Recently picked up a £500 MGF and recommissioning it as it has been sat for 11 years, but at 30k miles and no rust, should make a worthwhile little summer fun car.
And I did I was lucky enough to work at Rover at the time and I got one on the employees ACOPs scheme. To have one of those at 20 years old my mates were well jealous😂
I just bought a TF 160. What a fabulous car, I can't stop driving it. It's not stupid fast but it's engaging and fun without being ridiculous and it does crack on very briskly when you need it to. It goes around corners with no drama, effort or struggle and it's just so planted and controlled that you know exactly what it's going to do with total confidence. To get something faster and better handling you're going to have to spend at least 10x as much.
I did the same thing with an MGF. I had a 240hp saloon before - to get that up and going in an exciting way was taking your life into your hands, and it only lasted a second before having to hit the breaks - this thing thunders along continously and gives a much nicer sensation of power than ever the Jag did.
There was a British racing green one with a optional hardtop on Autotrader which was a bargain as well as it looks like it was stored in a barn/lock up and hasn't been driven since last year.
Me and my work mates are doing a Top Gear style winter roadster challenge. They’ve both gone with MX-5s and I’m going with the MGF. I’m just sorting out the categories for points now 😁 It’s amazing just how much fun and car you can get for very little money
Got the model after this one myself (MGTF), puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Great fun and not expensive. Get one quick, the prices of good Fs and Tfs is rising.
Great review. My 96 MGF was amazing. Italians went mad over it when I went there in 96. Nice to hear the K series bark. Had mine 12 years. Many happy trips across Europe with my dad! Sounded great with DTM exhaust in sleepy French towns 😁
Open the bonnet - on right you will see a fuse with a clear cover. This is the fuse for the power steering. Remove and now no longer have EPAS. From memory there is a big sticker saying do not remove ☺️
I bought one from a chap n Wales a few years back. Garage had told him the head gasket was going. 100 mile home, no problem, a year later still no problem, fresh MOT and sold on at a profit. The presumption that they are all about to die is a real boon for those of us that like bargains :¬)
I love cheap small underrated cars! It's like a miniature super car ;) I don't see these mgfs as often as I used to but they're still around and you can still get one for a few hundred pounds. Perfect car in my opinion great review 🚗
I had one of these back in 2006 and I remember driving down to Brighton in it, with the hood down and a pretty blond in the passenger seat. Good times.
@@TassieLorenzo My experience is that the MGF is softer and less spartan than a 3rd Gen Mister Two. The MR2 being a kind of mid-point between the very usable on an everyday basis MGF and the raw thrills of a Lotus Elise. Having driven all three I’d sum it up as the Elise being the one you’d fight for the keys for at a track day, the Mister Two being the one you’d probably want as a second car/plaything, and the MGF the one you’d want if you wanted a sports car for everyday use as your only car. All great cars, roughly along the same lines, but with different characters.
A great looking car. I always thought they looked best in red and those alloys really set it off. Lovely exhaust note too. It seems to get the fundamentals right too by being no nonsense enough to be fun yet with some useful creature comforts
Get one while you can, I’ve always loved the look of them and for the average joe I bet they drive perfectly well, they seem to be either totally cherished or run into the ground with very little in between. A future classic I think.
This one really hit home. I’m an MG enthusiast here in the USA, and have owned a Midget for 25 years. As such, I followed the fortunes of MG Rover pretty closely during development of the MGF, and was keenly interested in the finished product. Of course MG exports to the States ended when the MGB was axed, so I could only admire the F from afar. I did get the chance to sit in a new F while on a trip to the UK in 2000, at a dealership in Preston... not exactly a drive, but the closest I was going to come. There’s an MGF at the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, and it was nice to see that one a few years ago. I could have driven it on one of their road events, but the required donation of $500 was a bit beyond the budget. So thanks for this episode! It was greatly appreciated.
Good video. I have a very early build 1995 F I’ve owned eight years, and all your comments are valid, including the heat you DO get from the vents when the direction switch is turned to feet! And I totally agree, as a fun road car the non VVC version is the one to have. And finally, oh so much better than the dear old MGB!
