I have to disagree with Paul. For me the MGF is already a classic and is =
ready to attract a large number of MG enthusiasts from all over the =
world. The fact that the car is not being sold in the USA may not be to =
an influence in making up your opinion, which I can make out of your =
message. I have driven a VW Polo for the last 2 years, and while the MGF =
is as 'modern' like my VW Polo, it has much more character and reminds =
me more of a MGB then it reminds me of a modern car. Last year only 112 =
MGF's were sold in Belgium, rather disappointing for Rover management, =
but may be related to the price. Here in Belgium you need about $33,000 =
for buying one, what was the only reason for me to hesitate to go out =
and buy one. As being a mid-engined car, the MGF will bring a lot of =
driving pleasure. Maintenance of the engine is not easy, but I am not =
expecting that the car will brake down, in let's say 10 years from now =
,-)
Franky Obus
Antwerp - Belgium
MGF '96
VW Polo '94
(looking for an MGB and time to restore one)
----------
From: David C Littlefield[SMTP:dmeadow@juno.com]
Sent: 29-jan-97 2:58
To: KILE_PAUL@aphub.aerojetpd.com
Cc: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: MGF in US
This being a matter of opinion and taste, I am sure you will get a =
number
of disagreements and will not change your mind because of them. I, for
one, like the styling of the MGF. I will say that I didn't like it at
first because it seemed such a radical departure from the last MG, the =
B.
It just looked to damn modern and George Jetson to be an MG. If you
think about it, though, the B was designed in the late fifties and
produced largely unchanged from the early sixties on. Therefore, you
have *35* years between models, or thereabouts. It is almost analogous
to the guy who bought the Bugatti name and came out with a space
ship/Mclaren/XJ220 type supercar, compared to everyone's image being the
twenties-era road racer. It is just hard to associate the name with the
product.
However, I went to England this past year and attended MG International
at Silverstone, where there was the largest gathering of MGF's in =
private
hands to date (about 60). I got a close look at the cars and really
liked them! Rover had a special display with a couple of racing =
specials
as well as road-going cars. I had been driving those lovely, twisty
English roads for the past couple of days. I had rented a VW Polo, =
which
was actually a hoot to drive in those conditions, and when I was =
standing
over the MGF's I was literally *aching* to grab one and take it out on
those roads.
I won't presume to say that you would like them more if you saw them in
person, but I certainly did.
David Littlefield
Houston, TX
On 28 Jan 97 07:20:41 PST KILE_PAUL@aphub.aerojetpd.com (Paul D Kile)
writes:
>Yesterday, Michael Ohleger pondered whether the MGF would affect the=20
>value of older MGs if Rover were to let it into the US.
>
>I contend that they would be treated as totally separate animals, for=20
>one thing, the MGF is UGLY! I have been peering at photos in Safety=20
>Fast for over two years, and the rear end looks kicked in, the nose=20
>has too many nostrils, and the whole thing looks like it was=20
>engineered by a committee. On top of that, you don't even get the=20
>pleasure of viewing the engine in its entirety. Maintenance is=20
>conducted through a small slot behind the rear window, a la Porsche=20
>914.
>
>I know there is a loyal band of MGF owners in the UK, and I'm sure=20
>the cars drive better than they look. But I can't get over the=20
>styling. And don't assume that I am an old codger who hates anything=20
>automotive made after 1967. I was entranced enough by the M*a*a in=20
>1990 that I bought one (but sold it later to get my BGT V-8).
>
>I'm sure Rover would sell a lot of them here if they brought them in,=20
>after all, look at how many people are buying the new Taurus Wagon.
>EECCCCHHHH!
>
>There, I've said it. I couldn't help it. Let the flames begin...
>
>Paul (shun him for he is a blasphemer!) Kile =20
>
>Paul D. Kile
>
>kile_paul@aphub.aerojetpd.com
>
>(916) 355-5162
>GenCorp Aerojet
>POB 13222
>Dept 5784 Building 20019
>Sacramento, California 95813-6000
>
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