The MG RV8

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Discussion

pwig

Original Poster:

11,956 posts

277 months

Wednesday 14th April 2004
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Why are these still around the 10k mark? How much were they to buy new? Were they any good?

mustard

6,992 posts

252 months

Wednesday 14th April 2004
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£28kish new IIRC Thought most second hand ones were circa. £12-15k, heavy as hell steering, only like going in straightlines(big effort to get 'em to go round a bend!)LOL, handle like a sack of spuds on there ballon tyres.

If your a bearded type get yourself a Plus 8 Morgan, if your a petrol head get yourself a Chim (does the same job a damn sight better and it wont go rusty!)

All in all a bit of a white elephant

Newromancer

703 posts

269 months

Sunday 18th April 2004
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Okay, call me beardy ... but i'm with pwig on this one!

Everybody complained about the 'lack of style' of the MG'F / TF ... but nobody seems to mention the '92 RV8.

It is not supposed to be driven on a Race Track, and it does not adress young customers like the 'F does. But it has so much style!
The white leather inside, the 'B looks belnded into the new melenium. And this wonderful Rover V8.

It is one of the greatest Crouseres from the 90's.

Given, so is the Morgen, but then, wouldn't it be mindblowingly boring if everybody would drive a Morgan?


Actually, if I would be 45 instead of 25 ... I think I would go for a MG RV8 ... yeah, I really do! How sad they don't have a car like that in program anymore.

Podie

46,645 posts

282 months

Sunday 18th April 2004
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It was an attempt to bring an old style British sportscar up to date...

IMHO, TVR got is right with the V8S... and if you wanted something more "classical" you bought the Morgan... the MG RV8 just didn't quite work. Never driven one though...

Newromancer

703 posts

269 months

Monday 19th April 2004
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I don't know, thats a bit like saying:
If you need an offroader, buy a LandRover, if you buy something else you are stupid.
If you need a sedan by a Mercedes if you buy something else you are stupid.
Geez.. soon the streets will be pretty monotone don't you think so?

I mean look at the Morgan:

It is a great looking car, no doubt. But it looks compleatly different then the MG ... choosing between this two is a matter of personal taste.

And about the TVR? They are much bigger, more powerful and allready in a different league.

RichB

52,748 posts

291 months

Monday 19th April 2004
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Newromancer said:
...about the TVR? They are much bigger, more powerful and allready in a different league...
• Not so, the RV8 uses the same basic Rover V8 engine, so comparison between the MG and the (then new) Chimaera 4.0 seems perfectly sensible to me. They are both V8, open top, two-seater British sports cars. The MG however, does not stand comparison with the Chimaera, there are simply far too many dated old MGB components on it. Remember the MGB Roadster was released in 1962 and I there are parts on the RV8 that date back that far! e.g. the fresh air vent in front of the windscreen, and what about the Leyland Austin Princess interior door handles, and the central speaker housing, etc. etc. The Chimaera was a modern take on a British Roadster and was TVR's most successful car; the RV8 missed the mark and was in no way acceptable in the 21st C. And if you think I am just knocking MG’s in preference to TVR take a look at my profile, I’ve had quite a few! Rich...

Newromancer

703 posts

269 months

Monday 19th April 2004
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Yes and no.

The V8 in the Chim, produces almost 300 hp which lets it reach 100kmh (60mph) in well under 5 sec. and the firm suspention does it's job well when it somes to sorners, it's a real sportscar!

At the other hand, the V8 in the MG RV8 broduces only a 190 ps, it is much heavier too and the only curves it like's to take fast are straight lines. Let's face it, it's a cruiser.

I'm not saying that the MG RV8 is a better car, for sure it is not. And yes, the underneath have been 40 years old when the car was rolling out production ... all I'm saying is that it has purpose, that I understand that somebody would want it (, that I like it too) and that I wish they would go on and keep a cruiser like that in production ... with looks of the 60's blended into the 90's ... oh and underneath's from the 21st cent.

I mean think about it ... the best roadster/cruiser there is today is most likely the Mazda MX5, oh boy and that is sad!

RichB

52,748 posts

291 months

Monday 19th April 2004
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Newromancer said:
I mean think about it ... the best roadster/cruiser there is today is most likely the Mazda MX5, oh boy and that is sad!
Ur hum... The best road-cruiser today is probabaly a convertible Merc of some type. Rich...

Newromancer

703 posts

269 months

Monday 19th April 2004
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RichB said:

Ur hum... The best road-cruiser today is probabaly a convertible Merc of some type. Rich...


True.

I guess we both think very much alike, just talk away from each other.

I just love what the old MGB was. A reasonable priced, good looking, cheap to run roadster. Not very powerful, not 'that' kind of go-card, race-track, handling ... but when it comes to enjoy top-down motoring, just as good as an E-Type Jag.

It is a pity that they have nothing like that in produktion anymore.

RichB

52,748 posts

291 months

Monday 19th April 2004
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Newromancer said:
I just love what the old MGB was. A reasonable priced, good looking, cheap to run roadster..
Indeed but my comments were directed specifically at the V8 powered RV8. And... if that's what turns you on, then you are better off getting a Costello MGB V8 and restoring it in, then you will have a nice orginal 70's V8 sports car along the lines of the Sunbeam Tiger. Rich...