MGF (1995-2002)

The MGF is no longer the cheap secondhand sports car it once was, with the best examples having appreciated strongly in price in the past few years. Time’s running out if you’re still hoping to buy this affordable mid-engined MG at a sensible price.

- Peter Simpson 

Every era has its cheap and cheerful soft-top. At various times in the past that role has been fulfilled by T-Series MG Midgets, Spridgets, Triumph Spitfires and TR7s, and even various soft-top fast Fords. Today, it’s the MGF – but possibly not for much longer...

WHAT’S THE APPEAL?

Do you really need to ask? It’s an MG twoseater. Yes, I know it wasn’t built in Abingdon, but so what? The MGF, like all MGs before, is based on tweaked but standard components housed in a bespoke body. Standard Metro subframes? Yes, but the Midget platform was essentially an Austin A35. The mid-engine mechanical lay-out was a new departure though – except that it wasn’t because MG had been looking at midengine lay-outs for many years.

Most importantly, the MGF worked as a sports car. Handling and road-holding were superb, hydrogas suspension really came into its own, and with 118bhp or 143bhp on tap the MGF was no slouch. Finally, and on a practical note, the MGF was surprisingly good in the luggage space stakes, with storage both front and rear.

WHAT’S OUT THERE?

There’s no shortage of MGFs – at the time of writing, around 14,000 seem to be either licensed or on SORN out of the 77,269 made. However, while there are some good cars out there, there’s also an awful lot of junk and it would be a huge mistake to buy a £500 car believing that, with a bit of tinkering, it will be as good as a £2000 one! It’s far better to start with the good one, but as always, do keep a bit of money in reserve for catch-up servicing.