Is the MG Midget a good Daily Driver?

I'm often asked if my MG would be a good daily driver for the average person commuting to work. I have mixed feelings about this, and this is why.
#britishcars #carslover #vintagecars

[@thomasbeirne8213]

When I was 17 or so, a "buddy" of mine down the street had one for a while. One day, we were in his driveway, and he was trying to sell it me, as my first car. During his spiel, his girlfriend pulled up, and first thing she said upon getting out of her truck was "Wow, you couldn't even tell that thing was on fire just yesterday". I passed.

[@SirDrifto]

It sounded hot😂

[@tedecker3792]

lol!

[@tommygtr3571]

I Love these cars. I once had a 69 and had no trouble maintaining 65 mph on the interstate. I live in the Northeast and drove it year round. NEVER had a problem. Strong heater as well. Cheap to run and maintain.

[@SirDrifto]

They are cheap to keep running

[@mrEC]

My first car was a ‘67 Midget. Fit just right in Hawaii. Fun to drive with top down, great gas mileage as gas was about 50c a gallon then. It was very easy to maintain myself, changing oil, brakes, etc. I eventually traded it in for a ‘69 MGC-GT. Wish I still had both those cars. Almost bought the Toyota 2000GT, another car I wish I could have.

[@Haffschlappe]

Sadly on Hawai soon All Gas cars will be illegal

[@sammyjenkins6955]

I've had one for 10years now and used it as a daily on and off for years. I drove it through two winters before I worked out it had a fan heater 🤣😂 It is soo much fun in the snow and rain. It slides around at low speed and makes you giggle. I bought it as a joke but had so much fun with It. She has been sat for over a year and I turned the key on her last week and she fired right up. Been driving it for a week and done a few hundred miles, yes the exhaust did fall off but besides that it drove perfect. I took it around a "track" the other day and she was well over 100mph quite happy 🤣 I push it quite hard and done a lot of upgrades on box, diff and engine. I have a sticker on the back that says "no airbags, we die like real men" 😂😂

[@mickyhamer1300]

Had a 1965 midget ..drove to and from work for a couple of years in the uk...100 miles a day...summer and winter...no problem...

[@redcapote4760]

A classic white convertible looks so good in that green field.

[@belperflyer7419]

Did 100k miles in our 1967 Mk4 1275cc AH Sprite from 1969 on. It was our only car and was also used to tow our racing dinghy to Open meetings and championships. Did up to 300 miles in a day sometimes (pre motorways everywhere). Needed a fair bit of fettling to keep it running (had motorcycles, too) but we loved it. Quite quick, too - 90 mph easily with really good handling.

[@crashbox7130]

I'm in the UK and if I was in the marketplace for a post-WW2 two-seater it would be a 1960s Midget. I own the GGGGG-grandfather of the post-war Midget. I have a 1932 Morris Minor two-seater. The very first MG Midget, the 1929-1932 M-type, was a sports version of the 1928-1934 Morris Minor with a lightweight boat-tail sports body on it. Over the last few years I've driven 11,000 miles with only one failure to get home, when a core plug popped on the cylinder head and the coolant escaped. Last June it took me from the English Midlands (Worcestershire) to the Scottish Highlands. I did 1200 miles over 8 days in 28 degree Celsius (82F) heat... No problem. The 6 volt pre-war Lucas electrics are also bombproof.

[@SirDrifto]

Time to find another

[@theblackbear211]

I drove my Midget for years, but I always said, in answer to your question, "If you have a commute of about 20 miles or less on the weekdays, and time to "putter" with the car on Saturday, and then take a drive in the country on Sunday... you'll be just fine. But if you need more than that, or, you neglect your weekly "puttering"... all bets are off." I loved mine dearly, but I always carried a tool box.

[@kevinobenhaus6769]

I had an MGB in the mid 80s when I was stationed at Ft Lewis, WA with the US Army. I bought it in Seattle from a rather affluent family. I drove it all over Tacoma and would go to Seattle almost every weekend depending on my schedule. When I bought it, I took it to a specialty British car place and they said the car was very solid. This didn’t surprise me because the prior owner cared for it very well. I got orders to Korea and decided to sell it and got a new VW to drive home to Oklahoma for 30 days leave before going overseas. I was nervous about driving the MGB home. Should have kept the MGB in retrospect. I loved the car. It’s one of only two cars I’ve regretted selling in my lifetime, the other being my second car ever, a ‘65 El Camino. I agree with everything you said on your review. 👍🏻

[@mundanestuff]

Split bumper, chrome bumper, round wheel arch, 1275, front discs, wire wheels, as far as Midgets go, yours is a very desirable version. But it has about 2" of ground clearance, so when you do choose to drive it in the snow, you're going to be snowplowing, possibly hitting ice, jamming salt into every nook and cranny, hitting brake lines, fuel line, so for me, snow is right out (Rochester, NY, so we know snow). I think all your reasoning is spot on, I'm not driving mine on long straight highways. Short trips on the ring road, absolutely, but then I'm also giving it several miles to cool down after the high speed runs. But if you get hit in this car, you're going to suffer. Horribly. So this makes a great second car. We went to Watkins Glen for the Vintage Grand Prix two weeks ago, and drove my Midget. Wonderful drive from Rochester to the Glen through the finger lakes region, and around the infield at the track all weekend. Had to stop and get groceries, beer, snacks, and forgot we were driving the Midget. Got back to the car and my wife had to carry bags on her lap as we filled the trunk and the skuttle!