I love these cars. My old drummer in my band had a silver TF Sprint, which had a colour-matched roof. So much fun to drive around in, you can go around roundabouts and not have to slow down, go kart like!
Been looking forward to this video since Simon Announced it would be featured, a proper modern classic and the little K Series with that aftermarket filter sounds fantastic.
What a fair and unbiased review of a lovely car which can easily be slated because of the engine 🙂 I for one love these cars and would love to own one but sadly dont have the space for one along side my 1.8 k-series ZS. The 1.8 k-series is a good engine if maintained and looked after properly. I got similar sounds on mine once to this F when I ran it with an induction kit briefly....so enjoyable.
I just bought one and I love it! I'm a little tall but still enjoy it! Now I need to find small bits and bobs to fix it cosmetically. Great video thank you
I had an MGF for 18 years, sold it recently with 230,000+klm on the clock. I raced it at club events and hillclimbs. Head gasket is a problem. Did a lot of suspension work and also put same size rubber front and back which made the car turn in better with a little oversteer. Perfect for club motor sport. Now have the MGTF 160, that has been mapped and softened the suspension a little and also increased the rubber on the front again. I like oversteer. I have a cupboard full of gongs from racing a daily driver. In Australia we do not have the rust problem of the UK but the paint will not stand up to the Aussie sun. Both the MGF and MGTF need to be kept below 4000rpm until the OIL TEMP reaches 90C. They are a fun car to drive and can be very quick through the twisties.
I've an MR2 Roadster and roof down driving in the winter is great. Having a blower that does feet and face is a big help. I'm from the west of Ireland and now live in the east of Scotland and in comparison it's bone dry here in winter. You do need to be mindful of the rear drive of the MR2 as it will step out in the wet without too much throttle. Great video.
Well what a delightful video about a great little British Sports Car. I have certainly been a fan of the car for a number of years. Great example of the car, keep up with the good car review work that you do.
These are such a great little car - love driving mine every time I get in it. More than enough power for anybody in this size vehicle. And not overly complicated, either. Mine has no ABS thankfully. That also gives more under bonnet space. Nice review.
I have a 2001 MGF Freestyle which looks lovely in BRG. I must say it does look better with the rear spoiler and front lower spoiler. The suspension on the car now in 2024 is still working great and is still a fun car to drive. Thanks for this video they are great little cars and when you hit the accelerator you get that really satisfying push from the back end!!!
Lovely car and another great vid. I drove one Years ago when I was at mg rover and found it very pleasant - as you said - what a bargain at the moment :)
Once sorted with ugraded head gasket and upgraded stainless steel cooling pipes and low coolant level warning light, this is a fantastic handling fast car. They are very popular classics now but make sure you get a minter sorted one.
Great video, Ian. Lovely wee car, for sure. I love sure footed cars that are fun to drive. I'm sure you get used to the steering, too. I am used to cars with finger tip steering, and once you adapt, they can be as precise as you like, even with 70s vintage recirculating ball steering boxes on an over assisted system from Ford North America!
LOVED THE OUTRO! Some beautiful solo piano accompanying sexy indicator shots and then the grand finale "POWER LESS IS MORE!" Much better than the ptchoo.
Great vid Ian, and a great fun little car, I had one about 4 yrs ago and loved it, the sort of car that makes you want to go out for a drive on twisty A roads. Mine was a late 51 plate as well, registered just one month before the TF came out. Sadly mine developed crank issues so it was sold on as a project.
