MG ZR Hatchback (2001 - 2005) 1.4 + (105ps) 3d (2003/53) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Hopefully the car indicates that i don't take myself too seriously; i'm not on a quest to rules the road like Audi drivers appear to be, or on a quest to break the land speed record in a modified VW Gold, i enjoy the back to basics nature of the car and i drive it just because i enjoy driving.

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

My wife has taken a moderate dislike to the car as the heater fan has just stopped working, she also feels that the ride is too harsh. Other than this all of my work colleagues think that it is still a great looking car, they often think it is younger than it actually is; remarakable when the design pre-dates the MG badge by about five years.

Would you buy this car again and why?

I would buy this car again, although i would go for the diesel variant next time. My reasons for considering this as a purchase now are; firstly, price, where else could you find a car that delivers in excess of 60mpg for under two grand; secondly, driver appeal, i've waxed lyrical about the charm this car possess and its so endearing and likeable as a motor you love it even when it has faults.

What are you likely to buy next?

Ideally i would like something lavish and expensive like a Jaguar XJ or and E-type; but realistically (and because i work as a carer on poor rates of pay), if i were to buy another car i would like a Jag x-type, Alfa 147, MG ZT or a 6 diesel.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£4,000

When did you buy the car?

January 2007

Did you get a good deal and why?

When i purchased the car it was less than four years old, but by this time MG Rover had collapsed so i knew that i would lose money on it in the long-term. But £4K for that age of car with just over 30K on the clock didn't appear to be too bad a deal.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I bought the car because it was an MG and because it was built in Britain.

What was the dealer like?

I've never enjoyed any experience with a car dealer; they pretend to be looking after your best interests but they never are. In this particular circumstance the dealer promised that several small, but noticable jobs would be carried out before i took receipt of my new aquistion, none were carried out. In the end i gave up asking him to rectify these niggles and took the car anyway.

What's it like to drive?

I know i'll porobably get a lot of comments about thisfrom performance car junkies, but even in 1.4 litre form the MG is a real pleasure to drive. The handling has plenty of feel and the go-kart like handling ensures that smiles are had even on the most mundane of drives. The engine is noisy at any speed but this just adds to the pleasure. The basic nature of all the components add up to an immensley enjoyable experience, it doesn't cosset you like newer cars but that's a good charactoristic, i don't want to feel that i'm piloting a box, i want to be actively engaged with the driving experience; this is what the MG does best.

What's it like to park?

Parking can be difficult at times only because of the rear wndow; its slightly elevated position makes it difficult to gague where the car behind is. I have often reversed into a spot thinking that i have nearly scrapped the car behind, only to find that the space left is ample enough for a small family hatchback!

Have you had any problems with the car?

Guess what? The headgasket went two years ago. I know this is a common complaint with the K-series engine; but looking at it logically it only cost me £250 to put it right as my brother (a time-served mechanic) did much of the work for me. Other than this the car (apart from servicing and replacement tyres) has cost me nothing.

What's most practical about your car?

The most practical element of the MG has to be the ease in which it can be maintained. Servicing items are cheap and plentiful and the engine has plenty of space, not cramping the engine bay like newer motors, its one of the last real DIY maintainance cars.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

As any MG ZR owner knows, there aren't many gadgets and accessories in this wonderful MG Rover product. When compared to cars of a similar age and newer the MG lacks all the refinements that we as consumers now expect from a potential purchase; but it is because the car is so basic that it endears you to it, its not flashy or full of electrical wizardry, its functional and a hoot to drive.