Midget vs. Spider

[DieselSpider]

Back in the day we used to say British Cars gave you a full time hobby with something to do all month long.

Week 1 - Get the Drive train working right again.
Week 2 - Fix the Exhaust, Brakes or Suspension.
Week 3 - Fix Body and Electrical Issues.
Week 4 - You may get to drive the car or redo something from weeks 1 through 3.

Regardless of whether you got to drive it on week 4 the previous month you start over with the week 1 tasks the next month.

Yet Fiats get the Fix It Again Tony reputation here despite Fiats and Fiat Designed Vehicles being used with very minimal care all over the world in some of the harshest environments on the planet.

I used to pickup and deliver cars for a wholesaler and found the 124 Spider better overall than the MG, Triumph or Sunbeams. Even as a youth they had to shoe horn me into the MGB Midget when I lost the draw with the other drivers and got handed the keys to a Midget. They thought it really funny to stick a 6 foot tall size 50 guy wearing size 12 quadruple E's into a MGB Midget.

Getting out must have looked something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JUVpbuJEfQ

[Soundtrackzz]

If you're enjoying this, I also have a similar thread going on the MGB board. https://www.mgexp.com/phorum/read.php?1,3748160,page=3

[focodave]

I am a paying member of both forums, being an owner of a FIAT Spider and an MGB GT.
It cracks me up how the FIAT guys rag on the MG's and how the MG guys rag on the FIAT's --- many exaggerated untruths being thrown about by guys defending their choice of rides, with all the similarities of the old Chevy vs Ford arguments my friends and I had when we were much younger.
I do all of my own wrenching on my vehicles and I would have to say, in all honesty, when any of the marques I own are properly maintained they are all, within reason, equally reliable (or unreliable). Sure, all marques have their own peculiarities, but they are all cars at the end of the day.
I used to be very brand specific and loyal to one brand, but as I have gotten older I have gained an appreciation and respect for all marques. It makes being a car guy a much more enjoyable experience for me.

[Soundtrackzz]

Since my budget is only 5k would you say I would get more spider or MGB for my money, if I wanted a semi daily driver

[focodave]

There are exceptions to everything and I am speaking in very general terms here, but I would say you will probably get more MGB for $5000 than you will a Spider.
There were almost twice as many MGB's produced than Spiders so the MGB's are a little more available at slightly lower prices for comparable -condition cars.
Like I said, there are always exceptions. Recently, there was a really decent-looking '82 red Spider with tan interior on Craigslist in my area that sold for $5400.

[wetminkey]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I own and maintain a whole slew of different machines. Cars, trucks, tractors. Each is unique, but when maintained properly, all of them run well.
I've had the opportunity to tune and drive an MGB for a friend. It was fun,...
But not like driving my Spider.
Or my Camaro,...
Mustang,...or RX-7,...
I agree with focodave. I like good running machinery,...of whatever type!
Todd.

[njspider]

I have owned both. The midget is just too small. The spider is much more comfortable and more fun to drive.

[aj81spider]

Maybe I'm just confused, but it seems this thread is mixing two different MG's the MG Midget and the MGB.

I was never a fan of the Midget, but the MGB seemed bigger and more attractive.

[Nanonevol]

I see MGB's starting at $6K and up. I got my Spider for $1900 (needing a trans rebuild but otherwise solid). I think those Brit cars are priced high for some reason. Sure they have two more cylinders and could probably beat us in a race, but still....