Thinking about getting a little MG Coupe. I see them from time to time in the under-10k range. Now, my question is, is it possible to get an MG and have the price of the car AND the price of the repairs that might be needed, and have it all be under five figures?
No, I would never consider buying one without the first-hand inspection of a knowledgable mechanic with experience with MGs.
What model? A vintage MGA, an MGBGT from the '70s or one of the more modern, Chinese models?
Modern Chinese models? No. One of the vintage ones. 70s or 80s. MGB, if there’s one available.
Unless you get one that has spent all of its’ life in a garage, or in the Southwest US, it’s going to be a hopeless rust bucket.
Driving one back from the West or hauling it on a truck would not be out of the question, if I could find one that was the right price - i.e. cost of both car and repairs needed would not exceed 10k.
I don’t have firsthand experience with working on MGs (although I’ve known a number of people who owned them) but I can tell you about what utter crap Triumph and Lotus roadsters are from a maintenance standpoint. If you want a roadster, just go buy a used Miata. The money you will save on towing fees alone will be worth it.
Stranger
OK, you’ve just admitted you don’t have any first-hand experience with MGs, and different companies are different. Do the people you know who own MGs find them to be problematic?
Rather not have a Miata, but I’d consider a Toyota MR2.
Yes, MG owners report most of the same complaints, largely owing to the fact that pretty much all cars of that era used Lucas (“The Prince of Darkness”) components. Owning a British sports car of that era is like having a beautiful mistress; she costs a lot to maintain, keeps you away from the family, and ultimately leaves a giant mess in your driveway before exploding in flames.
The MR2 is a fine car if you can find one that someone hasn’t blown out the head gasket. Mechanically they’re very solid. And from what I’ve seen they haven’t tended to suffer from the kind of chassis rustout problems you see in both British and Japanese cars of the pre-1990s.
Stranger
Lucas?! That one word is enough to scare me off. I’ve heard the horror stories with Jaguars. If that shit was used in MGs, I don’t want an MG.
I am an MG owner - since the late '70s. Used to commute in an MGBGT. Take look at the MG Experience bbs for info & a lot of other owners. Search (and watch) BringATrailer.com for recent sales and pricing - read the comments for the auctions too.
They are pretty basic cars for an amateur mechanic but if you don’t like doing that, look for a Miata - or a clean S2000 (my other passion) for a lot of fun and Honda reliability.
Lucas components, and particularly electronics, were in all of the British cars of the era even before everything became some iteration of British Motor Corporation.
This guy has some interesting things to say about MGs and other British sports cars of the era. For a taste:
*There was little, if any, support from England and we were constantly frustrated with parts replacement. It mattered little to British Leyland what the calendar year was: if the car came down the assembly line and a two-year-old part was found under the work bench and would fit, it was installed. We had a model year 1972 car with 1970 parts on it and right next to it would be an identical car with current, totally different parts on it. Strange thing was, they all worked. We even got MGs in with four different manufacturers’ tires and some with only the spare rim—no tire (guess they ran out that day). *
Somehow, the Japanese started their post-WWII car industry with British designs and tooling and somehow managed to evolve their manufacturing to make the most reliable vehicles on the planet. Funny old thing, life.
Stranger
the thing the Japanese did better than anyone at that time was to approach every part of the process of designing and building cars with discipline. That kind of half-assed slap-dash stuff was just simply not accepted.
When Mazda started designing their Miata, their goal was to make a car reminisant of the MGB, but actually reliable. And considering they have been producing them for 28 years and over a million sold world wide, I would say the succeeded.
When I was about 22 I came into a 1977 MG Midget. A little math tells me the car was just 12 years old. The ragtop frame broke easily and I had it rewelded a few times. The rear differential self-destructed, prompting replacement; the driveline U-joints wore out and needed replacing. Starter died but the tiny car was readily push-started so not a great big deal. I spent at least as much time under the car as I did driving it. But driving it was a fucking blast because it was just me, an engine, and just enough steel to keep everything attached to some wheels. Oh yeah, an engine mount broke which made the car jump to the right when I’d get on the gas, and then lurch left when I let up. Terrifying on the freeway. Eventually the engine straight conked out and I walked away from the miserable wretch, leaving it on the side of the road. Not sure what ever became of it, don’t care.
