Tuesday 7th May 2002

MG X80 Canned

Coupe now to be used in one make race series

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[billb]

not surprised it looked shite - who'd pay £50k for something that looked like it came from halfords. when will people see theres a huge market for a £30k - £40k convertible that looks good but is sliiiiightely practical that will challenge the boxster

[GregE240]

quote:When will people see theres a huge market for a £30k - £40k convertible that looks good but is sliiiiightely practical that will challenge the boxster

Well, Jaguar are developing such a car, aren't they ? It's even mid engined, for goodness sake !

[billb]

by the time they ever get that out i''ll be in a volvo estate with kids!

[GregE240]

Don't have kids then.

I'm sure the species will survive without you adding to it Bill. It worked for me, and you wouldn't believe the amount of disposable income you have month on month.

[billb]

but i want an excuse for an aston martin shooting brake one day!

i'll buy a dog

[Twin Turbo]

....or a couple of Purdey's

[B10]

I think you will find that MG are developing something in between the X80 and the MGF. The old Mangusta platform etc. will be of some use.

On the question of estates one in Scotland would be nice.

[Roadrunner]

No one would pay 50k for an ugly mgf

[Paula]

Very, very sad !!!

Now I´ve top order that Maserati GT instead (

Cheers
Paula

[JohnLow]

I thought it looked good ... hadn't realised they were talking about £50k though, it didn't look that good.

[richb]

quote:...theres a huge market for a £30k - £40k convertible that looks good but is sliiiiightely practical that will challenge the boxster

Well there's always the TVR Tamora, decent sized boot unlike the MGF. boxter etc. goes like stink unlike the MGF, Boxter etc. is ditinctive unlike the MGF and Boxter which are rather common place...oh and costs between £30 and £40k. Rich...

[billb]

yes but its the arse end of 40k with the essential 18" wheels + mpg is scary but not as scary as depreciation - why do tvr have an entry model thats basically the same price as the rest - they need one thats about £ 33k fully loaded for us elise /z3/tt/mgf/mx5/alfa etc owners to move on up to.

[Fatboy]

I read that PW said that the basic nuts and bolts that make up a tamora (excluding labour, overheads etc) cost half the selling price of the car, so there is not much room for manuvre on price, and he didn't think they could make a cheaper TVR.

[richb]

quote:
yes but its the arse end of 40k with the essential 18" wheels + mpg is scary but not as scary as depreciation - why do tvr have an entry model thats basically the same price as the rest - they need one thats about £ 33k fully loaded for us elise /z3/tt/mgf/mx5/alfa etc owners to move on up to.

Well you said between 30k and 40k which is exactly where the Tamora is, the 18" wheels are not "esential" as for mpg I've no idea but mst be the better side of 20 (I get over 20mpg from my Griff and that's 5 ltr.) , anyway it was only an idea because i saw a couple for the first time at Silverstone last weekend and was amazed at how good they look in the "flesh". Rich...

[yum]

A rover with that much power?

Most Rovers I see are driven by old folks smoking pipes and wearing hats (inside??), sometimes having left their caravans at home.

Can't see them upgrading to this.

R

[pbrettle]

I am glad that it is not just me but there does seem to be a gap in the market for an attractive, fast sports car at the £30K mark. Ok, so you can get the usual suspects, but nothing that really stands out...

Other than going second hand, you are really stuck for what to get. While I am on it there is also a gap for a decent sporty car in the £20K - £30K mark. Most of the stuff in that bracket is based on a cheap hatchback or naff....

Would be nice to see a good looking sports car from TVR in the lower brackets - but not at the expense of the key quality of them - the sheer speed....

Cheers,

Paul

[gnomesmith]

quote:
A rover with that much power?

Most Rovers I see are driven by old folks smoking pipes and wearing hats (inside??), sometimes having left their caravans at home.

Can't see them upgrading to this.

R

Not many pipes and helmets rather than hats in the BTCC

[billb]

has anyone here bought a tamora that didnt cost 40K when adding the extras? must admit havent seen one in flesh yet so shall reserve judgement but looks a bit bathtubby in piccies. autocar today compares all convertibles - tamora gets 9/10 elise 8/10

how can u not get them 18" wheels they're luuuurvely!

[richb]

You're tempted aren't you Bill! Honestly I really didn't like the Tamora when I first saw it at the Motor Show 2 years ago, yet at Silverstone on Sunday there were 2 side by side and I can tell you they attracted so much attention. They look rather mean and purposfull in a sort of pugnacious Griffith sort of way. R...

[billb]

must admit will be v interested to see it - saw an early pre prod version at the sports car show last year and didnt like it. would worry bout depreciation if spending that much ( must be getting old... ) + 40k would get u a very nice boxster even if they are a bit common now