Are MGFs rubbish?
Discussion
Nine years ago I said:
My parents bought a delivery mileage 1.8 in 1999 and still have it. It's done about 65k miles so isn't typical but until a couple of years ago it needed no work doing to it at all beyond normal wear & tear. Then of course age caught up with it and they spent a four figure sum on radiators and suspensions bits- it's still on its original head gasket though.
I borrowed it for a week for a trip around Cornwall and enjoyed it. It's not going to be as quiet as a hatchback on the motorway but it's reasonably civilised and the hydragas suspension gave it a decent ride without sacrificing handling. The boot in the back isn't huge but it's big enough for my Mum to fit a weekly shop and you don't need to pack light for a weekend away- although I'd recommend squashy bags rather then a suitcase!
£1500 might buy you a decent one but I'd avoid buying the first one you look at. Oh and check the rear window, they're a bugger to replace.
My parents still have the MGF I wrote about in 2011 and I don't think it's done many more miles since they retired not long after. It's still on it's original head gasket and they've just spent another four figure sum tackling rust. I borrowed it a couple of years ago when my car died and it was a nice place to be, light and airy even with the roof up and felt light and sprightly (its the 118bhp version). Bar a high brake pedal I found it dead easy to sit in and drive. If you've got an itch for a comfortable convertible (and don't want an MX5 or Eilse) it's one to consider.I borrowed it for a week for a trip around Cornwall and enjoyed it. It's not going to be as quiet as a hatchback on the motorway but it's reasonably civilised and the hydragas suspension gave it a decent ride without sacrificing handling. The boot in the back isn't huge but it's big enough for my Mum to fit a weekly shop and you don't need to pack light for a weekend away- although I'd recommend squashy bags rather then a suitcase!
£1500 might buy you a decent one but I'd avoid buying the first one you look at. Oh and check the rear window, they're a bugger to replace.
I've had mine since 2012. Reliability has been great, I've only really been stranded once due to a snapped alternator belt. .
I did spend quite a bit recently on some upgrades and rust treatment /prevention which should see it through the next 5 years or so.
Having got both this and an Mx5 I'd say the MG is a better everyday road car. The Mazda is better in track. They are both cheap enough to buy and run that you could get both if you have the space.
I would like to get some lower seats though.
Little boy likes it too
I did spend quite a bit recently on some upgrades and rust treatment /prevention which should see it through the next 5 years or so.
Having got both this and an Mx5 I'd say the MG is a better everyday road car. The Mazda is better in track. They are both cheap enough to buy and run that you could get both if you have the space.
I would like to get some lower seats though.
Little boy likes it too
sparkythecat said:
My only carp was that the seat was just too high for the taller driver .
I know this is one of the things people say about these. And it has been a good few years since I've been in one. I'm also not very tall myself. But I do struggle to believe it is true or understand the issue. Unless you are over 7 foot tall or something.Not me, a stock photo from Google. But as you can see, the driver is so low in the car, their shoulders aren't even higher than the window line.
Same can be seen here:
And here you can see if the driver was any lower, they wouldn't be able to see over the steering wheel.
I see what you mean there. For me it's the wheel itself that's too low, if the whole dashboard/steering column was raised slightly the problem would go away.
Either that or the pedals are too close and the steering wheel is too far away. It's the knee/bottom of the wheel interaction that's a bit off really.
I'm really not tall either.
Either that or the pedals are too close and the steering wheel is too far away. It's the knee/bottom of the wheel interaction that's a bit off really.
I'm really not tall either.
Lotusgone said:
Would a sorted 160 Trophy be worth a try? I'm looking at the website for Trophy Cars in Lincs - it looks as though, with lots to sell, that they know their way round these. Have any PH readers had experience of these guys?
It’s worth bearing in mind there are a few bits on these specific to the Trophy, such as hydragas spheres which are unobtainable now. A spring conversion has been developed-it just depends how big you are on originality. The Trophy does handle pretty sweetly when they’re in good order-I had one back in 2011 and did enjoy it. Not a patch on an Elise but certainly not bad!
I’ve no personal experience with Trophy Cars so can’t comment on them.