Excellent video Ian! I think you may have helped me make up my mind about a low cost hobby car to get. These are cheap as chips, even in NZ (for now). My partner can chip in for the purchase. She's been craving an open-top for years. Thanks again..
had my mgf 1.8 vvc now for nearly 5 years always brings a smile to my face. under cooling pipes had already been changes to s/s and h/g changed bought for 1200 pounds so much fun for so little money. grab one now before they get expensive
Yes us Brits must be the only people who drive cabriolets in the freezing cold with woolly hats on😂 great review though Ian. I worked at Longbridge bridge at the time and the hydro suspension was pumped up on the same production line as the Metro or Rover 100 as they were rebadged. They were built in Cab 1 on the same line as the metro (car assembly building 1) as I was sickness relief I carried out most jobs on the metro & MGF line. Fitting the roofs, dashboards, pumping up the hydro suspension where you work in a pit underneath the track, I even had one job sticking the MG badges on them, I worked on the engine drop where the body would come down on a hoist and fitted onto chassis, some days I would be fitting steering racks or the suspension, did everything bar the paint shop where they were sprayed. And then go for dinner where they’d serve up sausage curry in the canteen, yes sausage curry. Sounds disgusting but the girls at the cab 1 canteen served it up with chips and it was beautiful😋😂. miss the my days at Longbridge and characters worked there from all walks of life. I drive past now and it’s all gone apart from the cab buildings. Feel like a part of my history as been wiped from the Earth, quite literally as it’s called the “Longbridge village” now. As you drive in there’s a street sign that says “the track was your manager” & it was true. You started & stopped when the track started & stopped!
I totally agree with you. I also have mgf sport car. It's amazing drive, plenty of power. love how it hugs the roads so well. I call mine pocket rocket. With big smile on my face each time i take it for a spin WOW
I owned one of the only 5 Tahiti blue available in France between 1998 and 2000. What a cabrio.! First time in my life I drifted unwillingly in a sharp curve near Dinard in Brittany!
I had one in the late nineties as a company car (it was 2years old when I got it) drove it for a year, and thoroughly enjoyed it, and no problems with it at the time (just normal service schedule) great fun to drive, decently comfortable ride, super car, only put of actually owning one by the well known cooling/head gasket issues.
Had mine 10 years in NZ no cooling issues fitted a 13 bar oil cooler and synthetic coolant, modified and performs really well for its age even the head gasket is not a hard job to do your self. So much fun to drive with full poly bush suplex suspension and X-Power exhaust.
"The enjoyment pedal"....I love it Loved the engine noise as well! It was very interesting to see and compare with my MX5 NC For £700 the MG is simply wonderful! I wouldn't swap it for my MX5 but then again I paid a lot more for it.
Had one and once the engine was rebuilt stronger, and I fitted the sports exhaust, it was an absolute joy. Rubber bushes replaced with poly urethane plus adjustable dampers firmed up and sorted the handling. Would love it back now.
I have a VVC as my daily driver and love it. We've been on a driving holiday to Italy and it has plenty of space for our luggage and is comfortable. Mine has done 96k before the head gasket went. They are criminally cheap at the mo'
My grandfather has a tiptronic one of these on a Y reg in nightfire red. Very underrated. But would love a go in a manual version 👌. Awesome feature as always Ian👍
He got a heck of a deal! I thought those rear lights looked familiar. Love those minilight alloys. Way back, I had an Austin 1300. It was called the America on this side of the pond. I was so impressed with the hydrolastic suspension, I made it a point to get in touch with Alexander Moulton and tell him. It ended up with a few back and forth emails. Afterwards, he got into small wheel bicycles with, you guessed it, rubber suspension. Glad I got to chat with him before he departed this earth.
Dam great review, I liked that you actually enjoyed and seemed excited to talk about the car, so many big car UA-camrs seem bored. You're better than Doug DeMuro lol.
The light in your backdrop, the first minutes, as it comes shining through the canopies of the trees onto a slightly wet country road is truly fantastic, Ian. You couldn't have chosen a nicer spot! Perhaps you could just have moved the yellow wheelie bin - if that's what it is - behind the telephone booth out of view, but I'm splitting hairs now.
