TF - usable as a semi- daily
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm thinking about an TF (the modern TF that is). Prices for a decent one seem sensible but is using a TF as a semi daily a realistic proposition these days?
For context I used a '72 'B as a daily for ten years not so long ago without it leaving me stranded at the side of the road but I'm less knowledgeable about the TF.
I've got a shopping car to use as well but I would want to use anything like this more than just weekends/sunny days.
From trawling the web my gut feeling is that if i look after it then the answer is yes but i thought I'd turn it over to the PH massive. My other preference is a mk2 or 3 MX 5 but the rot on those makes me think twice.,,,
thanks!
I'm thinking about an TF (the modern TF that is). Prices for a decent one seem sensible but is using a TF as a semi daily a realistic proposition these days?
For context I used a '72 'B as a daily for ten years not so long ago without it leaving me stranded at the side of the road but I'm less knowledgeable about the TF.
I've got a shopping car to use as well but I would want to use anything like this more than just weekends/sunny days.
From trawling the web my gut feeling is that if i look after it then the answer is yes but i thought I'd turn it over to the PH massive. My other preference is a mk2 or 3 MX 5 but the rot on those makes me think twice.,,,
thanks!
I old mine last year after 10 years of ownership
Pros, they are cheap to run and simple to fix plus spares are cheap and the forums are really good for knowledge.
Cons, there are some well known issues, but in reality cheap to fix . They also tend to leak in the rain , so a garage is recommended or at least a cover
As for use as a daily It depends on the mileage and type of miles you do. They are quite a small car so you feel a bit vulnerable on the motorway, but certainly no worse than the mgb.
If you’re doing localish miles then no problem.
In heavy winter they are entertaining, being rwd and mid engined, I tended to put mine away for the winter, and being a soft top that’s not amazingly well sealed, defrosting in the winter means scraping ice of the inside as well 😁
As a summer b road car I loved mine.
Pros, they are cheap to run and simple to fix plus spares are cheap and the forums are really good for knowledge.
Cons, there are some well known issues, but in reality cheap to fix . They also tend to leak in the rain , so a garage is recommended or at least a cover
As for use as a daily It depends on the mileage and type of miles you do. They are quite a small car so you feel a bit vulnerable on the motorway, but certainly no worse than the mgb.
If you’re doing localish miles then no problem.
In heavy winter they are entertaining, being rwd and mid engined, I tended to put mine away for the winter, and being a soft top that’s not amazingly well sealed, defrosting in the winter means scraping ice of the inside as well 😁
As a summer b road car I loved mine.
Thanks for that.
Mostly will be local miles but some motorway, bit like my old 'B .
Re the mid engine rwd issues, I'm not worries about that really, I've owned (and thoroughly enjoyed) 3 MR2's over the years from aw11 and sw20 inc a turbo . These days i don't blast around like i used to anyway!
I think ill go and have a look at some TF's and see how it goes.
It interesting how many positive comments there are about them, even when people try to slate them, the stuff you think might crop up doesn't which is encouraging.
Mostly will be local miles but some motorway, bit like my old 'B .
Re the mid engine rwd issues, I'm not worries about that really, I've owned (and thoroughly enjoyed) 3 MR2's over the years from aw11 and sw20 inc a turbo . These days i don't blast around like i used to anyway!
I think ill go and have a look at some TF's and see how it goes.
It interesting how many positive comments there are about them, even when people try to slate them, the stuff you think might crop up doesn't which is encouraging.
Most of the known problems have been addressed due to age.
Steel coolant pipes are typically updated to stainless now as original rusted away. Most head gaskets replaced with the upgraded ones and if not a few mobile specialists who will sort at reasonable cost on your drive.
Sub frames may start to rust due to age, but easily sorted and again a few specialists like mgbitz can replace.
Rest is parts bin rover from that era
They are at age now where tend to be more of an enthusiasts car so some good ones out there but also some rubbish
Have a look at the mgf register forum for more info, a lively forum there are guides on what to look for when buying
Steel coolant pipes are typically updated to stainless now as original rusted away. Most head gaskets replaced with the upgraded ones and if not a few mobile specialists who will sort at reasonable cost on your drive.
Sub frames may start to rust due to age, but easily sorted and again a few specialists like mgbitz can replace.
Rest is parts bin rover from that era
They are at age now where tend to be more of an enthusiasts car so some good ones out there but also some rubbish
Have a look at the mgf register forum for more info, a lively forum there are guides on what to look for when buying
Thanks for that.
Mostly will be local miles but some motorway, bit like my old 'B .
