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2.5K views 35 replies 18 participants last post by  Villager  
N
#1 ·
Hiya Guys,

So ive been to test drive the blue one today. Its an 03 plate 1.6 cool blue. It has 71K on the clock. full service history with one previous owner (a doctor who apparently lives in shrewsbury but works local to me and hence the mileage which im told is mainly motorway miles.) It has had a head gasket change 2 months ago. IT comes with 12 months warranty and will be serviced and 12 months MOT put on it. I test drove it and it felt loads better than the silver one with the dodgy breaks anyway.

The only thing is it doesnt come with central locking but the garage said they would put me this in for ÂŁ200.

So figures: they said i can have it with the central locking fitted, 6 months tax and the warranty for ÂŁ5k. What do you think? Should i go for it?

Advice appreciated.
 
C
#3 ·
The service history is good, the mileage is high but OK (a car used as a daily driver is BETTER imo than one that only comes out every other weekend in the summer)

The price seems OK (maybe try negotiating a little) I would want to ensure the receipt for the HG repair is in with the service record.

My advice, if it seems right and drives right, then go for it.
 
V
#5 ·
N
#6 ·
I know its probably not the cheapest for the year/mileage but the key thing to me is that the service history and any other short comings such as HGF has been seen too. Its also just had a new waterpump too.

Personally id rather pay a bit more for one to know its been looked after than a cheaper one with patchy history. The garage is an approved MG Specialist garage too. I just got a good vibe from this one - or maybe im just talking myself in to it???
 
D
#9 ·
I am a big fan of the 1.6 and own one myself, plenty fast for those of us that like to keep our speeds closer to the legal limits. 71k though is a high mileage for a TF; by that I mean many, if not most, have a fraction of that mileage at an equivalent age. To put it into perspective my 09/04 TF 115 has done 6,700 miles.

The retro fitting of Remote Central locking can be done relatively easily (a T4 may be needed) and for a lot less than ÂŁ200, do a search on this forum. I had mine done within a week of buying it new three and a half years ago.

I am surprised the Cool Blue 1.6 didn't come with Central Locking originally, as it had the fog lamps fitted (as well as the interior upgrades, 16" wheels and coloured hood).
 
M
#10 ·
ÂŁ200 isn't bad for central locking to be honest, i did mine but one of the first locks i fitted failed within a week so although i had a replacement lock i had to refit it and then it cost me ÂŁ75 for a T4 to have it activated. if the garage is an mg specialist they are more than likely going to fit new locks which are in the region of ÂŁ70 each i believe so i think they are being very fair, and if they are on that there is a good chance they are being decent allround. hi mileage on modern well serviced cars isn't something to be frowned apon either so i would say if it feels right go for it.
 
N
#11 ·
yeah the garage said it would be with a new central locking kit with new motors etc... and not second hand ones - not that idknow the difference i suppose?

I rally want a cool blue one now. i was open minded to colour etc but after seeing it and driving it nothing else will do. if i dont buy this one then im definitely going to by a cool blue. the only thing is there are only like 11 (as per search on autotrader with distance set to national). Not many are close to me either. dont know if i fancy spending ÂŁ50 on a tank of fuel going up and down the motorway every time i want to look at one.

Also with regards to the high mileage i wont be putting that much on it each year - 4 maybe 5 thousand at most. i work in brum and drive 1 mile up the road to the train station and back each day. its only really pottering around on a weekend and if we do go anywhere far in the car we always go in my boyfriends!!!

Im considering phoning the garage Monday and asking them if they will knock a bit more off and if so then ill have it.................

BTW thanks for all your comments everyone - must appreciated - especially when your heart is running away with your head! lol!
 
#13 ·
Nothing ventured on trying for a lower price. I guess buying it from an MG garage you are going to pay a little over the odds. However if this means the recent HG repair has been done well, the cause sorted, and the car well serviced then its something less to worry about.
 
