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MG Roadster as an everyday car?

  • 13-08-2007 8:30am
    #1
    Joeyjoejoe Jnr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 21 ✭


    I am buying an MG Roadster in excellent condition within the next two weeks from the UK and I was wondering what are they like to own as a car for every day driving?

    Is the steering heavy and is the fuel tank so small that you have to stop every 100 miles - stuff like that. All responses are welcome.

    By the way, I am young so the impracticalities of boot space and leaking roof now and again wont bother me.


Comments

  • #2
    franksm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,487 ✭✭✭franksm


    So long as you have an alarm (with microwave sensor), that the car is generally in good nick, and that the roof and doors don't leak - you'll find the MG is fine.

    I ran an MGBGT every day for a year up until recently - it was great for commuting. 1.8 engine was powerful enough too, and was giving me 25mpg. Not sure if the roadster's petrol tank is smaller than that, but I just filled it up every 150 miles. Brakes weren't up to modern standards, but got use to them very quickly.

    Oh yeah, fit a good loud horn in the car - you'll find every ar$ehole makes a beeline for you on the M50 just to get in front of you if you try to leave any bigger gap than 10 feet between you and the car in front.

    For parts and DIY stuff, get friendly with www.mgocspares.co.uk and Moss in London.


  • #3
    Oshbosh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 129 ✭✭Oshbosh


    steering can be a little heavy at crawling speeds but depends on the size of the steering wheel, once you start moving its totally fine. My BGT takes about 45 euros to fill = 37 litres = 8 gallons, for this i get 240 miles on long runs, certainly don't have to refill every 100 miles.


  • #4
    --amadeus--
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,096 ✭✭✭--amadeus--


    I've never owned an MG but I have run 30 yr+ cars as daily drivers for teh last five years and some general comments...

    - Get used to standing at the door of the chipper watching your baby parked on the street and having your heart in your mouth coming back from teh shops to the multi story in case sume idiot has keyed it.

    - Buy gloves for teh winter. The joys of classic motoring wear thin when you turn on teh blower in winter and it starts to snow inside the car

    - Get it really well rust proofed

    - It's like being famous and having autograph hunters. You're late, hungover and in a hurry but the lad in teh car park's Da's second cousin had a car just like yours way back when and he wants to tell you all about it. Being polite can be hard work sometimes!

    - Get jump leads and AA membership, especially if you need the car to get to work or meetings...

    I wouldn't go back to moderns but there is a trade off to having a classic as your everyday car, go into it with your eyes open and you'll love it but don't be too rose tinted about teh whole thing.

    And enjoy!


  • #5
    Hifive
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 495 ✭✭Hifive


    I used to have a 67 roadster with the 3 syncro non overdrive gearbox.
    You really need the overdrive (or a 5 speed conversion) for long journeys.
    Its a lovely torquey engine but it doesn't enjoy revs and they are very low geared.
    My one had the pack away hood, not the fold down one, so when it rained you either drove faster, or you got wet.
    I found the heater quite good. It was the de-misting and ventilation that were crap.
    Enjoy the car, you won't regret it.


  • #6
    Dades
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dades


    Hifive wrote:
    I found the heater quite good. It was the de-misting and ventilation that were crap.
    I think that's key to the enjoyment.

    If the heater blows you can manage over the winter - if not it will not be pleasant. The misting up of the windows is a royal pain, hence the need for a scarf and gloves while you drive with your head out the window till things clear up!


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  • #7
    Eric318
    Closed Accounts Posts: 446 ✭✭Eric318


    I have been using my MGB Roadster as a regular driver for many years.

    It was my only transport for one year outside of Paris. During that year I had:

    - a blown CHG (poor repair by previous owner for a previous blown CHG: he "forgot" to skim the head...)
    - an annoying electric bug created by a messy previous owner
    - cold feet and hands all winter
    - poor visibility through that misty windscreen
    - wet shoes when it rained
    - wrinkles on the corner of my eyes trying to see something at night with those poor headlights (fit a relay!)
    - running out of petrol 3 times (THAT fuel gauge!)
    - one nasty accident caused by poor tyres (and my excessive speed!) that resulted in a much straighter chassis in the end after ext/p/ensive repair
    - an enormous loot of fun twice a day

    A well sorted MGB is a delight. Others just have to be sorted.

    Have fun


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