Hi to all in the register and advice on purchasing.. F or TF

[ColinP]

Hello to you all.
A good friend of mine recently showed off his newly acquired MGF.
Both me and the Mrs took it for a spin and we were very impressed.
So much so that we are seriously considering buying one for ourselves.

It would be used as a fun car rather than a daily driver.
We have two little kids and have two boring 5 seater Fords for the daily slog!

Any advice on buying one and has anyone got something coming up for sale in about 8 weeks or so?
We are on the Herts/Essex border but could travel a reasonable distance for the right car at the right price

Personally, I like the look of the TF slightly more than the original F.
I also like the idea that the TF has a tighter bodyshell and springs rather than the hydro whatsitcalled...
The fact there is a 160 TF model with bigger brakes and all that guff adds to my enthusiasm
Don't get me wrong, my friend's VVC was very impressive, it's me being me!
My initial thoughts were to look for a Trophy 160 spec, a bit like this one (but without the reported clutch issues).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331164361433? ... EBIDX%3AIT

I'm not shy of doing a few bits and pieces here and there but don't want a project that'll take serious time to get on the road.
So any thoughts and ideas?
Keep 'em (reasonably) clean!

Thanks
Colin

[Neil Rushton]

I know its a bit confusing the one you linked to is not a Trophy it just happens to be Trophy Blue, the Trophy 160 is an F model only if you like the TF there are plenty of 160s available its just a case of sorting the good from the bad best bet is to study the buyers guide http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... NvQdX3KteQ
and decide which model is the one for you.

ps welcome to the forum.....

[talkingcars]

Hi and welcome

[adrianclifford]

If I were you I would pop along to the next Herts meet and talk to the guys there. If it's not too far for you we have meetings on the first three Thursday's of every month in the Essex region, you can talk about cars all evening long if you wish.

There is a book called the Ultimate Buyers Guide available from the MGF Register shop, it outlines all you need to know. As you appear to know the main differences already I suggest you make up your mind early then find the right car, there are many out there and at a very cheap price. Like all cars make the usual and necessary checks. The TF may be the better option as the future of hydragas units is unsure, there are less rust issues and a ride than be adjusted through different springs and shock absorbers. The Trophy, as nice as it is, can be said to have a very firm ride, not to everybody's taste.

[c13amb]

Hi and welcome to the forum,i would agree with the above go ask about with other owners maybe drive a couple if possible.Theres plenty of good cheap cars out there so take your time in choosing!

[stuart]

Hi and welcome!

Get yourself along to the next Herts region meet- there are plenty of F's there and also my TF160- it's not for sale i'm affraid but at least I can afford you the opportunity to have a good look at one and give some pointers as to what to look out for.

Basically, history is everything on these cars- good maintenence records including Head Gasket and the cam belt change at 60k. A lot of the 160's do have a top end rattle due to sloppy vvc mechanisms- that'll drive you nuts- it's fixable but pricey- I've first hand experience of that!

If I hadn't bought my TF160, I'd have probably gone for the Trophy 160, so we're thinking on the same lines here.

Hopefully see you soon buddy- with a nice 160 too ay?

[nismo]

Hello Colin, and welcome good luck in finding the one for you.

David

[cath's mg]

HI Colin, Welcome to the Register.
Hope to see you at one of the Herts meets
Gary

[ColinP]

Cheers Guys, thanks for the warm welcome, most appreciated.

Ok, so I have done a fair old read up thanks to the ultimatemg buying guide.
I think a TF of some description is the one for us.
I'd prefer a 160 but if not, are the 135's that much slower off the mark?

The type of car I have in mind would be similar to this one below.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121301545963? ... EBIDX%3AIT

The price range and items list looks about right.
Mrs has approved a budget too (always helps)

From what I've read on the forum and looking at loads of pictures, I'd guess this is a 135...but not 100% convinced either way

One other question, do all TF's have a height adjustable steering column?
That's gonna be a fairly important item for me at 6"3!

Thanks again and very much looking forward to a meet up at some point.

[adrianclifford]

I would suggest it's a 135 as the 160 should have a 160 badge alongside the TF on the n/s/r corner.

Quite high mileage and the owner is not sure of the colour as there's no "midnight blue".

