My 500 quid MGTF
Discussion
Has to be a great idea, surely?
Just bought a 2004 MGTF with 105k miles on the clock.
It has a little spot or two of rust, the door latch mechanism needs sorting and one of the keys doesn't work. The paint on the bonnet is s
t. Haven't seen it in daylight yet. Oh, and the headlights are rubbish. The brakes are nothing to write home about.
I don't think I stopped smiling on the whole drive back. What a great little car! Pulls really well, handles nicely, it's nice to sit in and has plenty of character. Such a lovely change from my anemic HRV company car. It's had a lot of the suspension sorted before I got it, a new headgasket a couple of years ago and a new exhaust. The previous owner really looked after it (despite the niggles above). Really nice bloke too.
Couple of photos from the advert:
Just bought a 2004 MGTF with 105k miles on the clock.
It has a little spot or two of rust, the door latch mechanism needs sorting and one of the keys doesn't work. The paint on the bonnet is s
t. Haven't seen it in daylight yet. Oh, and the headlights are rubbish. The brakes are nothing to write home about.I don't think I stopped smiling on the whole drive back. What a great little car! Pulls really well, handles nicely, it's nice to sit in and has plenty of character. Such a lovely change from my anemic HRV company car. It's had a lot of the suspension sorted before I got it, a new headgasket a couple of years ago and a new exhaust. The previous owner really looked after it (despite the niggles above). Really nice bloke too.
Couple of photos from the advert:
Thanks for the comments, I'm pretty sure the hood's been replaced. I know it didn't leave the factory with the heated glass rear window.
The budget was pretty low. I basically man-maths'd my way into it. The Mrs is sending her golf to get resprayed soon so I've basically gone "How much is a hire car for a few weeks?" Of course, the tax and insurance aren't real money and come from a special magic pot that's different.
I looked at Mk2 MX5s as well, up to as much as £1500. The amount with fked chassis rails is incredible. Thing is, lots of people don't know to look, and it doesn't get picked up on the MOT so the search is very frustrating! Thought I'd get a much better car for the money in the MG.
I did look at another 'TF on Saturday. It was £1500 at a dealer and wasn't in much better condition than this - certainly not £1000 worth. That one also broke down on the test drive so we had to push it the last 100m (out of fuel).
I'm going to tidy it up and do all the little jobs that need doing. I've also found a mobile mechanic that will do a cambelt, waterpump, coolant flush and replacement, aux belt on your drive for £150, so that's getting booked soon (to happen in April! Apparently they're very popular)
That clear windbreaker is one the previous owner made himself for better visibility, but I have the original too.
The budget was pretty low. I basically man-maths'd my way into it. The Mrs is sending her golf to get resprayed soon so I've basically gone "How much is a hire car for a few weeks?" Of course, the tax and insurance aren't real money and come from a special magic pot that's different.
I looked at Mk2 MX5s as well, up to as much as £1500. The amount with f
ked chassis rails is incredible. Thing is, lots of people don't know to look, and it doesn't get picked up on the MOT so the search is very frustrating! Thought I'd get a much better car for the money in the MG.I did look at another 'TF on Saturday. It was £1500 at a dealer and wasn't in much better condition than this - certainly not £1000 worth. That one also broke down on the test drive so we had to push it the last 100m (out of fuel).
I'm going to tidy it up and do all the little jobs that need doing. I've also found a mobile mechanic that will do a cambelt, waterpump, coolant flush and replacement, aux belt on your drive for £150, so that's getting booked soon (to happen in April! Apparently they're very popular)
That clear windbreaker is one the previous owner made himself for better visibility, but I have the original too.
That looks very nice, unbeatable value at that price.
The brakes on these are normally OK so if you feel they are rubbish I expect you will find that some of the pistons in the calipers are siezed and a full brake overhaul is required.
Everything is on E Bay for relative peanuts.
With spring on the way it wont be long until you are enjoying top down motoring, good luck with it!
The brakes on these are normally OK so if you feel they are rubbish I expect you will find that some of the pistons in the calipers are siezed and a full brake overhaul is required.
Everything is on E Bay for relative peanuts.
With spring on the way it wont be long until you are enjoying top down motoring, good luck with it!
Looks like a decent buy at the price...!
There will be folk on here who know these cars much better than I, but a friend was given a similar one that needed a couple of things to sort and they seem good fun.
Apparently there are some stainless steel coolant pipes that solve a weak point on these engines as the original ones rust through with inevitable results. And of course there is the legendary CHG issue, although I understand that you can get uprated gasket kits now. And I have read about people fitting extra water temperature sensors etc to monitor the coolant, and a mechanic friend has showed me the trick of drilling a couple of holes in the thermostat in case it sticks shut....
Anyway, enjoy it... a great wee car for £500 !
There will be folk on here who know these cars much better than I, but a friend was given a similar one that needed a couple of things to sort and they seem good fun.
Apparently there are some stainless steel coolant pipes that solve a weak point on these engines as the original ones rust through with inevitable results. And of course there is the legendary CHG issue, although I understand that you can get uprated gasket kits now. And I have read about people fitting extra water temperature sensors etc to monitor the coolant, and a mechanic friend has showed me the trick of drilling a couple of holes in the thermostat in case it sticks shut....
Anyway, enjoy it... a great wee car for £500 !
A quick update - I've been shopping, but still more to do! List of jobs:
First job - new throttle cable. It's really notchy at low openings which is pretty common apparently, so that's what I'm doing first.
Obviously I've bought a new stereo with DAB and bluetooth. I was only after Bluetooth really, but this was £40, came with the aerial and I do love my Absolute Radio.
