2dr Convertable buying advice - £2500 max

stoofa

stoofa

stoofa

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My brother's fiancée is looking to get something small and convertable.
MX5
This was my first suggestion. I've never owned nor driven one, but it seems to be the suggestion that always appears. Although she likes them, a friend of her's has one and she doesn't want to "copy".
Explanation of, well your friend made the right choice seems to be sinking in however she has thrown in other options.

MG-TF. I know these aren't great. Friend of mine owned one and the dreaded head gasket issue came up and was a costly repair.
If you manage to find one in relatively good condition that has had the head gasket done, are these such a bad thing?

MR2. Didn't even register on my radar, but she's seen these on the AT website and likes the look of these. Again, not a car I've ever driven or owned. Are these considered good runners? Or is the MX5 going to be their best choice?

Cheers.
 
MX5 is a good choice for most people because it is good to drive and reliable (rust aside).

If they don't care about how it drives (she's a she after all) then an MG-F/TF could be a good idea... They are cheaper than MX5s generally. but let me be the first of many to say, headgasket.
 
Nothing wrong with the way the F/TF drives (I'm always having to stand up for 'em!) Yes, they throw repair bills from time to time, and the headgaskets can go, when my gf's did a good MG Specialist came out, fixed the head gasket and all associated possibilities etc.. for about £300, just use a mobile specialist rather than a garage that has to learn the car as it goes!

The F/TF handle & drive well, the K series engine isn't bad at all, just a tad tempremental!
 
I personally quite like the tf but in all honesty I couldn't reccomend one to someone else, whilst the hg problems are much exaggerated there is no getting away from the fact that it's a possible issue.

MX-5 or the Mr2 for me, i prefer the way the mr2 drives but really you want a facelift to minimize engine issues or buy a car that's had a recent replacement unit / buy a cheap one and make sure the oil is always topped up -I don't think you'll get a decent facelift for £2.5k which pretty much leaves the mazda.
 
The reason everyone says MX-5 is because its by far and away the best choice, by miles.
She shouldnt be worried about having the best thing thats available, its not as If people are recommending a car thats rubbish, but its the best thing at that price point, they are recommending a great car, thats great car at that price point.

I personally cant stand them, or any other small 2 seater convertables, however, the wife announced at the weekend she wants a 2 seater once the boy leaves school next month, so I am now MX-5 hunting myself.
 
The MG TF isn't a bad car, it's just not as good as the mx5. At that price, by far and away the best 2 dr convertable is the mx5.
 
So, if we were to find a TF that had definitely had the HG fixed (A friend of mine is selling a TF - I do know that the HG went. He stopped driving immediately the a mobile mechanic came out and fixed everything) then overall it wouldn't be a bad car?
 
You have to actually like them too but they're a decent drive with the 160ish engine (the rest are a bit of a waste of time) and generally speaking they're also dirt cheap for the age of car so they certainly have their plus points.

Interior isn't great or of great quality but roof down on a reasonable day that wont really matter
 
stoofa said:
So, if we were to find a TF that had definitely had the HG fixed (A friend of mine is selling a TF - I do know that the HG went. He stopped driving immediately the a mobile mechanic came out and fixed everything) then overall it wouldn't be a bad car?
Click to expand...

imho, not at all, was it an MG Specialist or a random mobile mechanic? If not a specialist I'd get the whole car checked out by a specialist (I can give you details if you went with it, recommended by everyone on mg-rover.org and a really nice guy, so helpful!)

If my gf didn't have her F I'd have a TF.. just prefer the looks and feel of her F over my parents 04 MX5, the MGs look lovely :) (Also drive well!!)
 
You would be mental to pick a MGTF over an MX-5.

Only other contender would be the toyota MR-S but prefer the front rear layout of the five.
 
TimBrad said:
imho, not at all, was it an MG Specialist or a random mobile mechanic? If not a specialist I'd get the whole car checked out by a specialist (I can give you details if you went with it, recommended by everyone on mg-rover.org and a really nice guy, so helpful!)

If my gf didn't have her F I'd have a TF.. just prefer the looks and feel of her F over my parents 04 MX5, the MGs look lovely :) (Also drive well!!)
Click to expand...

Would that be Russell by chance? That is who my mate got out to do his.
 
Does your brother's fiancée walk around upside down, wearing shoes on her hands, because everyone else walks on their feet?

Just buy the better car.
 
stoofa said:
Would that be Russell by chance? That is who my mate got out to do his.
Click to expand...

Nope, Jon, from Rough Luck Racing,I think there are 2 or 3 recommended specialists on there, he is one of them and ery local to us, although he goes all over Europe doing MG F/TFs.
 
In my opinion:

MG for the looks
MX5 for the drive

If she isn't bothered about hooning around the countryside but wants a convertible that looks good I would pick the MG every time.
 
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