In article <003f01c1b40c$4c12eb00$97e407c3@jonmac>, John Macartney
<jonmac@ndirect.co.uk> writes
>Fact: Put an enthusiast in front of a car that's for sale and emotion
>puts elementary common-sense in jeopardy
>I'm faced with a dilemma and the common-sense is in serious risk of
>going out of the window.
>Two days ago, I was offered a 1974 2000 saloon, manual/overdrive in
>Green Mallard and the paperwork with it suggests the 80k miles on te
>odometer is genuine. Car's in very good all round condition, well
>worth preserving and, longer term, spending some money on to ensure it
>stays that way. Unlikely it will ever APpreciate in value.
>I'm sorely tempted to buy it - but with a Fergie and now a fully
>operational and road legal 2.5PI, it's hard to justify a further funds
>outflow. I'd also ave something of a storage problem in the winter.
>However, it's clear from posts appearing on this and other lists in
>the spring, summer and autumn that enthusiasts visit the UK and
>enquire on the availability of classic hire cars. This is what is in
>my mind - though not, I stress for personal gain.
OK, at this point you are saying (a) you can't afford it, (b) you've
nowhere to keep it and (c) you hope you might be able to get a few bob
in hire charges to offset the costs. If the car is as good as you say,
someone else who (a) can afford it, (b) has somewhere to keep it and (c)
doesn't need to hire out it out, will buy it, preserve it, and keep it
in the style to which it should be accustomed.
There is a very tidy Herald 13/60 convertible with hard top in a garage
just up the road from me, which is for sale at GBP995, and has been for
some time. I would *love* to buy this car, but have exactly the same
problems that you have, hence it is still on the forecourt.
Sometimes, you just have to let your head rule your heart.
>Enter third element of the equation.
>A few weeks ago, I came across a former Triumph employee who was a
>good friend and who definitely has a sad cross to bear.
<snip>
Here's where your problem is. You see this car as a way of helping out
a friend in trouble. But is it the best way to do that?
>Bottom line is I'm willing to gamble about $1000 to buy the car if I
>can satisfy myself there's a hire opportunity that people would like
>to use and who are prepared to put heads above parapets.
>Some may query "why a 2000 and not a Spitfire, TR or Vitesse?"
>No other reason than that even good 2000's by UK standards are cheap,
>they will seat four people in comfort and the boot is massive for the
>luggage that SWMBO might bring if only two wanted to use the car.
I don't know where the quotation comes from, but it seems very apt: "Man
is not a rational animal, he is a *rationalising* animal."
>The collective *common-sense thoughts* of this list would be of
>considerable interest. I think I already know the majority response
>but I'd like to save this car, try to help Arthur and find a way
>whereby Triumph enthusiasts could use a Triumph on a UK visit.
>Have I lost all my marbles?
You probably put them somewhere safe years ago, and now can't quite
remember where. I'll remember where I left mine, one of these days...
If you want a reality check, go to your bank manager and ask for a
business loan on the basis of your idea of hiring out the car. He will
ask for a full business plan, including market research,
depreciation/appreciation estimates, running costs, garaging costs,
repair costs, insurance costs, etc., etc., etc. If, once you have
provided this information, he gives you the loan, you can be reasonably
sure that you do actually stand a chance of getting your initial outlay
back. If he tells you that you are barking mad, then you can be
reasonably sure that your wish to do something that will help your
friend has blinded you to the problems you are storing up for yourself.
Sorry to be so negative, but I've seen a lot of responses saying "go for
it" and felt it might help you to make a decision if someone was to put
the opposite case.
ATB
--
Mike
Michael Hargreave Mawson, author of "Eyewitness in the Crimea"
http://www.greenhillbooks.com/booksheets/eyewitness_in_the_crimea.html
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