Hi Guys
the eldest is looking at MG ZR 105's are they any good? he has got his insurance money through for his last car and he needs a new car. He is
very style concious and is more interested in looks rather than go
are they any good ?
what are the common faults and things to look out for?
what is the parts supply like since Rover went Bump.
many thanks
Ditch
[Edited on 24/4/08 by ditchlewis]
first thing that popped into my head was parts availablity...
not a great looking car is it?
I'll have the engine when he writes it off, it is a K series isn't it
Caber
I quite like them.
Front tie rod brackets / bolts have been known to snap. Cheap and easy to do.
I dont think there is anything especially bad about them over any other car in that size / price bracket.
I cant imagine parts supply will be an issue as quite a few have been sold and aftermarket companies like to make money.
Usual rules apply - get a good one and he should be ok.
When I look at one I think CHAV
but kids well they think they look fast. I've tried him with the focus but "thats an old mans car"
peugot 206 no good
the New Astra he likes but it is well out of his budget unless he gets one with 120K on the clock.
parts was my concern, but a check on the web and a filter and plug servicing kit can be got for under £30.
other parts will be available on ebay i supose ?
ditch
MX5?
Its a rover 114 in a fancy suit. They go ok, but a bit rolly in the corners. I would look out for the usal K-series related faults (head gasket relted normally). As for parts availability - I would not see it being a problem. Afterall, Rover din't make spare parts, they just sold 'em! I am fairly sure Ford stopped making Cortinas a while back, but you can still buy all the parts you need for them!
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
first thing that popped into my head was parts availablity...
Had a R200 1.4 16v as my first car, nicer to drive than the Punto Sporting I have now!
Had MGZR suspension on it, drove quite well I thought!
What about a 306? Do you mind us asking what the top of the range budget is? I wouldn't consider a ZR now, mainly because as mentioned,
they're Rover 200's with body kits 
For the price of a 105 you could probably get a Golf TDi with high miles? Or indeed a diesel version of the new astra like you've mentioned? Or!
If a ZR is favoured, the rover diesel's aren't brilliant on power, but seem to keep going for a rather long time.
Don't think the 2 litre diesel version was much more expensive insurance wise?
[Edited on 24/4/08 by madmandegge]
Wife's got a ZR160 which is quite a laugh. Rolling in bends is crap comment
So is the not very powerful diesel comment. Until the latest gen german stuff the ZR deisel was one of the quickest "diesel hatches" with
the added benefit that it was thrash a orius in the combined cycle (official was 72.8 mpg).
Window winder mechs can fail - just replaced the wifes one.
ATB
Simon
his budget is about 5.5k
a lot for a 19 year old but he pays the loan
insurance is a big factor, and he is using my no claims at the moment. he need to check that he can even get insurance to be put onto a ZR.
he loves the Golf (i had a PD150) and would like one but again he only wants a gti with leather like i had
kids who would have them
the mx5 is a no even if i would love one. i've even suggested the seat leon and skoda fabia as they are volkswagens in diguise
just dont know what he is going to look at this weekend.
ditch
quote:
Originally posted by twybrow
Its a rover 114 in a fancy suit. They go ok, but a bit rolly in the corners. I would look out for the usal K-series related faults (head gasket relted normally). As for parts availability - I would not see it being a problem. Afterall, Rover din't make spare parts, they just sold 'em! I am fairly sure Ford stopped making Cortinas a while back, but you can still buy all the parts you need for them!
mine went and cost me £600. other than that I had a bearing go in the gearbox which cost £300. Bare in mind that this is a Treg
which has now covered 75k miles. just double checked
the TD(115PS) is 1 sec quicker 0-6
and returns 10mpg gallon more. might even be cheaper isurance group
on the downside its a group 11 where as the 105 is group 9 which is very high for what it is IMHO.
my rover (identical performance figures) is group 7
quote:
Originally posted by smart51
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
first thing that popped into my head was parts availablity...
Despite scare mongering, there's no problem with this. The spares business was sold before rover went pop and they're in it for the business. You don't get business by not getting the parts. Plus, all the parts manufacturers are bound by an agreement to supply parts for 10 years after the model goes out of production. It is part of the conditions of getting the initial contract. The contracts would have been transferred when the parts business was sold. There'll be no problem getting parts.
[Edited on 24-4-2008 by smart51]
quote:
Originally posted by Simon
So is the not very powerful diesel comment. Until the latest gen german stuff the ZR deisel was one of the quickest "diesel hatches" with the added benefit that it was thrash a orius in the combined cycle (official was 72.8 mpg).