MG F (1995 - 2002) 1.8i 2d (2000/W) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I just bought it cos I like them. Its a great looking sports car.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Everyone likes it, but they tend to say "ouch" when I tell them how much I spent on the car. But it does make you smile when you drive it and the car + all the uprgades for a total of £3k outlay buys a whole loada fun...I'm sure I get as much out of this as the bloke in his £30K Boxster..difference is my car will still be worth £3k ish in a years time.

Would you buy this car again and why?

No..Maybe..Notsure? Its good fun, but I can assure you it will cost you money...I've spent £1,500: Uprated Head/Belts/Service/Brakes/High Performance Tyres/Bushes/Roll Hoops/Misc Items.

What are you likely to buy next?

Not sure..I want to keep this for a while as I've invested alot of time, energy and money here. The MGF is a great little car, just take care and even if you see bills for work done don't assume its good - budget spending upto a Grand to make it totally sorted...put K-Seal in regardless.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£1,900

When did you buy the car?

August 2009

Did you get a good deal and why?

I bought the car privately for £1,900 which was £200 off his advertised price. This was fair as you don't get cars of this fun for pocket change.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I just fancied a drop top for the summer weather and have always liked the future classic look of this car. Its pretty timeless for its style lines.

What was the dealer like?

N/A

What's it like to drive?

Mid-Engine, Rear Wheel Drive provides a great drive...but unless you have got decent tyres and ideally poly bushes, it can be a bit lai, lai lairy in the wet..so make sure you get decent rubber and swap out the std. rotors for vented/grooved discs and say EBC Pads.

What's it like to park?

Roof down its a snip to park, rood up can be a little tricky if the rear window is fogged up.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Be prepared to spend money on these regardless of whats been done ok. I've had the car 3 weeks and although replaced in 2007, the Head Gasket went as the stupid garage used the original Rover gasket! (muppets) So I've installed a fully uprated Head and added K-Seal THIS IS MANDATORY!! to avoid future problems, so expect to pay £400-£500 here alone. In addition, I've replaced all the cooling pipes, water pump and thermostat, full major service, all belts done (again Mandatory) and to finish off some poly bushes and x4 Toyo Proxes T1R's as the guy who owned it had Budget Tyres - so if you don't want to die in the wet then you need to ensure proper sports tyres..Toyo, Yoko's or Continentals.

What's most practical about your car?

Nothing. Its a rag top. You have a more than generous boot compared to say an MR2-Spider as they have no boot. Apart from that nothing :)

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The quick drop roof..two catches, click and you are in open air. Have just installed some chrome roll-over hoops makes it look very nice.