Also regarding the “too high” driving position-from memory you can buy a fairly inexpensive seat lowering kit which allegedly improves the driving position no end. Something I meant to do on mine but never got around to!
I can remember mine being very tyre sensitive (the only car I found that actually worked with Toyo Proxes tyres!) and they also don’t tolerate worn suspension components or misalignment.
The steering feel also isn’t the greatest-it’s an EPAS system which does benefit from having the sensor recalibrated by a specialist, as otherwise the system can over-assist or provide bias in one particular direction.
I can remember mine being very tyre sensitive (the only car I found that actually worked with Toyo Proxes tyres!) and they also don’t tolerate worn suspension components or misalignment.
The steering feel also isn’t the greatest-it’s an EPAS system which does benefit from having the sensor recalibrated by a specialist, as otherwise the system can over-assist or provide bias in one particular direction.
itcaptainslow said:
Also regarding the “too high” driving position-from memory you can buy a fairly inexpensive seat lowering kit which allegedly improves the driving position no end. Something I meant to do on mine but never got around to!
I can remember mine being very tyre sensitive (the only car I found that actually worked with Toyo Proxes tyres!) and they also don’t tolerate worn suspension components or misalignment.
The steering feel also isn’t the greatest-it’s an EPAS system which does benefit from having the sensor recalibrated by a specialist, as otherwise the system can over-assist or provide bias in one particular direction.
Doesn't the assistance turn off at 30mph?I can remember mine being very tyre sensitive (the only car I found that actually worked with Toyo Proxes tyres!) and they also don’t tolerate worn suspension components or misalignment.
The steering feel also isn’t the greatest-it’s an EPAS system which does benefit from having the sensor recalibrated by a specialist, as otherwise the system can over-assist or provide bias in one particular direction.
300bhp/ton said:
itcaptainslow said:
Also regarding the “too high” driving position-from memory you can buy a fairly inexpensive seat lowering kit which allegedly improves the driving position no end. Something I meant to do on mine but never got around to!
I can remember mine being very tyre sensitive (the only car I found that actually worked with Toyo Proxes tyres!) and they also don’t tolerate worn suspension components or misalignment.
The steering feel also isn’t the greatest-it’s an EPAS system which does benefit from having the sensor recalibrated by a specialist, as otherwise the system can over-assist or provide bias in one particular direction.
Doesn't the assistance turn off at 30mph?I can remember mine being very tyre sensitive (the only car I found that actually worked with Toyo Proxes tyres!) and they also don’t tolerate worn suspension components or misalignment.
The steering feel also isn’t the greatest-it’s an EPAS system which does benefit from having the sensor recalibrated by a specialist, as otherwise the system can over-assist or provide bias in one particular direction.
itcaptainslow said:
I'm not 100% sure if I'm honest, it rings a bell but I can't say definitively.
I can't remember either. My first F was a basic 1.8i way back in 1998. That didn't have power steering. Fine when rolling, but was a tad too heavy at low speed. And if the back stepped out made it very difficult to catch.My 2nd F was a VVC model with PAS. Certainly lighter steering, although due to being a mid engined. I wouldn't say it was particulary worse than the non PAS for feel. But this was in 1999, so my memory might be playing tricks on me. It was certainly a lot easier to catch when it did go sideways. As you could out more lock on quicker.
If memory serves the PAS had variable assistance that reduced as you increased speed. But maybe it was as high as 45mph before it shut down the assistance. 30mph might have been my smart Roadster
Impressive thread revival 
Actually I don't think they are rubbish, fortunate to have acquired a 2001 one from family who have had it from almost as many years and despite being left standing for a while hasn't done too much harm and did a bit of spending to get it up to speed to its standing ( owed to the car you car say).
Funny isn't it how people expect mint used cars when sometimes servicing has been lax, cheapskates mostly who have no real love for cars and if the car was the motoring equivalent of a sick family member would be down Diginitas before they even had the chance to utter "but I'm really feeling alright"
In this case, new tyres, some almost free fettling, service, belts, and a low alarm, biggest bill was having nitrogen valves on the original spheres by a well known 3rd party to fully refurb the suspension to like new
To be honest never thrown any issue for me with some light use, its certainly not shown any indiction of the HG'ing yet touch wood and gone from 17k to approach 20k ?
