MG TF: You Know You Want To
TF not really of interest? It should be with a supercharged VTEC in it!
The TF gets a stance!
Of course engine reliability was a concern with the TF, but this car avoids that with a whole new engine altogether. A Japanese engine. A supercharged VTEC in fact...
Yes, for those who aren't nerdy enough to have picked up on the numberplate cue, this MG TF has the same K20 engine as a Civic Type R. With the supercharger, power is claimed at 355hp and torque at 241lb ft. Top speed is said to be 165mph, and we'd hazard a guess at 0-62mph in less than six seconds.
Moreover, this car has all sorts of high quality brake, suspension and tyre upgrades to make the most of the huge increase in power too. There's an Exedy clutch for the six-speed manual, a limited-slip diff, big AP Racing brakes, custom Nitron dampers and springs as well as uprated cooling, a different exhaust and seam welded subframes. Tyres are said to be Yokohama AO48 in the ad but are Avon ZZRs in the pics; either way they should help you keep on top of the power reasonably well.
See the video for the flames...
So what's the catch? It's the price. This TF is, er, £25,000. Even allowing for the considerable work and the parts that have gone into it, that looks rather on the steep side. It would no doubt be tremendous fun, but you don't need us to tell you how much fun is available elsewhere for £25,000. After all, if you want British and mid-engined and Honda powered, you could get an Atom...
Ignoring the price for just a second - easier said than done, granted - this TF does look a right giggle. More than that it's rare, which will always have its own appeal. Caterhams will be 10 a penny compared to this at a track day! If an ardent fan has the funds (or negotiating power) to make this purchase feasible, then all the best to them. And just keep a look out for 'K20 TF' the next time you're on track, it's faster than it looks!
MG TF
Price: £24,995
Why you should: 350hp per tonne, useful other upgrades, not likely to see another!
Why you shouldn't: See the price...
See the original advert here.
Watch the dyno run (with flames!) here.
 |
 |
 |
 |
[Source: Autocar]
I've been in one with the same conversion, albeit N/A with a few breathing mods and Hondata ECU. Was producing around 230 BHP and was a rapid little thing! Much better than the equivalent VVT-LI Toyota engines they put in them!
I suppose there's an element of 'sleeper', because no one will an MGF to that fast, either on road or track. After all, who in their right mind would have chosen this rather than the Elise as the basis for their project.
When the reborn Chinese MG ones went back on sale, I looked at one in a dealer, and if anything the quality had got even worse, so not surprising they didn't sell many.
For this one, wow £25k, that shows commitment, but an Elise would be a far better car.
I've only had one, it was a vvc 160 with some nice mods and low mileage, but it was a horrible thing to drive quickly, and horrible to be in - these cars are not worth looking at when you could buy something good like an MR2 mk3 roadster for peanuts.
Well done sir!
However, the TF for me really never did it for me - the overriding feeling when ever I've been in one (not for a few years, this was when they were new) is that it *really* suffered from "cheapy car syndrome" - the things just rattled and generally felt a bit s
t.So, I doff my hat to the person who did this, but realistically my money goes elsewhere.
Well done sir!
However, the TF for me really never did it for me - the overriding feeling when ever I've been in one (not for a few years, this was when they were new) is that it *really* suffered from "cheapy car syndrome" - the things just rattled and generally felt a bit s
t.So, I doff my hat to the person who did this, but realistically my money goes elsewhere.
Head gasket doesn't have to be an issue if you upgrade the cooling system and keep an eye on the coolant level. Even then some places will change the gasket for £300.
Shame the K Series is slated as it's a very good bit of engineering. Excellent power to weight ratio. I know some people who do Autocross type stuff and apparently K Series powered cars are normally at the top of their class.
Ultimately decided against a TF though, although tempting I just couldn't somehow.
Blood, sweat, tears, one-of-kind, you know every nut and bolt, like one of the children, keep it forever and bury me in it - yes, I fully understand.
But when it's for sale it's just someone else's highly modified car. £25k? You'd have to be mad to even half consider it.
IMHO.
I've only had one, it was a vvc 160 with some nice mods and low mileage, but it was a horrible thing to drive quickly, and horrible to be in - these cars are not worth looking at when you could buy something good like an MR2 mk3 roadster for peanuts.
These things are plusher than an MX5 but not as fun, poorly built cabins but cheap. Take the cheap part out of the equation and they don't really make much sense.
Used to work with a guy who had a 160vvc and whilst it was nippy, it wasn't desirable - I had an import MX5 at the time which was worth considerably more money despite being much, much older. The MG had flaking paint, interior was falling apart, seats had sagged, all the paint on the bright red calipers was coming off, the wheels had started losing their lacquer...
But, according to him, it was faster than a BMW M3 he raced on the A10 because "they're limited to 155 aren't they, but my MG is a 160 model, so it will go 160...."
Har, har.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff