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“MG TF - I bought a new '05 TF 135 in April, exactly...”

written by Irish TF on 14/07/2005

Good Points
Handsome looks, gutsy sweet engine, superb ride quality

Bad Points
Build quality suspect, some old switchgear, precarious purchase

General Comments
MG TF - I bought a new '05 TF 135 in April, exactly one week before MGR went bust. I actually consider myself lucky that I got one of the last TFs made, as this has been my dream car for ages. The new '05 model year has a hugely improved suspension with a glass rear window and lots of extras as standard. It looks beautiful, and with the Grenadine and Alacantara interior it looks as stylish on the inside as it does on the outside. The optional (and good-value) chrome pack also complements the car's classy appearance. Handling seems a little less sharp than the 02MY but is still very balanced with just a touch of oversteer at speeds. The new standard-fit Continental tyres and revised spring rates mean that the car handles much more safely in the wet than previous TFs or Fs ever did. Fuel economy is averaging out at 35MPG on a mixture of urban, motorway and back roads, which is decent considering I drive this car fairly hard. It's a pity that standard safety features are thin-on-the-ground but the volumetric r/c alarm is good, and the deadlocks work well. Some of the switchgear is very dated; I particularly dislike the electric windows' switches. The new standard-fit Seemen's CD tuner is awful, however the standard 6 speakers are good enough for a much more high-quality unit. Rattles are practically non-existent, although my clutch judders a bit when cold. The panel gaps are generally even and the car feels better built than previous MGRs I've driven, although the driver's electric window needed adjustment when I took delivery of the car. And then there's the engine - that sweet, gutsy 1.8 K-series which loves to be revved and sounds great, especially as it surges at 3,500 RPM towards the 6,900 RPM red-line. Overall, I'm delighted with my new TF. I just wish the company didn't go bust along with my 3-year warranty!