1996 MG F MPi 1.8 from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Best car I have ever had (by a huge margin) - get one, you won't regret it
Faults:
Head gasket at 91,000 miles.
The odd leak from the hood.
A flat battery once.
Inner rim tyre wear.
General Comments:
Handling is exceptional, especially when coupled with he ride quality.
Design isn't faultless, but is extremely pleasing to the eye and functional.
Build quality could be better, but it isn't bad, just not up to German standards - certainly much better than I expected (it is after all a British sports car).
Hydragas suspension is fantastic - this makes the car in my opinion, it is a perfect compromise between handling and comfort - all the other competition suffer from bone jarring rides.
The car is quick, but isn't necessarily fast. It is more than capable of keeping up with most things on the road, but will eventually be lost on a straight run. Bends and roundabouts however and you'll be hard pressed to loose an F - the handling is superb.
Boot space is ample, the best in class when launched, except it's an odd shape so squashy bags rather than suitcases are the rule.
Cabin is well appointed and nicely designed. Feels well screwed together (with one or two exceptions) and very comfortable.
Driving position is great except for the steering wheel which is a little offset to the lower left - this can cause problems for those with long legs.
Hood is a work of genius, can be opened and closed from the driver's seat in less than 5 seconds, folds into an incredibly small space too - very clever. Newer cars have a revised design, older design hoods can have (very) minor leaks.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd December, 2003
20th May 2004, 04:41
So glad to see a good comment about the MGF, I have a 1997 MGF I bought it secondhand it had one previous owner, so far I have had to replace the coil which took the garage 2 days to sort why it wouldn't start, had new radiator also, just run of the mill things I suppose, but having left my car standing for 1 week outside during Jan 2004, while on a skiing holiday I returned to find it wouldn't start. My partner removed all the plugs cleaned them etc and off it went, other than that I love my MGF its not superfast, but it handles like a dream, Hope to buy a new one when I have saved some more cash.