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Oct 18, 2013 20:37:58 GMT
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To be able to use my Austin Sprite I will need to modify it to auto and add PAS.
Tonight I've been thinking that it might be better to sell the Sprite and buy either an auto MX5 or steptonic MGF. Forget the auto / steptronic aspect for the moment.
I've sat in a MX5 and plenty of room for my disabilities. Mate had a MGF and room a little tighter, more like the Sprite, but still suitable.
Which do people think is the better vehicle assuming both in similar good condition ?
Thanks.
Paul H
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mk2cossie
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,976 
Club RR Member Number: 77
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MGF or MX5 ?mk2cossie
@mk2cossie
Club Retro Rides Member 77
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Oct 18, 2013 20:42:31 GMT
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The Mx-5 will be easier to live with (and less maintenance!), but look out for rust on the sills, and the front chassis legs  The MGF is more fun to drive from my experiences, but harder to come by one that is actually good  And isn't the auto MGF a CVT style box instead of a true Auto? |
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Oct 18, 2013 21:26:07 GMT
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MX5 all the way, its got a way better seating position and if you get bored you can strap on a turbo/super charger for silly power!
BTW they did make auto Suzuki Cappucinnos...plenty of legroom, but not so much width.
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Koos
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Oct 18, 2013 21:40:35 GMT
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Being the owner of a Eunos, and never having driven an MGF, I'm slightly biased. But i had the same dilema 2 years ago and i went for the mazda simply because of the reliability, and have not been disappointed, apart from a failed battery the car refuses to go wrong, routine maintenance is all thats required. It now got over 195.000 kilometers, 120.000 miles on the clock and runs like a swiss watch uses no oil and is a joy to drive. And its not known for head gasket failures either.
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Oct 18, 2013 21:58:57 GMT
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I've driven both.
The MG I drove was a manual,nice enough car,but felt a bit cramped.
They have a lot of bad press but I think most owners have sorted them out by now.
The MG is getting rare now and as such prices will continue to grow for decent examples.
I own an mx5 mk1 which has loads of miles but still starts every time with minimal servicing.
Body rust is an issue with sills,rear arches and front chassis members being particularly vulnerable.
There are loads of mx5's about including imports.
If I had to choose I would pick the MX-5 bit more room in the boot and stowage behind the seats and rear shelf.
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1965 Morris Minor 1000 soon to be 1380
1997 MK1 MX-5 1.8 (sold)
2009 MK3 MX-5 2.0 (sold)
2008 Mini Cooper (sold)
2003 Mini Cooper S (sold)
Fixed wheel Raleigh Clubman (sold)
1982 Yamaha RS125DX (sold)
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fred
Posted a lot
WTF has happened to all the Vennies?
Posts: 2,957
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Oct 18, 2013 22:16:05 GMT
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I vote for the MX5 too
simply for the reliability, Griz had a thread on here about buying a MX-5
was good reading
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'79 Cossie ran Cortina - Sold
2000 Fozzer 2.0 turbo snow beast
'85 Opel Manta GSI - Sold
03 A class Mercedes
Looking for a FD Ventora - Anyone?
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Ryannn
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,421
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Oct 18, 2013 22:55:00 GMT
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When I was shopping for both, I had a specific budget. MGFs are usually in a better condition and have a better spec than the same priced MX5, but that was comparing mk1s and there is obviously an age difference.
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Mike
Part of things
Posts: 352
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Oct 18, 2013 23:28:01 GMT
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I love them both. Both great cars However bad people make out the mg reliablity, its not bad. Never heard a peep from mine and its got over 125,000 miles on it. Great fun like stated they arnt as easy to come by... the higher spec TFs are even harder to come by but go like stink!  and look the part standard. However they are very low if thats an issue. The mx5 look awesome with a few mods but as standard don't do much for me. I say MG |
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if you get bored you can strap on a turbo/super charger for silly power! Love the way folk say "strap on a Supercharger"  , "you'd need about 50 cableties for an Eaton M45 but add a couple of ratchet straps for an M112" Personally i'd "sling" in a V8 I'd go for the MX5 myself, purely from a living with it, working on it view, (not driven an MX5, only drove an MGF briefly) Early MGF's have Hydragas suspension don't they ? |
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72 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400. 95 BMW E34 525i Manual. 80 Lotus Elite, sold  86 Mk4 Escort RWD V8, sold |
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MX5
Your head and wallet both know this is the right answer over the longer term. MG will more likely be the car to take your heart, (then break it)
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Contrary to popular opinion, I do have mechanical sympathy, I always feel sorry for the cars I drive.
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Yes they do and replaced by a very good shock set up on the tf. I've never driven one but I've heard the tf's are very good cars but obviously a bit more expensive.
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Looks like MX5 might be the better option for me. I need a towbar to haul my mobility scooter and MGF not designed for fitment of one (aftermarket available for early versions). Also Steptronic rare and only on the later TF models which would probably be out of my price range anyway.
