Secondhand MGF v MGTF - your views
Discussion
Try asking at www.mg-rover.org lots of owners over there. I've driven neither but prefer the TF styling, there are some questions over TF handling too.
John Mac said:
Wow Mustard ! - bit of a sweeping statement but what are you trying to say ?
MX-5 - agreed PRETTY little car, but rarely have I seen a fella driving one, does that mean anything ?
www.reliabilityindex.co.uk/car_search.html?apc=3128339010848601
Study the figures for the two cars and you'll see why!!!!!, on top of that the MGF has a truely dreadful driving position and nasty steering.
If you ask me, its a no brainer
PS I have no illegance to either
>> Edited by mustard on Thursday 9th September 18:49
Your chosen manufacturer:
MG
Your chosen range:
MGF Total
Click the information icons for detailed explanations
Reliability Index 118
Average Age 4
Average Mileage 31868
Time off the Road 3.85
Average Repair Cost £326.12
Air Conditioning 0.70%
Axle & Suspension 28.67%
Braking System 2.10%
Cooling and Heating System 6.29%
Electrical 20.98%
Engine 33.57%
Fuel System 2.80%
Transmission 4.90%
Your chosen manufacturer:
Mazda
Your chosen range:
MX-5 (98-)
Click the information icons for detailed explanations
Reliability Index 15
Average Age 6.41
Average Mileage 41222
Time off the Road 0.9
Average Repair Cost £210.23
Air Conditioning -
Axle & Suspension -
Braking System 40.00%
Cooling and Heating System -
Electrical 60.00%
Engine -
Fuel System -
Transmission -
Case Closed!
Thanks mustard but I did see all those figures.
The web site I was referring to was www.mg.rover.org - they were the ones that didn't have the overview on the MGF.
Do see what you mean though on a reliability report - thanks - being a Tiv owner though we do and are prepared to take a risk !!!!!
The web site I was referring to was www.mg.rover.org - they were the ones that didn't have the overview on the MGF.
Do see what you mean though on a reliability report - thanks - being a Tiv owner though we do and are prepared to take a risk !!!!!
Oh boy ...
Sorry, been away for a while.
TF vs. F
I would say 90% of the differences are the looks, so really, it is up to you, do you prefer classic looks or agrassivs?
Now lets talk about th changes under the bonnet.
The VVC in standard is at the same tuning level as the late MG 'F Trophys (160 instead of 145 hp).
However, diriving the car they feel relative similar. You only feel the change at the end of the rev limit ... so, in my opinion, you can ignore that.
Now to the more importand changes between the TF and the F.
The TF is stiffen ... which is allways good.
The suspention. The TF has spring coils ... and hand on hard, I think they are worse ... worse in ride quality and more body rolling through corners. So why have they changed them? If you ask me reliability! The old hydro suspentions allways lost some fluid (high) ... depending from car to car it was worse or better ... i check mine every year ... and every 1 to 2 years it needs to be refilled. Something only an MG Dealer can do and if you don't do it ... you end up with a driving time bomb. (the front tires will use up to fast and became virtual slick ... in the wet, this is lethal!).
however, the suspentions is worth putting some effort into it ... becasue you can configurate it in a way an MX5 or MR2 can only dream about ... you can personize the handling, if it shall under or overstear, and how much, if pushed through bends too hard. Of curse that means you can make a real mess out of it and end up with a horrible drive.)
The rest of the changes between TF and F are minor.
Now, the real problem of buying a 2nd hand 'F or TF is the whole reliability aspect.
If the car was treaded well, always driven warm befor pushed and cold before turned off, always serviced and all general MK1 / MK2 fault's exchanged with the improved parts ... you will end up with a fine car ... as long as you look after it and don't expect German build quality.
If you get a bad one, or one that has blown allread two or three Head Gaskets ... you might end up needing a new engine in a few mounths.
Sorry, been away for a while.
TF vs. F
I would say 90% of the differences are the looks, so really, it is up to you, do you prefer classic looks or agrassivs?
Now lets talk about th changes under the bonnet.
The VVC in standard is at the same tuning level as the late MG 'F Trophys (160 instead of 145 hp).
However, diriving the car they feel relative similar. You only feel the change at the end of the rev limit ... so, in my opinion, you can ignore that.
Now to the more importand changes between the TF and the F.
The TF is stiffen ... which is allways good.
The suspention. The TF has spring coils ... and hand on hard, I think they are worse ... worse in ride quality and more body rolling through corners. So why have they changed them? If you ask me reliability! The old hydro suspentions allways lost some fluid (high) ... depending from car to car it was worse or better ... i check mine every year ... and every 1 to 2 years it needs to be refilled. Something only an MG Dealer can do and if you don't do it ... you end up with a driving time bomb. (the front tires will use up to fast and became virtual slick ... in the wet, this is lethal!).
however, the suspentions is worth putting some effort into it ... becasue you can configurate it in a way an MX5 or MR2 can only dream about ... you can personize the handling, if it shall under or overstear, and how much, if pushed through bends too hard. Of curse that means you can make a real mess out of it and end up with a horrible drive.)
The rest of the changes between TF and F are minor.
Now, the real problem of buying a 2nd hand 'F or TF is the whole reliability aspect.
If the car was treaded well, always driven warm befor pushed and cold before turned off, always serviced and all general MK1 / MK2 fault's exchanged with the improved parts ... you will end up with a fine car ... as long as you look after it and don't expect German build quality.
