Topic

I sure you will pick up loads of tips on here and soon have your F looking as good as new, look forward to seeing your progress

Tina

Well you're already a friendlier bunch than on a certain 75/ZT forum! Tbh I've started to get fed up of the constant bitching from some in that forum.

Anyway I digress, you've already put my concerns to bed. So here's to many a weekend of freezing cold mornings on the driveway with the F in bits!

Btw what a lovely welcome, thanks folks!

to a great forum and a bunch of very friendly, knowledgeable people who will help you thro' the process of fixing and upgrading your little motor car.

I was like you bought a cheap car and then ended up spending twice as much as its worth all thanks to David Aiketgate who made me spend my money on suspension parts, clutch, door seals, seats and all sorts of stuff. Only joking David.......

Once you start you can't help it. It can at times be frustrating

I started by valeting it, getting rid of the rust waxoyling and then replacing some of the suspension then upgrading the brakes, the list goes on. Then replacing trim and seats. It just gets you that way. They are so easy to work on and we have some excellent mobile guys to help with the major stuff. Saint Russell paid me a visit down here in the sunshine state, what a guy , needs lots of coffee and fags tho.

For work I have a TT, but during the summer I used the F, but the mileage was creeping up so I took it off the road in September and put it under wraps until next year. This week I re-taxed it dragged out from under the covers and after dropping the roof did 965 miles with my work.

What a blast that's how infectious these little motor cars can be, they get under your skin. You will enjoy doing it even with your limited skills and the boys and girls on here will help. Also the parts are not that expensive.


Enjoy

• Parts are cheap and plenty of second hand bits available.


• Low technology vehicle so any repair is possible at home without specialised equipment.


• Working on the MG will be cheaper than going to the pub.


• Once you've taken out the missus on a nice day with the hood down she will love it.


• At £400 you are always going to get you money back.


• Whats not to like? Enjoy it.


• Oh; and by the way welcome.


Brian.

A great big

Your car looks more 'honest' rather than a lemon! Far better to know whats wrong than think you have a real peach only to be flawed at the next MOT!!

A few small rust spots is fine - parts that are bolt on (doors, front wings bonnet etc) I would simply swap out for one's off eBay that are better if you need to. Just get the right shade of silver as there are several!

The interior will easily clean up (until you fall in to the dark side a NEED leather or alcantara!), and a spit and polish will do wonders.

Just drive it and love it like we all do... like has been said - they are infectious little cars!

Looks like you have a bargain to me.

Rust on the subframes is likely only surface. I've lost count of the number of MoT garages that will put an advisory on the first tiny scab of rust they see.

The interior will clean up a treat, 4 wheel alignment will most likely sort out the uneven tyre wear and may well sort out the steering too.

Brakes are easily sorted, new pads and discs all round and a fluid change. If the handbrake isn't good as well then you may need calipers on the back too (they can be found on eBay for a reasonable cost.)

IMO at £400 you have an absolute bargain and IMO a great daily drive once it's fully sorted.

Welcome from another Mk2 owner. I think the Mk2 is the one to go for on a tight budget and as you already love your car, don't worry about whether it was the right buy, just focus on sorting it out.

It's dead easy to start spending money you may or may not have on 'improving' these cars and as you are on a very tight budget my suggestion is that you keep the car totally orginal (make this your goal) and that way you will have most of the driving & ownership satisfaction without some of the bonkers expense (bonkers in the sense of spending more than you could recoup selling). If you want to keep the car close to the orginal, you may find members on this forum with bits they've discarded that they will pass on for the cost of postage.

There are also loads of second hand bits out there to be had cheaply that still have plenty of useful life left. If you post what you need, there are guys here who will enjoy scouring the internet to come-up with cheap parts.

Lookling at the photos your tyre wear issue may be because the suspension is way down. Unless it has been properly lowered, it probably needs a hydragas pump-up to restore ride & handling and reduce wear on suspension components. If you say where you are, someone may be able to point you in the right direction.

Richard

Thanks! Brilliant advice so far. The more I read, the more I like-what a happy little owners club!!

Hi Richard,

Funny you should say that. I was pressure washing all the cack from underneath the arches earlier and noticed that I could barely get my hand underneath. Think the previous owner had started to run of of cash to look after it-hence its downward spiral. Don't imagine that he would have had the car lowered. I'm in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire and the car is sorned atm, so may need to look for a nice sole who would come out to 'blow up' the Hydragas for me. As you say, don't know much about the F, but usual for a rwd to get uneven tyre wear on the front???

£400 sounds like a good deal - enjoy.

Thanks! It's not often I get a good deal on a car. The dealer does but not me......

talkingcars wrote: wrote:

£400 sounds like a good deal - enjoy.

Longbridge Loony wrote: wrote:

Hi Richard,

Funny you should say that. I was pressure washing all the cack from underneath the arches earlier and noticed that I could barely get my hand underneath. Think the previous owner had started to run of of cash to look after it-hence its downward spiral. Don't imagine that he would have had the car lowered. I'm in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire and the car is sorned atm, so may need to look for a nice sole who would come out to 'blow up' the Hydragas for me. As you say, don't know much about the F, but usual for a rwd to get uneven tyre wear on the front???

I'd try a new topic post - something like 'help with Hydragas pump-up in Staffordshire' and see whether anyone can help or point you in a good direction. There was a hydragas register but their website seems to have died.

R