Reasons not to own a Stag;
The cooling system is marginal with an early cross flow radiator design
There are quite a few mods that can build in a bit of a safety factor such as a header tank also good maintainance is key
The heads are relatively low grade aluminium and can lock onto the block due to angled retaining studs
Can't disagree with that one
It uses single chains to drive overhead cams and these can snap (pistons will touch valves)
Haven't heard of more than a couple of cases since being on here over,and they were due to other things going wrong
It has a dual contact breaker system that requires maintenance
Easily solved buy electronic ignition
The suspension drive train and brakes are relatively basic
Again a number of upgraids are avaliable
It wasn't nicknamed the Triumph Snag without reason!

So no reason not to get one now
Cheers Steve

[Jeff]

[QUOTE=Stagdad;145717]

Rob,

Don't know why everyone seemed to miss your original post there is normally a rush to post replies:
Reasons not to own a Stag;
The cooling system is marginal with an early cross flow radiator design
There are quite a few mods that can build in a bit of a safety factor such as a header tank also good maintainance is key
The heads are relatively low grade aluminium and can lock onto the block due to angled retaining studs
Can't disagree with that one
It uses single chains to drive overhead cams and these can snap (pistons will touch valves)
Haven't heard of more than a couple of cases since being on here over,and they were due to other things going wrong
It has a dual contact breaker system that requires maintenance
Easily solved buy electronic ignition
The suspension drive train and brakes are relatively basic
Again a number of upgraids are avaliable
It wasn't nicknamed the Triumph Snag without reason!

So no reason not to get one now
Cheers Steve

Hi Rob,

I also missed your post so I would assume something went amiss, you wouldn't have been ignored on purpose by most of the forum users on here.

Steve's points above say it all really, nothing more to add.

I still love messing around with my Stag as much as driving it, well almost, especially because of the V8 which, as well as a convertible, is why I own it.

The 2 MAIN reasons. all the rest are extras.

Happy hunting.

Jeff.

[Another Peter]

There may be a reason why Rob's post was not picked up earlier.

I note that he is not a member of SOC but a guest on the Forum. When I was in a similar situation, each attempted posting had to be approved by a moderator before it was published on the Forum thus leading to a delay.

As others have said, usually any question would get a pretty quick response.

[Moraystag]

Go for the best you can afford, like Dave say's. Don't at any time go for one that show's signs of rust as this will be the biggest money pit, I know and speak through experience. However I am now at a place where I really enjoy my Stag, however, I really should have joined the SOC first and then bought a car following the advice of the guys on here. All the rubbish about overheating and crap engines, seems to come from the past.
Touch wood, I have had no major mechanical problems. As far as I can see the engine on mine was fully rebuilt at a price then, off 2019 quid in April 1980, That would have been a lot of money in 1980!! and since then has only had regular servicing and parts replaced as required etc. So not such a bad engine as they say.

Mike

[jleyton]

the engine on mine was fully rebuilt at a price then, off 2019 quid in April 1980, That would have been a lot of money in 1980!!
Mike

Hi Mike,

I expect I've told you, but I remember, when I was a Triumph service receptionist in the 70's, our service manager instructing us that, if a customer left a Stag with any indication of overheating, we had to warn them, when they left the car, that they could be facing a bill of over £1000.

Pretty tough, bearing in mind that the cars had cost around £2000 when they were launched in 1970 and some of these cars were just 2 or 3 years old;( ;(

Cheers

Julian