Stag v TR5 v Merc R107 3litre

[Paul Kelley]

In the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to drive both a TR5 (original UK 150 PI 1968) and a 6 cylinder 3 litre 1985 Merc 107. Would I swap my Stag for either? In a word, no. Obviously a straight swap would make economic sense with TR5s now into the £50k bracket, and a good Merc would also be worth more than the Stag. But the TR5, whilst undeniably pretty to look at, is a harsh 1950s sports car with no power steering, heavy clutch, cramped with a bad fitting hood (hence the popularity of Surrey tops, no doubt). And the Merc is OK to look at, nicely finished, but just plain unexciting to drive. And despite looking like it's carved from granite, they do rust quite badly.

By comparison, my Stag felt very sophisticated against the TR and just a whole bunch more fun than the Merc. You read this stuff in the motoring press, I know, but quite an eye-opener to experience it first hand. Our Stags, properly sorted, are really great cars!

[Ian P]

Thanks for the info, I have always fancied the sl but as time goes on you forget what the older cars drive like
Ian

[mole42]

I honestly can’t think of a single car in the world that I’d rather have than my Stag.
I do miss my Alvis TD21 and my old Mini Cooper was fabulous on forest stages but the Stag will do everything the Alvis did more comfortably and the Stag is a lot of fun to rally, even if the lack of a sump guard makes forest work a no-no!

[Tdm]

+1 on that, I enjoyed the Mini-Cooper I owned in 1968 (which was my 1st brand new car), but enjoyed the Spitfire that replaced it more.
Prior to the Cooper I had a Sunbeam Rapier as I couldn't afford a Sunbeam Alpine or Tiger that I would have preferred, there are some nice examples of Sunbeam Alpines still around, but don't know what they like to drive?

[singapore stag]

TR5/6.....someone compared them to looking like Shoe boxes. Tiger for me though. I have always loved the Lancia Fulvia 1200 hf if I may add. Beautiful car. ( not starting another thread)
Sukh.

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[Phil S]

started on cars that I wish I still had from a selling them now point of view, mini cooper, mk2 lotus Corona, tr6, tr5 , later 2x Dax Rush kit cars, but the stag is by far the most refined and most enjoyable to drive, but as you get older you want slightly different things from a car, but we remain boy racers at heart

[Ritchie6]

Four years ago we stayed at a B&B in Dollar, which is near Alloa in Scotland. They had a fleet of classic cars which were available for guests to hire. I'd always fancied a Stag, having previously owned a couple of big Triumph saloons-a PI and a 2500S. On day one I drove the Stag and was instantly hooked. It drove well, handled well and of course the V8 sound cannot be beaten. On day two I hired a 4.2 litre E Type Jag, albeit a coupe rather than a soft top and to be honest I was disappointed. It was like driving the worlds fastest bus, heavy and cumbersome. The sills are about a foot wide so it's an task just getting into the thing. Yes they look beautiful but at around 13 MPG and expensive to maintain would I like to own one? No, I'll stick with my Stag although I would like to try a TR6 sometime just to compare.


Richard

[Paul Kelley]

Hi Richard

I had a TR6 back in the day, enjoyed it a lot, and before i bought my Stag I tried one out. TR5/TR6 same car underneath and, as Phil says above, we want different things as we get older. The TR 5 and 6 are rooted in 1950s sports car design, i.e. separate chassis and are hard and crude compared to a Stag, which uses technology still in use today (e.g. unitary construction, sophisticated independent suspension). The Stag combines really good, predictable handling with comfort and an ability to press on at decent speeds when asked to do so. At least that's true for manual o/d cars, autos a bit less so.

Paul

[flying farmer]

Having both a TR5 and a Stag I am in a better position to compare than some, but since both are a long way from standard it is only a comparison of the cars in their current state.

Both cars were wobbly and under damped as standard, but the TR was much less bad than the Stag. In their current form with progressive rate springs, poly bushes and adjustable shocks the TR still has the edge over the Stag. The extra weight of the Stag makes the ride smoother but blunts the handling, but for a long distance car the Stag is the clear winner, it is much quieter and more refined.

Personally I love the TR hood, it doesn't leak and is quick to erect and put down which makes it my car of choice for days where rain is likely!

Neil

[Paul Kelley]

Thanks Neil, I always value your knowledge and insights here on the forum, and clearly you are in a great position to comment on this topic. I think it comes down to the fundamental fact that the TR is a sports car and the Stag is a GT cruiser and therein lie the differences of their characteristics. My heart still loves the TRs but my head, not to mention older bones, appreciates the Stag's greater creature comforts! Re the hood, I must admit I didn't put up the TR hood as it was already in place (rain was threatened) but it didn't appear to fit very well around the windows and was noisier than the Stag's. Again, back to sports car v cruiser I guess.
Paul

[RobinLegin]

Hi Mole42. Did not realise there was a fellow Alvis owner in SOC or former. I have a TC21/100 saloon, and it is very comfortable on long journeys but a little bit on the hot side in summer - even with sunroof open. Of course it does handle differently to the Stag. There’s no power steering, the hydraulic brakes are drum, and cruising speed is between fifty and sixty (braking distance permitting).
The Stag is noisier at cruising speeds but then again that is 10 to 20 mph faster. It has less space for luggage and two dogs. But with speed limits apparently being lowered everywhere or being considered to be lowered, speed may not be the issue. Certainly in France now the max speed is 50 mph on RN roads e c’est where marked otherwise.
My wife prefers the Stag by a long chalk. She has also just reminded me she can drive the Stag when I have had more than one drink but not the Alvis ! I enjoy both, but my back prefers the Alvis.
Sadly, the Alvis is going to be looking for a new owner, whilst the Stag is going to receive regular upgrades.
Lastly i had a 997 Mini Cooper in my youth. It was a load of rubbish. My 1959 mini Austin Seven was way more reliable.

[mole42]

Hi Robin, my TD was a drop-head, lovely in the summer, the hood had insulation and a lining so warm in winter. A true gentleman’s carriage! It did have an early disc / drum brake setup with a servo, stopping was always adequate.
I never took it abroad but the Stag has seen action on the German autobahn and keeps up 110mph easily. The Alvis boot was bigger but we still manage to pack for two in the Stag! The only thing I’d change on the Stag is the wind noise - cruising above about 60mph it becomes difficult to converse with the passenger.
My Cooper was a 997 - we wrecked it rolling down a hill in Wales. Straight cut gearbox, limited slip diff, roll cage, sump guard…, quite quick, very noisy and a lot of fun.
Richard