That was my dads MGF, good to see it still going although I never liked the Lexus clusters
@waynetetley584
3 жыл бұрын
Great review. My 96 MGF was amazing. Italians went mad over it when I went there in 96. Nice to hear the K series bark. Had mine 12 years. Many happy trips across Europe with my dad! Sounded great with DTM exhaust in sleepy French towns 😁
@gryfandjane
3 жыл бұрын
This one really hit home. I’m an MG enthusiast here in the USA, and have owned a Midget for 25 years. As such, I followed the fortunes of MG Rover pretty closely during development of the MGF, and was keenly interested in the finished product. Of course MG exports to the States ended when the MGB was axed, so I could only admire the F from afar. I did get the chance to sit in a new F while on a trip to the UK in 2000, at a dealership in Preston... not exactly a drive, but the closest I was going to come. There’s an MGF at the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, and it was nice to see that one a few years ago. I could have driven it on one of their road events, but the required donation of $500 was a bit beyond the budget. So thanks for this episode! It was greatly appreciated.
@emmajacobs5575
3 жыл бұрын
The oldest are 25 years old now, so time to think about importing them ...
@gryfandjane
3 жыл бұрын
@@emmajacobs5575 Oh, I know... wish I had room for one! My garage and budget are both a bit limited. :-/
@chrisdean3072
3 жыл бұрын
Got the model after this one myself (MGTF), puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Great fun and not expensive. Get one quick, the prices of good Fs and Tfs is rising.
@tinplategeek1058
3 жыл бұрын
Hubnut going all professional what with tripods and music. Okay the tripod wanted to put in an appearance but music!
@daveegan1372
3 жыл бұрын
Bought one of these brand new in 1998. Very underrated motor. My neighbour bought it off me and still cherishes it to this day. Great video 👏👍
@matty6848
3 жыл бұрын
And I did I was lucky enough to work at Rover at the time and I got one on the employees ACOPs scheme. To have one of those at 20 years old my mates were well jealous😂
@daveegan1372
3 жыл бұрын
@@matty6848 my dad worked for British Aerospace so equally got new car discounts. I was 22 when I got mine
@nickc4518
3 жыл бұрын
I had one of these back in 2006 and I remember driving down to Brighton in it, with the hood down and a pretty blond in the passenger seat. Good times.
@jonjones1553
3 жыл бұрын
Nick C It's nice to get the top off.
@pauldavies6037
3 жыл бұрын
The later years of BL created some of their very best shame they are not making them today
@robc5955
3 жыл бұрын
Get one while you can, I’ve always loved the look of them and for the average joe I bet they drive perfectly well, they seem to be either totally cherished or run into the ground with very little in between. A future classic I think.
@RedHunter500
3 жыл бұрын
I bought one from a chap n Wales a few years back. Garage had told him the head gasket was going. 100 mile home, no problem, a year later still no problem, fresh MOT and sold on at a profit. The presumption that they are all about to die is a real boon for those of us that like bargains :¬)
@fasthracing
3 жыл бұрын
Great little car to tuck away and take out on an occasional summer's day.
@cjmillsnun
3 жыл бұрын
They are great as a daily as well. Hood down on a crisp winters day is a pleasure.
@gaznicol5020
3 жыл бұрын
Best time to drive with the hood down. Winter!
@huwdavies6650
3 жыл бұрын
Hood down, cap and scarf on and crank up the heat. It's the mad British sports car way.
@frothe42
3 жыл бұрын
Personally the only way! Winter or summer, who cares??!! Live life!
@oliverlotus
2 жыл бұрын
'Triangle of doom'. On the 'F', 20" blade driver, 18" passenger solves the problem! Love your channel.
@daningram7309
3 жыл бұрын
I have always overlooked the mgf but what a decent bit of kit and very pretty with it
@ralphhowes
3 жыл бұрын
LOVED THE OUTRO! Some beautiful solo piano accompanying sexy indicator shots and then the grand finale "POWER LESS IS MORE!" Much better than the ptchoo.
