MG TF worth getting?

[lil_miss_spencer]

I'm looking into buying an MG TF is it worth getting one or am i better off with my current MK 4 golf?

[Clemstar]

They are a good car, certainly plenty of fun to drive, my wife ran hers for 2 years, not problem free, but no major horror stories either. Try and get one with a hard top, they really reduce the road noise, and warm the cabin up during the winter months. And you certainly want a windstop too, they are great if you've got long hair!

VVC 160 is a good engine, and is very revvy. But the middle of the range 1.8 135 BHP model produces a good amount of torque too.

Currently they represent superb value for money, and I'd choose one any day over an MX5, they just look dull in comparison, but you pays your money and takes your choice. Depending on what you want to spend but I'd recommend a post 2003 1.8 135 with the Sportpack 2 upgrade. (Bigger brakes and 16" Alloys)

[SB - Nigel]

lil_miss_spencer said:

is it worth getting one or am i better off with my current MK 4 golf?

that all depends on you, you either "get" soft tops or you don't you'll soon know when you drive one with the top down (if you don't like the top down then why buy one?)

If the soft top has a plastic rear window then be very careful about how cold the weather is before you drop the top or as happened on a sale demo of a second hand Honda S2000 the plastic window will break (ones with glass rear windows are less worry and early MX-5 rear plastic rear windows are supposed to be unzipped before dropping the hood)

Always check the owners manual before raising and lowering a hood NEVER assume that the current owner or seller is doing it properly - S2000 example above

If you've never driven a rear wheel drive car before then you've missed a lot of fun but you do need to learn how to drive a RWD as opposed to your current FWD car or you'll be like a lot of posters on here that mysteriously have accidents on roundabouts and damp roads (but they would be cases of bad driving what ever car was being driven)

Unless it's an issue of security when parked up you DO NOT need a hard top, the cabin will be easily warm enough and you can't drop a hard top when ever you feel like but you can the soft top

Wind deflectors are a good idea (some MX-5s come with a small wind deflector already fitted)

MX-5 and MG TF are different style of cars you need to drive good examples of both to compare them

Remember it's a buyers market so buy the very best you can afford and walk away from any cars or sellers that don't fully match up to what you want

Good luck

Edited by SB - Nigel on Sunday 4th January 14:53

[baggiebird]

We have a TF 135, a lot of car for the money at the moment, really good value and you can find superb cars for £4k.

Key things to look for:
Service history with cam belt change after 4 years or 48k miles
No head gasket failure history, there is an upgrade kit if it fails though
Hard top is useful for the winter, can hang up in garage when not in use
Comments re soft top window are important, see above post
If you get a good one, get it waxoyled, they do rust if neglected
The limited editions with the bigger front brakes are worth looking for
Engine accessibility is not a problem unless the engine needs to come out!!

No real problem with parts, as the car is back in (limited) production by the Chinese in Birmingham. there are some good specialists, eg Mike Satur, MGF Centre and X Part have taken over MG Rover Parts

Car is nice to drive, ride slightly hard (it is a sports car), steering very good. Seating position not ideal for very tall drivers?

Good luck if you get one, it is a decent British car!!