1996 MG F Reviews - Page 2 of 2

13th Aug 2002, 10:21

I agree buy an MX 5. Rover dealer gave me that advice too!

28th Dec 2002, 17:35

Cooling problems and head gasket failures can be a nightmare. The MGF has everything I want from a car - apart from reliability.

28th Aug 2006, 10:53

Can someone please tell me what the clutch is like on this model. Is it light or heavy? Same with the steering? Would appreciate a reply.

21st Aug 2007, 07:35

Clutch is quite light, similar to a Honda Civic (the F has a Honda gearbox funny enough), steering is about right, not too light and not too heavy.

In reply to 28th Dec 2002, 17:35

24th Oct 2012, 01:52

I have had an MG, year 96. It was a green one, and constantly overheated, and left me having to walk home with the thing sitting at the side of the road, with a face like a smacked bum!

Many times having it fixed, costing me money all the time, only to have it leak and overheat, and I was glad to see it being driven off on the back of a scrapyard's truck.

1996 MG F 1.8i from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture	1996
Engine and transmission	1.8i
Performance marks	8 / 10
Reliability marks	5 / 10
Comfort marks	6 / 10
Dealer Service marks	2 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	5.6 / 10

Faults:

Fusebox meltdown, leaks through hood, boot and footwells, alarm going off at random, poor paintwork, front tyres wearing unevenly... Abysmal dealers incapable of fixing faults and occasionally adding some new ones.

General Comments:

As a company car it was great fun, the faults meant less to me. I'd never own one privately.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th August, 1999

1996 MG F VVC 1.8i petrol from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture	1996
Engine and transmission	1.8i petrol
Performance marks	10 / 10
Reliability marks	8 / 10
Comfort marks	9 / 10
Dealer Service marks	7 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	8 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	8.4 / 10

Faults:

Engine reluctant when left parked in rain overnight (water in spark plugs?)

Had to go back to have windows adjusted.

General Comments:

Excellent handling, faster than most coupes, great fun to own.

Main dealer servicing exorbitant.

MPG very good, insurance not bad, in all I have yet to find a car in the same price range that I'd swap it for.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th August, 1999

1996 MG F 1.8i from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture	1996
Engine and transmission	1.8i
Performance marks	8 / 10
Reliability marks	10 / 10
Comfort marks	8 / 10
Dealer Service marks	7 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	6 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	7.8 / 10

Faults:

Nothing. Honest!

General Comments:

Superb handling, but extra care needed in wet weather as rear wheel drive.

Lovely rasping engine.

Induces grin on face when driven.

Minor niggle - huge glove box but lack of other storage spaces from drivers seat.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th April, 1999

1996 MG F 1.8i petrol from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture	1996
Engine and transmission	1.8i petrol
Performance marks	8 / 10
Reliability marks	4 / 10
Comfort marks	6 / 10
Dealer Service marks	4 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	5.8 / 10

Faults:

24 warranty claims in three years!

Worst: head gasket (6 days off road), numerous oil leaks, numerous hood leaks resulting in new hood, failed electric windows.

General Comments:

Shame about the faults from a car which is nice to drive. Dealer was doing really well until the head gasket failure left me without a car for six days....

Worrying about having to pay for its regular garage trips caused me to sell it for a different maker's vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 10th November, 1998