MGF/TF owner willing to do a favour?
Discussion
I want to buy an MGF or TF, Ive been looking at owners club forums, classifieds and doing a fair bit of reading up on them too! Including comparisons with alternate marques. (I've driven an MX-5 as a friend has one) I have seen a few good looking examples that I'm very keen on however they are not local. Also, I've never driven one. Are there any PHers local to Dunfermline and surrounding areas that would be willing to spare a little time to let me drive theirs to see what it's like?
Borrowed a mates mx-5 for a week, shortly after I sold the mgf
MGF:
MGf/tf is cheaper to buy
Doesn't rust
MUCH better engine (revvier + 35 mpg)
handling is decent but not as fun as the mx-5
Risk of head gasket + General reliability isn't great
You won't be going sideways
Mx-5:
Good handling. More prone to oversteer than the mgf (Get one with an lsd)
Engine drinks only slightly less than my tvr!
Rust. f
king rust everywhere!
Much, much more reliable than the MG
MGF:
MGf/tf is cheaper to buy
Doesn't rust
MUCH better engine (revvier + 35 mpg)
handling is decent but not as fun as the mx-5
Risk of head gasket + General reliability isn't great
You won't be going sideways
Mx-5:
Good handling. More prone to oversteer than the mgf (Get one with an lsd)
Engine drinks only slightly less than my tvr!
Rust. f
king rust everywhere!Much, much more reliable than the MG
Used to own one for over 10 years and loved it to bits.
Thing is, if you prefer over-steer, all you have to do is to change the front to toe 0.05 in rather then out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toe_(automotive) Car is beautifully balanced, 50:50, so if you know what you are doing you can make it handle the way you want. Not many cars in that price range can do that!
If possible get a TF with conventional springs. The hydragas suspension in the F, especially in older cars, is a maintenance nightmare. You will not find many garages who still have the right pump. Also be aware of lowered F's, few have been done properly, and if you just lower the suspension by removing some fluid it will cause a lot of negative camber. Not only does that eat tires, it will also result in some interesting handling behaviour. Best just walk away.
All that said, mine served me pretty well throughout most of it's life with little problem.
MeThlAtEdSpiRIt said:
Good handling. More prone to oversteer than the mgf (Get one with an lsd)
Not true. The MGF/TF has fully adjustable front and rear suspension. Rover set it up with a tendency to under-steer, but the same can be said of the MK2 Lotus Elise. Thing is, if you prefer over-steer, all you have to do is to change the front to toe 0.05 in rather then out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toe_(automotive) Car is beautifully balanced, 50:50, so if you know what you are doing you can make it handle the way you want. Not many cars in that price range can do that!
If possible get a TF with conventional springs. The hydragas suspension in the F, especially in older cars, is a maintenance nightmare. You will not find many garages who still have the right pump. Also be aware of lowered F's, few have been done properly, and if you just lower the suspension by removing some fluid it will cause a lot of negative camber. Not only does that eat tires, it will also result in some interesting handling behaviour. Best just walk away.
MeThlAtEdSpiRIt said:
Much, much more reliable than the MG
Hell Yes! The F is a fragile car. Especially in Scotland expect a lot of worn out ball rod ends. Next problem is the cooling. They are famous for HGF. But that is how it manifests, the problem is most of the time something else. Check coolant levels regularly - I am not kidding, make it a weekly routine. If it drops, investigate it immediately. Often, the reasons are something minor like a cheap seal, but if not fixed in time, the consequences are expensive. Also lots of good advice like replacing the fuse of the extra fan, etc. Forums are full with them. Another problem, that usually manifests in warmer climate of high altitude, is that the radiator is rotting really badly, causing it to work suboptimal. Check that before you do something like a trip to the south of France.All that said, mine served me pretty well throughout most of it's life with little problem.
Thanks all for the information provided, most helpful!
The cooling issues I'm well aware of, coolant/oil levels and temps would be watched like a hawk. It will be used as a weekend/occasional use toy and not my main car. I expect some repairs/maintenance but if I can prevent issues occurring or see anything I should avoid, ie dodgy lowering, I'd be in a great place to start.
