# British MG Coupe - reliability, affordability of repair, etc **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 23, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084 "2018-03-23T17:54:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/21 "2018-03-23T21:39:50Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > As long as you’re willing to buzz around at motorcycle-like RPMs, it’s a total hoot. Well, duh! The high rev power is what set the hook in me for the MR2–as a bonus, you had all that wind-up going on about 10 inches behind your lungs–just exhilarating! BRZ is the same way, the real fun happens between 4500-7500 RPM. I’d be willing to bet that’s how I killed the MG. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/22 "2018-03-23T21:45:56Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Well, duh! The high rev power is what set the hook in me for the MR2–as a bonus, you had all that wind-up going on about 10 inches behind your lungs–just exhilarating! BRZ is the same way, the real fun happens between 4500-7500 RPM. I’d be willing to bet that’s how I killed the MG. Totally with you there, but not everyone thinks this way. Back in the day, the message boards were full of people griping about poor acceleration in 6th gear at 40 mph. I will say, having a car with a lot of grunt is fun in its own way. Knowing that I can invoke the gods of traction control with a big dose of throttle is its own kind of fun. My current motorcycle is kind of that way too. Makes me glad for the adjustable wheelie control settings! ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/23 "2018-03-23T21:54:55Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > 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. I can’t find a Boxster under $10,000, can you? Would a Porsche not be way more of a maintenance headache than a Toyota MR2? Because I totally dig the MR2. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/24 "2018-03-23T22:32:29Z")
I went to college with a guy who raced them. He said you could buy 5 identical factory cams for them and they would all be different. The original machine work was spotty back then. Not something you should worry about now. And the original wiring is certainly not as complex as a modern car so that’s easily replaced. Older classic cars are getting snapped up so if you find something that you like it won’t be cheaper next year. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/25 "2018-03-23T23:32:10Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > Totally with you there, but not everyone thinks this way. Back in the day, the message boards were full of people griping about poor acceleration in 6th gear at 40 mph. I own an MGB-GT that used to be my daily driver. What is this “6th gear” of which you speak? ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/26 "2018-03-23T23:34:52Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I own an MGB-GT that used to be my daily driver. > > What is this “6th gear” of which you speak? This was in reference to the high-rev nature of **Inigo’s** MR2 or my S2000. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/27 "2018-03-24T00:47:49Z")
> [@Jacquernagy](#): > > I can’t find a Boxster under $10,000, can you? Would a Porsche not be way more of a maintenance headache than a Toyota MR2? Because I totally dig the MR2. Where **are** you? There are over 20 sub-$10k first generation Boxsters in the surrounding area (KY). Following the usual caveat of avoiding the 2.5L engine only narrows things by five. The rule with Porsches is that anything that doesn’t start with 911 depreciates like crazy. (I couldn’t find a dozen Mister Twos around here, assuming you mean the Spyder and not the original). As far as maintenance, the 986/996 were specifically designed to be easier and cheaper to maintain than previous Porsches - figure on about $1000/year to keep one on the road if you don’t work on it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/28 "2018-03-24T01:18:20Z")
Wasn’t it only a week ago that we were talking about[classic British cars](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=851168)? I thought that thread would have scared anyone! ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/29 "2018-03-24T08:16:52Z")
I owned a new 1970 MG Midget for 3 years and I seem to remember replacing almost everything on that car except the engine. The car was a classic, especially if you appreciate classic 1940’s mechanical technology. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/30 "2018-03-24T13:36:20Z")
> [@Dereknocue67](#): > > I owned a new 1970 MG Midget for 3 years and I seem to remember replacing almost everything on that car except the engine. The car was a classic, especially if you appreciate classic 1940’s mechanical technology. I hope you named it “The Roadster of Theseus”. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/31 "2018-03-24T14:58:58Z")
I bought a 1974 MGB new from the local dealer. [slight exaggeration, but only slight] The car was a blast to drive, hummed right along, shifting and manuevering around twisy mountains roads on a Sunday drive, flashing the headlights and waving at other MG drivers. Towed it to the shop on Sunday night or Monday morning. Waited three or four weeks for parts to arrive from England, then had another Sunday drive. [/end slight exaggeration] After six months of this, I left the car on the dealer’s lot with a note saying “Please repossess me.” IMHO, British sports cars are for people who like to work on cars – and definitely not for anyone looking for reliable transportation. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/32 "2018-03-24T16:59:56Z")
OK, I think it’s settled. The MG will be for my retirement years. For now - the MR2. I’ll keep an eye out for good ones. I already have a 4Runner and love it; I trust Toyota quality. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/33 "2018-03-24T17:34:15Z")
> [@Jacquernagy](#): > > Modern Chinese models? No. One of the vintage ones. 70s or 80s. MGB, if there’s one available. I’m late to the party but I know someone who has one. He spends a fortune on it. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/34 "2018-03-24T17:48:05Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > I’m late to the party but I know someone who has one. He spends a fortune on it. You either do that or fiddle with it yourself. As noted above, they are 1940s (or 30s) tech - easy to work on. I made my MGB much more reliable by stripping off the smog controls, going back to SU carbs, pointless ignition and switching to Denso alternator and starter - and keeping the revs below 4500… ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/35 "2018-03-24T21:22:23Z")
> [@Jacquernagy](#): > > OK, I think it’s settled. The MG will be for my retirement years. For now - the MR2. I’ll keep an eye out for good ones. I already have a 4Runner and love it; I trust Toyota quality. Here you go - [1985 MR2](https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-toyota-mr2-6/)! Get in there and bid - 6 days to go. bringatrailer MR2 auction history [here](https://bringatrailer.com/toyota/mr2/). ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/36 "2018-03-24T22:29:56Z")
Ha! Even comes with a 1:43 mini-me car! Hell, I might jump on this one! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/37 "2018-03-24T23:56:03Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > You either do that or fiddle with it yourself. He’s too old to do it himself. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/38 "2018-03-25T00:19:32Z")
A buddy of mine in high school thought it would be cool to drive a Triumph. So he bought three of them. He still walked to school half the time. The words “English” and “electronic” do not belong in the same language, much less the same sentence. Unless the words “fail” and “disaster” are also in the sentence. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084/39 "2018-03-25T03:23:07Z")
I had a 1978 MGB. It was a fun quirky car. It was also not reliable, especially the infamous Lucas Electrics. If I had to get another small 2-seat convertible I’d get a Mazda Miata. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-mg-coupe-reliability-affordability-of-repair-etc/811084.md?page=1)