Practically Classics Forum

We specialise in parts for both Mx5 and MGF's and I have had both cars from new and used. The MGF is great. I bought a TF160 new over the MX5 NB as it was far more practical for every day use. The MG is cheaper and in our experience doesn't rust anywhere near as much although the rest of the build quality is far better on the Mazda.

BUT any for of engine/gearbox work really is a pain. Parts are cheap but access is awful unless you have the facility to remove the subframe as 1 unit. Loads have a sloppy gear change due to the cables becoming worn but changing them is the kind of job that makes you want to scrap the car especially when you realise that even mint it still isn't worth much.

Mattcortes wrote:Loads have a sloppy gear change due to the cables becoming worn

People used to say the same thing about early maxis and those were also a result of people trying to rush the gear lever. Dad was the only buyer of one of those from Blackshaw in Alnwick not to take it back for cable attention under warranty and the same was true of the MGF owned from new and treated with due respect, though that was out of Wilson's as Blackshaw had gone all Datsun by then. Stretching cables that are well up to the job is pure abuse yet an abuse that as you've said is often responsible for a good car being available very cheaply, sadly not something that can be said of the CVT ones. Dammit!

Mattcortes wrote:The MG is cheaper and in our experience doesn't rust anywhere near as much

Either MX-5s must rust really badly, or mine was the exception (although I have seen others looking scabby)

I recall the Mazda ad in the mags that said (on the then new 323, the original one with the RWD and the boggley eyed look):

Mazda's 1970s ad borst, on their new 323 wrote:According to Car Magazine, you could use a new Mazda as a taxi in a salt mine and it wouldn't rot away!"

Oh dear!

I have many old issues of Car from that time and never yet found the claimed quote however MX5s seem to be one of these cars that are either utterly hanging or completely solid, no middle ground that I've yet noticed but at least the rough ones seem to rot in places that can be seen without double jointed eyes. Any collection of 1990s cars should surely include one of each; Mazda and MG. There, that's sorted.

mach1rob wrote:

Mattcortes wrote:The MG is cheaper and in our experience doesn't rust anywhere near as much

Either MX-5s must rust really badly, or mine was the exception (although I have seen others looking scabby)

I suspect there may be quite a difference between the level of rust proofing for a Japanese market Spec Eunos, compared to a proper UK spec MX5, or even a US Miata

mach1rob wrote:

TerryG wrote:Does the KV6 fit, I know where I can get a pranged v6 rover 75 for peanuts

Yes Tight as, but they do go in, even MG-R were developing one before things went breasts skywards.

http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/concept ... -mg-tf-gt/

KV6 TF

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bez0AqDUkpk

[/quote]

I suspect if you tried hard enough with a angle grinder and a plasma cutter, pretty much anything Couldfit, but you may not have enough space in the cockpit to actually park yer bum

Latest ..Yep just want it off the drive now, someone save it feom being broken, haven't really got the time or space to break it but needs must, and it'll prob fetch more in bits!!

Terry ,you didn't buy it then??

Nope, given the recent weather, SWMBO has decided that she wants something with a "proper roof". It's a shame as I fancied a new toy

Hmm, if nobody has yet gone for the F at that price and it's now "in the way" there must be some hellish bad news lurking somewhere beneath that shiny outward appearance. Perhaps, Terry, you could offer to do the owner a favour by not charging him anything for removing the car from his place? Even women are usually OK about cars joining the household if those cars are free or stupidly cheap!

I have tried that before. I have previously got away with "I have had that for ages" and "you never go in the garage so it doesn't matter if I fill it with stuff". Most recently I had a disco (I bought it to swap various parts with "less good" ones from my spares pile then move it on). I parked it on the farm with the view that I don't care if it was outside and there are at least 4 of them there every day so she wouldn't notice. The "stern talking to" that one of the farm hands receieved when she thought it was his. poor sod. Sneaking cars in at the moment, especially one where I had been showing her pictures of it suggesting it would be a good idea for her is perhaps not a great idea.
She is even more grumpy than I am presently. To give a clue as to why, she works for the co-operative bank.

valentines day surprise present terry?...buy it !!!!!
as for 323 mazdas in a salt mine my old one (ype798t) i think .... it was a great little car but i spent the first month or so welding & it was only 4 yrs old.. ish

id have another tomorrow