ST24 alternatives....

Nor · 2 Oct 2006 at 22:17

[TW]Fox said:
Or just get a Mondeo ST24 which will look better, drive better, be reliable, and have no stupid cambelts to change.

The Mondeo would probably be 1-2 years older though, and I don't believe that there is much of a difference in handling. Looks are subjective, and doubt there's much between the two when it comes to reliability. Got a point with the cambelts, but he wouldn't have to change them if the car had done more than 60k. The ZS 180 is nearly a second quicker to 60 btw.

Firestar_3x · 2 Oct 2006 at 22:19

Nor said:
The Mondeo would probably be 1-2 years older though, and I don't believe that there is much of a difference in handling. Looks are subjective, and doubt there's much between the two when it comes to reliability. Got a point with the cambelts, but he wouldn't have to change them if the car had done more than 60k.

Fair play the mondy would be older and have more miles to boot, looks are very subjective so thats personal opinion, no idea on the MG never driven or been in one, but they go round bends well so i hear.

Build quality the Ford is miles ahead, as is the quality of the trim and standard fit gear, so i'm lead to belive.

scoobyrichuk · 2 Oct 2006 at 22:19

Buy an ST24! I just bought a 1998 Mondeo si V6 and I love it. It's very comfortable, handles surpsingly well and I love the engine (mainly for the noise at 4500rpm +) although fuel economy isn't great. I doubt I'm even getting 20mpg when flooring it/driving around town. Seems pretty good on the motorway though and the best bit is my car cost £1350! That's for an absolutely immaculate silver mondeo v6 with full service history (90,000 miles.) The ST24's for the same money were awful but with your budget you could buy a very nice example (although I'm wondering whether the st24 was worth it my si has the same suspension, same bodykit/engine but lacks the recaro seats, electric rear windows and dual tailpipes.)

[TW]Fox · 2 Oct 2006 at 22:31

McHaMmEr said:
although I'm wondering whether the st24 was worth it my si has the same suspension, same bodykit/engine but lacks the recaro seats, electric rear windows and dual tailpipes.)

The Si has no bodykit at all and the ST24 doesn't have dual tailpipes or Recaro seats.

It is the ST200 which has Recaro seats and a twin exhuast.

Nor · 2 Oct 2006 at 22:39

[TW]Fox said:
Or just get a Mondeo ST24 which will look better, drive better, be reliable, and have no stupid cambelts to change.

With regards to which car looks better, we'll both agree that it's a subjective view really. I am not slating the ST24 btw, I think it's a good car, but if the choice was between the ST24 or a mk1 ZS 180 you'd be able to get a 1-2, maybe even 3 year newer ZS 180 for the same price as the ST24. The handling is pretty even, does the ST24 have double wishbones front and back? (180 does), the 180 is nearly a second quicker to 60, 7.3 v 8.0. Reliability, I dunno, maybe you know more than me when it comes to both cars.

http://www.ukclassifieds.co.uk/files/138460_1.jpg - previous piccy linked before edit

John_V85 · 2 Oct 2006 at 22:43

Hardly the most flattering photo of the ST24 is it?!?

(But then I would say that being a prowd owner)

I spent about £3k on mine and got and excellent example which I am very happy with.

Nor · 2 Oct 2006 at 22:50

John_V85 said:
Hardly the most flattering photo of the ST24 is it?!?

(But then I would say that being a prowd owner)

I spent about £3k on mine and got and excellent example which I am very happy with.

It was the only one I could find on google which was stock and wasn't either a huge image or a tiny image. Found this one in autotrader. More like it?

[TW]Fox · 2 Oct 2006 at 22:52

chesterstu · 2 Oct 2006 at 22:54

I think its very personal because i would still take ZS personally on looks alone

K.C. Leblanc · 2 Oct 2006 at 22:54

You could probably get an Alfa 166 v6 for thst sort of money, if you were spending less I surgest a Saab 9000. I've just had a look on auto trader and you could get an early 9-5.

Of course if you really don't care about running costs what you need is a Porche 944.