I was searching for data the other day and found on Autotrader 80th anniversary TF135 #1000 of 1600, it's in Starlight Silver with very low if that colour is in your sight. Can't remember the price off my head but a search will find it.

Yes they all have adjustable steering wheel height.

There are many out there I'm sure you'll find a good one.

[purplebargeken]

Hello Colin, glad you liked the VVC!

We could always shorten those legs!

ken

[stuart]

Hi Colin

In all honesty theres not a great deal of difference in normal day to day driving between all the engine variants- the K series engine is a high revving unit and it's only when you get to the higher end of the rev range that the extra horses in the 160 becomes evident.

In all honesty, a 135 with good induction and a nice exhaust system will be comparable to a 160.

I wouldn't be too put off by high mileage, all the supposed problems from the K series engine actually seem to come early on in life- a robust little unit, oil tight and with good routine maintenance, service schedules adhered to and not thrashing it from cold means all should be well. The achiles heel is the cooling system- make sure all the hoses and underfloor coolant pipes are in good order and that when running the rad and the engine fans kick in when they should and all will be well.

[Helsbyman]

Hi Colin, don't forget the Chinese ones and I heard yester day there has been no reports of HGF on them. As said you pay your money and you takes your choise. I have have 4 VVCs and you also get a bit more in the cab of a VVC as well as bigger brakes I have never driven a 18i but the VVC will pull @ 1000rpm in 4th [ if the cam sensor is working properly ] There are lots of little advantages to a TF. The engine bay is 10c cooler, it has thicker sub frames and a tighter shell to name but a few. Oh yes the all important thing Lotus helped design the TF

[purplebargeken]

Colin went to see that TF. Not that impressive. Plenty of dings, tyre were down a fair bit, no washer fluid, cracked screen, bumpers scuffed+, needed a good service, better tyres and a fair bit of fettling. Plus the guy was a dealer.

There are better one's out there for the money. Colin's search will continue, but if anyone hears of one for sale not a million miles away from London/Herts/Essex......

[ColinP]

Hi All, thanks for your comments advice and help.
OK, to firm up what I am looking for with my new found knowledge...

TF160 with excellent bodywork, not coloured silver, grey or yellow.
Dark Blue, Trophy Blue, Black, Deep Red, Green are all good.
Would really like a Sprint SE or other similar model.
Especially those with a lighter dash and seats (i.e not full on black) but by no means essential.
Not overly keen on red seats but would not rule it out.

Looking at years 2002-2004 give or take.
Mileage up to around 70K with decent history.
Taxed and Test preferred
Happy changing the odd ball joint or other mech bits like heater hoses if needs be.
Happy working on the interior.
Happy working on the electrics.
Definitely no projects though!!

Not a really fussy person am I!

Can travel to Beds/Herts/Bucks/Essex/Cambridgeshire/Suffolk/Norfolk/London (or probably best to say 50 mile radius of Stansted Airport) for the right car!!!
I'll put a post in the wanted bit in 2 weeks time when the money is available.

Thanks again for all your advice and look forward to meeting up at some point.

[stuart]

Hi Colin

You've just described my car - they're out there, patience is required though, especially if you want a non-black interior. Only 94 made in tan, and only 12 of those are in blue- even fewer still are 160s. Do pop along to the next Herts region meeting though.

Maybe an option would be to buy the exterior colour you want and then swap over the interior when one comes up?

All the best of luck with your quest!

[ColinP]

Hi Stuart,

Don't turn up to the next meet in your TF then as I think you may take a Focus home with you instead
In all honesty the interior colour is the least of the priorities as bodywork and paint condition is most important for me.

Black seats with coloured inserts look good in photos so wonder what they are like up close...

I'm not rushing into a purchase, we currently have 3 cars and a shell on the drive.
2 Daily drives, a Dolly Sprint and a Dolly Sprint shell (with its parts distributed in a shed, under a tarp and in the loft).
....need more space.....

[ColinP]

This really floats my boat but is so far away....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321364935317? ... EBIDX%3AIT

[purplebargeken]

Herts region jolly to Devon....... ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!

Do it, you know you want to

[cath's mg]

Herts region jolly to Devon....... ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!!

Do it, you know you want to

mmmmmmmmmmm Cath & I do love the south west