Had mine for 8 years, bought for £800 love it! It's a joy to drive on Northumbrian B roads and comfortable enough to have been all round Europe in it. As in reasonable condition but 24 years old now I have decided to keep it permanently and just spent £xxxxxx.00 restoring it. Now completely rebuilt engine with small mods, gearbox etc, new subframes.( bought some years ago when still available), suspension brakes etc and complete repaint. Only interior to smarten up. Yes the K series is prone to head gasket problems and a few difficult to resolve engine management issues. Thermostat removed from block and replaced with remote thermostat next to front radiator has solved any temperature / head problems for the for last 6 years. Will I get money back no... well not for another ten years or so if ever ...... But at 6" 2" with bad back it's the only small open top sports car I comfortably fit in and at 68 still provokes me to drive like i did as a teenager !!
I loved my old MGF, Had the most character of any other car I’ve had and was very reliable and sounded amazing with the k&n intake right behind your head. Only issue was the front end felt quite light at higher speeds especially without a splitter on the front
A fantastic review of one of my favourites, and a severely underrated car. That example is a real credit to Simon. My personal feeling on them is that the rear tyres really do need to be in fine fettle or they will oversteer in spectacular fashion. Also the brakes on the F leave a lot to be desired, but overall a very easy car to live with as a daily!
Recently picked up a £500 MGF and recommissioning it as it has been sat for 11 years, but at 30k miles and no rust, should make a worthwhile little summer fun car.
Bought one of these brand new in 1998. Very underrated motor. My neighbour bought it off me and still cherishes it to this day. Great video 👏👍
And I did I was lucky enough to work at Rover at the time and I got one on the employees ACOPs scheme. To have one of those at 20 years old my mates were well jealous😂
@@matty6848 my dad worked for British Aerospace so equally got new car discounts. I was 22 when I got mine
That was my dads MGF, good to see it still going although I never liked the Lexus clusters
I just bought a TF 160. What a fabulous car, I can't stop driving it. It's not stupid fast but it's engaging and fun without being ridiculous and it does crack on very briskly when you need it to. It goes around corners with no drama, effort or struggle and it's just so planted and controlled that you know exactly what it's going to do with total confidence. To get something faster and better handling you're going to have to spend at least 10x as much.
I did the same thing with an MGF. I had a 240hp saloon before - to get that up and going in an exciting way was taking your life into your hands, and it only lasted a second before having to hit the breaks - this thing thunders along continously and gives a much nicer sensation of power than ever the Jag did.
what a beautiful setting for such a pretty car..
Oh
How I miss my MG TF now. That lovely sound coming from behind and the way It entered no the bends. 😢
My mate has one for sale on eBay. We are sat having lunch watching the views increase. The hubnut effect eh?
Shall I invoice him my commission? ;-)
Nah just delete the advert 😂
There was a British racing green one with a optional hardtop on Autotrader which was a bargain as well as it looks like it was stored in a barn/lock up and hasn't been driven since last year.
Me and my work mates are doing a Top Gear style winter roadster challenge. They’ve both gone with MX-5s and I’m going with the MGF. I’m just sorting out the categories for points now 😁 It’s amazing just how much fun and car you can get for very little money
ua-cam.com/video/HzwX6LUOFO8/v-deo.html
Hubnut going all professional what with tripods and music. Okay the tripod wanted to put in an appearance but music!
Got the model after this one myself (MGTF), puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Great fun and not expensive. Get one quick, the prices of good Fs and Tfs is rising.
Great review. My 96 MGF was amazing. Italians went mad over it when I went there in 96. Nice to hear the K series bark. Had mine 12 years. Many happy trips across Europe with my dad! Sounded great with DTM exhaust in sleepy French towns 😁
Clicked the Like button within 10 seconds. Give me videos like these any day, any time. Good times.
Ten? What took you so long?
😂
The later years of BL created some of their very best shame they are not making them today
"The enjoyment pedal" is another t shirt slogan, my friend has a mx5 and its so much fun for little money ,These Mgf,s look underrated.
Open the bonnet - on right you will see a fuse with a clear cover. This is the fuse for the power steering. Remove and now no longer have EPAS. From memory there is a big sticker saying do not remove ☺️
True, but think assistance fades out above 20mph. Very sensitive to tyre and pressures
I bought one from a chap n Wales a few years back. Garage had told him the head gasket was going. 100 mile home, no problem, a year later still no problem, fresh MOT and sold on at a profit.
