Buying my first Stag!

[Guest]

Hi,
I am seriously considering buying my first Triumph Stag and i want to use it as an all round car. I do have a spitfire at the moment that i use in the summer but it's only 2 seats and not practical for my family. My question is is the Triumph and all year round car? Weekdays i would only use it to drive to the station but i would also need to do at least one 100 mile trip on the motorway each week. Am i mad to be thinking such a thing? If not is there a preferred model that is best. Personally I would prefer an automatic so the wife can also drive it. Does anybody have any recommendations of the best place to purchase a car like this? My budget is approx £20K.
Advice wold be most welcome please. Thanks.

[MandM]

Have a look in the back pages of the mag or club website, take someone with you who knows what they are looking at, also contact your local area to see what they know about car's for sale. Don't be in too much of a hurry, that's when you buy a polished nail.

[Guest]

Thanks will do. Can the stag be used all year round do you think? What's the heating like?

[022Dave]

Thanks will do. Can the stag be used all year round do you think? What the heating like?

Hello Jimmy,

The heater on the Stag is pretty good, but beware if it doesn't work on your test drive, as the heater matrix is a sod to replace if it's knackered. For winter use I suggest that a hard top would be a big bonus. Automatics are good, and perhaps on your £20k budget you might look for one which has had the ZF 4-speed conversion done, which is far superior to the original Borg Warner box.

Dave

[DJT]

As long as the heater valve isn’t stuck closed, the heater is excellent - after all, don’t all Stags overheat?

If you are intending to use it all year round, I’d get one with a hard top. Much better to drive in the Winter than with the soft top up. Heated rear screen too. Only downside is the weight when fitting/removing and having somewhere to store it. Plenty of suggestions on here for using a winch if you have a garage.

Good luck with your search.

[Guest]

Thanks guys that's good info to have. I am going to try and buy through this owners club (as I think it's a more trusted source) so if you know anyone who is selling please let me know.

[Andy S]

Now is a very good time to test drive one. Take it out for a good run that includes motorway and town driving. This will soon show up any defects in the cooling system and transmission.

Andy S

[Ritchie6]

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/41/stag/

I bought mine through this site last year. Take a look and it will give you an idea what's available round the country. I was lucky I found my Stag less than 30 miles from home. You might be lucky or you might have to wait for the right car to come along.

Richard

[Guest]

Thank you Andy and Ritchie. I am a bit nervous as i know there are some real dogs out there. I am just going to be patient and wait until i find the right one. Just as a point of interest are prices rising on these cars or are they stagnant? (just asking in case i buy next year instead)

[Ritchie6]

Thank you Andy and Ritchie. I am a bit nervous as i know there are some real dogs out there. I am just going to be patient and wait until i find the right one. Just as a point of interest are prices rising on these cars or are they stagnant? (just asking in case i buy next year instead)

That Car and Classic site I highlighted does have both private and trade sales so if you bought one trade you would have some comeback in the event of any problems.

Richard

[Scar]

I'm sure you can find someone in your local owners club group who'd go with you to check over and test drive any you want to look at. For winter driving you want to make sure you get the underside and wheel arches properly protected, eg. With waxoyl. Also if driving when the roads have been gritted, make sure you have a hosepipe or pressure washer you can give the underside and wheel arches etc a thorough blasting clear with as the salt will rot the car in no time.

[Andy S]

Thanks Jimmy you’re welcome.

Stags are not rising as fast as other classics unless they really are in top condition. Driving it everyday will mean it will get rusty, dented and 40+ year old parts will break.

If you want something to run all year I would buy a solid driver and save some money in reserve for the unexpected. Also buy a runabout while you wait for a Specialist you can trust to work on the car when it breaks.

Personally I always buy classics where the underneath is solid and the mechanics are good. Rebuilt engine, ZF upgrade, updated radiator and fan. These are all desirable when looking.

There will always be surprises when owning an old secondhand car. I like to use the money I saved to pay for the work to be done by people I can trust.

Another tip is to be fussy about interiors. This can eat
huge amounts of money if you have to replace trim e.g electric window switches are over £50 each and the plastic fades and looks awful.

Feel free to ignore any advice I give, I nearly always do. I let my heart rule because it is a hobby I’m passionate about.


The last point to consider is that I don’t think there are many classics out there that are worth less than they were 5 years ago. How many of us have owned and scrapped an Escort or a Mini and now look at the prices in disbelief.

Andy S

[Scar]

Another tip is to be fussy about interiors. This can eat
huge amounts of money if you have to replace trim e.g electric window switches are over £50 each and the plastic fades and looks awful.

Quick hint for fade window switches: boiled linseed oil. Turns them back to black and doesn't leave a residue.

[Mopo]

Jimmy PM sent.

[Ritchie6]

Quick hint for fade window switches: boiled linseed oil. Turns them back to black and doesn't leave a residue.

That sounds interesting as mine are quite grey. So what do I actually need to do? Boil up some Linseed oil for a minute or so and then brush it on or dip them or what? Please advise as I'm quite intrigued now.

Richard