MG TF: Spotted
Overshadowed by the MX-5 and MR2 at launch, and now half forgotten, the MG TF is cheap as chips...
The MG TF never had it easy. This British sports car had all the right ingredients - a mid-mounted naturally aspirated engine, rear-wheel drive, a two-seater drop-top body - yet it never really took the market by storm, thanks in part to the shadow cast by the Mazda MX-5 and Toyota MR2.
But now, with prices for well looked after cars having dipped below the £3000 mark, isn’t it time we gave MG’s last model (in the pre-SAIC Motors years) another chance?
After all, it’s not like the car was thought bad in the first place. When it arrived in 2002 as the F’s replacement, the mid-ship drop-top, which borrowed its name from the MG TF Midget of the 1950s, was celebrated by motoring journalists for its sweet balance, decent steering and - particularly in higher-specification variable valve format - its revvy K-Series engines.
True, owners later realised that these engines were prone to head gasket failure, but now in 2018, it’s at least reassuring to think that for the cars to have survived this long they're probably running with the improved component produced to fix the issue. (Although we’d recommend you make sure of that before handing over any cash…)
Base level TFs came with a 1.6-litre motor that provided 116hp at the rear wheels, while mid-range models used a 1.8-litre offering as much as 136hp. The most potent, however, used a 1.8 VVC unit offering a respectable 159hp, enabling a 6.9sec 0-62mph sprint that was eight tenths better than both the Mk2 MX-5 and Mk3 MR2 in their quickest guises.
The TF’s structure was also stiffened by 20% compared to the F’s, helping to reduce the skuttle shake that plagued the earlier car. There was also an all-new suspension setup that ditched the F’s Hydragas suspension for a more conventional (and reliable) coil spring system.
Admittedly, the sports car fell short of the the MX-5 for usability, with smaller storage space thanks to the location of its engine, while a comically high seating position left taller drivers with the tips of their heads exposed to the wind. Build quality was also down on its Japanese rivals. Be that as it may, many of these issues can be regarded more generously as the TF matures from daily driver to weekend toy.
Surely no better example of the breed exists than this £2750 example, which comes with the top-end variable valve motor and is finished in British Racing Green. With 45,000 miles on the clock this 2002 car has probably passed its head gasket blowing years (although don’t forget our earlier advice), plus, there’s a fresh MOT and a colour-matched hard top thrown in for good measure.
Chances are your purchase is not going to be viewed by others with quite the same esteem they might've had for a 20-year-old MX-5. But for the buyer who snaps up our Spotted, they’ll still be landing themselves in a fine handling British sports car from yesteryear. And will have paid so little it’s unlikely they’ll care.
SPECIFICATION – MG TF
Engine: 1,796cc four-cylinder
Power (hp): 159hp@6,900rpm
Torque (lb ft): 128lb ft@4,700rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: 179g/km
First registered: 2002
Recorded mileage: 45,412
Price then: £21,050
Price now: £2,750
t in reality. My Dad had one for a few months as he needed a cheap sports car, he hated it and lost a load of money selling it on.
Unless you need a boot on your sports car the MR2 is a much better bet, the spec sheet isn’t as impressive, but it’s one of those cars where the experience is more than the sum of its parts. And if you need a boot, just get an MX-5!
Smart was quirky, the Toyota was the most planted round some twisty lanes, and the MG is the most fun and better looking in my opinion.
The majority will have had the head gasket replaced, and if it was replaced with the multi-layer, it shouldn't go again.
They're often compared to the MK2 MX5, but I struggled to find one that wasn't rotten.
Lack of boot space often gets mentioned with the TF, but why buy a tiny little convertible if you need practicality. The rear boot fits two small suitcases pretty easily anyhow. At least it has a boot unlike the MR2
For what they cost there really can't be many complaints. Between the MR2, MX5, and the TF, they're all pretty similar, so I'd just go for the best you can find for your budget of the three.
Edit: I often see people mention that the seats are too high. I'm 6'2 and didn't have any issues, but fitted a cheap and easily installed lowering kit for the seats anyway as I prefer to sit lower down, so it's easily to sort. Unless you're over 6'2, in which case go and attack the city of Tokyo.
Now, they're cheap as chips, easy to maintain, fun to drive. We've had ours for a decade - all the weak bits on them are well understood and an easy enough fix, but they are a "classic" car in so far as a bit of easy DIY spannering saves £££. We use it as a runaround, all year round, with a hard top on for the winter.
t in reality. 
MGTF - head gasket (can be sorted but make sure the block/liners are OK), over light steering (remove EPAS fuse), often iffy gearchange (short shift and linkage kits), cosmetic rust and structural rust on subframes (replaceable at a cost)
MX5 MK2/2.5 - RUST - a lot of cosmetic rust and more seriously, structural rust that is terminal due to the cost of sorting it all out. The 2.5 also has a higher seating position that makes it difficult for taller drivers to see beyond the header rail - a common complaint when I sold them.
Also, they are not that rigid, even when new.
MR2 - oil consumption on some engines can be very high (a problem across many Toyota models at the time) and they can suffer serious hidden corrosion on the subframes - my guess is they are not as easily available as subframes for the MG TF. Boot space (lack of) is also an issue.