@mgmgf1996
3 жыл бұрын
Had mine 10 years in NZ no cooling issues fitted a 13 bar oil cooler and synthetic coolant, modified and performs really well for its age even the head gasket is not a hard job to do your self. So much fun to drive with full poly bush suplex suspension and X-Power exhaust.
@martindavisoncpt6967
2 жыл бұрын
Great review with interesting and genuine commentary. I recently bought an MGF VVC and am having great fun with it.
@andrews1785
3 жыл бұрын
Such an under rated car… great road test Loved the piano playing in the back ground with the bonus lighting
@wxcferdts
3 жыл бұрын
The light in your backdrop, the first minutes, as it comes shining through the canopies of the trees onto a slightly wet country road is truly fantastic, Ian. You couldn't have chosen a nicer spot! Perhaps you could just have moved the yellow wheelie bin - if that's what it is - behind the telephone booth out of view, but I'm splitting hairs now.
@Endfloat
3 жыл бұрын
A fantastic review of one of my favourites, and a severely underrated car. That example is a real credit to Simon. My personal feeling on them is that the rear tyres really do need to be in fine fettle or they will oversteer in spectacular fashion. Also the brakes on the F leave a lot to be desired, but overall a very easy car to live with as a daily!
@roverboy01
3 жыл бұрын
Totally agree with you on the tyres. I had a brown pants moment exiting a roundabout on a dual carriageway once.
@XeloX
3 жыл бұрын
same for me on a roundabout, I was then running cheapo chinese rubber, switched to Toyo Proxes and never looked back, felt super planted after
@scootjohn777
3 жыл бұрын
I’ve had one since 98, might get it out of the garage next summer. 😁
@VehiclesvsfordDEEP
3 жыл бұрын
I totally agree with you. I also have mgf sport car. It's amazing drive, plenty of power. love how it hugs the roads so well. I call mine pocket rocket. With big smile on my face each time i take it for a spin WOW
@deancary6676
3 жыл бұрын
Excellent video Ian! I think you may have helped me make up my mind about a low cost hobby car to get. These are cheap as chips, even in NZ (for now). My partner can chip in for the purchase. She's been craving an open-top for years. Thanks again..
@michaeltutty1540
3 жыл бұрын
Great video, Ian. Lovely wee car, for sure. I love sure footed cars that are fun to drive. I'm sure you get used to the steering, too. I am used to cars with finger tip steering, and once you adapt, they can be as precise as you like, even with 70s vintage recirculating ball steering boxes on an over assisted system from Ford North America!
@Craig_Stewart
3 жыл бұрын
there is nothing better than watching a hub nut video on my lunch break. it's a real treat.. 👏👍
@craigja1667
3 жыл бұрын
The Terry Wogan of automotive reviews
@ramonvandebeek
3 жыл бұрын
I drive a MGTF 160 VVC in the Netherlands! For 7 years now I still love this thing every day, except when it needs repairs.. A real pain..
@alanlansdell7533
3 жыл бұрын
Couldn't agree more, yes they basically use a front wheel drive set up at the back, yes the k series had issues until performance head gaskets were available, but what an excellent driving package that all makes particularly with how cheap they are now.
@simonhodgetts6530
3 жыл бұрын
Nice car - looks good, sounds great. I’m a big fan of Hydragas - it worked brilliantly in the Ambassador, which had a lovely cosseting ride.
@johnsmith-wv4jw
3 жыл бұрын
Pretty much every MGF I have test driven has had broken suspension. The gas departed the displacers many moons ago and the cars suspension is effectively solid. Easy test is to push down on a corner, if it doesn't move, it is broken. Too many people think you can fix the suspension by pumping it up, which is a waste of time if the displacers have blown. The only cure is to regas them and replace any damaged units. A properly regassed MGF has a decent ride which shames many larger modern cars, especially on our moonscape roads.
@CherylCold
3 жыл бұрын
Head gasket went on ours, from my understanding, our mechanic raced VVC's, the problem was the plastic locating dowells. Replace these with aluminum and no worries.