The presumption that they are all about to die is a real boon for those of us that like bargains :¬)
I love cheap small underrated cars! It's like a miniature super car ;) I don't see these mgfs as often as I used to but they're still around and you can still get one for a few hundred pounds. Perfect car in my opinion great review 🚗
A miniature super car is the honda s660
I had one of these back in 2006 and I remember driving down to Brighton in it, with the hood down and a pretty blond in the passenger seat. Good times.
Nick C It's nice to get the top off.
The MGF was always liked back in the day. Car Magazines headline was "MGF-ing Marvellous"
Does seem a lovely car! How does it stack up compared to the third-generation Toyota MR2 Spyder? :)
@@TassieLorenzo My experience is that the MGF is softer and less spartan than a 3rd Gen Mister Two. The MR2 being a kind of mid-point between the very usable on an everyday basis MGF and the raw thrills of a Lotus Elise.
Having driven all three I’d sum it up as the Elise being the one you’d fight for the keys for at a track day, the Mister Two being the one you’d probably want as a second car/plaything, and the MGF the one you’d want if you wanted a sports car for everyday use as your only car.
All great cars, roughly along the same lines, but with different characters.
A great looking car. I always thought they looked best in red and those alloys really set it off. Lovely exhaust note too. It seems to get the fundamentals right too by being no nonsense enough to be fun yet with some useful creature comforts
I've never really been a fan but for 700 knicker, what a bargain!
First car i ever bought!
Its in my garage looking a bit sad at the moment but many years later its still in one piece (:
Get one while you can, I’ve always loved the look of them and for the average joe I bet they drive perfectly well, they seem to be either totally cherished or run into the ground with very little in between. A future classic I think.
Great review Ian! Lovely scenic shot for your intro. This one felt like a jump up in production from your previous road test videos
I love driving with the top down in the winter. It’s always more fun topless 😊
Nothing like it! Unfortunately, I have not done it in decades.
This one really hit home. I’m an MG enthusiast here in the USA, and have owned a Midget for 25 years. As such, I followed the fortunes of MG Rover pretty closely during development of the MGF, and was keenly interested in the finished product. Of course MG exports to the States ended when the MGB was axed, so I could only admire the F from afar. I did get the chance to sit in a new F while on a trip to the UK in 2000, at a dealership in Preston... not exactly a drive, but the closest I was going to come. There’s an MGF at the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, and it was nice to see that one a few years ago. I could have driven it on one of their road events, but the required donation of $500 was a bit beyond the budget. So thanks for this episode! It was greatly appreciated.
The oldest are 25 years old now, so time to think about importing them ...
@@emmajacobs5575 Oh, I know... wish I had room for one! My garage and budget are both a bit limited. :-/
Mighty Great Fun!
Everywhere I go, VWestlife has already beaten me there !
My dad had one of these for his mid life crisis.
Ultimately cheaper than a younger woman.
@@terrortorn but maybe not as much fun 🤭
My Dad did the same, he’s still got it and he’s 78 now 👍
And its still in the garage!!!!!
Good video. I have a very early build 1995 F I’ve owned eight years, and all your comments are valid, including the heat you DO get from the vents when the direction switch is turned to feet! And I totally agree, as a fun road car the non VVC version is the one to have. And finally, oh so much better than the dear old MGB!
Glad to hear we agree on the Lexus lights Ian!
Good on you for sticking up for this great British, true sports car and not a mention of hairdressers !
Had the roof down on the 306 last week, perfect weather!
Great review with interesting and genuine commentary. I recently bought an MGF VVC and am having great fun with it.
As cute as a kitten on a cushion and a surprisingly capable little mover.
what about the car :)
@@davestraight8219 You beat me to that one.
Best time to drive with the hood down. Winter!
Hood down, cap and scarf on and crank up the heat.
It's the mad British sports car way.
Personally the only way! Winter or summer, who cares??!! Live life!
