Purchase dilemma.....which Stag do I choose

[Matty Stag]

So having put my wasted journey the other day behind me I have been searching for a car non stop. The problem is (subject to seeing them) there are 2 cars that I cannot decide between because they are so different. So.....

Mk1 in Saffron Rover V8 engine, upgraded gearbox and diff. Looks superb and I understand that the Mk1's have better metal? https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1226646

Mk 2 auto in Java Green, completely original and untouched. Owned by a club member for 20 plus years. Looks like new.

Both are pretty much the same money. So would you recommend (or would you buy) the all original or the modified?

i am pretty much going to buy one of these cars in the next week. The yellow one is local too.

Help. Thanks

[KOY 23]

Original car.

[bullstarz]

95% on here would say the original but realistically you have to try them both or you will always be wondering "what If". The rover engined one looks good but even though i have no engine predigest im not too keen on that type of bonnet bulge, some make the car look good (Tickford Stag). Having said that a Offenhauser manifold and a bonnet make over would sort that.

Dont rush into it though.

[Matty Stag]

95% on here would say the original but realistically you have to try them both or you will always be wondering "what If". The rover engined one looks good but even though i have no engine predigest im not too keen on that type of bonnet bulge, some make the car look good (Tickford Stag). Having said that a Offenhauser manifold and a bonnet make over would sort that.

Dont rush into it though.

Thanks for that. To be honest I had not clocked the bonnet bulge. It does look a nice motor though

[RogerS]

Original car. No contest.

Rog

[Stagdad]

Its the quality of the workmanship with the engine swapped one you need to look at. Some are done really well some not so much.

[ukbiggles]

I think if you are going to ever sell it again, the TV8 engined one is likely to be more appealing to buyers.

Gord

[bullstarz]

This isn't really the best place for an unbiased opinion. With people saying the original without any details of that Original car while the Rover pictures are there to see.

Those who want a Stag because it a classic car will always want the original which is fine if thats what flicks your boat.

However, if you want a Stag because you like the look of it, it brings back happy memories or it ticks all the boxes then it not really an issue. Non Stag Owners that an't a members of the the club will have no doubt done some research or ask a mechanic and they will get the normal answers. That the Stag has a tarnished reputation and it engine will break like a Kit-Kat (other confectionery is available). Mirrored to that the legendary status of the Rover V8 and is easier to work on. They might just want to drive and not have to worry about the engine issues, one less thing to go wrong, their choice might be different.

Resale values yes Originals are higher but their higher to buy in the first place. So a buyer will get a more car for his (or her) money.

Personally i would go for a non standard engine. I know TV8 can be made to be very reliable and quick like the Flying farmers car. That has took a lot of his time and possibly cost about £100 (if his wife ever asked) but if your engine was to fail a replacement running RV8 £475 or TV8 £1600.

[mike@thenook]

One thing on the yellow one is that while it looks to have been done reasonably well it has no power steering that I can see - On a B engined V8 that's ok but on a Stag at parking speeds, a bit of a handful.
I had two P6's without powers steering and they were very heavy parking but fine on the move.
Also, it's got some pretty naff air filters on it, they'd need sorting.
You need to know too most of all what that engine came out of - was it a Land Rover (no thanks) or maybe an SD1 which would be fine.
The LR versions are much lower compression so to get the best from it you'd need to do some work to the heads etc.,
Personally, If I were buying another Stag I'd seriously consider a RV8 engined one, I love the RV8 and it is so easy to modify, plus it's lighter and all aluminium rather that 60/40 like a Stag.

I love my Stag engined Stag, would never sell it but I'm fortunate like many others on here to be able to maintain it properly myself, finding someone commercially to maintain a Stag engine properly is in my experience very difficult and stupidly expensive but the RV8 everyone would work on pretty much, it is so simple.

Just some further thought....

[mjheathcote]

For the same price, the original java green car.
For the RV8 it would have to be more extensively modified than just basically the engine swop. I'd be looking at BMW rear end, uprated brakes, wheels etc and fuel injection. I think it is totally overpriced on the face of it.

[Matty Stag]

Thanks everyone for the advice snd honest opinion. This is exactly the reason I joined the club. To be honest I was all set for the Java green car until the RV8 MK1 appeared yesterday. Based on what I already kind of thought I am going to give the RV8 the swerve. Going to see the green MK2 on Weds so will report back. Enjoy your weekend folks

[mike@thenook]

Hope it turns out to be a good car, and you end up being as happy as we all are with ours!

[jakesmig]

I've had 2 Stags, one a TV8 in 1978 with a TV8 which broke my heart and bank balance. Lovely when it went, but too many engine design flaws cost too much to fix and it went for a massive loss.
Bought my present one in 2006, deliberately opting for an RV8, and it is a fun motor, sounds great and goes well. It doesn't overheat or miss behave and I'm not subjected to the TV8 led 'Stag Paranoia'.
The RV8 suits me and I'm happy with it, but I also like the sound of the TV8 and a clean one looks nice in the Stag engine bay, just not for me.
The basic design flaws are still there in the TV8 which would put me off driving it as hard as I occasionally drive mine.

Best wishes for whichever you choose, stay safe.

John.

[barkerwilliams]

The one with least rust, rust is a bottomless pit for time & money. If you want a classic car then buy one, in this case the original., not a Stag chassis and body panels with the rest belonging to another make.

Without annoying quirks it is not really a Stag is it , its the classic car experience rough with the smooth?

Alan

[new to this]

It doesnt make a lot of difference, the Rover engine car or the Triumph engine car , but im not keen on the bonnet bulge , some Rover modified cars are not converted very well

Dave