Hello... what's the MG ZR REALLY like then?

[DaveDorson]

I've been offered a 1.4 Trophy SE in base red.. 11 months ticket, not a lot of cash..

 

New job means I need something cheap to run, insure and trash down a B road daily to get there and back.

 

It's got 75k on the clock.. and a few bubbles on a rear arch..

 

54 plate, so late 2004..

 

That's all I know.. viewing Monday.. what's the value of these, what are they like to live with, how much are parts, what fails?

[Junkman]

For hooning to and fro the job you hate they are as good as anything, I guess.

[garbaldy]

Good cars if you want a car to keep until its dead, if you like to change cars often they are the kiss of death,

I struggled to sell both of the ones I had and the last one finally sold at £80,

Handle well enough go well enough and look good. Do it

[Cavcraft]

I think they're ace. Great looking (I mean it) with a punchy engine and don't seem to be any worse than any of their so called rivals, providing you maintain them a bit.

[EssDeeWon]

I had one as a courtesy car the other week, that one was also a late'ish 04 plate car.

 

It was quick and rather fun to drive, although the seating position seemed quite high but I couldn't seem to get the seat any lower. Ignition barrel is in a really awkward place behind the steering wheel, and felt a little flimsy compared to my Cowley built 75.

 

However, I would if I needed something to scoot about town in.

[purplebargeken]

I think they are nice looking things and no doubt a lot of fun. As said above...... maintenance is good.

 

Buy it and enjoy and you can even insure them on a PBIS classic policy, just think about the mileage limitations. 

[EssDeeWon]

I think they are nice looking things and no doubt a lot of fun. As said above...... maintenance is good.

 

Buy it and enjoy and you can even insure them on a PBIS classic policy, just think about the mileage limitations. 

 

Ken, I really need to try PBIS when my next renewal is due. Do they not mind modern'ish Rovers then?

 

Sorry, back to MG-ZR's.....

[purplebargeken]

Nope, they were very happy to insure the 75 and now the 214. Nay problem.

 

They is based in the Essex Badlands too.

[Stanky]

How cheap is 'cheap' out of interest?

 

Check for HGF, then check again, then factor the price of a new head gasket and skim into the bid you make.

[wuvvum]

the seating position seemed quite high but I couldn't seem to get the seat any lower.

That's a trait of cars with height-adjustable driver's seats.  The adjustment mechanism is so bulky that even on their lowest setting the seat is too high.  Non-adjustable seats are much better.

[Mr A Lawrence]

In 2003 I paid £10500 for a trophy blue 1.4. TEN AND A HALF FUCKING GRAND!!

 

It was possibly THE worst car we ever owned.

 

It went back to the stealers about 20 times in 6 months, various bits of trim fell off on a daily basis and it somehow got a crease in the C pillar.

 

Took it back and demanded something be done!!

 

Came away with a 2 yr old Mgf as a direct swap.

 

Apart from all that it went well and handled brilliantly

 

According to doovla it's got to the big car park in the sky, not missed by me!!

[Guest Lord Sward]

The facelifts handled brilliantly.  But the rest was shite.  Especially if you pulled out £14k for one in 2004.

[155V6]

I paid £2000 for mine in 2007.I've still got it,it's done 170,000 miles & makes me grin every time I drive it.It's going rusty around the edges,Mot time means brakes,bushes or emissions.Would I replace it?,possibly,if I could find another small 160 bhp van that handled like a go kart 

[Noel Tidybeard]

rover 25 wearing a hawaiian shirt?

[andrew e]

Is it a pre or post facelift? Post facelift in MG and Rover guise handled fabulously. Need to be screamed, if anything the K series seems to love the Italian style of wringing its neck.

 

Bought a fire sale one half price in June 2005, did 72k, had first MOT, got driven over by idiot in continental HGV. Scrapped weeks after 3 years old. Air conditioning used to dim the headlamps when you switched them both on...

[DaveDorson]

It's post facelift. I'm viewing Monday evening

[purplebargeken]

[EssDeeWon]

Where are you Dave? My local Rover friendly garage in Essex occasionally get these in and sell some fine examples from time to time.

[inconsistant]

Had a 200vi from new and a 3 yr old 214 and really enjoyed both. Far better than their contemporaries from ford vauxhall etc from same era in my opinion.

 

Summary: DO IT!

[DaveDorson]

In in Lincolnshire . Unless it's a real snorter I'm likely to buy it tbh

[purplebargeken]

Looking forward to seeing this one!

[HH-R]

All R3s felt like you were sitting on, rather than in them. As said the facelifts drive GR9, not tried an earlier one. Expect the interior to be the flimsiest thing you've ever encountered, and rust in random places. The really did feel incredibly cheap all over by the end. Even the 1.4 84 BHP is plenty quick enough IMO, though it's more likely to be the full fat 105 in a ZR.

[CortinaDave]

I drove John o groats to lands end and back in a diesel one a few years ago and it was a decent car all round I thought. They are a bit " baseball cap wearing arsehole " otherwise I'd happily roll in one.

[DaveDorson]

Looking forward to seeing this one!

 

[DaveDorson]

They're the pictures she sent me.  I'll let you know how bad it is.

[Mr A Lawrence]

Looks nice.

[Taff]

Is it a pre or post facelift? Post facelift in MG and Rover guise handled fabulously. Need to be screamed, if anything the K series seems to love the Italian style of wringing its neck.

 

 

I'm glad it's not just me that thinks this, my vvc never seems happier than when it's above 4500rpm

[alfetta]

Also I think  the 1.4 is less prone to OMGHGF, as it was more within the design spec...

[Guest Lord Sward]

Rio Red FTW.  

[fatharris]

The wife has a bubble 200, check the gutters under the black trim for rot, because one night if heavy rain will see flooded footwells!