Success said:
So the general concensus is that the MG is better than a Porsche ?
No doubt about it, if you happen to desire the Porsche it is undoubtably very desireable.Whether it is better than the SV or SV-R though is all relative imo. What are you looking for in a particular car? It is certainly more exclusive so that I believe is a tick/check in the plus column for MG.
As mentioned by some of the other members, the car is highly customizable at the factory level, another plus for the SV. It is a bespoke car in the way that an Aston Martin is. It is essentially hand made and that accounts for the high cost of the car.
It looks incredible in SV-R trim in that wacky orange with black wheels. Do you want to be looked at? In most cases the German car is going to be invisible in traffic, whereas the SV-R previously described could probably stop traffic in the same that way a Ferrari can. The best line of attack would be for you to go and arrange a test of both vehicles. If I was in the market for this kind of vehicle as an MG fan I'd buy the MG everytime.
I believe part of the answer you seek is that in some ways, yes the SV is a better car. However in other areas perhaps the Porsche is the smarter choice. As I see it this is an Emotional decision not a smart or pragmatic one. The SV makes my pulse race. The Porsche which I respect and admire is mundane and prosaic when compared to the SV and really doesn't move me at all.
This isn't merely about Spec Sheets or performance stats it is about wanton lust and desire. I lust and desire an Aston DB9 or V8 Vantage. I desire and lust the Supercharged Range Rover Sport or Top Line Range Rover. I lust and desire after a Rover 75 V8. To a degree I lust after some Audi's, (A black Audi A8 LWB for instance) but they lack that certain something (Unlike the SV.) Put simply, by and large Audi's make too much sense and lack the quirky character traits of a Rover 75 V8 or SV.
If I had a stable of vehicles the SV-R in Orange or some other arresting "Good morning officer" colour would be in there for sure. Heck I'd even settle for a 1/18 scale version! I WANT an SV-R. I don't NEED one. Big Difference. Do you WANT an SV??
The new B*W M5 is probably a better car than the new Cadillac Supercharged STS. But which one pushes my buttons?? The Caddy. Irrational? Perhaps? but to see the two on the street it isn't even close visually. The Caddy is edgy, original and fresh. The 5 series or M5, is droopy, vaguely Korean or Japanese in appearance. The B*W is probably the smarter choice but if I was in the market for this kind of car, I'd take the Cadillac everytime and throw logic and common sense out of the window.
If people approach everything they buy from an investment or common sense standpoint, they invariably do not get what they desire. They get what is best for their bank balance. BORING!!
Go and test the SV!! As a bonus I believe you can visit Longbridge, and see your car being built.