Tell me about the MG TF
- Thread starter SlyReaper
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Soldato
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MX5.
Quite good fun, but head gaskets will fail.
Surprisingly comfortable, but quite loud. The 160 is really quite fast. They're quite nicely balanced, but with the engine behind you they can be quite twitchy.
Cabin is cramped, but thats going to be the case with any of these cars.
There's really nothing wrong with them, the only reason not to buy one if you're in the market for this sort of thing is the MX5. It's the better car and the money would buy a really nice one, but if you prefer the MG then go for it
Surprisingly comfortable, but quite loud. The 160 is really quite fast. They're quite nicely balanced, but with the engine behind you they can be quite twitchy.
Cabin is cramped, but thats going to be the case with any of these cars.
There's really nothing wrong with them, the only reason not to buy one if you're in the market for this sort of thing is the MX5. It's the better car and the money would buy a really nice one, but if you prefer the MG then go for it
Why have quite good fun when you can have lots of fun?
Other than they fact they are a fundamentally flawed design.
Oh the HGF. Yes, that's a flaw but it's easy enough to spot and put some money aside when you buy one.
I'm not saying they're awsum because dad has one and that the OP should buy one. I fully agree that the MX5 is the better car, but having had a fair amount of experience of the TF (and F before it), I wouldnt say they are cruddy. They're an enjoyable little 2 seater in isolation so if the MX5 isnt for you for whatever reason, then they're still worth a look
I'm not saying they're awsum because dad has one and that the OP should buy one. I fully agree that the MX5 is the better car, but having had a fair amount of experience of the TF (and F before it), I wouldnt say they are cruddy. They're an enjoyable little 2 seater in isolation so if the MX5 isnt for you for whatever reason, then they're still worth a look
Exactly this. It makes no sense.
The MX5 renders the MG TF pointless and ridiculous. It is a better car in every possible way - the fact the MG TF has an enormous flaw in its engine just makes it even more ridiculous that anyone would ever chose one.
Doesn't it also have questionable handling - so much so there is an MG issued Technical Service Bulletien to the effect it should only ever run the OEM fit Eagle F1 GS-D2 tyres, as anything else causes serious handling issues? Goodyear even had to keep making the damn things years after binning them just for the MGTF's..
Or just dont buy one. The only reason not to buy an MX5 is if you are a care in the community patient.
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its a metro in disguise.
Sometimes personal tastes and other factors come before technical ability. So I'll stand by the fact that if the OP doesnt want an MX5, then they're worthy of consideration. A lot of cars have flaws, they're not always big enough to make it worth dismissing a car for
Believe it or not, in my dad's case, he wanted to get involved in the owners clubs and he fitted in better with the beardy MG log than the Mazda crowd!
Having driven one on Conti SC3s, there's nothing questionable about the handling IME
Believe it or not, in my dad's case, he wanted to get involved in the owners clubs and he fitted in better with the beardy MG log than the Mazda crowd!
Having driven one on Conti SC3s, there's nothing questionable about the handling IME
After reading this thread, its changed my mind about getting an MG TF 
Ive test drove one a few days ago and thought they were nice, interior wasnt shabby at all, good mileage and very good body work.
IT was a 53 plate with 55k on the clock and in black and he wanted £1550 for it.
I cant get an MX-5 for that can i?
Ive test drove one a few days ago and thought they were nice, interior wasnt shabby at all, good mileage and very good body work.
IT was a 53 plate with 55k on the clock and in black and he wanted £1550 for it.
I cant get an MX-5 for that can i?
The MG TF doesn't really have an enormous flaw with the engine, the 1.8VVC engine is by most merits a fantastic engine. It makes decent power at least, something which the MX5 lacks.
HGF needn't be a huge issue, as long as when its repaired two important things are done; Liner heights are checked, and a coolant level sensor is installed. These cars are fantastic value for a reason, that is because MG/Rover went bust and peoples reservations about HGF issues, this value easily allows you to factor in the repair cost of doing the HG properly with plenty of change to spare.
I mean FFS, £1500 for an 03/04 car? This money won't even buy you a MK2 MX5, which is fine, I personally prefer the MK1, but if you're not looking for the particular driver experience offered by the MK1 MX5 then the MG TF is better in every possible way.
HGF needn't be a huge issue, as long as when its repaired two important things are done; Liner heights are checked, and a coolant level sensor is installed. These cars are fantastic value for a reason, that is because MG/Rover went bust and peoples reservations about HGF issues, this value easily allows you to factor in the repair cost of doing the HG properly with plenty of change to spare.
I mean FFS, £1500 for an 03/04 car? This money won't even buy you a MK2 MX5, which is fine, I personally prefer the MK1, but if you're not looking for the particular driver experience offered by the MK1 MX5 then the MG TF is better in every possible way.