I eventually became an MR2 guy (MkI 1986-89). That is a very fine piece of engineering. Don’t get one of those. You can get one for $1500-$2500 in decent shape, but really you have to spend close to $4-5,000 to swap out the poopy old 100hp 4AGE 16v with a more modern 150hp 4AGE 20v Japanese Domestic Market engine. The motor and accompanying 6 speed will run you $2000, and then you have to fab up the exhaust, wiring harness, fuel & coolant lines. Lovely project if you have time money and know what you’re about.
Alternatively…buy a new Subaru BRZ/Scion FRS/Toyota 86. These are relatively bare-bones, no-nonsense, task-balanced machines like the MkI MR2, but without 30+ years of wear on them. Some call them underpowered (like the old MR2), but they miss the point. These cars aren’t going to win any drag races, but you kick ass when the road gets curvy. Toyota caved and put a turbo on their revisions, which made them respectable dragsters, but ruined them for curves (get aggressive with a turbo in a curvy road and you might survive long enough to see what I mean).
JohnnyLA is a MG guy. Let’s see if he’s got any advice for you.
Missed edit: “Toyota caved and put a turbo on their revisions” talking about the MR2. If you can find an old MR2 with the supercharger, pounce on it.
I had thought about recommending these but even used they aren’t going to come in below $10k. But yes, they are true roadster-type cars, albeit without the ragtop (which is more trouble than it’s worth if you ask me but I’m not a fan of convertibles in general). The S2000 is also a good car in that class and with Honda’s reputation for reliability. Personally I like the original Z-cars, and if I had a garage I’d get a clean chassis and straight six and rebuild everything from the ground up with modern suspension, brakes, and electronics, and paint it Metallic Blue with white racing stripes.
Stranger
Yeah, forgot about the money part. Actually, a Hyundai Genesis coupe can be had for just a little over $10k. Nice roadster-y car, with a burly V6 instead of the boxter 4 banger. I drove one recently, thinking to get at the power I wish my BRZ had, but it was dark out and I didn’t want to throw it into a corner when I couldn’t see. It would probably do just fine though. But it was kind of big. 
Also tested a 370Z for the same reason. It’s quick enough, but it steers like a cow compared to the BRZ.
Never drove a Honda S, but I would want some assurances it would be rigid enough being topless like that. Otherwise I’ll bet they’re fun.
I had an S2000; rigidity was never an issue. That car was designed as a convertible and they got it 100% right. As long as you’re willing to buzz around at motorcycle-like RPMs, it’s a total hoot. It’s not noted for low-RPM torque though, so if you expect to be able to boot it in any gear and make quick progress, you’ll be disappointed.
Now I am a hardcore British car guy. I’m semi-actively looking for an E-Type right now, at least until my wife finds out. I’ve owned Lotuses and was even the Chairman of the PNW Lotus club for a few years. Stranger’s right. The Miata is the answer if you’re looking to just drive a car. If you’re looking for a hobby, then sure, an MGB is a cool way to go.
Of all the fun cars I’ve owned or borrowed, the Miata was at the top of the heap. It wasn’t the brutal switchblade at the track that my Lotus was, and it wasn’t as tack-sharp and refined as the S2000, but it was the most effortlessly joyful. I’d like to have another, if I had more garage space.
I love MGs - a healthy chunk of my library is books about them (mostly As and Bs), I go to British car shows to gawk at them and talk to owners, I’ve ridden in many. Nothing about my experiences with them would make me own one before retirement age, when I had a lot of time on my hands. Likely not even then. Reliable back in the day meant it broke down walking distance from home and rustproofing wasn’t even an idea. And have you considered accident safety? Some of those old roadsters make me nervous and I ride motorcycles.
My suggestion? First gen facelift Boxster, and ignore all the IMS worry-warts.
The 350Z/370Z is an abomination. I mean they are fine cars for what they intend to be but they fail to capture the basic essence of the 240Z, and are bested by the WRX STi or Civic Type R in terms of absolute performance.
Stranger