Modern Shite Question

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

My wife is thinking of replacing her owned from new  W reg. Fiesta 1.3 Finesse, 80000 ish miles with full service history and still in reasonably good condition.

 

She likes the look of a new MG3 and at the price it does compare favourably with the competition. Residual value is unimportant as long as it keeps going without major expense.

 

I've read some reviews which aren't very complimentary, however I have to say they do look very smart. Main concern for me is the electric brakes. I have looked at used examples, but the warranty on those is not as good as a new one.

 

I've advised her to keep the Ford. Anyway, any Shiter's driven one or know anyone who's had/got one?.

 

Here's a pic of the offending Shite.

 

 

 

 

[warren t claim]

Either keep the Fiesta or sell it to me for 500 quid.

[inconsistant]

I'd buy a MG3 and drive it around in the hope that casual onlookers would notice the badge and think it was an MG Maestro.

[garethj]

I think the whole reason for buying a new car is the warranty and peace of mind when it goes wrong.  If you're buying one of these as a keeper I don't know how reliable it would be when the dealer stops fixing things for free.  But my guess is that it's no Toyota Corolla.

[Cavcraft]

The bloke I talked to the other week who had one (and an MG6) was very happy with his, and had bought it for the same reasons you want one.

[gordonbennet]

Electric brakes?   would that be electric parking brake?   

 

If so they can shove that where the sun don't shine, i have no doubt that EPB's are just one of the many things that will scrap moderns long before they should be, they serve no useful purpose whatsoever.

 

I would have thought the sensible buy with one of these is to take advantage of massive depreciation and buy used.

[Tamworthbay]

Probably not an issue if upgrading from something old but their crash test ratings are terrible compared to the competition. And I wouldn't buy any car with an electric handbrake. Why? Just why? As long as you have an arm there is just no need whatsoever.

[PiperCub]

Electric brakes?   would that be electric parking brake?   

 

If so they can shove that where the sun don't shine, i have no doubt that EPB's are just one of the many things that will scrap moderns long before they should be, they serve no useful purpose whatsoever.

 

I would have thought the sensible buy with one of these is to take advantage of massive depreciation and buy used.

 

That was my initial thought, will probably be worth a punt when they drop to a grand as a mate of mine test drove one a month or so back and was pretty complimentary about it's performance and fun-factor (he didn't buy one mind you!). As others have said, the jury is still a bit out on how durable it's going to be and what it'll cost to run when the warranty expires. 

[HH-R]

I don't think an mg3 has electric brakes, parking or not.

 

They do look nice but would I sink money into one? Not sure.

[sierraman]

On the subject of EPBs I had a look last night at a Passat that was making s graunching noise from the back, not only pads and discs shot but the osr calipers were dragging. Can't see that being cheap. Probably if it had been serviced at some point this wouldn't have happened I can't help thinking...

[cort16]

If mg cut their prices by 1/4 they'd probably shift a few cars as I do think they at least look decent. You'd have to be pretty hard core to buy one of these over a fiesta or something not made out of grade c Chinese shipping containers for the same money .

[Angry Sheep]

The MG3s I've driven definitely haven't had EPBs (which, I agree, are rubbish).

 

In short: fun to drive and a bit quirky, but the engine feels at least 10 years old (noisy, unrefined, thirsty).

 

I'd be hesitant about buying one just on the gremlins I've heard about/experienced. The last one I drove had an irritatingly sticky accelerator pedal IIRC (a common fault if you search forums), while the one before that had the EML come on. You don't get issues like that on something like a Swift.

[Timewaster]

There are much better cars to buy than the MG. It's a Chinese car at the end of the day and about as British as egg fried rice.

 

I would look at a couple of year old Honda Jazz for grief free motoring.

[JohnDeere]

Any number of Honda, Toyota, Kia or Hyundai options will be a better bet than a takeaway MG.

 

Or a new Fiesta.  They current model is coming to the end of its cycle so run-out deals likely to be appearing soon. Comes with proper handbrake. The 3-cyl turbomaxpowerecoboost engine is good fun to rev. Handles like a go-kart.  Well made.  Easy to sell in the future, unlike the MG which will be harder to shift than a wart on the end of your.....

[Liggle]

A friend has a Hyundai i20 Coupe (1.2 N/A 4 pot), nice little car for the money and a bit different. I'd look at those. 

[Junkman]

My wife is thinking of replacing her [...] Fiesta [...] still in reasonably good condition.

 

 

Why would one think of replacing a car that's still in reasonably good condition?

Unless it's thinking of replacing it with some half arsed old shite, that is.

[Split_Pin]

Just remember that the manufacturer will try ANYTHING to wiggle out of a warranty claim. The dealer can only do the investigation and if when they present their findings to the manufacturer the claim is rejected then you are left with the costs. Something to think about when buying a new car.

 

However I am pretty sure that whoever makes it also knocks out a shitload of cars for other manufacturers so likely know what they are doing.

[Angry Sheep]

A friend has a Hyundai i20 Coupe (1.2 N/A 4 pot), nice little car for the money and a bit different. I'd look at those. 

 

My parents have a 2015 i20. It's brilliant. They've brought a new turbocharged engine out since then, though – I'd look at that.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

I'd be worried about what happens to electric brakes when there's a power cut.

[Cleon-Fonte]

You say you want a small MG?

 

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

Thank you all for the reply's, I seem to recall an article I read when they were first marketed which mentioned an electrically operated master cylinder. Although I can't find anything to corroborate that, so I might have confused it with an ECH.

 

I have strongly recommended that she keeps the Ford, however she is concerned that due to age, it might suddenly self destruct and as she has recently inherited a sizable wedge, a new car is affordable.

 

I have also mentioned other new alternative's, but she likes the snazzy paint job and the MG badge, first year free insurance and 3 year servicing/warranty.

 

The Ford would be donated gratis to her nephew, who will probably trash it.

 

I did offer her one of my Rover Metro diesels, but she declined, too old and more potential to self destruct.

 

I'm looking at hiring one for week and then persuade her to keep the Ford.

[face]

As mentioned above - the Suzuki Swift is a decent option. Far better built, more efficient and around the same price. I think they look smart too.

 

I'm sure there are others, but I reckon you could wangle a decent deal on a Swift.

[SiC]

If owning for a long time, imo (and friends experience + local garage recommendation), Swift/Yaris/Jazz/Mazda 2 will give you the least amount of grief.

 

I know Toyota offer a 5 year warranty on their models. Something worth considering if you want to knock £££ off by buying a 2-3 year old example. Likewise, buying from a main dealer will usually give you an extra 1 year warranty - check the small print on these though. I remember Renault dealer warranty not covering electrical wiring faults (unlike the manufacturer warranty), while the Mazda I had covered everything that the manufacturer warranty did (excluded wear and tear like clutches, batteries, etc).

 

But then every backstreet garage knows the common faults and how to fix Fiesta/Corsas/etc anyway. MG I'd be a bit more weary in this regard, as less will be sold and may have quirks & hard to find parts in the future.

 

Given the amount of idiots on the road, upgrading from a W-reg fiesta to a more modern, safer car is a perfectly valid argument too imo.