smart51
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| posted on 16/1/16 at 09:11 PM |
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Which small sports car for £1000
Thanks to comments on the original thread Are MGFs any good? I've changes this to Which small sports car for £1000.
I've been thinking about modding a small 90s hatchback as a cheap project but come to the conclusion that its a lot of effort for results that
you could just buy. So I've been looking for other project ideas.
MGFs are quite cheap these days and my budget can stretch to buying a fairly good one and doing some minor mods. But the question is, are they any
good as drivers cars?
[Edited on 17-1-2016 by smart51]
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blakep82
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| posted on 16/1/16 at 09:30 PM |
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A friend of mine was looking for a pt cruiser, or dodge neon for modding. I said to him i always base my choice on prospective models on how many of
the cars you still see on the roads. This proves reliability, build quality, and 2nd hand spare parts availability
I haven't seen an mgf in a very very long time
But cars rust quite bad here really
[Edited on 16/1/16 by blakep82]
________________________
IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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big_wasa
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| posted on 16/1/16 at 09:45 PM |
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Mgtf is better. I had one the year before last for a few months and loved it.
They have there faults. Mine was the 135.
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theduck
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| posted on 16/1/16 at 10:04 PM |
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The main reason not to buy an mgf is the mx5
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smart51
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| posted on 16/1/16 at 10:05 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by blakep82
A friend of mine was looking for a pt cruiser, or dodge neon for modding. I said to him i always base my choice on prospective models on how many of
the cars you still see on the roads. This proves reliability, build quality, and 2nd hand spare parts availability
I haven't seen an mgf in a very very long time
But cars rust quite bad here really
[Edited on 16/1/16 by blakep82]
Good advice. There are 8,000 on the road, down from 21,000 in 2001. That's a fair number I guess.
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smart51
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| posted on 16/1/16 at 10:06 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by big_wasa
Mgtf is better. I had one the year before last for a few months and loved it.
They have there faults. Mine was the 135.
What makes the TF better? I'm told it has cross braces in a few places to stiffen it up. What else did they do?
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britishtrident
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| posted on 16/1/16 at 10:18 PM |
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TF is more sensible than the MGF ---- mainly because the suspension isn't hydraelastic.
Keep in mind its is basically a rear engined Metro --- really more like two Metros nose to tail. Rear suspension is easily deranged by kerbing. Post
1993 models should be fully EOBD compliant which makes diagnostic a lot easier using normal scan tools, if closer to manufacturer level diagnostics
are required then there are a couple of scan tools available.
The MG-Rover ones were built by Maypole, experience suggests more prone to rusted seized bolts than mainstream MG-Rover products. Gearbox is the Rover
PG1 --- very strong gearbox. Underbody coolant pipes rust through, stainless replacements easily available, if replacing the pipes I would fit a PRT
thermostat up front. VVC models are more troublesome and need special tools to replace the belts. Inlet manifold gasket and the steel water pump cross
pipe O rings prone to leaking.
Chinese spec SAIC head gasket copes with liner height variation better than the Landrover spec multi-layer gasket and dosen't suffer the
detached seals of the Payne gasket and as a result is pretty well bullet proof.
Check the security system works properly especially on the later with the Pekton system --- if it has the Pekton rather than the earlier Lucas 5AS
system I would get the the immobiliser connection inside the MEMS box permanently disabled.
[Edited on 16/1/16 by britishtrident]
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 16/1/16 at 10:32 PM |
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I drove one recently,its a bit of a nail but i was suprised at how well it went round corners,controls are a bit rubbery unlike my super slick MX5 
but on the whole,not bad.
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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maccmike
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| posted on 16/1/16 at 11:44 PM |
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I once worked for MG Rover.
The F and TF are not good cars, there is nothing wrong the engine and box, its the rest of the car. They dont handle well either. Try one in the
wet.
Start off with a car that drives well to start with.
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Ugg10
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 12:04 AM |
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What about Mk1 MR2 for something small and nimble or Mk2 Turbo for power. Didn't realise the mk3 was so cheap either.
Always interested in the Glanza/Starlet turbo, apparently you can get 200hp out of the 1.3 turbo ???
