2000 MG MGF Petrol Manual Convertible by Paul Fletcher • 22nd May 2019
Well after running it for 12 months I still find it a fun car to drive, never really had any major problems with car until recently, during last 12 months it needed a new downpipe on exhaust, had timing belt changed as a precaution and windscreen wipers is all, prices for spares are very reasonable and if you can get a mechanic who is familiar with MGF so much the better as engine is difficult to get at.
POINTS TO BE AWARE: I never managed to get better than 28 mpg even after cleaning KN air filter, lately the throttle sticks open at about 2000 rpm, this is a fault with MGFs the throttle body is plastic and warps over time (19 years) a new alloy throttle body costs £50-70 approx excl fitting.
If you are thinking of buying an MGF insist on a ramp or pit inspection of the front and rear sub-frames as they are not available new (MG TF are at cost of £333) and decent used from scrappers are like hens teeth they are not repairable. My MGF would not pass MOT due to sub-frame rot and cost would be uneconomical to repair.
If you are aware of the above problems and get a good one they are a really fun car to runaround in and the grin factor is 100%. Have fun
2000 MG MGF Petrol Manual Convertible by Paul Fletcher • 15th June 2018
Bought beginning June 2018 so not really had time to do full review, which I intend to do after I've had time to get used to it. Initial reaction is what a small car but with (for it's size) an amazing amount of storage space, 2 boots, one front and one rear with enough space for a largish suitcase. There is more than enough legroom, I'm 6' (1.8m) and have no problems, driving position is very good, handling is superb, and sticks to road like the proverbial. The first long run I went on I thought fuel consumption was on high side and found K&N air filter had been fitted and required cleaning. Car is great to drive with hood up or down, it is quite noisy (but who cares it's fun) it is extremely nippy reaching power band at 5000rpm. Roof is manual but easy to up and down from drivers seat.
Road tax is £255pa and Insurance (60+) £285pa F.C.
Wish I'd bought one years ago
2003 MG TF Petrol Manual Convertible by azzymo • 17th January 2012
Once the most popular sports car on British roads, now seen as a bad choice, with a poor reputation for reliability.
Owned this car for 3 years, I am the second owner and bought it from the original owner, who had driven it weekends and it had been well cared for. Has never missed a beat, always started and always made every journey an event. Now that there are <25000 TF's on UK roads, this is becoming a rare car. It does turn heads, especially in those warm days, roof down. Not many motors beat the TF for looks per pound. Reviews said when it was released, that the front compared in styling to Astons, I can see what they mean. Also I have found some people think you're driving a car more expensive and exotic than what it is. I have had strangers in the street question me about it, kids yell 'there's a ferrari' (yes it did happen) and passers by comment on how nice it is. Of course, there are others who will scoff at anything MGR but who's face is the car putting a smile on?
The car is lively but being 1.8, it ain't a prius but is relatively economical. Tax is <£200, servicing is reasonable as long as you take it to someone who knows the car. I've had to get the head gasket replaced due to overheating issue but not as big an issue as some make out. Everything else I've done to this car has been standard wear and tear, has never failed an MOT.
So what do I love about this car? The removable hardtop and easily accessible softtop are fabulous. Unlike over convertibles, the softtop can be dropped/put up in seconds while car is still driving. I've seen myself caught in a shower on the motorway, dropped my speed and pulled roof up and no stopping needed. Also addable parts are rife on forums and auction sites, meaning personalisation and upgrades are still possible even now that production has ended. The boot space is great too, plenty of room for my guitar and no problems doing the shopping. There's even room in the front if you're stuck.
These cars do need driven (not lying in garages as summer cars) and looked after ie serviced well and maintained but even with that, this will always put a smile on your face. I dread the day I have to say goodbye to this car.
The biggest load of rubbish I’ve ever owned! If I could, I’d be giving my car 0 stars! The day I picked it up (brand new with 20 miles on the clock!) from Donnelly Bros in Dungannon I went to Belfast for a days shopping, got to Castle Court carpark and the driver side electric window packed up! Up until last November it has cost me a clean fortune. The air mass sensor was next to go, car struggled to start all the time then I had to rev the life out of it just so it wouldn’t stall. Then the door locks gave way soon followed by the bootlid which refused to close one day in Banbridge, I had to tie it down using the plastic bags my shopping WAS in. A few other problems have crept up in the 6 years I owned it, the clutch flywheel needed done just before I sold it with 87k on the clock too. Build quality was non existant, 2 words that should never be used in the same sentence as MG ZR (apart from there lol). The glove box fell off after I hit a pothole one day and the dashboard had collapsed on the passenger side. On other occasions I had to try fish the row of buttons above the heater controls from down the back of the dashboard since I pushed the warning triangle button and they went through the dash. My friend got into the passenger side one day and pulled the door handle, the whole door card end up coming off in his hand! On the plus side it does stick to the road pretty well, but on a rough suspension you are bouncing on the seats due to the really hard suspension. And its not just my car, look at the WhatCar owners reviews for the ZR, you’ll have a right laugh!!