I've always liked the look of these, seem to drive quite good and bargain priced too! Another great video! 👍
I love these cars. My old drummer in my band had a silver TF Sprint, which had a colour-matched roof. So much fun to drive around in, you can go around roundabouts and not have to slow down, go kart like!
Great little car to tuck away and take out on an occasional summer's day.
They are great as a daily as well. Hood down on a crisp winters day is a pleasure.
Another great ride. And all the history behind it. Brilliant. Well done again.
Been looking forward to this video since Simon Announced it would be featured, a proper modern classic and the little K Series with that aftermarket filter sounds fantastic.
What a fair and unbiased review of a lovely car which can easily be slated because of the engine 🙂
I for one love these cars and would love to own one but sadly dont have the space for one along side my 1.8 k-series ZS.
The 1.8 k-series is a good engine if maintained and looked after properly. I got similar sounds on mine once to this F when I ran it with an induction kit briefly....so enjoyable.
I just bought one and I love it! I'm a little tall but still enjoy it! Now I need to find small bits and bobs to fix it cosmetically. Great video thank you
I had an MGF for 18 years, sold it recently with 230,000+klm on the clock. I raced it at club events and hillclimbs. Head gasket is a problem. Did a lot of suspension work and also put same size rubber front and back which made the car turn in better with a little oversteer. Perfect for club motor sport. Now have the MGTF 160, that has been mapped and softened the suspension a little and also increased the rubber on the front again. I like oversteer. I have a cupboard full of gongs from racing a daily driver. In Australia we do not have the rust problem of the UK but the paint will not stand up to the Aussie sun. Both the MGF and MGTF need to be kept below 4000rpm until the OIL TEMP reaches 90C. They are a fun car to drive and can be very quick through the twisties.
Really enjoyed that Ian, one of my favourite cars, thanks. 👍
What a great review very enjoyable and excellent surroundings a pleasure to watch 👍
Haven't seen one of these for ages! What a good looking little car 👍🏻 awesome video 😁
I drive a MGTF 160 VVC in the Netherlands! For 7 years now I still love this thing every day, except when it needs repairs.. A real pain..
I've an MR2 Roadster and roof down driving in the winter is great. Having a blower that does feet and face is a big help. I'm from the west of Ireland and now live in the east of Scotland and in comparison it's bone dry here in winter. You do need to be mindful of the rear drive of the MR2 as it will step out in the wet without too much throttle. Great video.
Well what a delightful video about a great little British Sports Car. I have certainly been a fan of the car for a number of years. Great example of the car, keep up with the good car review work that you do.
Great video Ian, really enjoyed this one!
These are such a great little car - love driving mine every time I get in it. More than enough power for anybody in this size vehicle. And not overly complicated, either. Mine has no ABS thankfully. That also gives more under bonnet space. Nice review.
I have a 2001 MGF Freestyle which looks lovely in BRG. I must say it does look better with the rear spoiler and front lower spoiler. The suspension on the car now in 2024 is still working great and is still a fun car to drive. Thanks for this video they are great little cars and when you hit the accelerator you get that really satisfying push from the back end!!!
I recognise those indicator and wiper stalks from my 96 Civic!
Lovely car and another great vid. I drove one Years ago when I was at mg rover and found it very pleasant - as you said - what a bargain at the moment :)
Such an under rated car… great road test
Loved the piano playing in the back ground with the bonus lighting
Aww so happy my car has been hubnutted xxx
Once sorted with ugraded head gasket and upgraded stainless steel cooling pipes and low coolant level warning light, this is a fantastic handling fast car. They are very popular classics now but make sure you get a minter sorted one.
Great video, Ian. Lovely wee car, for sure. I love sure footed cars that are fun to drive. I'm sure you get used to the steering, too. I am used to cars with finger tip steering, and once you adapt, they can be as precise as you like, even with 70s vintage recirculating ball steering boxes on an over assisted system from Ford North America!
LOVED THE OUTRO! Some beautiful solo piano accompanying sexy indicator shots and then the grand finale "POWER LESS IS MORE!" Much better than the ptchoo.