Toyota MR2 mk1 1987
Toyota MR2 TURBO 1992 PROJECT
2000 Toyota MR2 1.8 VVT-i manual
---------------------------------------------------------------
1968 Ford Anglia 105e, 1.7 Zetec SE, Mk2 Escort Workd Cup front end, 5 link rear
Build Blog - http://Anglia1968.weebly.com
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Adamirish
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 12:32 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by theduck
The main reason not to buy an mgf is the mx5
^^^this.
The mx5 is better in every area except rust.
I'm not going to jump on the headgasket bandwagon as I like the K series engine but it is a problem, especially as where the engine is mounted
getting access is difficult. As BT says the alarm/central locking system on earlier cars is shite. The underbody coolant pipes have normally been
squashed/cracked by careless drivers.
An MR2 is a better bet. They are performance bargains really. I bought an mr2 turbo a few years ago and it was a seriously fast(not just quick) car
and easily tuned. Very capable too. Pity I as a driver wasn't. Signpost 1 Adam 0 
Low profile tyres, too heavy right foot and a wet roundabout. Caught it one way and spat me back the other. It got written off. On the plus side
though the payout was more than I gave for the car! so bought a wrx Impreza.
MK Indy 1700 Xflow
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Adamirish
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 12:37 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Ugg10
Always interested in the Glanza/Starlet turbo, apparently you can get 200hp out of the 1.3 turbo ???
Indeed and quite easily too. A friend had one of the earlier boxy shaped ones. He took my old CT9 turbo from my GT4, took the restrictor out of the
exhaust manifold, bigger injectors, inter cooler and Remap. It was either 205 or 210bhp! Surprisingly reliable too! Torque steered like you
wouldn't believe.
MK Indy 1700 Xflow
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Simon
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 01:21 AM |
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I just got rid of my Espace which will be replaced with an XF later in the year so I also got rid of the TF (after two years and loving it) as we
needed a "dog/bike/tip car" so got a 2004 Rover 75 tourer which I absolutely love
I tested the Mk1 MR2 in '87 (along with 5GT T (best hh ever!), 205 GTi (1.9 &1.6), RS Turbo (dire), Mazda 323 4x4 turbo (great), Uno turbo
but found the MR2 so gutless and dull, have assumed they'd all be like that
Deffo have another TF, but I'll spend a bit more next time 
ATB
Simon
[Edited on 17/1/16 by Simon]
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rm0rgan
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 10:21 AM |
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My daughter had one for a year or so.
Hateful thing. You sit on it,rather than in it. It had HGF twice. It was horrible to drive and handled like a wet bag.
Don't do it.
Sigs are uncool.
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 10:45 AM |
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I've seen a few with rusted wishbones, one of which failed , suspension bush wear can cause interesting handling , not the best of gear changes
, one with intermittent steering column fault that could be scary . I think it was a case of getting cars sold and letting the customers find the
faults rather than developing the car properly before production . , Typical BMC/ British Leyland/ Austin Rover etc
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trextr7monkey
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 11:48 AM |
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Still some real bargains to be had in the TR7 and TR8 world if you have a liking for something British that can be tinkered with. Just avoid the
really rusty ones. I'm obviously
biased and beyond redemption with 2 of them but there's a resurgence of interest in the car and a lot of rally reps and hill climbers being
built. Ignore the myths from 40 years ago and the armchair experts who have never had one
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14016102@N00/ (cut and paste this dodgey link)
Our most recent pics are here:
http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/trextr7monkey/
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britishtrident
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 01:56 PM |
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Handling is truly fantastic but the rear suspension alignment must be maintained to maintain a toe-in, any kerbing or worn bushes get your attention
very quickly.
It always astonishes me the number people who can't fit a head gasket properly on these engines, in my family fleet over the last 20 years we
have had 9 cars powered k series . Total mileage in our hands over 400,000 miles, total mileage on the cars when sold probably over a million. Number
of head gaskets changed 4 all due to external water leaks, in addition we currently have one 75,000 mile R25 with a slow seepage from the original
Paynes gasket. Another of those cars was bought as a non runner the previous bodged changing the thermostat resulting in a major water leak
The Chinese spec SAIC gasket is thicker and has more compliance so isn't critical of liner heights as the Freelander MLS gasket and is much
more robust than the original Paynes gasket.