If you get a bad one, or one that has blown allread two or three Head Gaskets ... you might end up needing a new engine in a few mounths.
Thanks Newromancer for your comments - Iv'e been looking at F's and MX5's over the last few days and admit I'm leaning toward the F, more perhaps from a looks point of view than anything else. The MX5 seems to have a lot going for it and its a pity that there is no Forum for them on Pistonheads to get some detailed comments.
Iv'e had several MG's in the past from an early F type Magna (if only I had kept it !) to a number of MGB's none of which gave me any trouble.
Anyway I have to sell the Tiv first before I get too serious in my shopping.
Thanks once again.
Iv'e had several MG's in the past from an early F type Magna (if only I had kept it !) to a number of MGB's none of which gave me any trouble.
Anyway I have to sell the Tiv first before I get too serious in my shopping.
Thanks once again.
I think the site is quite out of date now but still worth a look - www.shame.4mg.com 
John Mac said:
Thanks Newromancer for your comments - Iv'e been looking at F's and MX5's over the last few days and admit I'm leaning toward the F, more perhaps from a looks point of view than anything else. The MX5 seems to have a lot going for it and its a pity that there is no Forum for them on Pistonheads to get some detailed comments.
Iv'e had several MG's in the past from an early F type Magna (if only I had kept it !) to a number of MGB's none of which gave me any trouble.
Anyway I have to sell the Tiv first before I get too serious in my shopping.
Thanks once again.
www.mx5ocforum.co.uk (I'm on a mission! protecting the innocent! LOL)
Have you looked at the Fiat Barchetta? I looked at it along with the MX5 and MGF and for the money (£5k for a 99v with 35k miles)it could not be beaten. Yes it is front wheel drive and lhd but give one a try before you dismiss it. I love driving mine and it gets more looks than any other car I have had, including TVRs.
Hi Mike -'fraid so, dont want to but in the two years Iv'e had it the roofs only been on twice, thats the way I like it but my other half refuses to go in it. I thought as a compromise to open motoring to look at an MGF or MX5 both of which can have a hard top fitted, then perhaps I can get the best of both worlds (but not in performance or character).
Must admit its a dilema as to what to go for, two months ago it was an Alfa S4 - how fickle can I get !!
Anyway no firm decisions yet, car is on Pistonheads and goes elsewhere tomorrow.
Been watching some of your threads - had a TR3, 3A. 4 and 5, all of which I enjoyed but nothing like the Tiv - for you, the Tiv everytime.
All the best.
Must admit its a dilema as to what to go for, two months ago it was an Alfa S4 - how fickle can I get !!
Anyway no firm decisions yet, car is on Pistonheads and goes elsewhere tomorrow.
Been watching some of your threads - had a TR3, 3A. 4 and 5, all of which I enjoyed but nothing like the Tiv - for you, the Tiv everytime.
All the best.
Hi John,
A colleague has just bought a TF, which is why I was asking about the roll bars, he thoroughly recommends it.
Mind you, MX5's are good all rounders too.
Going from someone elses experience who used to drive touring type cars competitively (?sp) he said the MGF outhandles the MX5 quite considerably. But apparently be very careful re headgasket failure.
Everything else is spot on, must admit, I have always prefered the F over an MX5.
Your tiv has come up for sale too early for me unfortunately. Shame that as it is a lovely example, I am still throwing money in a tin at the moment, so might take a while yet. At least Sonia is on side now - That's the biggest hurdle over, saying that she has always said she would never get in one with me. But Alex is looking forward to us getting one as you can imagine.
All the best John, see you sometime up at the school.
Mike.
A colleague has just bought a TF, which is why I was asking about the roll bars, he thoroughly recommends it.
Mind you, MX5's are good all rounders too.
Going from someone elses experience who used to drive touring type cars competitively (?sp) he said the MGF outhandles the MX5 quite considerably. But apparently be very careful re headgasket failure.
Everything else is spot on, must admit, I have always prefered the F over an MX5.
Your tiv has come up for sale too early for me unfortunately. Shame that as it is a lovely example, I am still throwing money in a tin at the moment, so might take a while yet. At least Sonia is on side now - That's the biggest hurdle over, saying that she has always said she would never get in one with me. But Alex is looking forward to us getting one as you can imagine.
All the best John, see you sometime up at the school.
Mike.
Hi again Mike,
Glad to hear Sonia has finally come around, what a sensible lady she is ! hope its not too long before your pot is overflowing, at least you will have Alex as an enthusiastic passenger.
The MGF does seem to be leading at the moment, perhaps a more "sensible" car than the Mazda but I have been impressed with those Iv'e seen.
The 2000 models seem to be a bit more reliable than the earlier models regarding head gaskets although looking at the "shame" site in an earlier thread most seem to suffer around 35k average miles - anyway, in a sad way I enjoy "window shopping" but will be more positive when the Tiv's sold.
Glad to hear Sonia has finally come around, what a sensible lady she is ! hope its not too long before your pot is overflowing, at least you will have Alex as an enthusiastic passenger.
The MGF does seem to be leading at the moment, perhaps a more "sensible" car than the Mazda but I have been impressed with those Iv'e seen.
The 2000 models seem to be a bit more reliable than the earlier models regarding head gaskets although looking at the "shame" site in an earlier thread most seem to suffer around 35k average miles - anyway, in a sad way I enjoy "window shopping" but will be more positive when the Tiv's sold.
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