MG Midget opinions

Gel · 17-12-2009 04:26PM #1

And I thought I was cured!!!!!
Anyone got opinions on Midgets especially chrome bumper models.
Are they nice to drive, too small, rust buckets etc?
I had an MGB and to be honest I didn't like it! Didn't have the same character as a midget, noisy with hood up, clunky and generally a pain in the ass!
Maybe a midget would be the same but I'm only looking for one to drive on dry days during the summer with the hood down for a bit of fun...which means probably 2 days!!!

COB MGV8 · 17-12-2009 07:59PM

Gel wrote: »

And I thought I was cured!!!!!
Anyone got opinions on Midgets especially chrome bumper models.
Are they nice to drive, too small, rust buckets etc?
I had an MGB and to be honest I didn't like it! Didn't have the same character as a midget, noisy with hood up, clunky and generally a pain in the ass!
Maybe a midget would be the same but I'm only looking for one to drive on dry days during the summer with the hood down for a bit of fun...which means probably 2 days!!!

If all you want it for is for the odd dry day with the hood down, then I couldn't recommend it any higher. I have an MGB and a Midget and the Midget is by far a better fun car to drive.Brings a smile to my face every time I drive it.

Have a look at this if you don't believe me (have to confess that the one in the clip has a Toyota twin cam engine)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTvG3lh5og4

They are small cars , however I'm 6ft 1in tall and am comfortable once I'm in it! Getting out can be slightly undignified as well.

The problem you will have is finding a decent one here for reasonable money in Ireland. Loads of them in the UK - watch out for tin worm....

InTheTrees · 17-12-2009 11:40PM

I had a '75 for a couple of years, in the US so the engine was castrated by emmision control gear.

But it was still fun as hell. They're like little gokarts, not especially fast but they'll outhandle a ferrari below 40mph...

Or it feels like it anyway.

As a side note. I had one of the nasty rubber bumper models but had them removed which really helped performance as they weight about 100lbs.

blarneyone · 18-12-2009 08:30AM

Have mine in the garage, and yes is mega fun.

Hold their prices well so probably better heading across the water.

Aa has been said though- Watch for Rust.

Oh.... You know parts are as cheap as chips

Gel · 18-12-2009 03:17PM

Thanks for the replies.
Going to have a look at this one. What do you think?
http://classics.cbg.ie/Car_Detail.aspx?ID=3594976

Dades · 18-12-2009 04:09PM

That red one looks nice,
A fun driver I'd say.

InTheTrees · 18-12-2009 04:55PM

Wow. The red car looks really nice and a good price too. I'd buy it.

It also has the desirable RWA or "round wheel arch", notice how the wheel arch over the rear wheels is round? That was rare and only done for a couple of years and looks much better than the cutoff kind I think.

Gel · 18-12-2009 05:23PM

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to have a look over the weekend. One thing I thought by looking at the photos was that the car looks a little lower at the front than it should. The grill is also wrong for the year I think which would possibly indicate some repair work done to the front.
What do you think?

Thanks again

InTheTrees · 18-12-2009 07:13PM

I think the front height looks about right and the rear is a little too high!

I love those older dash's, way nicer than the later ones.

Good job spotting the grill, its worth investigating. Thats an english reg isnt it?

Gel · 18-12-2009 09:46PM

Hmm! thought the reg looked a little unusual. Haven't done a history check. I presume it's English. Maybe it's just the lettering.
Silly question I know but ...any idea why the car might be lower one end than the other?
Presume the seat covers aren't original either.

InTheTrees · 18-12-2009 10:16PM

I'm an absolute amateur at this so treat anything I say accordingly...

Ride height changed over the years due to US safety regulations (even on euro cars), it could be the car you're looking at is using parts from different years?

Its most likely the springs I think. Maybe front springs from an earlier car?

I wouldnt let that put you off though. Any 2500 car is going to require some work, and I dont know much about irish classic prices but that looks like a really good price.

Oh and "M" reg is 1974 i think in england.

COB MGV8 · 19-12-2009 02:44AM

It looks goood for the money.... If I was buying, I'd check :

- Runs up to temp. and doesn't oveheat
- No rust on sills and floorpan is solid
- Rust on rear wings
- Mileage ? Not quoted on the ad not that important for this money, but interesting to know why its not quoted?)
- Does appear to be riding high at back - why ?
- What is the hood like - the one photo doesn't show the condition of the rear window or the hood frame (for the money he's looking for, I wouldn't worry about it)

From a positive perspective :

- Is a round wheel arch which makes it more valuable
- Has the original midget wheels which is unusual these days (spare the same?)
- Bodywork and paint looks good from photos
- its VERY cheap

Gel · 19-12-2009 12:08PM

Really appreciate the help, thanks!

