Fun an reliability: are they mutually exclusive?
- Thread starter tom_nieto
- Start date
A MX-5 just doesn't do it for me for reasons rational and irrational. Irrational reasons: it's a mazda and I don't like the way they look. Rational reason: it would be a massive sideways step. Similarly, I don't think I'd rush to buy a MR-2 rev 3.
I don't think I could bring myself to buy a corvette, they're too old (poor reason), and if I were to look at a "classic" I'd buy this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../postcode/bn25xj/radius/1501/page/2?logcode=p
I drove a mate's impreza and was massively impressed, but I don't think they're truly the car for me.
The S2000 and 350z are the top candidates, closely followed by a Boxster, although the one I would want (2004 S) costs a bit more and that's edging close to 911 territory.
The list of faults is endless on my MGTF. For a Wednesday evening chuckle here goes:
Alternator failed at 25k
Clutch slave cylinder 35k
Starter motor seized at ~42k
Stepper motor/terrible problems from cold (stalling at traffic lights etc) 49k, problem repeated at 60k despite oxygen sensors, coil packs, spark plugs and stepper motor being changed.
Wiper linkage broke at 58k.
All the while since about 30k there has been a tapping on startup when cold which resolves when the engine is hot, and a slow coolant leak that 3 different garages have been unable to locate.
The only thing that hasn't gone is the head gasket, although I'm thinking I might give the poor thing one last chance with a fresh set of gaskets to see if that's in some way responsible for the poor performance at startup, tapping and coolant loss.
/facepalm
I don't think I could bring myself to buy a corvette, they're too old (poor reason), and if I were to look at a "classic" I'd buy this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../postcode/bn25xj/radius/1501/page/2?logcode=p
I drove a mate's impreza and was massively impressed, but I don't think they're truly the car for me.
The S2000 and 350z are the top candidates, closely followed by a Boxster, although the one I would want (2004 S) costs a bit more and that's edging close to 911 territory.
The list of faults is endless on my MGTF. For a Wednesday evening chuckle here goes:
Alternator failed at 25k
Clutch slave cylinder 35k
Starter motor seized at ~42k
Stepper motor/terrible problems from cold (stalling at traffic lights etc) 49k, problem repeated at 60k despite oxygen sensors, coil packs, spark plugs and stepper motor being changed.
Wiper linkage broke at 58k.
All the while since about 30k there has been a tapping on startup when cold which resolves when the engine is hot, and a slow coolant leak that 3 different garages have been unable to locate.
The only thing that hasn't gone is the head gasket, although I'm thinking I might give the poor thing one last chance with a fresh set of gaskets to see if that's in some way responsible for the poor performance at startup, tapping and coolant loss.
/facepalm
Soldato
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- 27 Aug 2003
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£10k can buy a whole lot of reliable and fun car! Between an S2000 and 350Z I would definitely take the S2000, revs to the sky, fantastic handling and great responsive chassis. Great fun to drive.
It's the big issue with the MG the way it was screwed together but I am surprised at the starting problems. Those parts and setup are I believe pretty common through the MG/Rover range. I've had the same car and while I've had the head gasket failure and things are wearing out I have not had issues with the basic starting, driving, stopping!
The TF hits so many good points in terms of fun, performance, practicality, price, fuel economy that it is a shame about the potential reliability/build issues and the low rent interior! Certainly the car is tough thing to replace nothing has a similar blend of features!
The TF hits so many good points in terms of fun, performance, practicality, price, fuel economy that it is a shame about the potential reliability/build issues and the low rent interior! Certainly the car is tough thing to replace nothing has a similar blend of features!
I really love the car, but goddamn it's been a reliability nightmare. I must have just been unlucky. It is quite tough to replace!