Why don't people buy MGFs

[cleverusername]

I got the chance to drive my fathers MGF after helping him to modify the cooling system to prevent the dreaded HGF. To be honest I wasn't expecting much, I didn't think it was that fast a car, a bit of a plasticy parts bin special. After driving it I have chance my mind.

The gear shift is lovely, short action, good brakes, very responsive handling, but it never felt like it would let go. It is civilised at speed, ride is harsher than I am use to, but still comfortable. It makes a great noise, and it felt fast, even if it isn't that quick. On the local ring road I could pass virtually anything with ease.

So why would anyone buy a Spitfire, an MGB, Midget or other cheap British sports car, when you can get an MGF for under a grand. Especially when the MGF handles better, is more refined and quicker than any of those cars. With the added bonus of being far more resistant to rot aand having a four star crash rating?

[trackerjack]

The reason is reliability..............it isnt reliable.

People in that market buy an MX5 because its better.

Why buy an MGB or a Spitfire? Why do people still smoke when it will kill them and make them poor?
There are more questions than answers .

[cliftyhanger]

Yep, the start of the post, having to modify it to prevent HGF. Why on earth is that needed, you would have thought in the 1990's they would have learnt that you need to make a car reliable from the start, and reputations stick (the stag is the obvious example of a lesson to have been learnt)
So why choose an MGF with questionable reliablility over an MX5 which is bombproof?

But then again, we all drive shonky old BL cars so who are we to comment.
Why am I building a fastish spitfire, when I cold buy an ultra reliable MX5 for less money, even with a turbo fitted?
Well, I have a cheap MX5 (got to keep it as the wife loves it) and Triumphs? part of my life, my kids lives at so on. They are a social hobby. But the young people will be buying those jap sports cars and Focus RS's etc, and seeing the social side there too. Down at the Mini run on sunday there were 2500+ minis (most made it to Brighton) and a huge number of young people. Plus they can still buy most new parts in unipart boxes for half what we have to pay for repro tat.

[cleverusername]

Yep, the start of the post, having to modify it to prevent HGF. Why on earth is that needed, you would have thought in the 1990's they would have learnt that you need to make a car reliable from the start, and reputations stick (the stag is the obvious example of a lesson to have been learnt)
So why choose an MGF with questionable reliablility over an MX5 which is bombproof?

But then again, we all drive shonky old BL cars so who are we to comment.
Why am I building a fastish spitfire, when I cold buy an ultra reliable MX5 for less money, even with a turbo fitted?
Well, I have a cheap MX5 (got to keep it as the wife loves it) and Triumphs? part of my life, my kids lives at so on. They are a social hobby. But the young people will be buying those jap sports cars and Focus RS's etc, and seeing the social side there too. Down at the Mini run on sunday there were 2500+ minis (most made it to Brighton) and a huge number of young people. Plus they can still buy most new parts in unipart boxes for half what we have to pay for repro tat.

The mx5, at least the mk1, does have one major flaw. They rot, some of the ones I have seen have rivalled BL stuff for rot.

Besides I was more thinking of people looking for a British made car. Of course I can see the appeal if an mgb, if they were still cheap fun cars, but the are not. A decent one requires a budget of 4 to 5k. British sports cars aren't really cheap fun anymore.

[dursley92]

Besides I was more thinking of people looking for a British made car. Of course I can see the appeal if an mgb, if they were still cheap fun cars, but the are not. A decent one requires a budget of 4 to 5k. British sports cars aren't really cheap fun anymore.

You can get a pretty good TR7 for £2K or less and at that price it should have any issues well sorted.

[Edin Dundee]

I've driven an MGF and didn't like it.
I didn't drive far, but that's just as well. I felt the pedals were ridiculously close to each other, the ride was way too firm, and it made a noise like a tinny hairdrier.

[cleverusername]

Besides I was more thinking of people looking for a British made car. Of course I can see the appeal if an mgb, if they were still cheap fun cars, but the are not. A decent one requires a budget of 4 to 5k. British sports cars aren't really cheap fun anymore.

You can get a pretty good TR7 for £2K or less and at that price it should have any issues well sorted.

A car which is slower than the MGF, and has an inferior chasis.

[cleverusername]

I've driven an MGF and didn't like it.
I didn't drive far, but that's just as well. I felt the pedals were ridiculously close to each other, the ride was way too firm, and it made a noise like a tinny hairdrier.

I didn't find the pedals a problems, I liked the noise when I reved it, but I will give you the ride. However that is a problem most modern cars share, they are virtually all setup too firmly. Forgiveable in a Sports car, but in a family hatchback?

[Jon Tilson]

I have only driven an F once....a nearly new VVC dealer demo, back in 2001.

I thought it was a cracking car - the best of the 3 I test drove that day. The other 2 were an X type and an audi tt 180 droip head.