I agree, I wouldn't worry about the hood, hope to have it down anyway..1000000/1 with the irish summer!

Really curious about about the front v. back height! Could it just be down to handbrake on and incorrect tyre pressure?

Also looking at these. A lot more expensive but dream on:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1972-MG-MIDGET-RWA-MODEL-OLD-ENGLISH-WHITE-TAX-EXEMPT_W0QQitemZ230410747681QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item35a58cff21#ht_817wt_1167

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WHITE-MG-MGF-MIDGET-PETROL-FULLY-RESTORED_W0QQitemZ120500843603QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item1c0e68f453#ht_1502wt_1167

http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/search.cfm?Account=AETA68504&Mode=0&BodyId=stock&AdvancedSearch=0&FinanceForm=0&Category=Used%2520Cars&Make=MG&Model=MIDGET&Keywords=example%2C+TDi&Search=Search&MinPrice=Any&MaxPrice=Any&MaxAge=Any&MaxMileage=Any&Colour=Any&Fuel=Any&Trans=Any

COB MGV8 · 19-12-2009 01:19PM

Gel wrote: »

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WHITE-MG-MGF-MIDGET-PETROL-FULLY-RESTORED_W0QQitemZ120500843603QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item1c0e68f453#ht_1502wt_1167

Like this one best if you could stretch to the money....the Kildare one could be just as good - wouldn't mind seeing a picure of the engine bay and as you pointed out the seats may need work

CamperMan · 19-12-2009 01:28PM

I love the tiny MG Midget...tiny car - BIG fun!! I had one and sold it, and the only reason I sold it was the feckin roads around where I live are so bad, I could not drive the low down Midget on them, I was always scraping the bottom of the car... If I had good roads, I would have another one. What about a Triumph Spitfire?

Gel · 20-12-2009 02:18AM

Just noticed something strange about this one:

The reg. is an English 1967 but the design is a later version as in round wheel arches, black honeycomb grill?
Still a very nice car but why would this be?
http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/search.cfm?Account=AETA68504&Mode=0&BodyId=stock&AdvancedSearch=0&FinanceForm=0&Category=Used%2520Cars&Make=MG&Model=MIDGET&Keywords=example%2C+TDi&Search=Search&MinPrice=Any&MaxPrice=Any&MaxAge=Any&MaxMileage=Any&Colour=Any&Fuel=Any&Trans=Any

InTheTrees · 20-12-2009 09:31AM

Maybe a previous owner bought that plate because it means something to them? A long shot I know...

Are you going to see the 2500 car? Good luck.

macplaxton · 20-12-2009 11:13AM

Looks like a tax-dodge or a box of bits.

COB MGV8 · 20-12-2009 11:33AM

Gel wrote: »

Just noticed something strange about this one:

The reg. is an English 1967 but the design is a later version as in round wheel arches, black honeycomb grill?
Still a very nice car but why would this be?
http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/search.cfm?Account=AETA68504&Mode=0&BodyId=stock&AdvancedSearch=0&FinanceForm=0&Category=Used%2520Cars&Make=MG&Model=MIDGET&Keywords=example%2C+TDi&Search=Search&MinPrice=Any&MaxPrice=Any&MaxAge=Any&MaxMileage=Any&Colour=Any&Fuel=Any&Trans=Any

Its not uncommon for people to change to RWA if the original ones are knackered with rust and have to be replaced anyway. Lots of people change the grill as well, also for purely cosmetic reasons....You'll need to talk to the previous owner to establish exactly whay this was done.

One other point in all your deliberations - if the cars have had an unleaded head fitted its better....the original 1275 engine couldn't cope with leaded petrol (or so I've been told anyway)

Gel · 20-12-2009 05:33PM

Aaaargh! What to do???

Was planning to go see the car in Kildare today but turns out the owner is stranded in Galway!
Another of the cars I really like is on eBay and only 4 hours to go!!
So if I wait to see the Kildare car I miss the other one!
If the white one on eBay went for under £3K it might end up being a better buy as it seems to tick all the boxes whereas the red car in Kildare looks like it might need some work and end up costing more in the long run.
I've been down this road before with an MGB. Cost £3,300 but by the time I was satisfied with it it cost €13,000
I know it's a risky business no matter what I do but what do you think?

Cheers and thanks for the help!

Gel · 20-12-2009 11:12PM

Well, missed out on the white car on eBay so problem solved I suppose.

MG Midget opinions

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