@waynetetley584
Ай бұрын
Enjoyed seeing this again, well done 😊
@TheWacoKid1963
3 жыл бұрын
17:27 Larry Grayson impression :)
@lewis72
3 жыл бұрын
Nuneaton's finest !
@stepheng8779
3 жыл бұрын
Imagine in Ian's garage, "look at the muck in ere" 🤣
@TheWacoKid1963
3 жыл бұрын
@@stepheng8779 Poor bloke would have multiple heart attacks lol
@MrLC1965
2 жыл бұрын
Three MG F in a row; the last in Tahiti blue. Lovely little sportcar, timeless stylish, fun to drive, confortable, fast. A typical British roadster
@RWBHere
3 жыл бұрын
The last decent British sports car from MG. Thanks for the review, Ian. 🙂👍
@briangoed5646
3 жыл бұрын
Great video and great car won’t see any thing else like the F again. Get them while you can before prices rise .
@billburnhope2176
3 жыл бұрын
I’ve got 2 of them, both non runners, one due to the SRS light not going out no MOT, and the other because the cam belt slipped. Ouch! Liked them both when they were running!
@HubNut
3 жыл бұрын
Aw, hope you can revive them.
@stuartparfitt2294
3 жыл бұрын
I totally agree with this! I've recently bought a very early F (103rd made), and am amazed at how good it is, especially the k-series. Maybe I had low expectations! It replaced a Mk2.5 MX5, the F lacks the quality of the Mazda, but the engine feels way better. It's taken me a while to sort out the hydragas suspension though! I've also got an M100 Elan, and even with it's electric PAS there's more "feel" from the MG steering.
@LittleRedRacing
3 жыл бұрын
My sister had one and it was nice to cruise about in but not so great when you were pushing hard. Now I'm older I'd love to own one but the real killer is that my head always stuck up above the windscreen 😁
@johndutton9739
3 жыл бұрын
Lovely car and another great vid. I drove one Years ago when I was at mg rover and found it very pleasant - as you said - what a bargain at the moment :)
@hedydd2
3 жыл бұрын
What fascinates me as much as the car and your erudite commentary, is trying to work out the villages you pass through and the farms you pass by. In this one you start at Nanternis I believe and north to Maenygroes crossroads, between which I recognise Rhydyferwig farm. Then right through Cross-Inn where I see the entrance to Pencnwc holiday site. Through Synod-Inn [Post Mawr] then towards Ffostrasol. I'm sure that viewers from afar would be interested in these names which are very Welsh, apart from Cross-Inn that is.
@mastercylinder1939
3 жыл бұрын
We had a Marina 1800 TC, it’s performance was impressive for a 14 year old, I imagine this thing is adequate!
@mastercylinder1939
3 жыл бұрын
Capable.....
@menditman2004
3 жыл бұрын
I’m number 1😆 My dad has an MGF and a MGB GT, those MGF are rising in price as well.
@yekateradiffin5939
3 жыл бұрын
My number 4
@wornoutgrafter9581
3 жыл бұрын
Great to drive , knuckle skinner to work on the engine with the limited space over rear axle but would still buy another , first job i would recommend for potential owners replace the steel coolant pipes under floor pan with stainless steel units and have fun bleeding all air out of system .
@nicklowe536
3 жыл бұрын
Best driving is an open top car. I drive my smart roadster hood down on all dry days. Great review the MGs are great value
@peterhurst
3 жыл бұрын
I remember working on the token ring network in Mayflower engineering in Coventry around 1997 where these were assembled. I was busy looking at a laptop and my mate burst out laughing. We were near quality control and he'd been watching someone measuring a nearly complete car. He said the guy spent 5 minutes measuring and then when I turned round he was hitting the scuttle behind the seats with a large hammer to close the shutline up
@johnmoruzzi7236
3 жыл бұрын
Followed one of these up the M5 years ago doing 70... sunny day, MG roof down, driver dropped it down into 4th and booted the throttle... 5 seconds later it exploded into smoke and steam and the car drifted forlornly over to the hard shoulder displaying numerous dashboard warning lights.