Nor · 2 Oct 2006 at 22:55

Wouldn't say that's the best picture to demonstrate how two cars look side by side to be honest.

v0n · 2 Oct 2006 at 23:01

Yeah...... that's plastic sleeper with sap kit ain't going to jump over ZS for looks. Point out the interior guys, granted Mondy has interior like a texmex taverna after US customs ride but ZS interior is like being back in eighties, traveling on London volvo bus with huuuuge compact cassette walkman and orange headphones blasting "Small town" by Bronsky Beat.

Nor · 2 Oct 2006 at 23:06

Mondeo interior

Mk1 ZS 180 interior

Colour flashes change in colour from horrible yellow to black

Usually matches outside of car.

[TW]Fox · 2 Oct 2006 at 23:06

Get a student loan and get a 528i Sport

Rich · 2 Oct 2006 at 23:10

ZS = *** noes. Not interested in them at all. Thats before we get into the whole dated interior, K-Series HGF malarky. Oh, and im hearing rumblings that spare panels for the MG's are becoming VERY difficult to get hold of, so one small shunt and you are writing em off. No doubt other parts will start to become thin on the ground too.
Then add the fact that i dont think they look that nice and it rounds it off pretty well.
I appreciate the suggestion though.

As for the Porsche 944.....lol. I *AM* concerned with running costs, in a big big way. I can justify getting 30mpg out of the car, i cant justify having to sell my testicles to medical science to keep a porsche on the road

(unless it was a 911 turbo

)

Rich · 2 Oct 2006 at 23:12

[TW]Fox said:
Get a student loan and get a 528i Sport

Im not a student though

Or it would get some proper consideration. Ideally id be getting a 530 sport, but i cant justify the £8k outlay AND high running costs. Cheap car = petrol costs dont sting as much

Trojan · 2 Oct 2006 at 23:12

[TW]Fox said:
Or just get a Mondeo ST24 which will look better, drive better, be reliable, and have no stupid cambelts to change.

I prefer the looks of the ZS180 personally, and I'm lead to believe that it's pretty damn good to drive. The handling is supposed to be spot on with these too, certainly better than that of the Mondy. Being that bit quicker is always a plus point too.

The only reasons that I'd go with the ST24 over the ZS would be if I was concerned about reliabilty, or if I was buying the car to do a lot of motorway miles.

Nor · 2 Oct 2006 at 23:12

Rich said:
ZS = *** noes. Not interested in them at all. Thats before we get into the whole dated interior, K-Series HGF malarky. Oh, and im hearing rumblings that spare panels for the MG's are becoming VERY difficult to get hold of, so one small shunt and you are writing em off. No doubt other parts will start to become thin on the ground too.
Then add the fact that i dont think they look that nice and it rounds it off pretty well.
I appreciate the suggestion though.

As for the Porsche 944.....lol. I *AM* concerned with running costs, in a big big way. I can justify getting 30mpg out of the car, i cant justify having to sell my testicles to medical science to keep a porsche on the road (unless it was a 911 turbo )

The KV6 engine doesn't suffer from HGF. Parts are fine. Not your cup of tea though which is fair enough. If you don't like the way it looks it's a non-starter.

Rich · 2 Oct 2006 at 23:16

They finally fixed that? Wasnt aware! Thanks for the info. Is parts availability as bad as i have heard? Body panels in particular?

Nor · 2 Oct 2006 at 23:23

Rich said:
They finally fixed that? Wasnt aware! Thanks for the info. Is parts availability as bad as i have heard? Body panels in particular?

I think some of the other K series engines were still prone to HGF, but not the V6 one. One common fault is the VIS motors - which seem to have a weak solder joint. £50 to S&F a new one if they break which isn't too huge. Parts aren't a problem at all. http://www.xpart.com/ do all MG Rover parts, and there's still hundeds of approved MG Rover service centres around the country. Not sure about body panels I have to say. I'd imagine you might be right in time, though Xpart did buy 180 container loads of body panels from Longbridge last year.

If you don't like the look of the MG ZS it's a total non-starter though.