It's good to see the F/mx-5 comparison, interesting view from someone who has driven both
thank you.
I've had no luck so far on test drive front so will venture further afield to see of I can get a dealer who'd let me take one out.
The cooling issues I'm well aware of, coolant/oil levels and temps would be watched like a hawk. It will be used as a weekend/occasional use toy and not my main car. I expect some repairs/maintenance but if I can prevent issues occurring or see anything I should avoid, ie dodgy lowering, I'd be in a great place to start.
It's good to see the F/mx-5 comparison, interesting view from someone who has driven both
thank you.I've had no luck so far on test drive front so will venture further afield to see of I can get a dealer who'd let me take one out.
Yeah the only problem with the MX5 reliability is rust. The MGF is pretty much the other way round.
For your information, I used to spend around a 1000 euros a year in it from new. That covered things like repairs and consumables such as tires and breaks. In the UK the car is a lot more common and spars are ready available, so it should be cheaper.
The MGF is very complicated, a great hobby to get into setting up suspensions, etc. That said, if you get it wrong, it becomes a real dog of a car. The short wheel base and 50:50 weight distribution means that if it is losing traction it will spin very quickly around its centre. I grew up driving RWD cars all my life, but that caught me by surprise the first time it happened. The K series engine is amazing, easily the best 4 cylinder I have ever had. No wonder the likes of Ariel, Caterham and Lotus used it. On a race track, the MGF is noticeably quicker than an MX5 MK2.
The MX5 is very simple, but great fun. Head heavy means that it is much more manageable if things get sideways. Handling is amazing, spot on. It also has noticeable less traction compared to the MGF, which 10 years ago I thought was the disadvantage, but now see slightly different. Going sideways doing 50 is just as much fun as it is at 70, but if things go wrong, it is a lot less messy.
I never drove a MR2 and wonder how it would compare to the two?
Scuba_steve said:
It will be used as a weekend/occasional use toy and not my main car. I expect some repairs/maintenance ...
Cars like to be driven. I had mine of the road for a year while working abroad. That was the worst thing I did to it, was running reliably before, and gave me lots of problems ever after. Might just have been coincidence. For your information, I used to spend around a 1000 euros a year in it from new. That covered things like repairs and consumables such as tires and breaks. In the UK the car is a lot more common and spars are ready available, so it should be cheaper.
Scuba_steve said:
It's good to see the F/mx-5 comparison, interesting view from someone who has driven both thank you.
They are both great cars in my opinion, but in different ways. thank you.The MGF is very complicated, a great hobby to get into setting up suspensions, etc. That said, if you get it wrong, it becomes a real dog of a car. The short wheel base and 50:50 weight distribution means that if it is losing traction it will spin very quickly around its centre. I grew up driving RWD cars all my life, but that caught me by surprise the first time it happened. The K series engine is amazing, easily the best 4 cylinder I have ever had. No wonder the likes of Ariel, Caterham and Lotus used it. On a race track, the MGF is noticeably quicker than an MX5 MK2.
The MX5 is very simple, but great fun. Head heavy means that it is much more manageable if things get sideways. Handling is amazing, spot on. It also has noticeable less traction compared to the MGF, which 10 years ago I thought was the disadvantage, but now see slightly different. Going sideways doing 50 is just as much fun as it is at 70, but if things go wrong, it is a lot less messy.
I never drove a MR2 and wonder how it would compare to the two?
TurboDave.. I mean DavieIve owned 2 MX5's 2 MGF's and an MGTF so I speak from experience.
Disregard any rust comments . Ive seen many example of both hanging with rust and just as many with zero rust. Take your time and pick a good one.
My simple summary below.
MX5 - Ultra reliable , fun and a drivers car. Buy One.
MGF\TF - Ultra Unreliable , bits will fail and fall off daily. Don't take one even if its free.
Disregard any rust comments . Ive seen many example of both hanging with rust and just as many with zero rust. Take your time and pick a good one.
My simple summary below.
MX5 - Ultra reliable , fun and a drivers car. Buy One.
MGF\TF - Ultra Unreliable , bits will fail and fall off daily. Don't take one even if its free.
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