@owensteele1274
3 жыл бұрын
How is it possible for an MGF to have rear indicators from a Lexus, if I heard that right!!! Otherwise, great video. Very nice little car. VVC is awfully quick and the Abingdon edition was absolutely gorgeous. I'm currently looking for one of these as a Winter project.
@HubNut
3 жыл бұрын
More accurately, Lexus-style rear lights - inspired by the IS200.
@captaccordion
3 жыл бұрын
Nice review Hubnut. I've wondered if these are worthy of consideration and it would seem so. It's still a bit scary though when you can't find the engine!
@matty6848
3 жыл бұрын
Don’t believe all the horror stories. I had one for 3 years and had no problems. Like anything providing you look after them they’ll be fine and spares are still a plenty and cheap👍
@bluetonic9538
3 жыл бұрын
@gilburton there are several specialist MG-Rover mobile mechanics that don't charge the earth, Head gasket, cam belts, water pump,, antifreeze and tensioners £350. That's £200 less than a cam belt on my VW. Once you get the engine cover off access is not much worse than a modern front engine car
@bluetonic9538
3 жыл бұрын
@@matty6848 I had a 2002 TF 160 until last year, 79,000 miles and still on it's original HG
@matty6848
3 жыл бұрын
@@bluetonic9538 people slag them because their British built, but the Europeans have built their fair share of shit as well. Just look at how unreliable and rusting buckets Alfa Romeo’s used to be, but because there Italian cars people can’t speak highly enough about them. But we even slag off our own cars and then opt to buy German cars and we all wonder why the British motor industry died on its arse? We’re our own worts enemies. Go to France you’ll see mostly French cars, go to Italy you’ll see mostly Italian cars and the same for Germany. But look at the U.K and what do we see? Dull, boring BMWS, Mercedes and VWs. I currently have a 2018 VW Passat which is a company car. Straight up it’s been the worst car I’ve ever had. It’s been in the garage now at least 6 times. I’ve had a starter motor seize up, rear electric window motor fail, alarm system fault, where the alarm just starts going off at random times of the day & now my windscreen water jets have packed up. If it wasn’t a company car I would of got rid ages ago. It’s due to go back April 2021 and I’m considering having a Vauxhall Insignia or Mondeo, even though the Passat is on our company car list. Plus the tax £158 per month in BIK, the Insignia is only £112 per in BIK. German cars are obviously better but totally overrated. The Audi A5 in 2019 got voted one of the most unreliable cars on the road. Just a shame Rover didn’t survive, think what could of been and they did give us a glimpse with the Rover 25, which is actually a really good car. But too little too late to save the company unfortunately🙁
@colinjones2505
3 жыл бұрын
A car I've never really been interested in. Read too much about the negatives I reckon, but after watching this, I'd quite like to try one now. Thanks for opening my eyes
@markfraser4745
3 жыл бұрын
Ian doing what he does best, love this.
@RichieRouge206
3 жыл бұрын
Such an appealing car in every way, I prefer these to MX5s - great review Ian
@jdmguy44
3 жыл бұрын
I don't understand how anyone would look at an MX-5 or MR2 roadster then go and pick one of these. I really don't. Metro chassis, hydra gas suspension, notorious head gasket issues. The best thing about this one is the Sony sound system. Each to their own though..
@davarosmith1334
3 жыл бұрын
I always wanted one , but the weather is always shite where I live!
@paultaylor9652
3 жыл бұрын
Lovely Jubbly, pretty car that's starting to look old though.
@Cyberdyne-kg8ku
3 жыл бұрын
I love the appearance from the phone box.
@seancooke4127
3 жыл бұрын
Yep I do believe that the Brummie accent is much more pronounced (see what I did there) when you are driving BLs, Rovers or MGs. Pride in your local engineering and manufactuing should always be commended. Lovely MGF, great package. However, the MGB should never have been dropped. Abington should have had investment, it would have made a great return.
@tonys1636
3 жыл бұрын
Could have improved the power unit access, would imagine the service bill from the garage is a massive labour cost in relation to parts and lubricants, not conducive to DIY servicing either.
