Tobisausage

One of the worst cars you can buy. Forgot the idea even came into your head. GF's mum had one, it had so many problems, clown cars.

Like others have said MX5 is far superior. BMW Z3 also worth a look.

rallycol

iTrader: (4)

Missus had one just to see if she fancied a convertible ,97 non vvc 1800 quid, no problems but she was probably lucky,she did spin it once:0,roof didn't fit too well,but it was economical,she's managed the opposite lock now ,in an S2000

lightwave693

problem with the k series 4cyl is that the coolant expansion tank is soo small so even the smallest leak will empty the tank, over heat you know the rest. engine is a good one just a shame rover didnt think before shoving it in. cylinder liners sometimes drop too which is major job/new engine.

Dave Thornton

MGF - Any experiances folks??

Experiences yes. My aunt has one and she gave Ann Widdecombe a lift back to the station in it. That would have been an experience.

And yes, her head gasket has gone too.

The head gasket problem can be minimised by tightening the 3 bolts which hold the engine together regularly (they stretch).

Hang on, I don't know why I'm still typing. MX-5 - no brainer.

ScoobyJawa

Nah, you can't compare the two. The MX5 is a great drivers car, the Z3 is a woeful jelly but with nice build quality in comparison.
I currently have a Z4 which is chalk and cheese to a Z3, a really good drive, up there with an MX but with more toys and better build.

Jonnip74

Well I've been convinced.... the MGF is off the cards..... Off to look at a Z3 this evening.... the other option is a Toyota Celica... we'll see......

Cheers for the info folks, certainly woke me up!!

sbk1972

:-)

I brought a celica for my g/f instead. I brought a celica gt 2.0, m plate, 174bhp engine, 62K miles, 1 owners, auto, electric roof / windows, new tyres, black = £2k. Very pleased with it.
Just had the cambelt done major service, cost £300, taxed it, so £2.5K, got a fast, flashy thing for her. She's well pleased.

When looking, make sure you get the 174bhp engine. THe 1.8st celica, although better mpg, hasnt got the power.

Toyota's go on for ever, my brother's carina gti (same engine ) has done 180K miles and the other thing that went was the idle speed controller. Apart from normally servicing, thing keeps going on and on and on.

Z3's are ok, based on the E30 chassis. Ive got a M3 evo, and I hate bmw dealers. I dont find BM's too reliable either, parts are dear unless u go to GS spares.

So, if me, toyota all the way mate.

SBK

Tobisausage

I wasn't comparing the MX5 with the Z3, he wanted suggestions for a rag top.

Brendan Hughes

ScoobyJawa

I know you weren't it was just my choice of words bearing in mind they were mentioned in back to back sentences!

Coffin Dodger

MGF = My Gay Friend

Jonnip74

Well I'm just back from looking at a H Plate MX5.... and I must admit, I'm impressed!!

Not what a rememberd from the friends old one! Rear wheel drive and a whole lot of fun!!

Going back for another look in the morning, but I have a feeling I'll be parting with £2k for a car with FSH and on 44k on the clock!!!

Thanks for all the advice everyone, I have a feeling that the MGF might have been a BIG mistake!!!

Cheers!

Jon.

Jonnip74

TopBanana

Glad you found it HELPFUL

Jonnip74

I Got a bit touchy yesterday!!! Appologies! LOL!! Always worth asking around!!

Cheers!

Jon.

TopBanana

That's OK, maybe you can buy me a pina colada sometime

taffyboyo

SUBARU IMPREZA WRX Type-RA TURBO FRESH IMPORT - Auto Trader UK


go on john, you would keep up with spud with one of these

Jonnip74

See, it's ideas like this one that'd get me in a whole lot of trouble with the missus.....

But while she's not looking.......

Twohats

iTrader: (3)

just out of curiosity Jonnip do you have a salon in wales or are you buying the MGF to go 'mobile' cos i could do with a wash cut and blowdry sometime this week.

Jonnip74

Gonna have to be mobile, since I'm picking up an N Plate MX5 in the morning. More space in the boot for my scissors!!!

If you saw me, you really wouldnt want me to cut your hair if mine is anything to go by.... I used wash and go, and it went!! LOL!! (an oldie but a goodie!!)

Twohats

iTrader: (3)

Ha Ha good choice mr, i nearly bought an MGF myself years ago but the hairdresser thing put me off lol but i did have an mx5 for a bit which was a cracking little fun car then sold it to a 50yr old guy with a midlife crisis going on lol. hope ya have as much fun as i did in mine.
Andy

tommihayes

Hi guys! Just have to stick up for the old MG-Rover end! I have a rover 25 and a 200 before that, drive it hard too! The two most reliable cars ive had. If you look on mg-rover.org you can see a lot of info about any mg-rover car you like and if you talk to some of the F/TF owners it may change your views a little. The cooling was a weak point on the K series but if checked like every car should this shouldn't be a problem, if they do go, you can get them done by a respectable rover garage for between £250-£400, with an uprated gasket with less chance of them going again.
I love my Rover, but still want a scooby! Not because the rover is unreliable, i just want a scooby!

Just a little biased view from the other side of the fence!

Tom

Infractfree

I wouldn't pay much attention to what people on mgrover.org have to say. They are a bunch of deluded sad sacks who seem to be living in some sort of alternate reality. Haven't looked on there for a while but not long ago they were convinced that Rover/MG had built the best cars in the world and that the cause of failure lay solely with those nasty Germans who were little more than *****..........nothing to do with the crap products then.

Wonder if they are now cosying up to their new Chinese masters these days rather than slagging them off? I might even go and take a look, very touchy types though these Rover owners, one wrong word and they get all upset and start blustering.....

tonybooth

Uprated head gasket and metal location pegs as opposed to plastic and it will be fine. MY99> had the metal pegs as standard.

The weird thing is they don't all go as a matter of fact. Some do, some don't. I had a new 620ti back in 1995 and the head gasket went after 2000 miles and the car was replaced.

I have had others since that have done well over 100K and never had a head gasket failure.

MGF is cheap to insure through MGOC and parts are also cheap, but they are a pig to work on.

I would 'probably' go for an MX-5

HTH

Tony

Avi

If you need parts, quickco (of ford fame) are now a parts distributor for all rover models as i know a few people who've had nightmares getting parts for Rover/MG's recently

delboyrover

Well I must admit to being an MG fan. The Z cars helped restore some faith and with little money did quite a lot to re-invent the range along similar lines to the original Morris Garages cars.

I have an F (R reg) and a ZTT. The F is standard apart form an MGF centre interior in green and black leather and alcantara. It goes well and is well built. Not all are but this one is superb. The ZT is something else well built and a match for scoobies. The ZT uses the KV6 2.5 auto 180 bhp. I am a scooby fan and their rallying success is legend. However, There was room for MGR alongside all these great marques like Suburu so I'm sad the British company has gone. We'll have to see what the chinese do.

I've had no parts problems whatsoever due in large part to Xpart and the MG owners club and car club.

delboyrover

Lead and baloon then.

Jonnip74

Well people, 2 weeks in with the MX5 and I havent stopped smiling!! What a superior car to the <cough> MGF <cough>.... But I have a feeling it's going to cost me more in new shiney bits for it than head gasket replacements in the MG!!! Already brought a nice Richbrook R1 steering wheel and gearknob (to replace the wooden jobbies that were on it when I brought it!), a new stereo and speakers, some chrome bits and pieces for the interior.....the list continues!

Well worth the money though!!!

JP

jono300

iTrader: (8)

Any pics ??