New mats. The carpet is oddly squishy. Not wet, not squelchy, just feels like there's a duvet underneath it. Probably just fitted badly. Thought a normal car mat would be good anyway in terms of protection and in this case feeling abit normal under the heel.
New cambelt/waterpump service has been booked. I don't mind doing little bits and bobs, but I have enough projects.
Touch up the one or two little spots of rust. It'll not look great as silver's hard to match (I'll get the proper shade from Rimmer Bros), but I'll put a load of rust killer and wot not on it to stop the spread. I should be able to do a passable job though.
New gearbox oil - toying with the idea of havaing a local mechanic do it, I don't have a drive and I'm not sure I want to arse about under the car in the road. I'm having trouble getting 2nd gear and apparently that's a symptom. If that doesn't work it's new rose joints.
I've also bought a new alternator belt, it was a bit squealy when I picked it up. It's stopped now, but it can't hurt to put another one on now I've already bought it.
Other jobs to do: Central locking motor is making a wierd buzzing off the key. Not too fussed, I'm happy to lock with the key for now.
Roof strap - at the moment there's a "knack" to getting the roof fully down, you can get a strap to put a little pressure on the right bar at the right place to stop that, it's only a tenner I think.
BRAKES! Sooner rather than later I'm going to improve the brakes. 280mm front disc conversion, decent pads all round and a clamp on the servo to keep it more solidly mounted to the car
Tart the seat up. It's got a little tear on the driver's bolster.
First job - new throttle cable. It's really notchy at low openings which is pretty common apparently, so that's what I'm doing first.
Obviously I've bought a new stereo with DAB and bluetooth. I was only after Bluetooth really, but this was £40, came with the aerial and I do love my Absolute Radio.
New mats. The carpet is oddly squishy. Not wet, not squelchy, just feels like there's a duvet underneath it. Probably just fitted badly. Thought a normal car mat would be good anyway in terms of protection and in this case feeling abit normal under the heel.
New cambelt/waterpump service has been booked. I don't mind doing little bits and bobs, but I have enough projects.
Touch up the one or two little spots of rust. It'll not look great as silver's hard to match (I'll get the proper shade from Rimmer Bros), but I'll put a load of rust killer and wot not on it to stop the spread. I should be able to do a passable job though.
New gearbox oil - toying with the idea of havaing a local mechanic do it, I don't have a drive and I'm not sure I want to arse about under the car in the road. I'm having trouble getting 2nd gear and apparently that's a symptom. If that doesn't work it's new rose joints.
I've also bought a new alternator belt, it was a bit squealy when I picked it up. It's stopped now, but it can't hurt to put another one on now I've already bought it.
Other jobs to do: Central locking motor is making a wierd buzzing off the key. Not too fussed, I'm happy to lock with the key for now.
Roof strap - at the moment there's a "knack" to getting the roof fully down, you can get a strap to put a little pressure on the right bar at the right place to stop that, it's only a tenner I think.
BRAKES! Sooner rather than later I'm going to improve the brakes. 280mm front disc conversion, decent pads all round and a clamp on the servo to keep it more solidly mounted to the car
Tart the seat up. It's got a little tear on the driver's bolster.
I've had 3 of these wretched things. a 96 F which to be fair was quite reliable only needing the door motors replaced.
Next was a 2002 TF which cost £2k to get through its 1st MOT - then threw the obligatory HGF - It was soon sold at a huge loss.
Next up a 98 F which threw a HGF 3 days into ownership. Repaired then sold again at a huge loss a week later. That relationship lasted less than 2 weeks, dont know why I got that one to be honest. Moment of madness.
Im a bit soured by the MGF\TF so much so I wouldnt take another even if it was free.
Next was a 2002 TF which cost £2k to get through its 1st MOT - then threw the obligatory HGF - It was soon sold at a huge loss.
Next up a 98 F which threw a HGF 3 days into ownership. Repaired then sold again at a huge loss a week later. That relationship lasted less than 2 weeks, dont know why I got that one to be honest. Moment of madness.
Im a bit soured by the MGF\TF so much so I wouldnt take another even if it was free.
To balance the previous commentor, I had a TF for 3 years and absolutely loved it, and still miss it to this day.
BRG 115 with cream/alacantra interior, wood console/steering wheel. Lovely.
OP - before doing the gearbox oil grease the clutch release arm with PTFE based grease. I had the same symptoms as you and this sorted it out for me.
BRG 115 with cream/alacantra interior, wood console/steering wheel. Lovely.
OP - before doing the gearbox oil grease the clutch release arm with PTFE based grease. I had the same symptoms as you and this sorted it out for me.
swagmeister said:
I've had 3 of these wretched things. a 96 F which to be fair was quite reliable only needing the door motors replaced.
Next was a 2002 TF which cost £2k to get through its 1st MOT - then threw the obligatory HGF - It was soon sold at a huge loss.
Next up a 98 F which threw a HGF 3 days into ownership. Repaired then sold again at a huge loss a week later. That relationship lasted less than 2 weeks, dont know why I got that one to be honest. Moment of madness.
Im a bit soured by the MGF\TF so much so I wouldnt take another even if it was free.
Not a fan then? Next was a 2002 TF which cost £2k to get through its 1st MOT - then threw the obligatory HGF - It was soon sold at a huge loss.
Next up a 98 F which threw a HGF 3 days into ownership. Repaired then sold again at a huge loss a week later. That relationship lasted less than 2 weeks, dont know why I got that one to be honest. Moment of madness.
Im a bit soured by the MGF\TF so much so I wouldnt take another even if it was free.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff