1997 MG F Reviews - Page 4 of 5

When I first acquired this car, I didn't realise that the ride height was too low, and when I first took it to the dealer about another matter the mechanic exclaimed that my MG was 'on its knees'. It cost about £30 to pump the Hydragas suspension up a bit. Unfortunately I had driven it for about 1000 miles whilst it was too low and this led to excessive wear to the front tyres, which is a common problem of too low a ride height.

The car also needed a new rear brake pipe which had become corroded. This was identified at it's first service in my possession.

Also identified at this first service was a worn track rod end, and top ball joints to the rear. The service and all of the repairs mentioned above cost me £600.

More recently, the central door lock solenoid on the drivers side broke, but I think this was caused by myself, removing the inner door trim whilst the battery was still connected...

Just last week I needed a new radiator fitting which was also badly corroded. That was £280.

Whilst the car was at the dealers, I got the to look at excessive play in the gear stick. They remedied that, but took £100 off me...

Ride is fantastic, not too hard, but you do learn where the pot-holes are on roads you use regularly!

Handling is great, this is the first car that not only gets me from A to B, but gets me there with a smile on my face!

Being rear wheel drive, the car is extremely predictable. If I had to fault the handling, I would say that it tends to under-steer a little now and then, but nowhere near as bad as an Audi TT!

It really is a fun car, I often find myself smiling when I am driving. It isn't the fastest thing on the road, but open top motoring is not about getting there fast! If you get one, get some sun cream for your face, I have gotten sun burnt a few times!

Very unreliable when bought (from a dealer).

Had to make several trips there, but seemed to find reliability - eventually.

Thank God there was a warranty.

Dead good handling from the mid-engined layout.

Reasonably practical for a two-seater.

It goes! Not the fastest machine in reality but you'll need a something well meaty to beat it and, importantly, it FEELS much faster than it is.

Fun roof-down action, great on sunny days. Bloody noisy on rainy days, especially on the motorway.

Overall, great fun. Only problem is IT'S A GIRL'S CAR (and NO, I'm not a girl).

I have argued with my mates what a top bit of fun this car is, given all the good reasons for having it and defended it 'til the end. But, they're right - it's not something other blokes tend to admire.

But I don't care. I'm happy and that's all that's important!