[@SirDrifto]

Sounds like an amazing trip!

[@mundanestuff]

@@SirDrifto it was. We got up Sunday, drove in dense fog with the top down through back country roads from Watkins Glen back to Rochester then immediately drove to Maine, lol. But for that drive to Maine we took our 04 Towncar (in perfect condition), so rode in comfort with AC blasting. That car is like driving a lazy boy reclining chair compared to the Midget! Four adults, plenty of trunk space for luggage, 80/90MPH, 7 hour drive down I90 to I95 above Boston. Should have towed the Midget behind it for local trips in Maine but it rained all week. Members of our car club, during this same week, drove from Rochester to Quebec and had planned to go on to Halifax NS! They drove a pair of MG Bs with over drive, so they didn't shy away from highways in the least. So if you want a classic MG to drive between cities like that, get a B with a 5 speed.

[@gregmooradian3711]

Couldn't agree more! Well said. Your MG is one of the nicest I've seen. Enjoy!

[@SirDrifto]

Thank you so much

[@stevekovacs6250]

Maintenance neglect will kill any car but especially a Brit car. I've owned many different Brit cars over 30 years and have never really experienced a complete melt down with one. I once drove a 1962 Mk1 Austin 850 Mini Wagon from California to Dayton, Ohio and back without a glitch. As far as the "Prince of Darkness", it was never an issue due to the maintenance of all my years of ownership. I've owned Jags, Morris Minors, Minis,Triumphs, MG, English Fords, etc and the list goes on.......

[@SirDrifto]

That is true

[@awalk5177]

I only have British cars (currently five) in UK, from Land Rover, Lotus, Jaguar and two MG's. The one I have most issues with is electronics on the Jaguar and that is not that often, but too much electronics can be a pain you know where. I have been motoring for 54 years and dont know what the fuss is about Lucas electrics. I don't see the problem. The Midget is a pocket rocket, fits like a glove.

[@drjoannagoodman]

I love this cars. I bought one new in 1978 in British Raving Green.

[@SirDrifto]

Great color choice

[@drjoannagoodman]

👌

[@robinhughes9176]

I have a 71 Sprite/Midget 38 years and counting. 3 restorations on. Converted it to EV 4 years ago and it has been 100% reliable and almost 0 maintenance, plus seriously quick, plus I still have a manual gearbox and still makes me smile and I drive it all year too. Just bought a 67 Midget project to do… will keep it petrol.. Fabulous cars!

[@kvamver]

nice job man! just bought a 1969 midget, havent got it yet,but i cant whait to pick it up! cheers from Norway

[@greenNRGinit]

did you get your midget yet?? hope so, how'd it go ? ;)

[@cloudpumper6399]

Very nice ride. Had a bug eye in high school. A different experience than anything today.

[@SirDrifto]

A good experience nonetheless 😁

[@darcyarchambault5901]

Thank you for the video. I just love the steering weel on your midget. It was the same on my austin healy sprite 65 that i owned in early seventies.

[@drewbarker8504]

The 1275 is so perfect in that package. (And that’s still one of my favorite license plates of all time. 😂) To that point, I did daily drive my MGB GT every day up until the pandemic, and doing 70 on the highway with no OD sounded like sitting in a small plane about to roll down the runway, but the enjoyment factor 95% of the time was 11/10.

[@percivalmeinhardt2293]

You explained that so perfect and with so much love for that beautiful car. There's nothing more to say.

[@greenNRGinit]

Love the car, the dog and the open plains of Colorado :) Thanks for the open air comments on the Midget! WIsh I had one!

[@SirDrifto]

Any time!

[@Haffschlappe]

You can install the great Austin E Series 1500 and 1745 OHC with an Adapter kit

[@maxeluy]

My only car is my 82 Fiesta MK1 1300, the only 2 advantages are a fixed roof and 4 seats, having a classic/old car is definitely a commitment, i enjoy it, but if i had the space and money to have a modern car and my fiesta, i would definitely have both, a generic modern car for transportation and long trips and my Fiesta for enjoyment.

[@MichaelJustice-ng7by]

I would say to be a great daily driver

[@awalk5177]

I love driving these cars in winter snow. You can throw them around and they are quite predictable, if well maintained, and there is very little to go wrong. When it rains they can drip on your knee, which is a standing joke with Midget owners. They are like putting on a glove and you only need a small parking space. It is all about simple maintenance, no electronics to go wrong, simplicity and cheap motoring. Well maintained, it should always start without any trouble. I first had one in 1980 (before children) and now have another one fully restored in retirement, just for fun.

