Is The MG TF The Best Bargain British Sports Car You Can Buy?

It may feel like just about everything is expensive at the moment, but an MG TF isn't. Once Britain's best selling sports car, today, the MG TF is quite simply the cheapest mid-engined modern classic you can buy. Just £1,500 gets you behind the wheel of a well-sorted example, but is it any good and should you buy one?

For years, its reputation has been unfairly plagued by rumours of unreliability and over-exaggerated head gasket woes, which has left it in the shadows of rivals like the Mazda MX5 or Toyota MR2, but prices for good TFs are finally on the rise.

I take this stunning MG TF 135 out for a drive and discuss known issues, explain what to look out for, what to pay, and explore why the TF might just be a sound investment as prices begin to rise.

The MG Octagon badge is one of the most famous in British car manufacturing and motorsport, and today the TF enjoys a loyal fan base and excellent club support, so watch this video and see why there's never been a better time to buy one.

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[markfourtyeight]

When I bought mine I thought I'd keep it for the summer and then sell it on, had my 135 for over 5 years now, I upgraded the head gasket last year along with the heavy-duty oil rail and high tensile head bolts, I did this for future value, I also have fitted S/steel coolant pipes, I toured Scotland since and travelled all over the country to shows and events, it's been a great car, very economical and reliable. If I had to find fault it would be access to engine for servicing, it's not hard to do but it takes time. It's fun to drive and the engine is very flexible, if your rev it through the gears it goes very well. It's a much better car than I expected. I had a bargain at £650, Its got 16" 11 spoke alloys and AP four pot callipers, along with chrome pack and Alcantara seats. If you buy one that's been cared for, you'll have a reliable car. Mine is Royal Blue and it suites the car. Great value fun car.

[Kit-Talon]

I was fed up with constantly forking out to keep my Alfa Romeo Spider on the road and traded it in for an MG TF 160, to be honest I've never looked back. It's both my daily commuter and my weekend fun car, hard top in winter and hood down all summer. Lovely car, what's more I always get fellow MG F / TF drivers waving at me when passing by. A true cult classic!

[WilfredZweverink]

Dutch bloke here, had a 1998 F, and now a 2003 TF, it's quite simple with these, get a proper maintained car, have the headgasket and belt done with the right gasket, and the stainless steel cooling pipes, warm up properly and it's quite reliable and very fun to drive on the twisties..

[richardlewis]

I got my TF 160 for £50 off of a friend. It had been sat for 7 years and was In a sorry state, complete with a mouse nest! I still have it 4 years later, I have replaced loads of parts, far too many to remember, but, I love it. It does need a respray and a new roof but so much fun and actually quite refined with the roof down!

[robertdodd]

Had mine eight years, each winter it has a little bit of money and some time invested in it. Been very pleased with it. This year its longest road trip was 440 miles in a day (no motorway) included 50 miles round a race circuit. All with the top down, and almost 40mpg.

[AlastairBaker-iecl]

Got a 135 about 7 years ago for 600 because electric window and central locking did not work. SCU fixed for 50 quid and it has been a gem. Had a laminated gasket in case, a cam belt & water pump, a set of Toyo tyres and a new battery. All that is said in this review is spot on. Top down driving pleasure as good as any other with daily driving possible and a touch of MG charm for the least possible money.

[MrJules]

I have the vvc f and love it to bits, had it 16 years, no other vehicle has given me so much enjoyment, my gasket was rrplaced at 64, 000 and its been great since, mine is a sports version with leather and walnut and it smells great everytime you get in it. I wont drive it in the wet to preserve the underside, i rarely use the vvc these days as its quick enough before it kicks in, the enjoyment factor of having one of these is just great.

[Ruckus]

TF LE500 has the perfect suspension set up. I've had a 160 and a 2004 anniversary model now a LE.

[theadventuresofred]

Totally underrated cars. Where else can you get a mid engined sportscar with a spicy 16V engine?

[robbell]

I bought my MGF new in 1996 planning to chop it in for a Lotus Elise in 18 months.

I still own that car - and shock horror, it’s been so incredibly reliable!

Great video - and 100% agree with your conclusions. It’s a gem 👍

[shaunontheinternet]

The over-assisted light steering always put me off these cars. I put a full spare wheel in the front (under the bonnet), and the problem went away! Absolutely spot on now :)

[barryhughes]

I owned two MGF's and two TF's, my preference was the F but they are all good fun sports cars, once the head casket issue has been addressed and routine maintenance done regularly they are inexpensive to run and very enjoyable.

[millarlambie]

I have a 2003 automatic. Was a little apprehensive buying the step speed. I have had the car two years now, no issue at all. I actually like the auto a lot, I particularly like the engines maximum torque settings at much lower engine revolutions than the standard manual transmission models. Enjoyed your article.

[ukxgyzb]

Just recently purchased mine for £775, 2004.Had a private plate on which have been offered £900.Love the car

[andyhotchin]

I love my 04 Starlight Silver TF even tho its only 115. But I love it, love it, love it, whenever I get to go out out in it, especially with the top down 😊❤❤❤

[andrewphillips]

Don't be fooled, the decision to ditch Hydragas was 100% a financial one. With the F being the only car running Hydragas as Dunlop's contract to make it expired (Rover 100 / Metro finished production a few years earlier), the economies of scale were not there anymore. Simply, it was substantially cheaper to redesign the suspension to take coils & springs (which predates Hydragas by decades as a suspension system - ironically, Hydragas is the more modetn system, replacing Hydralastic in the late 70's). So, the TF got suspension that is jiggly & firm - you can see this in the video, the front end is bouncing all over the place. Imagine having one follow you after dark dazzling you in the rear view mirror. It happens. SP2 (factory optional sports suspension pack) is actually a big improvement being more compliant. And there are several aftermarket kits out there that are vastly superior to the OE set up.

[awc]

I've owned a 2003 TF160 for almost five years which is about twice as long as I planned. However I'm still not in a rush to sell it.

[Harrylechat]

Off to look at a mint TF135 Spark at the weekend, really hoping to join the owners' club soon! 😎

[tomscott]

I love that the numberplate on the photos of your old MGF spells SORN!

[Cheerssailing]

Fully agree with everything thing you said I have owned one of these cars for over 12 years and it’s never let me down we’re else can you get open top motoring that puts a smile on your face for little money now is the time to buy before prices start to rise great little car