1998 MGF

[peter96]

Ok after the sale of my Saab 96 I had a few quid burning a hole in my pocket. As I've been off work with a chest infection I've had plenty of time to peruse the classifieds. Nothing really was jumping out at me apart from a W123 Mercedes and a W124 Mercedes Coupe. I've been in no fit state to be crawling under cars so missed the W123 as the ad has gone. As were're moving towards Springtime I started thinking about possibly buying another rag top. I had always fancied a MG Midget or B but anything decent nowadays is going to cost 4-5k and I didnt really fancy spending that on something thats going to sit in the garage for most of the year. Anyhow started to then think about a modern vert. Had in my mind a 916 Alfa Spider, a Saab 9-3 Vert or possibly an MGF. Didn't want to spend more than 1k. There weren't any Saabs or Alfas but there were a few MGFs. Anyhow perusing Gumtree this morning spotted a red MGF. Can't beat a red MG so decided to have a look at it and bought it. Head gasket, timing belt and water pump have all been done in the last year so hopefully it should be ok. I pick it up in a few days so will get a good rummage round it when I get it home.

As for the W124 coupe. Too much work needed done.

[Mercdan68]

Nice one Peter,as I said recently these are so cheap at the moment and with the spring coming soon ther a great second or third car to have,here's mine

[peter96]

Yours is beginning to look well Dan. This one needs a good spruce up. First thing that neefs bought are a couple of doorcards as someone has painted the inserts red to match the bodywork. Looks seriously naff.

[retroandproud]

Virtually the same as the one I got for my old man that Peter, his has red leather interior tho..... These are a serious bargain at the moment, and the early ones are beginning to go up in value... Get in while you can.....

[peter96]

My sentiments exactly. They will never again be as cheap as they are now especially at as its still winter. Cant wait to get it home and get stuck into it.

[peter96]

Ok picked the car up this afternoon. Drives dead on apart from a slight groan from the rear suspension. Hopefully its just a couple of bushes. Suspension needs repressurised so will sort that out soon. Engine and transmission seem fine. Spotted a few more scratches on the bodywork which I missed the other day. Passenger side window isnt sealing against the hood properly as the glass seems a bit loose on the regulator. The interior is absolutely boggin so will take some cleaning but apart from the door cards is in good nick. The hood however someone has made a right pigs ear of trying to reproof it. Musnt have cleaned it properly and then painted it with renovo. Its gone on in stripes and nearly looks like varnish. Its going to take some cleaning. Got the first job done and changed the wiper blades. Overall pretty pleased.
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[Mercdan68]

Sounds good peter, looking forward to seeing the updates on this one, and isn't it surprising when you get a car home you always find marks you hadn't seen?!! As said great underrated little cars and being small easy to work around inside a normal sized garage

[peter96]

Wont be too much done for a while Dan until I get rid of this lurgy. Absolutely exhausted after just picking this up today so have been banned from any car work until I'm properly back on my feet. I'll get there eventually though. Somebody has changed the gearstick, cover and hanbrake cover to very fetching black and red leather ones. Looks like something out of Ann Summers so these have to go. Thankfully found the original gear nob and cover in the boot so need to get that on.

[marinanut]

Resetting the windows looks complicated but it isn't; in fact once you get past the initial "Ooohhh" of the car they are dead easy to work on. Full MGR manuals are on Bay of the E for not too much (and are bl**dy big and heavy....). Well done on a future classic, mate!

[peter96]

Cheers. Oh I had plenty of practise with my old F when the regulators packed up. Fiddly job but not too bad if youtake your time. Have to admit the MX5 ones were worse to sort out after I got them recabled. I got tied up in all sorts of knots.

[peter96]

Heres a photo of my old 98 F about seven years ago.

[peter96]

Ok long time no update. I'm afraid I havent done much to the car apart from change the door cards. So thankfully the old badly sprayed ones have been confined to the local tip. Other than that I've just been enjoying driving it hood down especially over the last few weeks. Took it to the car show at The Argory a couple of weeks ago and even though it was changeable weather drove there hood down the whole way. Just had to put ours heads down a bit when the hail shower started. Weird sensation hail bashing on the windscreen and yet we were staying dry. Reproofed the hood but the stripes from the previous numpties attenpt at reproofing remain. Unfortunately it failed the MOT this morning but only needs track rod ends and upper front bal joints so not too bad. At least the bottom arms haven't corroded. It'll go in next week to get the work done and then it may be up for sale as there are a couple of old Swedes that I would like to have a look at with the possibility of purchase. Fancy another old Scandi barge.

[peter96]

Double post

[peter96]

Well the MG passed its MOT last week. Definitely feels much more taut around the front end. Car is now up for sale on Carandclassic. Must put an ad on here later. Had a great run over the Castlereagh Hills on Saturday in between the showers. If it sells I'll be sad to see it go but I'm struggling to get in and out of it with my wonky back.
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[peter96]

Just to update this the MG headed off with its new owner on Thursday night so that's me down to one car. My daily has also changed as I swapped my Saab 9-5 Aero estate for a Saab 9-3 turbo convertible. So that's two cars away within a week. Not bad going. Heres a couple of pictures of the old and new Saabs.