MG convertibles?

[jrhnewark]

Howdy all!

My Citroen C3 is finally going to be got rid of if it's not careful - it's got a semi-automatic tip-tronic gearbox which appears to have gone wrong, so even if it does come out of the menders' in one piece I'm going to give it the shove. It's a crappy, useful French computer controlled bit of junk worth about £2000 with 80k on the clock.

Ideally - and I can just about afford it - I'd like to get my hands on an Audi TT Quatro, which you can pick up on Autotrader for less than £6000. Trouble is the insurance group is 17 so I just cannot see myself paying half as much again each year in premiums!!

A large majority of the decent, interesting convertibles on Autotrader are MGs.

Two that are quite interesting are this 2001 MG MGF and a 1976 MG Midget in mint condition listed for £1500.

I only use my car for going out on drives into the country and picking up the odd bit of shopping - no kids, no need for anything practical or posh, and I live in London so catch the train to work.

Am I mad to want an MG?

[punky]

Originally Posted by jrhnewark

Am I mad to want an MG?

Yes. And spoken from experience (the missus had one)

Although if you have to go for one, the MG Midget would probably be more reliable, easier to repair and has more style.

[Gary L]

Here's a nice MG FOR £4,000

[joglynne]

Yes you are definitely certifiable to want an MG convertible, but if you get one I shall be green with envy.

My first car was an MGBGT 71reg. I always wanted the convertible version but practical considerations overtook me and I had to trade it it for an XR3.

Ah the memories of having to take out the back seat to get at the twin 6vault batteries and attack them with a spanner when the Tulip refused to start. Happy days.

[idi banashapan]

If you want a decent convertable, look at a Honda S2000, BMW Z4, or a Mazda MX5. Not sure why you want what essentially is a rover above those!

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by jrhnewark

Two that are quite interesting are this 2001 MG MGF and a 1976 MG Midget in mint condition listed for £1500.



Am I mad to want an MG?

That Midget is probably a heap of junk under the skin and if you really want one the join the owners club click HERE

You would be better with a a MX5 as they are usually bulletproof if you get a good one, the owners club is HERE

[joglynne]

As Molly says, if you do buy an MG it's well worth joining the owners club. Even before you buy they would give you loads of information and contacts, their insurance links are well worth looking at as well. They even have a quite active social side if you are into that sort of thing.

http://www.mgownersclub.co.uk/

[alferret]

2 words "Head Gasket" say no more

[Charlie_Bubble]

If you want a nice little soft top to have fun in, don't buy British unless you're a big amateur mechanic or like waiting for your chosen breakdown service to arrive. I had a friend at uni that had a classic MG and they're not the most reliable things in the world. If you want a soft-top for sub 6k, then I'd go for either a Mazda MX5 as already stated or an new shape Toyota MR2. Both Japanese so mechanically you shouldn't have the problems you would with an MG.

[Lord Nikon]

Before you go for the midget may I ask how tall you are?

[joker]

Having owned a number of mg’s and rovers over the past 4 -5 years, I can say from my own experience that they are not as bad as most people perceive. I didn’t have one failure on any of cars, although they do rattle a little.

Headgaskets are a known weak factor on the engine, but repair costs are around 400 – 600. Anymore and you are being taken for a ride! Apart from that the car is quite solid.

You are better looking for the MG TF version of the car; it had a number of suspension revisions. i.e. upgraded from hydrostatic to spring based.
Take all the advice the owner clubs have to offer, they are highly knowledgeable!

Some info on the engine if you are interested. IMO, a highly underestimated engine. It has since been redeveloped by British engineers for NANG MG. It is not last time this engine will be used.

http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?enginekseriesf.htm

I’m not sure why people threat over the head gasket failing, every engine has one. It is this engines only weak point and dam sight cheaper to fix than the Citroen!

Good luck!

[heero_yuy]

You might also like to visit: http://forums.mg-rover.org/ this forum used to be run through the dealer network but is now run for the members.

As to the head gasket problem that was only for a while during the production of the K series engine. Problem is now fully fixed with a new HG kit. I run a 15 year old GTi 16v Metro that also uses the twin cam K engine that the MGF uses (1.4 version) and has over 100K with no HG issues.

[haydnwalker]

Originally Posted by punky

Yes. And spoken from experience (the missus had one)

Although if you have to go for one, the MG Midget would probably be more reliable, easier to repair and has more style.

Seconded...

There area plenty of nice convertibles out there...depending on your price range. The MX5 is a good bet (rear drive, front engine...perfect balance).

The BMW Z4 is OK if you want overpriced.

The Audi TT Quattro is a nice car (stylings a bit iffy imho though). Although to get it serviced (gearbox/diff oil changes) are expensive due to the 4WD.