Which? First Drive: Can the MG TF hack it in 2008?

[892dane]

This guy in this video is rubbish, who wants a quite engine in a real sports car and I've owned the 1.8 vvc and it was great to drive, I'm selling my MX5 to get another TF the MX5 is not as fun or sound as good and I had the 1.8 Z3 and it was way slower than the MG...

[72power]

I love this car !!

[donkmeister]

He wants stability control... STABILITY CONTROL... Its a mid-engine sportscar!!! Anyone who buys a mid-engine sportscar knows that it will grip like anything if driven within it's boundaries, but will bite you on the ass if you get too silly. After 7 years, I know when I can slide the tail out without getting bitten, but I also know that in the snow you keep it under 30mph!

[IwillFollowTheEdge]

Jesus, Mary n' Joseph... he's moaning about a cold gear knob. And who's gonna be looking at buttons lashing along in 5th gear. Christ, he even moans about getting in and out of.... eh hello, it's a small 2 seater.

[michael270487]

he is an mx5 fan, for sure. jealousy is going to kill him lol

[donkmeister]

@michael270487 That's that thing that gets me... my other half has an MX-5, and it has even less room inside than my TF160!!! I am 6'2.5" (the half inch makes all the difference) and whilst I just fit in the TF, I am seriously uncomfortable in the passenger seat of the MX-5, and only fit in the drivers seat if the roof is down... I am actually looking OVER the windscreen in the Mazda!

I really don't know why they can't bring back the 160bhp engine...

[Detrucci]

lol wtf "getting in and out can be a bit of a struggle" then he gets out in about 1 second... STFU you asshole, cold gear stick lmao!

[diesel0ful]

he must have driven a naff model because my tf engine sounds great. i am 6 foot and still dont touch the roof so why did he say it is low. i am sure after driving it once you can remember where the air conditioning button is. but he is right it is fun around the corners .

[donkmeister]

@diesel0ful I've got to say, seeing what button is which is the only negative point I concede to the man... like you I know which button is which by feel, but I can't help but peer round the gearstick to make sure I've hit the foglights and not the heated windscreen or vice versa!

As a fellow tall MG driver, I argue that when it's sunny, I've got infinite headroom so that more than balances out the roof-up headroom!

[hamster639]

Cold gear stick, stiff gear change and clutch, man up dude it's fine and always has been. Average drivers don't buy these cars, they buy Astra's etc, this is a car for people who want fun and to feel the mechanics underneath. There is apparently an MG TF that has done about 150,000 miles so it appears that they have sorted the problems out, don't know how true this is, but I was told about it.

[alexba75]

What a proper cockend. Performance is great, fuel economy is great, I get over 42mpg and that's with mixed driving. It still turns heads and is a GREAT back to back B-road car. Why would I want an MX5, I've owned 3 of these now and borrowed an MX5, not even worthy in this test. The only thing that's 13 years old is his hair cut and his attitude. Grow up n see your barber. This is a good car. Put the roof down and enjoy some proper BRITISH engineering.

[RBMX3]

What's with the nonsense about safety? :S The TF got a 4 star NCAP rating for occupant safety. That tester may start doing research rather than coming out with crap.

[DrPepper2683]

i am from germany and i drive an 2004 MG ZT . And I LOVE it !! I Love MG...

[mahen333]

what..tilting ur head forward slightly to see the buttons wen in fifth gear is gona hinder ur driving ability is it? having a problem not seein certain things when ur gear lever is in fifth gear means well n truly..u shouldnt realllly be on the road should u?

[humblezz123]

i wanted to buy this car 3 years ago so much everythink is so perfect with this car... Everyone was keep telling me dont buy this shit car its not good with problems etc etc.. i have this car now for 3 YEARS i didnt had any problems at all and trust me when i tell u this is a very safe car got expirience :).... Also i live in Cyprus witch temp is 45c in summer and also didnt had any problems. so this guy can go cry about no electronics and hard clutch.. God who will complain about that lil girl

[00eldiablo00]

MX-5 !

[ignatzRat]

@00eldiablo00 you got that right!

[saxbruce]

This is just a very silly result of a road test by someone who sounds as if he is a born-again Nissan Micra user! 'Which' magazines never use words like character, thrilling, enjoyable, soulful, or even, yes FUN!!

It is a sports car MR. Boring!!!

[juzzlookin]

@saxbruce Its like he knew nothing about the car, was totally detached and reading from an autoque.

[manlyday]

Nanjing Auto is a history, it was acquired by SAIC last year, the largest auto manufacturer in China. SAIC has made cars for VW for 25 years, and 12 years for GM. It is said SAIC would invest $20 billion dollars on MG.

[navdrum001]

This guy is a idiot and should not be allowed to review cars!

*The clutch is not heavy at all.

*The gear shift is short and fine.

*The car is very twitchy! it has one of the lowest Yaw-inertias availiable on the market, making it quite a handfull post-limit.

*OK, the steering is good thanks to the quick rack compared to the MGF and there is enough feedback.

*The Brake balance is terrible and needs more rear bias, you have to be very progressive with the brakes and wait for the weight transfer.

[themgtist]

la mg tf est un des meilleur roadster, c'est normal j'en ai un de 2005 avant l'import asiatique, bref n'hesitez pas

[papalazaroux]

I have an old MGF VVC and it's good fun to drive, the noise of the engine is one of best things about it, especially with a sports exhaust fitted.