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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britishtrident
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 01:59 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by trextr7monkey
Still some real bargains to be had in the TR7 and TR8 world if you have a liking for something British that can be tinkered with. Just avoid the
really rusty ones. I'm obviously
biased and beyond redemption with 2 of them but there's a resurgence of interest in the car and a lot of rally reps and hill climbers being
built. Ignore the myths from 40 years ago and the armchair experts who have never had one
TR7 probably wasn't the worst car ever built but it is certainly in the top 5 along with the Allegro, SD1, Chrysler 180 and MK4 Zephyr
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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smart51
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 02:21 PM |
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OK, so opinions vary from they handle great to they're terrible in every way. I guess that's the thing with opinion.
So if not an MGF / MGTF then what is better. My budget is officially sanctioned at £1050. But then I'll be making chassis braces and fitting
new bushes that can be bought under the radar. I want a weekend driving car, one with the best handing and room for an overnight bag (or toolbox).
What do you recommend?
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Sam_68
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 02:41 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by smart51
OK, so opinions vary from they handle great to they're terrible in every way. I guess that's the thing with opinion.
I've owned a MK1 MX5, and spent a substantial amount of time driving an ex-girlfriends MGF.
I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the MGF... maybe it was a good one (VVC engine, low mileage), but it was a lot better than I
expected after all the negativity you get on the internet. It handled great - very differently from the MX5, being mid-engined, but great all the
same, and with better steering feel than the MX5. The engine was much better than the (1.6 litre) MX5's - much more powerfull and loved to rev.
The gearchange wasn't quite as good as the MX5's, but was a lot better than either of the Elises I've owned (with the same
gearbox but different linkages), and a lot better than it had any right to be as a low-budget mid-engine installation.
To be fair, the MX5 was equally enjoyable - better gearchange, more 'traditional' front engine/RWD handling and felt
'friendlier' as a touring car, but my God was it slow, and the lack of stiffness really used to wind me up, even after I'd
fitted all the aftermarket chassis bracing that money could buy.
Trouble is, at your budget level, I can't think of many other viable options. Decent older MG's, Triumphs, Fiat X1/9's etc. have all
started appreciating well beyond £1K, and the more modern options like the MR2 Mk. 3 and Smart Roadster (another brilliant and much underated car, if
you can learn to live with the horrible gearchange) have yet to depreciate that far except for the worst sheds.
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ian locostzx9rc2
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 02:43 PM |
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For the money an mx5 is your best bet find one with the best body/chassis you can buy and you wouldn't go far wrong .
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sdh2903
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 02:49 PM |
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For a 1k drivers car I'm surprised no one has suggested a clio 172? Wipes the floor with any of the cars mentioned. Parts are cheap. Loads of
mods out there if that's your thing. Just get one thats had the belt and dephaser done and jobs a good un.
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trextr7monkey
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 02:53 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
quote:
Originally posted by trextr7monkey
Still some real bargains to be had in the TR7 and TR8 world if you have a liking for something British that can be tinkered with. Just avoid the
really rusty ones. I'm obviously
biased and beyond redemption with 2 of them but there's a resurgence of interest in the car and a lot of rally reps and hill climbers being
built. Ignore the myths from 40 years ago and the armchair experts who have never had one
TR7 probably wasn't the worst car ever built but it is certainly in the top 5 along with the Allegro, SD1, Chrysler 180 and MK4 Zephyr
Fair comment BT I always value the detail and obvious years of experience in your replies. Thankfully the worst examples have gone - leaving a
few fun to drive bargains , picked up an Mot'd convertible with low mileage V8 for £800 recently which is relevant to original posters
queries and well in budget !
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14016102@N00/ (cut and paste this dodgey link)
Our most recent pics are here:
http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/trextr7monkey/
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Sam_68
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 02:59 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by sdh2903
For a 1k drivers car I'm surprised no one has suggested a clio 172?
Good call, but can you get one (that isn't a wreck) for £1K?
I was under the impression that anything other than a completely Barried shed of an example was still half as much again, or more?
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Andybarbet
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| posted on 17/1/16 at 04:03 PM |
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I've had 2 Tr7 dropheads & absolutely loved them, handling improvements are relatively simple & not too expensive, massive boot,
comfortable cockpit & head gasket problems everyone used to go on about - never had an issue if you service & look after them.
Well designed soft top that I never had problems with aswell, both of mine had zip out back windows which was nice too.
I know it had Marmite looks but I'm a lover & will get another one at some point.
Give a man a fish & it will feed him for a day, give him a fishing rod & you've saved a fish.
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