Re the mid engine rwd issues, I'm not worries about that really, I've owned (and thoroughly enjoyed) 3 MR2's over the years from aw11 and sw20 inc a turbo . These days i don't blast around like i used to anyway!
I think ill go and have a look at some TF's and see how it goes.
It interesting how many positive comments there are about them, even when people try to slate them, the stuff you think might crop up doesn't which is encouraging.
Mostly will be local miles but some motorway, bit like my old 'B .
Re the mid engine rwd issues, I'm not worries about that really, I've owned (and thoroughly enjoyed) 3 MR2's over the years from aw11 and sw20 inc a turbo . These days i don't blast around like i used to anyway!
I think ill go and have a look at some TF's and see how it goes.
It interesting how many positive comments there are about them, even when people try to slate them, the stuff you think might crop up doesn't which is encouraging.
I've now got 2.. an 05 135 basic as at 54k and a just bought 03 160 at 74k.. great driving cars, 38k in 135 so far.. they rust for fun and are VERY particular about tyres.. there's an owners club that is really good too. Falken ZE310 on mine, useable all year.. think lowest I travelled in was about -10.. pretty much as quickly as when warmer.
Hope this helps, oh and they do leak.
Hope this helps, oh and they do leak.
Wish I'd seen this thread back in September!
I have a 160, bought new by my dad. For a few years it was my only car. I've driven it in all weathers, across Europe.
For daily use, I'd say:
1) it's a pain if it frosts overnight. The washer jets freeze up, and with no engine heat they don't defrost. Being so low down you get a far bit of crap on the windscreen from the road salt so... Some people used to install a Webasto hotshot, an electric heater. Never had one myself.
2) it sucks on snow. We had a surprise snowstorm one winter, the roads weren't gritted and I was 30 miles from home. On a snowy DC, anything above 30mph needed constant adjustments to countersteer the back end stepping out. Grumpy people behind who wanted to go faster but didn't want to overtake either.
3) hardtop makes it cosier and prolongs life of softtop. Plus it has a heated glass rear screen.
4) some weather seals are no longer available... They can be leaky old things now which leads to...
5) some electrical gremlins have started to show. Fortunately there's a bit of a cottage industry around repairing the Pektron unit, which is the real ball-ache.
The tyre sensitivity issue; apparently it was bad enough that Rover issued a memo to dealers. However... I've never known anyone run anything except GSD2s or T1s, hence it might be a fuss over nothing.
But those are genuinely rare concerns. The good bits are:
1) it really does handle fantastically
2) it's nippy even by modern standards
3) it will return 40mpg without trying, on a long run
4) it's comfortable enough for continental road trips, if you aren't too big (I'm 6'2 and heavy)
5) it's great with the top down.
I have a 160, bought new by my dad. For a few years it was my only car. I've driven it in all weathers, across Europe.
For daily use, I'd say:
1) it's a pain if it frosts overnight. The washer jets freeze up, and with no engine heat they don't defrost. Being so low down you get a far bit of crap on the windscreen from the road salt so... Some people used to install a Webasto hotshot, an electric heater. Never had one myself.
2) it sucks on snow. We had a surprise snowstorm one winter, the roads weren't gritted and I was 30 miles from home. On a snowy DC, anything above 30mph needed constant adjustments to countersteer the back end stepping out. Grumpy people behind who wanted to go faster but didn't want to overtake either.
3) hardtop makes it cosier and prolongs life of softtop. Plus it has a heated glass rear screen.
4) some weather seals are no longer available... They can be leaky old things now which leads to...
5) some electrical gremlins have started to show. Fortunately there's a bit of a cottage industry around repairing the Pektron unit, which is the real ball-ache.
The tyre sensitivity issue; apparently it was bad enough that Rover issued a memo to dealers. However... I've never known anyone run anything except GSD2s or T1s, hence it might be a fuss over nothing.
But those are genuinely rare concerns. The good bits are:
1) it really does handle fantastically
2) it's nippy even by modern standards
3) it will return 40mpg without trying, on a long run
4) it's comfortable enough for continental road trips, if you aren't too big (I'm 6'2 and heavy)
5) it's great with the top down.
Go for it. My Trophy160 has been maybe everyday driver for over 10 years. In that time I have covered approx 110k miles, NC500 3 times, across to Vienna, Prague, Redlined it on the autobahn, and many other adventures. Like all older cars a bit of preventative maintenance really helps. Falken or Toyo tyres are the go to choice. Even now after 10 years it never fails to put a smile on my face. 
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