[@mgmidgetsandme6647]

I’ve been using my midget as a daily since July it’s been great until last week when the gearbox got jammed in 4th gear and now in the process of getting the engine out and putting the new box in

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Due to the BABVVO and TEBBVO laws, all petrol cars will unfortunately soon be banned from public streets in the EU, CH USA and Scandinavia :-( In Germany, the Green People's Party has given the order to shorten the fuel supply from 2025 by reducing all conventional gas stations to just one state-run central gas station per city or county Now they even want to slow down all gas pumps by 20 liters per minute to 2 liters per minute... From 2027, some car spare parts will also be banned in the EU... such as exhaust systems, turbochargers and even some engine and gearbox oils. .. California and New York will do the same from 2027... So no more investing in petrol cars... They even created a new type of crime here called emissions and smoke crime . "Bundesabgasbespaßungsverbotsverordnung" BABVVO in Germany and HESCHLAVVO in Switzerland!

[@Quint_69]

3:57 You just gave the exact description of my Suzuki Cappuccino. Which is lighter. I plan on dailying it in a much colder state. 😅

[@SirDrifto]

Those are cool cars too

[@petemee2876]

Owned 2 midgets in the 1970/80s and yes they were my daily, couldn’t afford 2 cars. Drove for years in all seasons, snow no issues just throw a concrete block in the trunk. Winter driving in a 1970s car in the uk was character building, covering the engine with a blanket overnight, keeping a good battery warm and charged and usually it would start on a cold morning. The other trick was park on a slope you could always bump start it.

[@user-gl5kj1fm5x]

the prince of darkness is a universal expression

[@Haffschlappe]

Darth Vader electrics

[@loewesandberg5033]

Is that a little stero you have down there? Mind to share what equipment? How big was it?

[@SirDrifto]

Just a little basic $20 Amazon’s Bluetooth stereo. Has been great.

[@crazyketchup9822]

Love the vids man, two questions. Is your car a five speed? And what can you do to make it ride better at Highway speeds? I have the stock four speed and the car shakes after doing 65 at like 4500 rpm’s, what would you recommend? Thanks man

[@paulrobinson476]

I tried to find a quad pipe for a1275, but it seems they are designed for 1500s. Did you have to modify your quad pipe exhaust to make it fit?

[@icarusairways6139]

Lucas electrical system, "The Prince of Darkness."

[@Haffschlappe]

AC Delco as Bad

[@T3PinR]

I owned a '74 senior year in high school when everyone else were motorheadss.

[@SirDrifto]

I bet that was a cool car back then

[@user-gl5kj1fm5x]

the other thing to bear in mind is in England 5 miles is a long way 20 miles was a weekend away remember the whole country is only 900 miles from end to end

[@markfiechter4381]

Hi there. I love this car… but, will a golf bag fit in the small trunk? Thank you… Mark

[@SirDrifto]

It most likely wont

[@markfiechter4381]

Thanks … s*!t👍🫡

[@JJJBRICE]

Old Captain Nugget looks like he wants to take a nap .

[@SpikeArrowood]

Well, as long as everything is checked out and replaced if needed. It will be a BLAST!! until it snows like feet😲

[@SirDrifto]

That is true!

[@SpikeArrowood]

@@SirDrifto you influenced me to get a manual 240d...I have one in light yellow, perfect black interior, manual windows/sunroof/transmission/AC!! I have put 10k on it the last year . It now has 197k! Totally in LOVE with that cat!!

[@SirDrifto]

@@SpikeArrowood that is awesome

[@tedecker3792]

I’ve had three in years past, all were daily drivers.

[@stephenc6955]

I guess the answer is NO.

[@ElectricBlaze164]

The answer is: it depends on your situation. For example, I am 5’1, single, and looking for a fun car to just drive around my small town on the weekends. Nothing major, so it should work fine for me and what I want out of it.

[@GO_OutDoors]

What muffler do you have on that MG? I don't care for the monza duel pipe set up. I think there to load.

[@SirDrifto]

ANSA is what I'm running

[@GO_OutDoors]

Never heard of them? Where can I find them at?@@SirDrifto

[@GO_OutDoors]

Sorry found them thanks!

[@TechGamer45]

When you think about it.. Back then we would average no more than 5-8k miles a year when you guys and gals would do more so you would work the cars more than us hence why the reliability issues.

[@SirDrifto]

That's a great point

[@raybiesgarage495]

How tall are you mate?

[@bigtime4701]

17 minutes and no mention of leg room

[@SirDrifto]

Don't worry I'll do a video of a tall guy driving it.

[@joeimbesi5361]

I’m 6’ and had lots of legroom. The wheel is pretty close to the chest and a smaller wheel helps getting in and out.

[@tedecker3792]

Legs go far forward alongside the motor. Deceiving.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Sadly in EU and USA soon all gas cars are illegal!

[@rob19632]

No, i dont fit, its too small.

[@DavidBriggsAdventures]

My 72 Midget was my daily driver in Eugene. I miss owning one and plan to buy one as soon as I can.