Oh, I've always liked them. Didn't get one when I got the 306 because they had a reputation for leaking, and rusting. Fantastic to drive though - personally I find the Electric PAS quite pleasant, though I can see how it catches people out if they're used to chucking around cars with non-assisted steering, the engine makes a lovely note, and the leather wheel/seats/gearshift make it feel like a proper 'British' sports car. As does the small amount of rust ;)
It's flexy plastic. Horrid windows.
I've been unable to find anything else like it for £2K more - it's '96
70,000 mile money. Still worried about headgaskets and stuff, though.No, it's the standard 1.8i - though the Rover dealer says it's a 'special one' - it's listed as a Sport and has all the leather and stuff, and sounds nice.
They do, it's why I like the MGF - the suspension makes for a very balanced, comfortable sports car. Economy should be close to Mk. II Golf GTI levels, as it's a very similar engine besides being a 16-valve lump
- 1.8, 120bhp. Claimed 49mpg, which should mean I can average 40ish in it.
Bad points - hood design looks crude, no liner (easily rectified). They do seem to rust a little. Must check underneath them to check the state of the cooling pipes to the radiator. Quite noisy from the hood, but the engine noise is very subdued. Absolutele bastard to do any major work on as far as I can tell, but routine work seems fairly priced - £280 for a cambelt service (all fluids changed + belt). Oh, and my 306 doesn't go back for another two months, so I don't know if the seller will wait long enough for me to get the car - in which case I'll end up PCPing a brand new Mazda MX-5 1.8 Sport (six speed).
Good points - truly brilliant handling, hilarious fun, nice gearing for motorway use in the 1.8 (the VVC has lower gearing, another reason to avoid IMO), cheap to buy and insure, cheap accessories and spares - new roofs for £500 (easy to swap over, too), hardtops are £600-900, sensible tyres.
Indifferent points - a bit common, no luggage space to speak of (the front is not for luggage, it's not even trimmed and you can see the road through parts of it), none-adjustable wheel gives me the italian driving position with hands in lap (fine for me, but I drove an X1/9), British so reliability may be a concern.
I don't think everyone should have one, but I reckon anyone who knocks them as hairdressers cars should try one. I've never driven an Elise, but if it's as much extra fun over the MGF as it is extra money, it should be the most amazing car going.
Richard