You'd have thought if they was that bad plasticine engines that it would have failed instantly, believing the hype is what I thought of it
But nope, seems to be largely, BS by the kind of people that would call "Bad luck" if the same happened on their VW/Beemer/Merc with mates with the same common faults?
"Rose tinted specs" brigage about another nations manufacturer, always a bit wierd that, most happily overlooking nazi history of VW , bless those peace loving hippies
Then you get this kind of bile, unfact checked nonsense.
Absolute rubbish, anyone that has read up on their MGs and potential cooling issues knows that actually they are overcooled and its actually thermostat design ( pushing cold water past the hot engine in cycles) is the bigger concern, so more flawed by having an overlong cooling circuit?
Actually I don't think they are rubbish, fortunate to have acquired a 2001 one from family who have had it from almost as many years and despite being left standing for a while hasn't done too much harm and did a bit of spending to get it up to speed to its standing ( owed to the car you car say).
Funny isn't it how people expect mint used cars when sometimes servicing has been lax, cheapskates mostly who have no real love for cars and if the car was the motoring equivalent of a sick family member would be down Diginitas before they even had the chance to utter "but I'm really feeling alright"
In this case, new tyres, some almost free fettling, service, belts, and a low alarm, biggest bill was having nitrogen valves on the original spheres by a well known 3rd party to fully refurb the suspension to like new
To be honest never thrown any issue for me with some light use, its certainly not shown any indiction of the HG'ing yet touch wood and gone from 17k to approach 20k ?
You'd have thought if they was that bad plasticine engines that it would have failed instantly, believing the hype is what I thought of it
But nope, seems to be largely, BS by the kind of people that would call "Bad luck" if the same happened on their VW/Beemer/Merc with mates with the same common faults?
"Rose tinted specs" brigage about another nations manufacturer, always a bit wierd that, most happily overlooking nazi history of VW , bless those peace loving hippies
Then you get this kind of bile, unfact checked nonsense.
Absolute rubbish, anyone that has read up on their MGs and potential cooling issues knows that actually they are overcooled and its actually thermostat design ( pushing cold water past the hot engine in cycles) is the bigger concern, so more flawed by having an overlong cooling circuit?
Biker's Nemesis said:
And them boiling over due to the pitiful amount of water they hold. (twizellb told me this)
The PRT has been touted as a way to limit problems although I've not gone that direction yet myself, just care on how I use the car and warming/cooling on what is really quite an old car is the best dividend I find, although I have been known to give her some beans once warmed and certainly demonstrated its not a crap caritcaptainslow said:
It’s worth bearing in mind there are a few bits on these specific to the Trophy, such as hydragas spheres which are unobtainable now. A spring conversion has been developed-it just depends how big you are on originality.
The Trophy does handle pretty sweetly when they’re in good order-I had one back in 2011 and did enjoy it. Not a patch on an Elise but certainly not bad!
I’ve no personal experience with Trophy Cars so can’t comment on them.
Fairly sure the hydragas spheres are common to all MGF's but not the TF aren't they? Or are you saying the Trophy has different spheres to the standard 'F'?The Trophy does handle pretty sweetly when they’re in good order-I had one back in 2011 and did enjoy it. Not a patch on an Elise but certainly not bad!
I’ve no personal experience with Trophy Cars so can’t comment on them.
MattW said:
itcaptainslow said:
It’s worth bearing in mind there are a few bits on these specific to the Trophy, such as hydragas spheres which are unobtainable now. A spring conversion has been developed-it just depends how big you are on originality.
The Trophy does handle pretty sweetly when they’re in good order-I had one back in 2011 and did enjoy it. Not a patch on an Elise but certainly not bad!
I’ve no personal experience with Trophy Cars so can’t comment on them.
Fairly sure the hydragas spheres are common to all MGF's but not the TF aren't they? Or are you saying the Trophy has different spheres to the standard 'F'?The Trophy does handle pretty sweetly when they’re in good order-I had one back in 2011 and did enjoy it. Not a patch on an Elise but certainly not bad!
I’ve no personal experience with Trophy Cars so can’t comment on them.
The TF has coil springs all round and totally ditched the Hydragas system.
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