Great vid Ian, and a great fun little car, I had one about 4 yrs ago and loved it, the sort of car that makes you want to go out for a drive on twisty A roads.
Mine was a late 51 plate as well, registered just one month before the TF came out.
Sadly mine developed crank issues so it was sold on as a project.
Wow that engine noise reminds me of the MG ZR 120 I used to have, I loved that car!
Excellent video Ian! I think you may have helped me make up my mind about a low cost hobby car to get. These are cheap as chips, even in NZ (for now). My partner can chip in for the purchase. She's been craving an open-top for years. Thanks again..
Always keep my eyes peeled for a cheap one of these! The new outro is great 👍
Thanks for this. Great car and a fun video. I am impressed with the tripod cameo! 😂
had my mgf 1.8 vvc now for nearly 5 years always brings a smile to my face. under cooling pipes had already been changes to s/s and h/g changed bought for 1200 pounds so much fun for so little money. grab one now before they get expensive
Yes us Brits must be the only people who drive cabriolets in the freezing cold with woolly hats on😂 great review though Ian. I worked at Longbridge bridge at the time and the hydro suspension was pumped up on the same production line as the Metro or Rover 100 as they were rebadged. They were built in Cab 1 on the same line as the metro (car assembly building 1) as I was sickness relief I carried out most jobs on the metro & MGF line. Fitting the roofs, dashboards, pumping up the hydro suspension where you work in a pit underneath the track, I even had one job sticking the MG badges on them, I worked on the engine drop where the body would come down on a hoist and fitted onto chassis, some days I would be fitting steering racks or the suspension, did everything bar the paint shop where they were sprayed. And then go for dinner where they’d serve up sausage curry in the canteen, yes sausage curry. Sounds disgusting but the girls at the cab 1 canteen served it up with chips and it was beautiful😋😂. miss the my days at Longbridge and characters worked there from all walks of life. I drive past now and it’s all gone apart from the cab buildings. Feel like a part of my history as been wiped from the Earth, quite literally as it’s called the “Longbridge village” now. As you drive in there’s a street sign that says “the track was your manager” & it was true. You started & stopped when the track started & stopped!
Starting the roadtest on a Phonebox. Very artsy. I actually forgot you did roadtests, gonna have to go back a revisit them.
Thanks. Hasn't been an easy year for filming them!
I totally agree with you. I also have mgf sport car. It's amazing drive, plenty of power. love how it hugs the roads so well. I call mine pocket rocket. With big smile on my face each time i take it for a spin WOW
Brilliant video Ian 👌
I owned one of the only 5 Tahiti blue available in France between 1998 and 2000.
What a cabrio.!
First time in my life I drifted unwillingly in a sharp curve near Dinard in Brittany!
Fantastic review! Thank you!
Picking mine up on Saturday. Can't wait.
Every car with a k series ive owned first thing i did was put an open filter on to unlock that noise ♥ great video and great car
I have always overlooked the mgf but what a decent bit of kit and very pretty with it
there is nothing better than watching a hub nut video on my lunch break. it's a real treat.. 👏👍
The Terry Wogan of automotive reviews
What a fun and interesting video! Great stuff! Loved it. 😃
I had one in the late nineties as a company car (it was 2years old when I got it) drove it for a year, and thoroughly enjoyed it, and no problems with it at the time (just normal service schedule) great fun to drive, decently comfortable ride, super car, only put of actually owning one by the well known cooling/head gasket issues.
Had mine 10 years in NZ no cooling issues fitted a 13 bar oil cooler and synthetic coolant, modified and performs really well for its age even the head gasket is not a hard job to do your self.
So much fun to drive with full poly bush suplex suspension and X-Power exhaust.
"The enjoyment pedal"....I love it
Loved the engine noise as well!
It was very interesting to see and compare with my MX5 NC
For £700 the MG is simply wonderful!
I wouldn't swap it for my MX5 but then again I paid a lot more for it.
Nice car - looks good, sounds great. I’m a big fan of Hydragas - it worked brilliantly in the Ambassador, which had a lovely cosseting ride.
