New - looking to buy - bit worried…

Hello.  I’m looking to get an MG TF. Some years ago a kind friend leant me his while I was having cancer treatment to take my mind off it, and it was a hoot. I have previously owned a Triumph Herald and a TR6, so I have some experience with unreliable British cars (and the RAC wrote to me saying if I broke down again in the TR6 they’d sack me as a member). 

I have two concerns about getting an MG TF, both linked to the fact I will have to park on the street. First is rust, and what I can do to protect the car. I’m on for getting it waxoiled or undersealed, but not sure where and how well that will work on a car that might already be a bit rusty. When I have time I will search the forum for experience with that.

Second is battery. This will be a fun car and won’t get used that often; maybe not for weeks at a time. I’m planning to use it loads but… life will get in the way.  Mrs Trash hates convertibles (or my driving, or both) so it really is for me to have fun in.

 I can’t put it on a mains trickle charger. I used a discarnect on the TR6 and that was perfect, but that didn’t have an ECU or a radio, and I’m not sure that leaving the bypass on achieves much as it will still drain, so I’d want to completely isolate the battery, but am worried the car won’t like that. I don’t care much about having a radio. I don’t care about an alarm, either. I’m happy for the car to be completely electrically dead provided it works properly when reconnected. 

I’m not convinced a solar charger will work, and it will be on the street, not on a drive, would have to be behind the windscreen, and it will be in shadow most of the day. I just can’t imagine it getting much charge. 

So I am left with the discarnect but unsure what will happen to the car’s electronics.  I will look on the forum for that but a quick look suggests the radio won’t work unless I have a code, which seems improbable. I could get a new radio, either one without a code or one that I know the code for, I suppose?

All help and advice welcome. 

 

I'm a F'er not a TF'er and due to the stupid alarms on the Fs and their battery draining habits I often leave the battery disconnected with no problems.

I use a discarnect on my mk2 F without a problem. Mind you, the original coded radio is long gone. The only slight issue is the fitted radio loses its stations, but doesn't bother me,

Its always interesting to see people's different approaches and concerns, the combination of rust and radio codes is a new one.
Its best to devote some time reading through the How Tos here and then old threads on this and the other TF related forums to build up an in depth picture of TF ownership and the way that any problems have been overcome.

In my expereience they are slightly less prone to rust than say Fords of the same era. Check the state of the front and rear subframes, they can be replaced if necessary and indeed many have intentionally bought cheap cars that needed them doing and replaced them.  If the sills are rusty they can easily be sorted by welding a plate on though there are proper pressed steel sections available.

Ive not expereienced the battery running down unduly rapidly on either of the TFs Ive had. Ive often left the cars 2 or 3 weeks between starting without any issues. A short run once a week should be fine for anything that has a good condition battery and alterator.  Early TFs had a Lucas alarm and body control system, carried over from the late MGF which preceeded it. Later TFs from 2003 changed to a Pektron alarm and body systems.  the process of working with them after battery disconnection is different, both are described on the forum and neither is a particular headache.

Overall theyt are good cars to drive and fun to own. Now is a good time to buy one as they are only just starting to be recognised as a bargain classic. Because values have not risen yet this means that most people can afford to buy quite a decent F or TF without stretching their finances. In turn thuis makes any cars with a bit of a story; visible bodywork damage, in need of a subframe repair or head gasket etc as very much bargain basement. Even perfectly good ones that have failed their MOT on minor stuff such as worn suspension ball jhoints and rusted corroded wishbones can be picked up at bargain prices.

As you read more you will find the mobile mechanics who are reccomended and the parts suppliers we have had good expereinces of.

Do your research and get your toes in the water.

Hi and welcome to the forum 

As already mentioned I would recommend fitting a discarnect if the car is parked for lengthy periods.

For rust proofing there are some really good products on the market, the one that I currently use is Lanogaurd, it's easy to apply and seems to do a good job. 

 

Here is a reply to a question you did not ask.
I would buy one from of the 2 OCs and not one of the TF dealers. That is what I should have done. It will be cheaper and use difference that to bring the car up to the standard you want.
They are brilliant to own.

I’m sorry, but I don’t know what OC stands for. But I was thinking of buying a cheap one and dealing with any existing rust and then rustproofing/undersealing. I have seen that a specialist in Lincolnshire has lots of cars that are pricey, and I thought I’d take my chances shopping round. 

A few weeks ago a car came up in Bristol that was a great price and looked good, but I was only beginning looking and it sold before I mobilised. I’m going to watch AutoTrader for a few months until I feel I understand the market and then look at some at dealerships before buying one. 

The advice here is extremely helpful. I think the MGs have loads more character than MX-5s, and having borrowed one some years ago, and having owned British classics, I feel a connection. 

I will chill about both battery and rust and just immerse myself in learning. 

The MX5 is a good car, but ours defiantly are better!

A relative has an MX-5, one might call him an aficionado, he considered me unhinged when he found out I had an MG.
My car doesn’t need any attention from the main dealer, where as his is on first name terms with the people who purport to be mechanics.
This isn’t typical for the car, after all my daily driver is from the same stable & I’ve never had problems with the roof not fitting correctly. I’ve never got home in my Mazda & requiring dry pants.
I’ve only met him on the road once & I backed off as I felt like I was pushing him & on passing him created a fair bit of road between us.
I was considering a second coffee when he turned up. He did end up behind a tractor for a mile or so, but I was considering a second coffee.
M

Morning Im restoring an MGTF , which I`ve been on for over a year now  I am having cancer treatment and I decided due to that and my age It will be the last car I restore It had an 11 months MOT left on it but it needed tidying up .The brakes just passed so I`ve fitted new rear callipers , discs and pads and on the front I recond. the callipers new discs and pads .I`m replacing the rear screen which was cracked and am respraying the body I set up a " tent in my garage to do this .One of the reasons I bought the car ,was for something to do when I feel like it ,which has been ideal I `reckon to have it finished before the new year  Looking at the car last week I decided the front bumper wasnt the same shade as the rest of the car .I was having problems with my spray gun ,so I`m redoing this when the weather is dry and warmer , any day now I hope .One of the main problem why I`m going to sell it ,is last year I was driving north on the M6 with my wife and a huge lorry hit us and wrote the car off .Fortunately he stopped and said he can`t see anything on his left as he is so high up !!! and thought we had taken the slip road and left the M6 .Now a solicitor recently contacted me, to ask if I could confirm one or two points ,as they were taking the firm to court as they hadnt paid my insurers for the accident .Until they do the case is classed as "OPEN" and its my fault .So the quotes I`ve had for the MG is over £900 ,this will hopefully drop once settled .but Ive been told it may be a while Ive restored over 30 cars as a hobby and never kept one anyway  If youre still interested contact me Len     

Could I recommend you wait until our friend has finished his car, it will be an absolute dolly.
The last car Len finished was a red f & I was sorely tempted, had I realised that my last Land Rover would be rehoused by my lad, Len’s red f would be in the now vacated space.
Good things come to those who wait.
M

Apologies RT. OC = Owners Club. MG Owner's Club or MG Car Club.
They publish the cars for sale on their web-sites.
Good luck.

But, seeing Len's work on here, might be worth following up.