MG-TF 160

chris.tarry85 · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:19

I thought that following on from the slagging off thse have been given in another recent thread that I should stand up for them.

My Dad has just purchased a 02 plate with 18k miles on the clock, a body coloured hard top and only one owner for 6K.

Now frankly that seems an absolute bargain to me, I've been drving it around today, and its pokey, seems to handle well and actually looks pretty cool.

Some people have mentioned that they are slow, I have to disagree, I found the engine very much like a V-tec, very subdued at low revs but once you push it past 4.5k it seems to really come into its own.
The books times are 6.7 to 62 and a top whack of 137 which makes it quicker than any of the MX-5's, I know it's not as quick as an Elise, but its almost half the price you would pay for an Elise which is twice as old.

I think the TF has been unfairly tainted with the issues which its predeccesor (sp) the F had, for example hyrdagas suspension etc.

If I could afford the my own insurance as oppsed to jusr being named on Dads policy for the occasional blast I'd get one tomorow.

Rant Over

C

[TW]Fox · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:20

Come back in 6 months when it's been off the road for 4 of those and on its 5th head gasket and repeat your praise

great advice · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:20

Have you compared it the competition? loads out there that do it all better mate

panthro · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:23

Its not exactly a mans car either, no offence to your dad. Ive only ever seen ladies driving them.

chris.tarry85 · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:25

great advice said:
Have you compared it the competition? loads out there that do it all better mate

Go on then..
Find me a 4 or less year old two seat convertible mid engined, rear wheel drive sports car, with a hardtop, that does 0-60 is less than 7 secs and isn't an imported MX5.

For 6k or less.

It's not not as easy as you think.

great advice · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:27

chris.tarry85 said:
Go on then..
Find me a 4 or less year old two seat convertible mid engined, rear wheel drive sports car, with a hardtop, that does 0-60 is less than 7 secs and isn't an imported MX5.

For 6k or less.

It's not not as easy as you think.

Thats the thing, they are cheap for a reason. They depreciate because the only people who bought them thought they where getting a good deal.

If your buying new, you;d look at MX5's, S2K's etc, not a Rover

[TW]Fox · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:28

chris.tarry85 said:
Go on then..
Find me a 4 or less year old two seat convertible mid engined, rear wheel drive sports car, with a hardtop, that does 0-60 is less than 7 secs and isn't an imported MX5.

For 6k or less.

It's not not as easy as you think.

No becuase there are no other mid engined convertible 4 year old or less sports cars for under £10k.

Thats like trying to say a Trabant is good becuase you cant find another car with wheels for under a pound.

chris.tarry85 · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:29

great advice said:
Thats the thing, they are cheap for a reason. They depreciate because the only people who bought them thought they where getting a good deal.

If your buying new, you;d look at MX5's, S2K's etc, not a Rover

So if you were buying new and spending circa £20k and not £6k.

Not a very fair comparison really is it.

And it could blow 10 head gaskets and still be cheaper than an MX5!

great advice · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:31

chris.tarry85 said:
So if you were buying new and spending circa £20k and not £6k.

Not a very fair comparison really is it.

And it could blow 10 head gaskets and still be cheaper than an MX5!

If i was spending £6k, age wouldnt be too much of an issue. why would it be?? id go for an older MX5 - infinitely miles better car all round.

Is this sort of thing really necessary. Give it a rest.

chris.tarry85 · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:31

[TW]Fox said:
No becuase there are no other mid engined convertible 4 year old or less sports cars for under £10k.

Thats like trying to say a Trabant is good becuase you cant find another car with wheels for under a pound.

But as with everything else in life, you buy the best you can afford.

Compared to a Ferrari even an almighty Mondeo is crap, but it was the best you could afford so you brought it!

NickXX · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:32

I borrowed a '54 TF135 off a mate last year for a week - granted it wasn't a 160, but that was the least of its problems.

Disappointing handling and absolutely shocking build quality (note that this was a 6 month old car with 8,000 miles on the clock and it was falling apart) were the things I experienced. Your dad will also have to contend with HGF...

Another mate has an MX5, and another has a MR2 (no they're not all hairdressers

) - those are nice cars, the TF is not.

great advice · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:32

chris.tarry85 said:
But as with everything else in life, you buy the best you can afford.

You could afford an MX5 but didnt :confused:

spaz · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:39

I prefer buying cars from companies that exist (watches news story in the morning that ford are down the pan)

chris.tarry85 · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:40

spaz said:
I prefer buying cars from companies that exist (watches news story in the morning that ford are down the pan)

Does that really matter with a four year old car though, and its not like parts are ever going to dry up, theres enough Rovers on the roads to see to that.

Morba · 18 Mar 2006 at 20:51

panthro said:
Its not exactly a mans car either, no offence to your dad. Ive only ever seen ladies driving them.

seen plenty of blokes drive them including a friend who sold his (to another bloke) and bought an elise.

Muncher · 18 Mar 2006 at 21:01

At that price it's an absolute steal, nice purchase.

Morba · 18 Mar 2006 at 21:02

chris.tarry85 said:
Go on then..
Find me a 4 or less year old two seat convertible mid engined, rear wheel drive sports car, with a hardtop, that does 0-60 is less than 7 secs and isn't an imported MX5.

For 6k or less.

It's not not as easy as you think.

could have bought this. almost meets your requirement, however its a much better car

great advice · 18 Mar 2006 at 21:08

Muncher said:
At that price it's an absolute steal, nice purchase.

I would have thought the owner of such a decent marque, would know what a decent car looked like!

James_N · 18 Mar 2006 at 21:17

great advice said:
I would have thought the owner of such a decent marque, would know what a decent car looked like!

gee, ease up on the bashing man!

Dogbreath · 18 Mar 2006 at 21:57

Morba said:
could have bought this. almost meets your requirement, however its a much better car

A second slower 0-60, thirstier, mileage not mentioned so very likely quite high.

I reckon the OP got a very good deal, the TF is a good car. Fortunately, as proved by this thead, the majority of people can't see past their own pre-conceptions so the prices are nice and low for those that know. I wonder how many have actualy driven them...