Re: Stag Questions....(Long)

[PGAHOWELLS@domain.elided]

Hi 
The Stag is a superb car. Mine is great. I drive it daily and have done so 
through the last 9 winters. It was ziebarted from nearly new so that helped. 
But the Coating goes hard with age and splits away leaving  a hidey hole for 
moisture to collect, and rust sets in. Important to look under a lot to find 
any laminating underseal and pull it off and give the area  a good soaking 
from a warmed up bottle of Waxoyl.
I think the worst rot in a Stag is from the inside. If the windscreen rubber 
leaks at the top, the water drops on your foot, and soaks the carpet which 
rots the floor out. It runs down beside the seats and rots out the floor pan 
side welding. If the door do not have water curtains the water will run down 
the inside of the door trim and into the car, soaking the rear footwell 
carpet. 
Outside the obvious areas are the usual problem, like sills and wheel arches 
but with good protection I think these can be kept relatively rust free. 

Generally it is true that one has ones head under the bonnet at least once 
per week doing something. Electronic ignition cuts down on things wandering 
out of tune, but carbs lose their damper oil, coolant can leak very slightly. 
Oil changes are 3000 miles with filter, so a Stag owner is kept fairly busy.

But if you like them, go for it. Any old car needs attention.
Regards
Peter H