N
#29 ·
Just a bit of an update really = phoned the garage today and they WILL NOT budge on the price. They have said if i dont want the central locking now they will do it at a later date for ÂŁ200. I think this is neither here or there as i do want it and might as well get it done now rather than picking the car up for a couple of weeks then it having to go back. Unless anyone midlands based wants to quote me?

So basically the price remains at ÂŁ4700 plus ÂŁ200 for remote central locking. Am i paying way too much? Heres a link to the car too - isnt she beautiful?

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-17-19-110-192-4294966686-4294967087/search.action
 
H
#16 ·
Central locking? Is it really worth ÂŁ200, I mean, it's not hard to open the passenger door once you are inside, is it? It's strange some of the extras people want in their MG's, I mean, the guy that bought my MGF from new had AC installed, a cab with AC...... Anyone else think it slightly overkill, the worst is when I bought the car I had the dealer service the AC to make sure it worked, and how many times have I used it since........ well, a couple of times to help with demisting..... As soon as it's warm enough for the AC the top comes down anyways....
 
N
#24 · (Edited)
the 71k is ÂŁ4700. I said ÂŁ5K because i was including road tax and remote c/locking which for me guys is a must!!

ive seen that one on autotrader and enquired and its sold. theres another on there with 51K for ÂŁ4995 though. its about 100 miles away and had 3 owners though. ive enquired and its still for sale. going to get some more background on it off the dealer and if it sounds interesting then i may take a trip up. its about 100 miles from me. i am willing to travel within reason - there just dont seem to be that many cool blues about with trophy paint.
 
S
#19 ·
71k looks a bit high but history is very usefull.

My 53 TF135 (bought new) has 37k, is my only car, my daily driver, has toured Scotland 3 times, driven to Monaco, the Pyrenees, most of central France etc.

Central locking has packed up on my TF and I really cannot be bothered to change the lock yet again. Don't forget that the 116 didn't have c/l anyway.

If it looks good, the history looks good, the warranty looks good and YOU WANT IT then get it but save yourself ÂŁ200 on the C/L.

Good luck & look forward to seeing you on the forum for along time to come.
 
N
#31 ·
cards said:
walk in to the garage put 4,850 note,s down on the table
( money speaks louder than words ) say thats all ive got flutter the eye lids flash the sad puppy dog eyes say pretty please wear some thing nice & if that fails pay the 5 grand
pete
Click to expand...
Trust me i tried the young blonde female charm and got nowhere fast - seemed more interested in my old man who also came with me to look at the car - hmmmm!!!

I think im resigned to paying what they are asking. i like the car so much. have been to look and drive others too and they just dont compare.
 
N
#33 ·
Yeah im afraid so. I just dont think its worth the extra that my insurance want for a 1.8 then theres extra running costs associated with a 1.8. I know some of you will say shop around for insurance but believe me i have! Plus after driving a 70 bhp clio around the jump to a 115bhp 1.6 is more than sufficient - for now.....
 
M
#34 ·
I still think you should consider my old 115: http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ww...osOn=1&dealerid=18018&did=18018&pageid=4&make=MG&model=ANY&dealersearch_full=Go

It has central locking, back window in hood is glass, rear speakers fitted and you know the rest. (55 Reg with 19000 miles and is 3 years old next Sept)

Ask anyone on here who's seen my old car and they'll tell you it's in excellent condition.

Sales pitch over, but good luck with whatever you buy.

Edit: Did I mention the personal reg :)
 
N
#35 ·
maxalan said:
I still think you should consider my old 115: http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ww...osOn=1&dealerid=18018&did=18018&pageid=4&make=MG&model=ANY&dealersearch_full=Go

It has central locking, back window in hood is glass, rear speakers fitted and you know the rest. (55 Reg with 19000 miles and is 3 years old next Sept)

Ask anyone on here who's seen my old car and they'll tell you it's in excellent condition.

Sales pitch over, but good luck with whatever you buy.

Edit: Did I mention the personal reg :)
Click to expand...

I would of liked that but its up at ÂŁ6500 - which i havent got. if youd have cut the garage out id have bitten your hand off!!!
 
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