MG TF 2004 - What to look for
- Thread starter stoofa
- Start date
Oh noes,
This could be a real nightmare. I would strongly strongly advise buying a similar age and spec MK5 instead.
Insurance on anything MG is inflated now as insurers are finding parts difficult, even though xPart say that they stock 95% plus of parts.
This could be a real nightmare. I would strongly strongly advise buying a similar age and spec MK5 instead.
Insurance on anything MG is inflated now as insurers are finding parts difficult, even though xPart say that they stock 95% plus of parts.
Associate
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- Leicester UK
Is that going to be possible for even remotely near the same money?
A different car.
The price of the MG is £3600, hoping to pay £3500.
MX5 - Yes, that's what he actually wanted.
However he physically cannot fit in one.
Well he can, but his knees are up either side of the steering wheel.
The MG is tight, but certainly not as tight as the MX5.
Should they really be avoided?
What issues do they have?
Want to pass this info onto him - he's an old friend.
MX5 - Yes, that's what he actually wanted.
However he physically cannot fit in one.
Well he can, but his knees are up either side of the steering wheel.
The MG is tight, but certainly not as tight as the MX5.
Should they really be avoided?
What issues do they have?
Want to pass this info onto him - he's an old friend.
How can he not fit in an MX5. 
I am 6ft 5 & went to look at one end of last year & it fit like a glove. Maybe it had a small wheel on it or summit but no way can he not fit in it unless he weighs 20 stone, If so Gimme my pies back !!!
Mk2 MR2 has loads of room as well & they look Gorgeous.
I am 6ft 5 & went to look at one end of last year & it fit like a glove. Maybe it had a small wheel on it or summit but no way can he not fit in it unless he weighs 20 stone, If so Gimme my pies back !!!
Mk2 MR2 has loads of room as well & they look Gorgeous.
Don
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- In a house
Check the rear window for signs of wear.
You are supposed to unzip the roof before closing it down, not doing so causes the window to bend, and eventually split. Ask them to show you taking the roof down. If they dont do it correctly, chances are they never did. The window will be very weak because of it.
Interior plastics are terrible.. Check they all work, and nothing is snapped. I also found the seat bolsters wore very easily..
You are supposed to unzip the roof before closing it down, not doing so causes the window to bend, and eventually split. Ask them to show you taking the roof down. If they dont do it correctly, chances are they never did. The window will be very weak because of it.
Interior plastics are terrible.. Check they all work, and nothing is snapped. I also found the seat bolsters wore very easily..
He could fit in the MX5, however he's knees were right up either side of the wheel.
Really uncomfortable.
He's by no means "big around the middle", but quite tall.
He tried a newer MX5 and he's fine in that, just not in the older one.
Really uncomfortable.
He's by no means "big around the middle", but quite tall.
He tried a newer MX5 and he's fine in that, just not in the older one.
Associate
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- 8 Nov 2006
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- 1,438
pretty sure you have to drop the engine to change the plugs in them things
Why do people say this? Spares are readily available, as there are far to many Rovers out there for there not to be money in parts.
I was waiting for the comedy quotes.
I've heard that they explode when they hit 23mph, and sitting in one causes baldness. Also you have to cut the bodyshell in half to replace the timing belt, and then weld it back together. The fuel tank has to be dropped in order to refill it as well.
Actually you unclip the rear of the hood and remove the engine inspection panel to change the plugs.
Stoofa, the head gasket is certainly one of the main things to look out for. Getting it changed can work out quite expensive if you have to get a garage to do the work, and if the car is allowed to seriously overheated due to a head gasket failure then the engine is likely to be scrap.
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A mate of mine at work had an MGF Trophy (now gone) and managed to prang it damaging the exhaust. Try as he might he couldn't get a replacement and ended up getting an aftermarket performance one. It also permanently leaked water into the boot (as does my Aunts car), and he went through two of the supposedly fixed head gaskets.
Why buy a badly designed, out of production car from a manufacturer that went bankrupt when there are much more reliable alternatives?
Poor garage repairs/no mechanical sympathy then.
To fully correct the problem involves movement of the thermostat and coolant rail, which was used on some of the landrovers.
Spare parts are not an issue.
Associate
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- 20 Apr 2004
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- Somerset
Because they dont want an MX5? No matter how better it is if you dont like it whats the point?
Hating the MG hate AGAIN! 
as I say every time, my girlfriend has had her MG F for about 28 months now, no serious problems, exhaust mounts had worn and the wiper motor had gone over 10 years from the big bumper book of service etc.. reciepts we have.
Not denying MX5's are good, but I prefer the feel of MG's
as I say every time, my girlfriend has had her MG F for about 28 months now, no serious problems, exhaust mounts had worn and the wiper motor had gone over 10 years from the big bumper book of service etc.. reciepts we have.Not denying MX5's are good, but I prefer the feel of MG's
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Associate
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- 21 Jan 2003
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Get your mate over to Mgrover.org for loads of sensible advice. I've had mine for a year with no problems at all. Great fun little car and comes into it's own in the summer with the top down. Decent performance and 30+ mpg. Not so much fun in the winter as I'm finding out but a Hard top helps