They are blighted by the K series bug, but much like the stag and sprint and 1850 got a reputation back in the day, we all know these issues are easily solved.

I think the problem that that F has is its still too common and too modern for us classic types. It will make it and its probably already well on the way, but
I'm not sure its an easy car to keep in old age though. You can pretty much keep a Spit or MGB or TR6 going for ever.

Spits are still cheap enough - and are a lot better looking and only a couple of jobs are total mares, but still doable at home.
Not sure about cooling pipes on an F and the engine looks pretty inaccessible too.

An MX-5 - is Japanese...enough said.

Jonners

[SprintMWU773V]

I pondered the MGF for a little while before settling on the MX5. It's better to driver, more reliable and the parts are of better quality. I discounted the MG on the grounds that the suspension is a pain to maintain, the engine is unreliable and the quality of the components used by Rover was very poor. It handles well. I would say that it it's not quite as good as the UK MX5 and Japanese specials like mine with their extra stiffening and uprated suspenison will blow it away. I do find the engine has more torque than the MX5 which is good but given the choice I'd rather have less torque and an engine that's better designed, built and more reliable. My current MX5 has just under 180,000km on it and besides having the front crank oil seal changed it's been fine.

Yes MX5 MK 1's rust, let's not forget how old these cars are now. A lot of the rot is caused by failing to keep the roof drains clear. The MK2's rust appallingly everywhere and are difficult to fix. MGF's rust badly too but unfortunately most of it is hidden.

I'm now on my 2nd MX5 and love them.

[Lee1500]

Fs are quite a bargain at the moment. They do need choosing with care though. Early ones are getting really rusty now. A pity that as its the first ones with the black windscreen surround that look the best. Most of the engine troubles are down to neglect. Modern car drivers just don't check oil and water any more.. Most of the MGB and Midget specialists are catering for Fs now so they are certainly moving towards enthusiast owners. A local MG place sell stainless underfloor cooling pipes for them, they are his biggest seller. The steel pipes leak and are a the biggest cause of engine failure doe to water loss. Typical Rover isn't it? Make the pipes out of mild steel and run them under the car....

[Spunkymonkey]

[...]
Not sure about cooling pipes on an F and the engine looks pretty inaccessible too.

Started an alternator change on one for a friend a couple of years back. It's the only time I've ever given up on a job and told someone to use a garage. That (and the one-piece unsprung suspension) put them right off my radar for good!

[Purplebargeken]

F's are an absolute hoot to drive. I'm actually on my third one now. The most expensive one was £390, the other two were £250 each.

Granted the interiors are a bit staid but changing them is easy and quite cheap. Beige leather for the red one was cheap from a breakers. There are plenty of small add on's that make a huge difference.

S/S coolant pipes are the way to go. Handling is pretty damn good, especially with Toyo tyres fitted. Proper wheel alignment is a good idea if you have the ride height adjusted. I have never driven such a sweet handling car and I have had nearly 300 cars over my driving lifetime (and still counting).

My green one is the VVC and does it shift! Gear change is great, it is a comfy car and roomy for what it is. Better interior space than the MX5. The standard interior of the MX5 is also a bit staid, but does benefit from aftermarket stuff. I quite like the MX5's, but I didn't go for one simply due to the more cramped looking cockpit. I do like the Eunos variant.

Rust can be an issue on any car but as long as you know where to look then it isn't usually a major issue.

Alternator changes can be tricky but there are plenty of 'how to's' on the forums. HGF? Keep an eye on the levels, fit a low level coolant alarm and fit a OE coolant cap.

If the HG does go then there are plenty of specialists around to sort it out without breaking the bank.

I just had the belts, tensioner, water pump and a service done on the VVC including coolant drain, flush and proper OAT refill done - all for less than £300. I'll be adding a 52mm throttle body for low down response improvement (over the plastic bodied 48mm jobbie). Fitting the mist type screen washer jets from a French car is a recommended modification.

MGF....... oh yeah! Ask our very own Lord Tolly how his MGF is. It's my former one and I believe you would have to use a crowbar to get the smile off his chops

[knightrider150]

An MX-5 - is Japanese...enough said.

So its built properly?

[Venger]

For me, it's because I see it as an unreliable car, and a car for ladies.
I don't want my wife driving around in an unreliable car, so I wouldn't consider it.
She drives an old Mazda.
I don't think it's reached classic status for a lot of people yet either, whereas the MX5 has had a decent following for a long time.

Then, subjectively, there are the looks. It doesn't look cute, it doesn't look cool and it doesn't look classy. Line it up against say an MX5, Spitfire, Z3, one of those baby merc soft tops, and an old MG.
I can't see many people picking an MGF as their favourite, even in ten years - unless they lost their virginity to some hairdresser that used to own one.

Different strokes for different folks though ultimately, they're just not for me.