I had an Elise Mk2 years ago and it was a great car to drive but my guess is that an MG TF would be less annoying to live and much cheaper to boot. The Elise was unbearable on the motorway, leaked in any rain (garage needed), i had issues with the alarm system and the small capacity battery that meant that you could not leave it for more than a week or so. Then there was the iffy gearchange and the head gasket! It was also massively expensive to insure (an MG F/TF can now be insured as a classic - perhaps the Lotus can?). The build quality was iffy (worse than an MG TF) and made my MGB GT feel very solid.
My point overall is that if you buy a good one of each option, you will have a good cheap (an Elise is not cheap) sports car to enjoy but don't go assuming that the TF is full of faults and the others are not - each one has the potential to be problematic (like any old car). On the plus side, both the MG and Mazda have owners clubs and specialists with lots of knowledge and future parts supply that will keep them going for years (as long as the MX5 does not rust). I am not so sure about the MR2 as there were fewer sold here and therefore fewer specialists around to back them up with parts etc.
They can get a bit light at the front with high speeds, but you can fit a front splitter from a type-r (I think that's what it was, can't remember exactly) and it sorts that out with ease.
Love and miss the engine in these.
Fancy pic I took of mine. Fitted some raven black side vents after this. Looked the bee's knee's. Wish I'd never sold it.
Only kidding. I test drove a 115 which was in fantastic condition, but a few hours later test drove a slightly scabby 160 and the engine sold it for me. The guy I bought it from had put a turbo sticker on the back
£1k to £2k for a car is absolutely peanuts. £2750 for a TF is top dollar (but still not that much on the grand scheme of things) and it should be perfect - walk if it isn't.
Never paid more than £1k for one, never bought one that was anything other than very good for that money either
The last one I bought was a 143bhp version, 2 lady owners and cake with, and takes a deep breath, £8k worth of receipts for work done and absolutely full service history.
The fabric top, as per many rivals, can wear or tear where roof braces or hinges rub but get a hardtop (silly-daft cheap imho) and you have a car that can be used all year round.
MX5s and the ‘which idiot devised a sports car with no boot whatsoever’ W30 MR2 don’t come close in ease of ownership and cheap thrills
I would imagine a 160 could be a lot of fun, especially with a few tweaks.
MGTF - head gasket (can be sorted but make sure the block/liners are OK), over light steering (remove EPAS fuse), often iffy gearchange (short shift and linkage kits), cosmetic rust and structural rust on subframes (replaceable at a cost)
MX5 MK2/2.5 - RUST - a lot of cosmetic rust and more seriously, structural rust that is terminal due to the cost of sorting it all out. The 2.5 also has a higher seating position that makes it difficult for taller drivers to see beyond the header rail - a common complaint when I sold them.
Also, they are not that rigid, even when new.
MR2 - oil consumption on some engines can be very high (a problem across many Toyota models at the time) and they can suffer serious hidden corrosion on the subframes - my guess is they are not as easily available as subframes for the MG TF. Boot space (lack of) is also an issue.
I had an Elise Mk2 years ago and it was a great car to drive but my guess is that an MG TF would be less annoying to live and much cheaper to boot. The Elise was unbearable on the motorway, leaked in any rain (garage needed), i had issues with the alarm system and the small capacity battery that meant that you could not leave it for more than a week or so. Then there was the iffy gearchange and the head gasket! It was also massively expensive to insure (an MG F/TF can now be insured as a classic - perhaps the Lotus can?). The build quality was iffy (worse than an MG TF) and made my MGB GT feel very solid.
My point overall is that if you buy a good one of each option, you will have a good cheap (an Elise is not cheap) sports car to enjoy but don't go assuming that the TF is full of faults and the others are not - each one has the potential to be problematic (like any old car). On the plus side, both the MG and Mazda have owners clubs and specialists with lots of knowledge and future parts supply that will keep them going for years (as long as the MX5 does not rust). I am not so sure about the MR2 as there were fewer sold here and therefore fewer specialists around to back them up with parts etc.
One point for note on the MR2 is that the 1ZZ-FE/FED is shared with a fair few other Toyota models, so replacement oily bits are usually not too painful to come by.
People love to slag them but still see quite a few, remember that the last ones were made in what, 2005 ? 13 years ago, are they really that bad if they have lasted that long ?
A lot of non petrolhead owners seem to love them, a lot of people hear Rover/MG and make a judgement before having driven the car, if you drive one and hate it, fair enough but always best to try and form your own opinion on stuff rather than the collective wisdom.
The K series, when working is a lovely zingy unit, had one in a Rover BRM, but of course, the inevitable happened, tried to fix it but the liners had sunk, had it not had that issue it would have been one of the great engines of the era, as it is now its more of a pub joke, which is a shame.
What's a good upgrade - similar to MG TF, but a bit newer, if I were to replace it over the next couple of years? I do like the newest MX5 (especially the RF), but still a bit ££. Obviously older MX5 is an option - but I'm less keen on them.
Elise and similar - a little too basic (and more ££)
What other options are there for something 4ish years old? Or shall I keep the MG forever?
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