Cappucinno suits my taste but can't find an auto for sale to check prices but even manuals seem to fetch decent money. Daihatsu Copen nice but no auto option. Then there is the Smart Roadster. Don't laugh (too much) as I already drive a Smart Fortwo and they are very similar mechanically so know what they are like.
This isn't a main vehicle nor "mid life crisis" car but rather something to simply enjoy driving on the odd days I feel well enough and weather such roof could be dropped down seeing I can no longer ride my motorbikes. It's be financed by sale of the Sprite and (4) bikes otherwise the money would quickly be absorbed into the household budget !
Paul h
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MGF or MX5 ?Deleted
@Deleted
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If you liked your Sprite, you would feel right at home with the poor ride quality and horrific scuttle shake (by modern standards) of the MGF. TFs ride better, but still wobble like a soggy box.
The MX5 is by far and away the better of the two choices.
I could go on, but no real need!
edit to say: My brother just got rid of his Brabus Roadster after owning it for three years; he loved it to bits, didn't have anything go wrong other than a leaky roof and sold it for what he paid for it originally.
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Last Edit: Oct 19, 2013 9:22:01 GMT by Deleted
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I had a 5 which I recently got rid of. I miss it already! cracking driving car, and not too impractical either. I only got rid of it to get another project, and I'm struggling to find something as good.
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Oct 19, 2013 11:46:18 GMT
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Mercedes-Benz SLK do come quite often with an automatic and the 230K has a bit off poke too.
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 Click picture for more |
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tenman
Part of things
m00000000000
Posts: 899
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Oct 19, 2013 12:10:27 GMT
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aye, BMW Z3 is another option to throw in there too...
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RWD Fanatic...
2003 BMW 320d Wagon (getting old and boring)
1996 Mini Kensington (SWMBO's)
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Oct 19, 2013 14:04:43 GMT
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Looks like MX5 might be the better option for me. I need a towbar to haul my mobility scooter and MGF not designed for fitment of one (aftermarket available for early versions). Also Steptronic rare and only on the later TF models which would probably be out of my price range anyway. Cappucinno suits my taste but can't find an auto for sale to check prices but even manuals seem to fetch decent money. Daihatsu Copen nice but no auto option. Then there is the Smart Roadster. Don't laugh (too much) as I already drive a Smart Fortwo and they are very similar mechanically so know what they are like. This isn't a main vehicle nor "mid life crisis" car but rather something to simply enjoy driving on the odd days I feel well enough and weather such roof could be dropped down seeing I can no longer ride my motorbikes. It's be financed by sale of the Sprite and (4) bikes otherwise the money would quickly be absorbed into the household budget ! Paul h Auto Cappos are as rare as unicorn poo tbh. A J import would be the best way but I think that would blow your budget. If you make it RRG14, I should have my Cappo on the road by then.....although I did say that about RRG13, 12, 11...  |
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Koos
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Oct 19, 2013 14:06:42 GMT
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if you get bored you can strap on a turbo/super charger for silly power! Love the way folk say "strap on a Supercharger" , "you'd need about 50 cableties for an Eaton M45 but add a couple of ratchet straps for an M112" Personally i'd "sling" in a V8 I'd go for the MX5 myself, purely from a living with it, working on it view, (not driven an MX5, only drove an MGF briefly) Early MGF's have Hydragas suspension don't they ? What colour cable ties should I use Mark? I have some white ones, but do the black ones make more boost? The Mazda 2.5 V6 fits easily and is a cracking motor apparently. Thinking about throwing one into my MX5 one day. |
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Koos
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monty
Part of things
Posts: 66
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Oct 19, 2013 14:56:11 GMT
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1st generation 230 SLK is a good shout if it's in budget.
The auto boxes are great and the car itself is far superior in every way to the other two options. I've owned all three, I'd have the MGF over the MX5 but the SLK long before either of them.
Z3 I wouldn't be so keen on, I tested a Z3 & Z4 back to back when looking for a replacement for the SLK. Didn't rate the Z3 until you got into Z3M territory and they're expensive to live with.
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Last Edit: Oct 19, 2013 14:59:52 GMT by monty
Sent from my toaster using a waffle iron
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Oct 19, 2013 16:26:42 GMT
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Ives driven an SLK a couple of times and wouldn't bother with one. Its too heavy and slow witted compared to my MX5, let alone the Cappo.
The Z3 has potential IMHO, or even a Z4 3.0 if you can live with the spine jarring ride.
A lot will depend on your budget though.
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Koos
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And isn't the auto MGF a CVT style box instead of a true Auto?
and look the part standard. However they are very low if thats an issue. The mx5 look awesome with a few mods but as standard don't do much for me. I say MG
, "you'd need about 50 cableties for an Eaton M45 but add a couple of ratchet straps for an M112"
