Should You Buy a TR6?
Вставка
- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- Thanks for the feedback on the mic quality! It's the first of these videos I've done so I'll be adding a new mic and probably another camera or two soon.
Search around on the internet, and you'll find dozens of jokes made about Lucas Electric being terrible. There's a belief that classic cars are unreliable, or impractical, or expensive. Thing is... that doesn't have to be true. Maybe I'm a little biased, but I take my TR6 for a drive and share some thoughts about the late 60s/early 70s technology. New enough to start having some modern feel and basic safety items, old enough to be really freakin' cool. There's a reason these TR6s are gaining quickly in popularity!
Got my 76 last August. So fun to drive! I love it, a true driver’s experience. Don’t need to go fast to feel fast. And it looks gear-fab, YEABABY! I have a Pimento Red TR6.
Right on!
This is great! I have a TR4 and a Border Collie. I take him around with me in the TR all the time. Never use the top. Only thing is I'd like a quieter exhaust for the dogs sake. Mine has the Monza and it's a bit loud. Cheers!
Hey, Tom! do you have resonators on your exhaust system? I recently installed a Monza system on my 6 and it was insanely loud on acceleration. I didn't drive the car since I felt like an a**hole. I went back and got resonators installed and the volume is mellow, now. Quiets down when I'm not on the pedal but opens up reasonably when I get on it.
I had a Monza as well and actually took it off in favor of a stock setup. It sounds great, but gets a bit "drone-ey" at higher RPM.
Also really easy to work on. The engine compartment is so open.
Watched a Rebuild Rescue the other day about an Austin Healey, i was amazed how similiar it was to my TR6.
They're both very similar under the skin (albeit different companies, but the way you go about doing the work is pretty close to the same). I think the biggest difference with the Healey is that it's harder to reach things since the bonnet opening is smaller.
The TR6 purr....is the #1purr in the world!....that exhaust note....sublime!
There are a few that I like better. The Healey 3000 springs to mind, and of course some exotics like Astons and Ferraris, but no question it's up there with the greats!
Had a royal blue/ black 1969 very early TR6 built right after the TR250. High compression no smog stifling horsepower grabbing EPA junk. Quick, agile, comfortable for 6’5” guy. I would wax it and purposely drive it late at night in front of storefront glass windows to enjoy the reflection with the polished wire wheels and listen to the concert sounds of that engine
I had a TR250, and actually prefer it to the 6. What a wonderful engine in either car, and the fact that we both think these TRs are comfortable is a testament to just how good the design was. Not everyone likes wires on the TR6, but sounds like you do. I have wires on my 71.
I had a '69 TR6 back in the early to mid 70's. I LOVED it but... it spent almost as much time in the shop as it did with me. Regardless, here in retirement I wanted to get another convertible two-seat sports car. After all, I have the time to tool around, right?
So what do I do? Get another TR6 and maybe get hold of a really good one or go in a more practical, a more modern direction.... I choose the latter. Bought me a 2020 MX-5 Miata, 100-year Anniversary edition.
I had an aftermarket cat-back system exhaust put on it (adds 8HP, dyno validated), slotted rotors and better pads. The engine is dead reliable and good for 250K+ miles if you take care of it. Power is 181-189 with the exhaust I put on. It weighs ~2350 lbs. It handles WAY better than my old TR6... hell, it handles better than my 2021 LT1 Camaro! The ND Miata's are amazing and very affordable sports cars. Oh, and the manual soft-top goes up or down in about 6 seconds!! Mazda designed that feature into it's first iteration, the NA back in ~'89.
So folks, old TR6's are way-kewl... but there are modern alternatives that need to be looked at. If you can work on your own cars and like doing so, then it might make a lot of sense to get one or several other older British cars. I still long for a TR6... but I'd rather drive 'em than work on 'em. Just sayin'... 😉😉
BTW... cute pooch! 🙂🙂
Sorry for the late reply! The Miata is a great car. I had a Z3 for a while that I loved.
Sound a bit like mine,bit clunky to start and drive. Still lot of fun and faster than one would think. Mine has overdrive which helps. Brakes are not great replace with wilwood.
Wilwood has a great reputation, but TR6 brakes will lock up all 4 wheels if you maintain them well. It is an older-car pedal feel though.
It is almost impossible to understand what you’re saying you need to get a better microphone my friend but yes I love my TR six and I’ve had it for 33 years
Yeah, I don't do many videos behind the wheel for that reason. I'm looking at lavalier microphones for the future. At least you can hear the engine!
Sold all my LBCs last fall, kinda miss them. Still gots too many parts in shop leftover.
The best way to use up those spare parts is to buy more LBCs!
I'm 6'1", 250lbs, how's the leg room and fit with the steering wheel distance from the body
Better than most of that vintage. There are modifications people have done to move the seat back further too if needed. If you have a club local to you I guarantee an owner would let you sit to see how it fits.
That sure looks like a Defender parked next to the TR6, you are a glutton for punishment. Just kidding luck guy with two great cars! Re sound must be the microphone exaggerating the sound. I have no problem listening to Pandora in mine, have to admit often just leave the music off car sounds so good.
So I'm going to test a new mic and will re-film this eventually. Thanks for the feedback! We do have a Defender 110. The wife also has an L322 Range Rover and a classic Mini. She has good taste in cars, but really to my eye it seems like they're all exactly the same shape just different sizes....
It is hard to hear and understand your video. Good intentions but I think will be nice to use a close microphone, thank yo u for the video
One step ahead of you! My next video tested the new mic. It works great (even with the top down), though it also reminded me that I need to either use 2 mics or edit the video later to turn it into stereo sound.
Ps love the border collie !
Healey won't let me leave the house without trying to jump in the car. He love going for rides. :)
Also agre with hott, with you had used a microphone.
Just bought a new wireless mic setup and a second camera. Stay tuned for a new film once everything arrives!
If you enjoy having to troubleshoot multiple electric problems, carburation problems, premature rusting, premature engine wear problems, brake failures , exhaust system rusting out ... then this is the car for you.
The remedy for almost all of those is to drive it more. I drive one of the Triumphs almost every day when it's not winter. That said, Any old car will require upkeep. It's part of the charm!
Have mine since 4 years, this is absolutely not my experience. Nearly one ride per week, including during winter ;-)
Had a 72 in college - no real issues and never left me stranded, 25 9 hour trips from Miami to Tallahassee, F.S.U. - except once driving from Wash D.C. to Miami, Fla. - alternator bearing went out - replaced by real mechanic for $15 in 74 - ha! Also had to rebuild my master cylinder over spring break with $6 kit.
Ok - how about currently - we’ll have had my 72 again for past 7 years and have refurbished entire car - but it’s 50 years old - again, it’s never stranded me - if you want to tinker and have a mechanical mindset - no electronics - then give it try. The negatives don’t outweigh the positives memories of this lovely piece of British car history.
Never had a tad of electrical problems in my TR6, if you butcher the wiring harness by splicing in radio, lights and add on junk, guess what electrical problems. Fact