MGF : Farewell my lovely

Keith Adams

Driving the MGF to its new owner
Driving the MGF to its new owner

Well, it didn’t last long. My period of MGF ownership lasted a matter of weeks and, if I’m honest, I’m pretty sad to see the old girl go. Unfortunately, sometimes, space gets in the way –  that and the need for some practicality.

However, in those few short weeks, I came to the conclusion that I’d like another open-topped MG. I’m not sure it’d be an MGF, though. After my time with a late model TF 85th Anniversary edition, I think I’d prefer one of those.  Mind you, given that that you can pick up one of these babies for under £1000 and you’ll get an awful lot of smiles per mile in the process, I can understand anyone going for an F and having it as a weekend tool.

Anyway, I’ll stick with my SD1 for now – well, that and the Alfa Romeo 156 I’m going to pick up in a couple of weeks or so as a ‘sensible’ long distance hack. The 156’s the same money as the MGand, as you can see, I do get rather a lot more…

It's goodbye from me.
It's goodbye from me.
...and hello to me.
...and hello to me.
Keith Adams
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11 Comments

  1. I can’t help but think that, if you want fun and practicality, you should have gone for a Rover 200 Coupe. I was looking for a cheap MGF when I suddenly realised I’ve got two kids so I bought a coupe instead – it’s the best £1200 I ever spent.

  2. The MGF – especially the VVC version – is, to my mind, currently the ideal sports car purchase.

    I recently bought one with a good service history and long MoT for well under £1000 as a daily driver – it handles well, is comfortable and has a usable boot. Mine is in far better condition when compared to similarly priced Mazda MX5s and parts are widely available at affordable/secondhand prices. I have owned many sports cars but would put the F at the top of the list!

    I also recently managed to acquire a rubber-bumpered MG Midget for under £1000, once again with history and long MoT. I really do think that these MG models represent the most affordable entry into open-topped sports car ownership. Here comes the summer!

  3. Ah, the lovely Alfa Romeo 156 – my car of choice (although I do wish it wouldn’t keep blowing sidelight bulbs).

    I’ll be interested to hear how you get on with it – I assume that it’s a Twin Spark of some description. I drove a 166 2.0 Twin Spark around for a week whilst my 156 was having some bodywork done and, fuel consumption aside (I have a 1.9 JTDM Sportwagon), it was a great drive.

    Anyway, enjoy – if you’re like me, you’ll look back at the wonderful styling every time you park it… I hope it has leather seats too!

  4. I love the Alfa Romeo 156 but allowed myself to be put off by stories of mechanical failure and bits falling off. I ended up buying a Honda Accord Coupe and the gearbox imploded after six months.

    I totally agree that the 200 Coupe makes a practical fun car. I still regret selling mine. Do you still have the British Racing Green Coupe lurking somewhere Keith?

  5. MGF is a great buy. It’s an interesting sports convertible car with its cute looks, alloy twin cam mid-mounted engine and Hydragas suspension. Decent boot space means it’s practical too. The ride offers a good level of comfort too, something totally absent from many new cars these days.

    I have it on good authority that the steel suspension lashed up for the TF was necessary only because Dunlop was no longer interested in producing the Hydragas units since the volume had dropped following demise of the Rover 100.

    MGF, original and best

  6. MGF is a great buy. It’s an interesting sports convertible car with its cute looks, alloy twin cam mid-mounted engine and Hydragas suspension. Decent boot space means it’s practical too. The ride offers a good level of comfort too, something totally absent from many new cars these days.

    I have it on good authority that the steel suspension lashed up for the TF was necessary only because Dunlop was no longer interested in producing the Hydragas units since demand had dropped following the demise of the Rover 100.

    MGF, original and best

  7. Very interesting to see on the how many left website that there are still about 8000 MGFs and about 12000 TFs left on the register. I did not split them between SORN and on road, but it is a sizeable number in existence

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