New car for summer fun

Sneaky Peaky · 28 Mar 2009 at 16:50

Thanks for all the advice on the other threads - have decided to go for this one from you know where..

Have had an offer accepted and gonna have a look at it tomorrow and subject to it being all ok I shall pick it up next weekend..

It's an '05 MG TF 160 with <15k miles, 1 owner with a hard top included.

Have also stuck a grand in the bank for the inevitable HGF and a few toys

Would have preferred a Grey one but I like the Silver as well, it also has the half leather / alcantara interior which I wanted..

What you think - should help me rekindle the MLC nicely :cool:

Sneaky Peaky · 28 Mar 2009 at 17:36

Peter Diffey said:
Two questions:

1) How much?

2) Did you consider an MX-5?

Well, bit premature to say until the V5 is in my hand but let's just say I had a max of 7k to spend on a minter and it's under budget

I did have a quick look at MX-5's but tbh they don't really appeal, bet you gonna say look what you could get for that which is cool, would be interesed to see :cool:

Sneaky Peaky · 28 Mar 2009 at 19:58

The_Dark_Side said:
Lots of potential with these things.

As Martin Clunes would say - I'm all ears !

Sneaky Peaky · 28 Mar 2009 at 20:38

wohoo said:
The later ones actually look quite nice, I think that silver suits it really.Mondeo boring you already mate

Yeah, I did give it a try but I guess I'm just not ready for the pipe and slippers yet

No mate I didn't try a MX-5, don't really like the looks of them tbh

Sneaky Peaky · 29 Mar 2009 at 18:48

Shame, went to see it today (2 hr drive) but it was pretty poor in the flesh, chips and scrapes to most panels plus a couple of dents, alloys curbed to hell, hole in the soft top and traces of emulsified oil around the dipstick. Not quite the couple of hardly visible stone chips as described, I do wish people would be more honest in their ads..

Was quite disheartened but then I stopped of at M&S at the meadows in Camberley and saw 3 nice MG's in the car park alone so I know they're out there. In particular I saw a cracking Blue Trophy one which made me want that colour again

Oh well - the hunt continues !

Sneaky Peaky · 29 Mar 2009 at 19:07

Pigeon said:
Nice car! Glad you were brave to try it and find you liked it, even braver to come back on the forums haha!

Being an 05 plate (MG closed in April '05) it is a late one but is it an 05 model - i.e. do you have the glass rear screen in the hood? There were a lot of changes for that model year with improved suspension and some other bits including a low coolant sensor I believe. Plenty of 04 models though were around later, my Dads 07 plate was made in 04!

Yeah - was a MY04, not many MY05's around at all unfortunately.

Sneaky Peaky · 30 Mar 2009 at 23:41

Thanks for all the input although not sure about an old Jag tbh

Had a test drive in this one today, '04 plate so a bit older and higher mileage but was in much better condition, still had a couple of parking dings but maybe I'm being too fussy and should be easiliy fixed. Was great fun though, sounded great as well.

Not so sure about the wood interior but looked better in the flesh, however I think the first mod could well be to change it to piano black which would look the nuts

Gonna have think about it overnight as really wanted a newer one with lower mileage but black is a definate possibility !

Sneaky Peaky · 31 Mar 2009 at 09:23

BluZiff said:
go for the yellow one behind the brick shaped MG.

Unfortunately the yellow one is older and twice as expensive

Plus at my age I don't think I could get in and out of one. I tried a VX220 once at a Vauxhall dealers and it was plain embarrassing !

Sneaky Peaky · 31 Mar 2009 at 12:44

Pigeon said:
http://www.mgfcentre.com/
http://www.mikesatur.com

Bugger - now you've gone and done it, Excuse me while I ring them up and handover my credit card for the next 6 months..

Any more pics of yours mate ?

Sneaky Peaky · 31 Mar 2009 at 21:36

hmm - just spotted this one, a Goodwood Green Special 80th Anniversary Edition with 5,000 miles and in budget :eek:

Interior is a bit retro but I kind of like it :cool:

Sneaky Peaky · 1 Apr 2009 at 08:25

Right - put an offer in so wish me luck

Sneaky Peaky · 1 Apr 2009 at 13:09

No mate they are the MG press pictures, apparantly they made 1600 cars in 115/135/160 guise in Green, Black and Silver with only 500 for the UK market. So assuming they made them in equal numbers there would be approx 55 Green 160's in this country if my maths is correct

@ Drex..

Offer has been accepted and guy has promised to keep it for me until I can get to see it prob at the weekend

Sneaky Peaky · 1 Apr 2009 at 20:17

Liking this one more and more

Sneaky Peaky · 2 Apr 2009 at 17:59

Cheers, just wondering how blinding that interior might be in the sun ! Not that'll probably be much of a problem here in the UK I guess

Sneaky Peaky · 4 Apr 2009 at 14:41

Quick update for anyone not completely bored by my blow by blow accounts

Saw the car above today, 04 80th Anniversary MGTF 160 in Goodwood Green. Genuine 5k miles on the clock with the full service history and documentation ! Previously owned by a couple of enthusiasts and only used as a weekend car in fine weather

Needless to say it's absolutely mint and looks and drives like a new car so deposit paid and will pick it up hopefully next weekend.

Paying 6.5k for it which is near the top of the budget but it's also got a heritage hard top with it and a new soft top with heated glass that just needs fitting so not that bad I feel. Tbh the others I've looked at were nowhere near as nice as this and not much cheaper either..

So..open top motoring here I come !

Pics to come once I get it home and can get some nice photies..

Thanks for all the advice !

Pete

Sneaky Peaky · 9 Apr 2009 at 18:32

Pigeon said:
I made 52k miles in mine before the head gasket failed. I was under no illusions that it could and would break.

Anyway I missed this thread update, congrats on your new purchase, I just hope with the low mileage it has been warmed up and down properlyand the head gasket lasts!
Have you got it home yet?

Thanks

tbh money has been put aside for the HGF so when it goes I'll get it done properley with the uprated gasket and oil rail etc..

Picking it up on Sunday ! Monday already planned for the full treatment, clay, clean, polish and wax etc weather permitting

Sneaky Peaky · 9 Apr 2009 at 21:04

tom_nieto said:
I have a 80th anniversary TF in green. The colour combo suits the car very well, and the green is really good when polished up. It's pearlescent so it shines brilliantly and is a bit different to the standard BRG. The interior is never going to be fantastic, but I think the 80th is the best of the bunch. The colour isn't as bright as it looks.

I'm under no false pretenses that the anniversary model is going to magically hold its value, beacuse it won't really. It does have the advantages of having all the bells and whistles.

My only regret is that insurance was prohibitively expensive on the 160. The 135 provides ample fun on B roads. Fun to drive, and with no roof on you won't really care!

Don't let anyone put you off, they're a bit of fun, you'll always be able to buy a better car what ever you buy. I could never get along with the looks of the MX5, so I didn't really consider it. Let's face it, if you're buying a 2 seat convertible, looks are quite important too.

HGF, touch wood I've not had it after nearly 38000 miles. Check the coolant, I wouldn't be surprised if it goes eventually, but that's life. Don't thrash it from cold.

Don't forget to wave!

EDIT: Missed the update, congratulations! How are you finding it? 6.5k isn't bad considering you got a new soft top thrown in, they come close to £500 iirc.

Cheers Tom / Phate..can't wait til Sunday

Got any pics of yours mate ?