A [sort of] moral dilemma

[catfood]

Ok so its not really a moral dilemma just a dilemma but it was a catchy title.

I've just discovered the frogeye I owned inthe early 1990s (my first introduction to this 'old' car obsession) has been restored properly and is soon to be up for sale. I found it by chance by Googling its numberplate, one thing led to another and I got in contact with the last owner who had just sold it to a Frogeye specialist in the UK (at 77 he thought he was getting too old for it). It appears to have been uprated somewhat (1275cc engine and a few other performance mods to replace the bitsa engine that was in it when I had it). The dealer won't give me a price yet as he's still fettling it. Says he will get in contact when he's, to use his words, 'brought it up to a standard he's happy with'.

Now comes the dilemma. Should I go for it? Assuming the price is right (I have it in my head what I would be prepared to pay) I have the readies available but it will have to come out of the BN1 restoration fund which will put that restoration back a year.

Her indoors has agreed to release the funds (seems quite keen actually) so there's no buttering up necessary.

Soooo.....Big Healey...Little Healey.. what's it to be!

Opinions anybody?

 

[TimK]

You really want it back, I think, so stick to your price and let the dealer determine whether he's going to let you have it for your price. If you get it, it just means a delay in finishing the BN1, but you'll have the frogeye to play with in the meantime.

 

[Jeepster]

I imagine the dealer will inflate the price somewhat now he knows he has the previous owner interested in buying the car back.
Lets hope he's no too greedy. Good luck.

 

[catfood]

He doesn't know I was one of the previous owners unless the last owner has been in contact with the dealer. I was careful not to mention it when I made inquiries.

 

[HealeyRick]

Doesn't sound like too difficult a decision as long as the frogeye will be ready to drive and you won't delay finishing the BN1 by too long. I had the opposite decision to make in the early '80s. I had just finished having the body work and paint done on my frogeye when I had the opportunity to buy a solid factory 100M for the grand sum of $5,500. It needed paint and upholstery and probably some other work. So if I bought the M, I wouldn't have the money to complete the frogeye, so I passed on the M. Seeing the prices that 100Ms have risen to, I made a bad financial decision, but the frogeye has given me many years of fun, too.

 

[CLEAH]

No dilemma at all. Buy it! You need a car to drive anyway. Last year I bought my Bugeye because the BJ8 will be in pieces for some time and I needed a car to drive (and always wanted a BE to add to the "collection"). My wife and kids love Spritey too, so all is good. Go for it.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

If you have the space then go for it. I am not a Sprite fan but love the big Healeys. Depends on how far along you are with the BN1 as well. I want to say take the money you are thinking about spending on the Sprite and use it to get the BN back on the road quicker.


Marv

 

[Legal Bill]

I love Sprites and can say with some authority (owned 5 and restored and autocrossed 2) that they are much better balanced cars than the big Healeys. But that aside, I'd do two things. First, start looking at other Sprites that are for sale so that you can keep this one in perspective price-wise. These cars have jumped a lot in the past 10 years so they are no longer cheap cars. There can be a big difference in the value of a category 4 v category 5 car. Plus, if this dealer's price is too high, it will be helpful if you can say "gee, Ed's Sports Cars has one that is about the same for 1,000 less." Second, don't be afraid to give this car a thorough inspection to see if his "standard" is more than just hiding a bunch of problems with temporary fixes.

 

[mk31755]

you don't want to live with regrets. The old would have.....should have...... could have. What is the worst thing .... you buy it, decide you didn't really want it that bad and you sell it. I'd go for it.

 

[Guest]

Pull the trigger !

 

[catfood]

Well consensus seems to be to go for it (provided the price is right).

If it happens (and it still is an if) then the next problem will be pidgeons but I think thats one for 'the pub' not the AH forum.

 

[HealeyRick]

Well consensus seems to be to go for it (provided the price is right).

Coming here to be talked out of buying another LBC is a bit like going into a pub filled with alcoholics and asking whether or not you should have another pint. But you already knew that, didn't you?

 

[HEALEYJAG]

Pass!!! I have learned you can't go back in life...finish the 100.. ypu will be much happier!!

Pete