WANTED: MG Maestro or Maestro Turbo

[YorksMGfan]

Dear All

If anyone has one of these cars (my preference is for a facelift model, i.e. 1989-1990) which they are selling/considering selling, or knows of one which is/will be for sale, would you please let me know?

My Father had an early EFi Maestro back in the 1980s and he enjoyed driving it very much (OK the engine leaked oil a bit but I gather this was normal for the 'O' series). I'm feeling nostalgic for the Maestro (I know, not to everyone's taste!), and would like to own one.

Hopefully someone can help as I've tried posting in all the other logical places

- MG M Group,
- Maestro & Montego Owners club,
- Maestro Turbo forum (seems to be moribund),
- watching eBay and www.carandclassic.co.uk

Thanks


Andrew (07890 106532)

[timbo48]

Hi Andrew, I think any cars surviving now would be in the hands of enthusiasts and probably not for sale. You'll have to keep your eyes open. I haven't seen one on the road, or indeed as you've already found out, advertised for sale, for quite a few years now. I'd imagine that the rust got to them, as it did with the two we owned. My last one, a flame red 2.0i, was sold, allegedly for scrap, in the mid 90s. The rust had already taken hold by that time, although I believe it was used after that.
They were a misunderstood car as people thought that it was an ordinary Maestro with MG badges. I've had the misfortune to drive a basic Maestro and there was no comparison. Better gearbox (Honda), better handling etc etc. Plenty of room and comfortable seats as well plus they didn't lack for performance either.
Compared to a Golf GTi they lack image, plus the build quality wasn't great (shades of BL here) panel gaps were appaling, but they were nowhere near as bad as people made out. Brakes were rubbish though IIRC.
Hope you find one.

[YorksMGfan]

Thanks for your comments Timbo.
You're right, they didn't have the image of some more successful hot hatches, but people underestimated them at their own cost! :-)

I'll have to be patient, and keep my ears to the ground and my eyes open!

Andrew