More non-shite advice for me please

[Marshall]

Having recently suffered an unforseen change in employment, I am now in a position where I must sell my newish car to free up some much needed funds.

 

I have noted that MG TF's seem to be rather temptingly priced, but I dont have much of a clue whether they are any good or not. Do they suffer from the same K-series engine woes of the MGF? Any experiences or advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks Guys

[purplebargeken]

Having bought two little belters in the last year (not TF's though, just F's)and suffered no significant issues other than needing to replace brake disks and oil and filter plus two suspension pump ups I would say go for it. I believe they will not get any cheaper. Mine were £390 and £250 from the Bay of E. You might want to have a look at the buyers guide on the MGF register forum. 

 

Just a quickie: check ride height, you should be able to get 3 fingers between the top of the tyre and the wheelarch. Any lower and budget for a pump up at best, about £30 or £40.

 

Check for rust along the sill and especially at the back, plus; around the side repeaters and side vents. Early F's had a seam just below the doors on the sill, check there too. Bonnet and wing gaps should be even. Headlights can look dull but plenty around. Check that the floppytop is hole free, it may well need a clean and re-waterproofing but that is easy. If the rear screen is cracked you can get replacements easily enough, just make sure the zips match. A hardtop is a bonus but expect to pay silly money for one £200 to £400 on ebay. 

 

Engine - check for odd noises, rattles as you normally would. Check for leaks and the obvious mayo in the header tank or on the dipstick. If it has a receipt for HG repair then that is good too. If you can see any crystalised coolant on or around the header cap then it needs replacing or the system might have pressurised IIRC. 

 

Budget on a replacement cap as a service item anyway. 

 

Interior: check seats for damage, leather is good and fairly cheap on ebay. Check the speakers work if a radio is fitted. Check the carpets for moisture. The SRS light might come on but that is a cheap fix and may even be free if the connections beneath the seat are a bit gunge ridden. Make sure the heater dial works on all settings, again, a cheap fix but a bargaining point.

 

Check the subframes underneath as they can rust. Make sure the underfloor coolant pipes are in good nick as they can leak. Stainless upgrades are recommended. The handbrake light can flicker too, not major. Make sure the gear change is nice and smooth as there are two cables that might need replacing. Make sure the side windows all fit properly and operate smoothly. They can be adjusted but it is a faff.

 

Make sure the car has the ally locking nut key. Some cars had electric PAS, some not. Make sure the car is properly warmed up before going anywhere and the temp needle should sit one block below midway.

 

Check the oil temp guage too.

 

I have never had a TF but plenty of info is the same as the F, just a bit more BHP, different wheels and a dinky boot lid design. There were a lot of subtle variants. Buy on condition and history, mileage less so. The ordinary MPi and VVC F's are just as much fun and a bit cheaper. 

 

If I think of more then I will let you know. 

 

Peter Best for good insurance deals too.

[purplebargeken]

MPi model bought for £390:

 

 

VVC model bought for £250 (before its pump up):

 

 

Ken

[purplebargeken]

Here you go:

 

http://www.mgf-tf-central.co.uk/faq-buying.shtml

[cort16]

The TF's have normal springs and dampers don't they?

They do seem cheap just now I'd have one if the price was right. I'd look for one that's had the OMGHGF treatment already. My brief experience of one is they're a bit of a mare to work on as even changing the spark plugs needs to be done via an access panel under the parcel shelf.

[purplebargeken]

Yes they do, I was being a bit generalised, sorry. Lots of upgrade kits available. 

[DVee8]

Ken i still kinda wish we had come down for the silver one you had.It looked a very nice car and for the money.In the end my farther in law didn't buy anything

[purplebargeken]

That's how it is sometimes, no worries mate. The silver one wasn't perfect but it was a bloody decent car that looked great and was so nice to drive. The green one needs more help to be nice visually but the bits have been cheap and it will look much better when I get the chance to actually wash, clay it and polish what's left. It goes like a bloody rocket in mid-range. 

 

These cars are now plateauing price-wise, so if you want one, get in there quickly. There are plenty about. You know it makes sense.

[Cavcraft]

Don't forget this when you're Dancing In The City

 

[skattrd]

These cars are now plateauing price-wise, so if you want one, get in there quickly. There are plenty about. You know it makes sense.

 

Plateauing ... yes, at the bottom of the cliff. They can't get any cheaper as they're only just worth more than scrap value, ideal time to get one.

[purplebargeken]

^^ totally agree.

[Barry Cade]

BLOODY BRILLIANT little cars. PBK speaks the truth. Don't be afraid.

[Justin Case]

I nearly bought a  2003 TF135 last year; it had a FSH and was more fun to drive than anything modern that I have driven, but I was a bit dubious about one or two things so I checked with a local MG specialist to get a quote for the work I thought needed doing. His verdict - ineffective handbrake meant recon calipers were needed (£250 fitted), cambelts need changing at most every five years regardless of mileage, radiator to engine pipes almost always need changing if not stainless, but HGF shouldn't be a worry if you keep a regular (weekly) check on the coolant.

 

 

This one, two owners, immaculate inside and out, and 65k miles, was tempting at £1600, even allowing for the work I would have wanted done, but I couldn't get a decent quote on insurance (too young for a classic policy*) so it would have been a bit extravagant for a weekend toy

 

 

 

Edit; it appears that the TF is more reliable than the F, no subframes or hydrolastic to go wrong, and the TF also handles better. (and of course they are younger) 

 

* the car of course not me

[Marshall]

Thanks chaps! Some good info there.

 

Tbh I was just taken with how cheap a relatively new TF could be had (as witnessed by alfist), but I certainly am not ruling out an F.

 

Thanks for the link as well Ken, some good info there.

 

Im still a little nervous quite honestly but, as I say, I need cash and why not get something a bit fun for relatively little outlay. I feel I must swallow my misgivings and follow the autoshite way now.

 

So......If anyone has any need for a 2010 1.2 petrol Polo with just over 12,000 on the clock at a decent price then let me know. Watch this space! Im looking at spending about £1000 on a car so I may be back for more advice (saw TF's at £1000 - £1400 which I could stretch too which started my interest).

 

Cheers again.

 

 

Oh, Your two look great for the money Ken. The Interior of that silver one looks like a nice place to be.

[purplebargeken]

A pleasure to help out. F's are pretty good tbh and are worth a small bag of peanuts, buy a decent cheapie and spend a couple of quid on it and you will have a great time driving it.

 

The interior in the silver one was very nice indeed, very comfy too tbh.