@bluetonic9538
3 жыл бұрын
Nah, they are easy to access, I service my own other than cam belts as I don't trust my skills on that job. Had cam belts done last month with new water pump, fluid and tensioners. Under £300 by a pro rover mechanic . That's half the price of my Tiguan
@anonlincracing2484
3 ай бұрын
I see why ppl compare these to mx5 but mx5 owners come str8 in the chat and say there's no conversation at all like mx5s never rust or go wrong and the K-series is underpowered..... even the latest mx5 is 180 hp top model and as of the time 130 hp - 160 so it's not leaps and bounds is it I actually can't wait to get my hands on 1
@andytalbot6719
3 жыл бұрын
Lovely design. Perfect in red...not the other colours
@nikosgiangkampozof5342
2 жыл бұрын
14:13 PLEASE FULL SOUND
@tnticesp
3 жыл бұрын
Great to see the ltitle boy in you enjoying this.
@thatsentertainment5602
3 жыл бұрын
Very good review
@davespooney8472
3 жыл бұрын
Shhhhhh, don’t let the public find out how criminally undervalued they are! TF in 160 flavour is a bargain
@MrGodspeedos
3 жыл бұрын
Let’s have a Smart Roadster next. Coupe preferably... 👍🤞
@danieleregoli812
3 жыл бұрын
Lovely little car, and very underrated, and certainly better looking than the contemporary Elan.
@ruongluesteve
3 жыл бұрын
I had one about 20 years ago drove it down from Derbyshire to the South of France on holiday. Took it on some mountain roads with lots of hairpin bends, great fun. It's surprising how much stuff you can stow in one. Sadly the ex wife got custody of it.
@skodakatie7341
3 жыл бұрын
This is a cute little sports car, very much of its time, I like it!!.
@AdeReeves
3 жыл бұрын
Had one....Rebuilt the VVC engine 3 times...scrapped it ...In that order 😕😂
@cwakadrake
3 жыл бұрын
These cars have always been very interesting, not as good as a MR2 mk3 (mr-s, roadster, spyder) which is a very refined mid engine car, much better handeling than it looks would suggest. However I think the MGF and TF look better than the MR2 and on the road the understeer isn't that big of a deal, also the F has a boot which is nonexistent in the MR2 aside from some cubby space behind the seats. The prices are also stupidly low for a mid engined car, so anyone who is considering an MR2 mk3 should atleast also consider the F as an alternative.
@richardjohnson3463
3 жыл бұрын
lovely wee thing
@MeDicen_Rocha
3 жыл бұрын
Another reason why the MGF is better off with understeer: If that car oversteered, it would be probably snap oversteer. Not a problem on a front engine rear drive car, but a very, VERY big problem in a rear engine rear drive car.
@HubNut
3 жыл бұрын
Yes, as MR2 owners know!
@kevinwhelan8126
3 жыл бұрын
Nice ride, thanks for sharing 😀
@MGBetts1
3 жыл бұрын
Shaun Murray has one of these which is currently for sale, if anyone wants to pop over to his channel and take a look: kzitem.infofeatured
@whitemoor66
3 жыл бұрын
I have always promised myself one of these, but never managed to get one - yet. By the way these can get very 'edgy' if you push them hard enough, with snap oversteer almost catching me out when sparring with a BMW Z3 back in the late 90's!
@malcolmmorton989
3 жыл бұрын
Alas - I'd prefer a TR7
@backwoodsbungalow9674
3 жыл бұрын
At 4:42 I wonder if an MGF boot rack could be adapted to fit on the bootlid of the Rover 75 saloon to make it more practical on a family trip? 🤔
@tides2002
3 жыл бұрын
Could buy a Rover 75 boot rack as a dealer option! The F boot rack is a bit clunky but may fit.
@ricklane8554
3 жыл бұрын
That car is in good shape.