[wirejacker]

that bonnet had enough room to keep his charisma in. Without doubt the dullest road test i have ever seen, presented by possibly the dullest man on earth. They're actually great fun to drive. I think the assumption is that if you're driving a sports car then you can actually drive. Any twat can go fast in a straight line, if you need electronics to get you out of trouble half way round a bend.....A/ read the road better..... or B/ get a taxi !

[juzzlookin]

@wirejacker Couldn't have got more details wrong if he'd tried.

[gioventugranata]

I love this car

[573W1E6R1FF1N]

Poor safety

best cabrio tested by EuroNCAP

[Fireluckers]

wtf, people buying MG cars do not want stability control or fancy high-tech bullshit. Additionally, I do not think that the sound of the engine is bad. Acceleration is terrific in this car as well as the steering. However, the clutch thing and the gearstick indeed suck. I personally like the spartanic idea behind the tf that has remained after 14 years of mg tf.

[Mr5teve]

Whats the leg room like? I'm 6'1" and really like this car, however i dont want my knees at my ears!!

Thanks in advance

[nishikawa7863]

I have one and I'm about 6' and fit very comfortably

[phoebelala]

What a strange man, Stabillity control indeed? If you want such "options" then look at vehicles which are nice sensible vehicles for shopping trips with granny and such! Cold gear stick? WTF How old are you? This review makes as much sense as a man trying to sellotape fish heads to the moon! Itc complete gibberish. Yes I once owned an MGF and also an MX5, The engine is noisy? of course it is, your practically sat on the thing you silly man. So there!!!!!

[engineroomapocalypse]

It's a classic car. It has everything a classic should have. so dont compare it to anything new on the market

[VDPEFi]

I had a go in one of these and hated it, look at the panel fit between sills and rear arches, pull on the interior plastics, its all tat. The engine is rough as anything and the gearbox is a rubbery mess, the driving position is awful and the switchgear is obviously outdated, not that it was great when it was new! The handling is understeery and the ride hard and bouncy, also at speed the noise is terrible. Get an MX-5 or a used Boxster.

[davestheman55]

a cold gear stick?? ffs. t.w.a.t.

[neil1li]

Not safe enough???? It's 4* NCAP. That's good in this class. You might try *researching* before making sweeping statements like that.

[LiamOlf]

The build quality on these models is notably better than when Rover was making them as well and if they have sorted the HG issues then you are sorted.

[LiamOlf]

What kind of ponce complains about a heavy clutch and stiff gearchange? You've been driving too many Skodas mate!

Actually, being Which? I suspect he'd rather play with the knobs on Delonghi microwaves than drive proper cars, he's clearly never driven anything like an Elise or Evo, both of which have notably heavy clutches and gearchanges.

I've had a go in a TF LE and I loved it. It's one of the only roadsters I know that looks just as good now as it did in 1995.

[WhichWebsite]

Hi Liam, don't forget we are reviewing cars for the average driver, not the sports car fan.

Many people, for all sorts of reasons would find a heavy clutch difficult to use so it is a valid comment and worth pointing out to some-one who might not take it for granted.

[lynx35341]

I've got all respect for your review of this car, BUT.... DONT forget this is just your opinion!!

You could love a car and other people will hate it and vice versa.

All reviews of any car/cars are purely individualistic.

I have a 2003 TF and love it where as other people dont.

It's all a matter of self-opinion.

[luisomtz20]

I agree with WhichWebsite, I prefer a light clutch and I want ESP!

[TopGearrules]

@WhichWebsite An 'average' person will not be buying this car, so why make all this criticism? Do you see old ladies driving big heavy lamborghini diablos? I think not!

[juzzlookin]

@TopGearrules  Agreed

[WhichWebsite]

@TopGearrules We disagree, this is a very affordable sports car so it is quite likely that someone would choose this as their first entry in to the sports car market. It doesn't compare to the Diablo, just look at the price difference

[Tariqslo]

oh and one more thing: when u watch the video check at the other cars in the background, it won't take you long to see that MG ROCKS

[Tariqslo]

Lol this guy doesn't know what is he talking about, OLD DESIGN ????? go see a doctor, I m planing to buy it next mont if god wills it and everybody think it absolutely mindblowing, I've been looking at the pictures every day and still i can't get enough. I can't help it it's gorgeous, TRUE BRITISH CAR

[lynx35341]

Im with you on that one Tariqslo. Gorgeous is truth personified

[Tariqslo]

Well there are no cars with no problems, but let me say all the cars look dull in compare to TF (in the same class of course), everyone that drives in it with top down on a sunny day and with wind in your hair say it's amazing and that's why this car is something special and also it looks so damn good, I'm 22 and it's my dream car. PEACE TO ALL MG FANS

[lynx35341]

Have not long bought mine!!

Still waiting for that proper sunny day when the top comes down!!

And yes she looks a beast of a car. Bring on the summer!!!

PEACE!!!!

[donkmeister]

One more thing: the MG TF design is 6 years old. The MGF is 13 years old and despite their similar appearance, the MG TF is not simply a facelifted MGF.

[donkmeister]

Stability control? I don't think that really goes with the ethos of a mid-engined sportscar. Anyone who buys a TF will be after a driving machine, not a eurobox that requires no effort.