'Triangle of doom'. On the 'F', 20" blade driver, 18" passenger solves the problem! Love your channel.
Had one and once the engine was rebuilt stronger, and I fitted the sports exhaust, it was an absolute joy. Rubber bushes replaced with poly urethane plus adjustable dampers firmed up and sorted the handling. Would love it back now.
I have a VVC as my daily driver and love it. We've been on a driving holiday to Italy and it has plenty of space for our luggage and is comfortable. Mine has done 96k before the head gasket went. They are criminally cheap at the mo'
My grandfather has a tiptronic one of these on a Y reg in nightfire red. Very underrated. But would love a go in a manual version 👌. Awesome feature as always Ian👍
I had the later MGTF 160 VVC. A hoot to drive and the fit and finish certainly harked back to the 1970's!
Loved the phone box entrance 👍most enjoyable .
Ian doing what he does best, love this.
Very good and informative review of a car I know very little about.
He got a heck of a deal!
I thought those rear lights looked familiar.
Love those minilight alloys.
Way back, I had an Austin 1300. It was called the America on this side of the pond. I was so impressed with the hydrolastic suspension, I made it a point to get in touch with Alexander Moulton and tell him. It ended up with a few back and forth emails. Afterwards, he got into small wheel bicycles with, you guessed it, rubber suspension.
Glad I got to chat with him before he departed this earth.
Dam great review, I liked that you actually enjoyed and seemed excited to talk about the car, so many big car UA-camrs seem bored. You're better than Doug DeMuro lol.
Ian what an absolutely GREAT looking car, I LOVE IT ! I want one.
Loved the piano at the end! What a performance!! Used to work for a Rover garage in London (late 90s) and wish I had had more goes in the MGF ; )
Is that Mr Hubnut playing?
Great video about a great little sportscar. I've got a TF (which I prefer). More 'smiles per hour' than anything else at the price.
Piano ending, lovely, thank you.
The light in your backdrop, the first minutes, as it comes shining through the canopies of the trees onto a slightly wet country road is truly fantastic, Ian. You couldn't have chosen a nicer spot! Perhaps you could just have moved the yellow wheelie bin - if that's what it is - behind the telephone booth out of view, but I'm splitting hairs now.
Had mine for 8 years, bought for £800 love it! It's a joy to drive on Northumbrian B roads and comfortable enough to have been all round Europe in it.
As in reasonable condition but 24 years old now I have decided to keep it permanently and just spent £xxxxxx.00 restoring it.
Now completely rebuilt engine with small mods, gearbox etc, new subframes.( bought some years ago when still available), suspension brakes etc and complete repaint. Only interior to smarten up.
Yes the K series is prone to head gasket problems and a few difficult to resolve engine management issues. Thermostat removed from block and replaced with remote thermostat next to front radiator has solved any temperature / head problems for the for last 6 years.
Will I get money back no... well not for another ten years or so if ever ......
But at 6" 2" with bad back it's the only small open top sports car I comfortably fit in and at 68 still provokes me to drive like i did as a teenager !!
Do miss my MGF had back in 1999 as company car in blue great car great video lan have good day big thumbs up for channel 🤗
I’ve had one since 98, might get it out of the garage next summer. 😁
I loved my old MGF, Had the most character of any other car I’ve had and was very reliable and sounded amazing with the k&n intake right behind your head. Only issue was the front end felt quite light at higher speeds especially without a splitter on the front
Best driving is an open top car. I drive my smart roadster hood down on all dry days. Great review the MGs are great value
Great looking little car always liked the MGF, as always the Rover switch gear within.
A fantastic review of one of my favourites, and a severely underrated car. That example is a real credit to Simon. My personal feeling on them is that the rear tyres really do need to be in fine fettle or they will oversteer in spectacular fashion. Also the brakes on the F leave a lot to be desired, but overall a very easy car to live with as a daily!
Totally agree with you on the tyres.
I had a brown pants moment exiting a roundabout on a dual carriageway once.
same for me on a roundabout, I was then running cheapo chinese rubber, switched to Toyo Proxes and never looked back, felt super planted after