@GB-dp5bs
3 жыл бұрын
The music at the end reminded me of hobestobe R.I.P
@davidmetcalf951
3 жыл бұрын
Nice video I always wandered what they were like to drive
@davebuts1921
3 жыл бұрын
Was alway and still is a very good looking car.
@chrisgreen1094
3 жыл бұрын
I can remember thinking when they came out how good it looked for a MG/Rover product and that I’d like one that is until I found out it had that terrible hydro gas suspension from a Metro.
@kamrankhan-lj1ng
3 жыл бұрын
What is terrible about hydragas suspension?
@avocado71
3 жыл бұрын
Nice piano music!
@bobconcussion9537
3 жыл бұрын
was that Stobe the Hobo on piano at the end?
@micheltebraake7915
3 жыл бұрын
The perfect car in the perfect environment!
@SB-vb8ch
3 жыл бұрын
Subframe/engine is the same way around as it would be in the front? If it was rotated you'd have 5 reverse gears & one forward....
@christineayres7094
3 жыл бұрын
Hi again Ian just wanted to ask you , is there any reason why Red phone boxes are always in the middle of nowhere ? literally as my uncle used to live in Norfolk in a tiny village and for some weird reason there was an odd Red Phone Box in the middle of the field next to the duck pond lol so strange
@HubNut
3 жыл бұрын
Many were sold when their working lived ended.
@christineayres7094
3 жыл бұрын
@@HubNut oh dear that's a shame 🙈 would be fun if they still were able to make calls , also do you know are there any Blue Police Boxes left in London? Like out of Dr Who ?
@Bicyclehub
3 жыл бұрын
I'll bet that one of these is added to the fleet in the not too distant future.
@MGBetts1
3 жыл бұрын
Wipers certainly shouldn't overlap the trim, that's not good. I hope the owner gets it adjusted, it would transform the car! 😁
@boogiewoogieadventures308
3 жыл бұрын
Great review thanks!
@caw25sha
3 жыл бұрын
I though the Elise had a Japanese engine so checked on Wikipedia and the later ones had a Toyota 1.8.
@adrianmassey6673
3 жыл бұрын
Haven't seen one on the road for ages. Have you driven a similar vintage MX5 Ian? Would be interested to know which you prefer
@shigesan4516
4 ай бұрын
tried to own one, everyone insisted me to not buy one due to poor build quality and unbelievably bad reliability, I've spoke to owners of MGF too and they all say the same... I don't know whether I should buy one now or not
@HubNut
4 ай бұрын
I think people like to slag these cars off with little actual first hand experience. Build quality is fine. Engines are known for head gasket issues, but there are some steps you can take to avoid this.
@ianmason2296
3 жыл бұрын
14.30 into video. Is that a flat part of Wales???????????????
@kevinnye5132
3 жыл бұрын
Why would you put such a beautiful car next to a Public Urinal 🤔 or is it a Phone box 😂, hope the car SMELLS. better than inside the Box. Great video and full of information 👍🏻
@richardparkin4930
3 жыл бұрын
Great fun for not a lot of money.
@chilternman
3 жыл бұрын
Great cars I have a 2000 VVC and it is superb. Does Mr Hubnut want one in the fleet as I have another?
@HubNut
3 жыл бұрын
I really enjoyed it, but nine cars is enough!
@MikeBroom
3 жыл бұрын
18th October 2001 that one was first registered...
@ianhill20101
3 жыл бұрын
The subbys must sit the same way round I should nw this putting a tf frame in a metro but 🤷♂️
@charliebuttocks2400
3 жыл бұрын
I have a 1997 red one with no power steering which was an optional extra then ..became standard in 1998
@KLUTCHdot58
3 жыл бұрын
My mate has one for sale on eBay. We are sat having lunch watching the views increase. The hubnut effect eh?
@HubNut
3 жыл бұрын
Shall I invoice him my commission? ;-)
@BillOdyssey
3 жыл бұрын
Nah just delete the advert 😂
@bentullett6068
3 жыл бұрын
There was a British racing green one with a optional hardtop on Autotrader which was a bargain as well as it looks like it was stored in a barn/lock up and hasn't been driven since last year.
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