Many car buyers get smitten by the beautiful looks of their new machines and give little thought to the overall process of owning a car. This process has several factors to consider, including affordability of insurance, availability of spare parts, and, most importantly, the general ease of maintenance. Some cars are built in such a way that they will need very little work on them, yet will still serve you well. Others, such as many Jeeps, have all their focus on off-road performance. Thus, most of their equipment is meant to last long, even after a long period of exposure to harsh conditions. Some classic cars have also proven their worth through the test of time.We’ve witnessed the ability of European carmakers to build cars that last a lifetime. The Land Rover Defender is a good example of a hardy car that can serve generations with minimal wear and tear. Even after retiring from heavy-duty after about 20 years on the road, some Land Rover models still maintain good work manners and continue to serve their owners with loyalty.Are there European sports cars that have the same pride? Well, sports cars are a different class altogether. They may not live as long as most of their off-road counterparts, but some of them are good enough and last multiple decades with minimal maintenance. This list shifts focus to some classic British sports cars, specifically evaluating their ease of maintenance.
10 1990-1992 Lotus Elan SE
The Elan nameplate was fixed on two series of Lotus' cars. The first series ran from 1962 to 1965, while the other one was produced between 1989 and 1995. The main difference between the two is that one was a rear-wheel-drive vehicle while the other was a front-wheel drive.
Lotus rides on the premise of lightweight vehicles, an attribute that comes mainly from their fiberglass bodies. According to Motortrend, replacing the Lotus Elan parts shouldn’t be a major challenge. Parts are easily available, especially in England. Engines also get easy replacements. The Ford Zetec four-cylinder engine is among the top choices with which you can swap. It should get you going with much struggle.
9 1968-1976 Triumph TR6
The Triumph TR6 is considered one of the greatest in the lineage of traditional British cars. With the TR6, you get good performance and thrills on the road. The TR6 was no doubt one of the most desirable and most famous of the manufacturer's cars. Petrolicious.com says that this is “not just a great car, but a sound investment.”
Among elements that make its maintenance, a breeze is the existence of lots of TR specialists and the ease of availability of spare parts. According to classiccars4sale.net, it's one of the cars on which you can implement lots of DIY approaches. The vibrant online community is also a useful resource for advice, recommendations, and referrals. Such a support system makes things easy to restore classic cars in modern times.
8 1955-1962 MG MGA
Morris Garages (MG) is the name that company founder Cecil Kimber gave to the company that would over time become an icon in its own right. Apparently, it was in respect of his then-boss, William Morris.
The British automaker became a renowned brand, churning out good-looking cars that remained bubbly and carved a space among many rivals.
The MGA has been out of production for a long time, BUT a close-knit society of enthusiasts and specialist still exist. This social scene and the availability of parts make it relatively easy to maintain. According to car review website Auto Express, there are many companies that reproduce mechanical parts and interior parts, making restoration and maintenance a walk in the park. However, corrosion might be the biggest challenge you may have to deal with.
As most manufacturers transitioned into ponton styling in the 1960s, British manufacturer MG retained the T-series styling. This shape worked quite well on their roadster models for a long time.
7 1988-1996 Jaguar XJS Convertible
There is hardly any Jaguar that you won’t fall in love with. They are solid cars built to last long, serve well, exuding confidence and class. This was the same style that the Jaguar XJS Convertible exhibited. Interestingly, this car didn’t receive as much attention and appreciation when it was launched. Still, it went on to sell more than 115,000 units globally.
As long as you find a JaguaR XJS whose engine is in relatively good shape, you are assured of easy days ahead. The V12 engine was always a smooth one, and you can easily detect its status by checking out how much noise comes out of it. “If the engine you’re listening to seems noisy, then walk away.” Says Classicworld.co.uk.
6 1958-1961Austin-Healey "Frogeye" Sprite
If you drive an Austin-Healey Sprite on any road, you are bound to attract immense attention. Such attention is well deserved, for an Austin-Healey is indeed a unique car in many aspects. There are quite a number of Austin-Healey models you can pick from, but let's focus on the Frogeye Sprite.
The "Frogeye" moniker comes from its double headlights sitting conspicuously on the hood in a manner that pops out. It’s an admirable sports car with a unique design. In terms of restoration, engine swaps are the easiest point to start off. There are quite a number of Sprites out there and a number of social clubs for more support. In an interview with Hagerty, renowned restorer of Austin-Healey David ”Buguye” Silberkleit noted that there is an increased interest among enthusiasts. He calls it a “car with absolutely no pretensions, that elicits all kinds of responses from all kinds of people.”
5 1961-1979 MG Midget
The MG Midget got popularity as the budget sports car that cut across class and age. If you get one that’s in good shape today, you will still enjoy low running costs and be able to park it in just about any available space in town due to its size. The initial investment in the purchase is also pocket-friendly.
Hagerty calls the MG Midget the, “little car with big personality.” It’s easy to deduce this from the vehicle’s ability to capture attention. The MK1s are poised as the most valuable Midgets. They were in circulation between 1961 and 1964, although the Midget nameplate had been around since the 1930s.
As long as you find a Midget that isn’t much exposed to corrosion, you will have an easy time around. New shells are easy to find at low prices. They are also easily tunable, and the BMC “A” series engine with several tuning shops is ready to give them a clean start.
4 Triumph Stag
The Triumph Stag makes quite an interesting classic to restore and maintain. Like a number of them on this list, you spend less on purchase, and one with a good running engine will serve you just right.
For a Triumph Stag to give you an easy time, you might need to replace the timing chain after every 30,000 miles, and by all means, don’t neglect the engine. For the interior, see to it that the vinyl seats are still in good shape. They are more often durable and cost-effective. You may need to replace rubbers and foam if you find seats a little uncomfortable. Generally, the Triumph Stag should be an inexpensive car to live with and maintain on overall.
3 TVR Chimaera
The Chimaera is a name derived from Greek mythology. The first of these outlandish sports cars were produced in 1993 and instantly became TVR’s best selling car, maintaining this momentum until 1998 or thereabout.
The most outstanding thing the Chimaera brings to the table is being practical and usable. The trunk is large enough, while the suspension provides just the necessary support. The engine is reliable and it's recommended that you restart it when it is hot. Most parts, including the springs, shocks, and rubber bushes, will serve you well, especially if you keep an eye on them regularly. Look for rusted disc surfaces if the car had been packed for a long time. Since there is a lot of fiberglasses, rust isn’t a major concern, particularly for the body. Most parts are also easily available and you can enjoy a good ride in this classic.
2 1959 – 1967 Austin-Healey 3000
The Austin-Healey 3000 received a lot of love from enthusiasts for its cool looks and good road manners. To this day, the 3000 is attractive and attention-grabbing. It became even juice that you could push it to 120 mph and still get a smooth response from the straight-six engine.
A key consideration is ensuring that the rear springs hold tight without sagging. This protects the 3000 adequately since it has a low ground clearance. Although the front and rear wings were built of steel, you can find aluminum replacements. For the interior, ensure that too much exposure to the sun hasn’t damaged it much. In the recent past, the 3000s have been hiking in value, but they still make a good investment.
1 Mini Cooper S
The Mini Cooper S has been around since 1959; quite a long time, it seems, yet it continues to catch the attention of keen enthusiasts. After all, the modern versions have made a good attempt to maintain the heritage.
Just as the modern model, the classic version of the Mini Cooper is soft on the pocket in terms of maintenance.
With production still ongoing, there are lots of ways to keep a classic Mini Cooper in good shape and serving you well. Some reviewers also note that there are several models years that have proven durable and reliable.