MG ZR 1.4 good bad or ugly?

[davey_boy]

Hi all bit of a newbie so bare with
Im 18 and have been driving for about 9 months. Im looking at getting a new car and 1 of my options is a 1.4 zr.

Anyone got one? What are they like speed wise, handling, repairs etc etc.

All comments appreciated both good and bad.

cheers

[wildoliver]

basically if you accept it for what it is which is a rover 200 they are pretty good, if you start thinking they are a special sports car then quite the opposite, not a bad engine, not bad handling, not bad build quality, not bad reliability if looked after. Just a bit agricultural due to age of design.

[RichBurley]

wildoliver said:

basically if you accept it for what it is which is a rover 200 they are pretty good, if you start thinking they are a special sports car then quite the opposite, not a bad engine, not bad handling, not bad build quality, not bad reliability if looked after. Just a bit agricultural due to age of design.

Wot he said.

And a perfectly good entry choice for an 18 year old wanting a fun car as an intro to driving, car insurance etc all considered...

[bob1179]

I just wrote a bit in your 318 thread!

I've driven loads of ZR's, as has been said it's a Rover 200, but they are great little cars. I took a new ZR 105 up to Scotland a few years back and had a great time in it, I was really suprised by it, very little roll, it stuck to the road and really good fun and the K series is nice and revvy.

Look out for leaking rocker box gaskets and make sure it has a full service history as they can suffer the dreaded head gasket failure. There are loads about so you can be picky. The best model to go for is the ZR 105+ as it has leccy windows, front fogs, sunroof/aircon, cd player etc.

I also drove the 2.0 turbo diesel which actually turned out to be quicker than the 1.4. (similar insurance I think) and had a nice bit of grunt when the turbo kicked in.

[davey_boy]

cheers chaps, loving the input im sadly at that dreaded age where i want a nippy fun car but have to watch out the insurance doesn't cripple me .

Bob what do you think is a better choice, the BMW or MG?

[bob1179]

I reckon the MG will be cheaper to insure and parts are cheap too. If you are trying to keep costs down, I would get that, build up a couple of years of no claims, then you can go out and buy somthing a bit nippier and RWD!

Have a look round and get some insurance quotes and see what you come up with, what is your budget?

Bob

[kambites]

davey_boy said:

im sadly at that dreaded age where i want a nippy fun car but have to watch out the insurance doesn't cripple me .

When I was in that position (well, a bit older) I bought an MGB. Classic car insurance is your friend AND it drives from the right end.

[davey_boy]

Well im awaiting a compensation claim which will be my budget for a new car so the MG seemed to be a good idea as for the money they cost they seem like such good value

[pxxuk]

Davey_boy... just sent you an email

from an MG ZR owner

[ant22-2007]

i think its a very good choice as they look quite good and for a 1400cc they go really well and stick to the floor go for it!