The standard tyres and suspension give good road grip. 0-60 happens in 7.4s, 1st takes you up to 40 mph with ease, 2nd hits 70 mph.

That much power coming out of a 1.8 litre without a turbo is something to shout about.

I bought mine in 08/07 on a 05 plate. It runs well with no problems, juicy when you put your foot down. Over all, I think that the MG ZR 160 is a good buy,I am very happy!

Loved this car since the day I picked it up even if it has spent a couple of trips on a break down truck! Fun, playful, great handling hot hatch.

This MG ZR 160 is all round general fun and reliable car for all the family. Would recommend anyone to buy one. Quick, reliable, economical, head turner, fun to drive but also very practical for a family car. Engine slightly noisy, build quality OK.

We got our pearl black MG ZR 160 three weeks ago and I think it is just brilliant! Ok, the panel fit isn't the best (it hasn't been dinged though) and the interior rattles away as the tight suspension finds every hole in the road, but it takes me back to mkI Golf GTi hot hatch days. It has a rawness about which I love, a nice tappy engine sound and deep exhaust which howls when you get it up past 4000rpm. It torque steers under hard acceleration but doesn't tramline & feels like it's set up just right. When the family is in it, it drives like a normal car but when I go out for a pint of milk, it turns into a tarmac chewing beast! I hate the key, it feels like it's going to snap every time I unlock the petrol cap and all the speakers need upgrading if only to drown out the noise of the rattly cabin but they're so cheap you'd be stupid to pass one up. Oh & it's definitely not a Rover. Go for the face lift model.

We've only had the MG ZR 160 for a fortnight but I'm already making excuses to go out for milk, papers, etc & taking the scenic route. The last 'hot' car I had was a Seat Cordoba SX Coupe 2.0 16v which I loved but the 160 beats it hands down. Yes, the bad points are as I've listed but that only adds to the appeal for me, think MK1 Golf GTi & you're there, in essence. Its torque steers, the engine howls over 4000rpm & the suspension rattles your fillings out. Brilliant!!! There should be a Smiles Per Gallon rating on this tarmac chewing beast, it's raw & basic, just how a hot hatch should be. The insurance is cheap at £340 comp with 6yrs NCD & although its too early to comment on reliability, you only have to Google parts & tuners to see there's no need to worry on that score. Buy one now.

I would thoroughly recommend this MG ZR 160 car to anyone with a sense of fun. I feel 18 again every time I drive it. You will have to go and find your own MG cos this one ain't for sale and it never will be. MG/Rover haven't changed the design very much over the years because there's no need. They got it right the first time.

As my MG ZR 160 is nearing the happy side of 200 bhp. I have to say every time I drive it I have a huge smile on my face, it tuns heads every where I go.
The handling is excellent the engine pulls more and more the harder you rev it and when the engine is as good as what it is you can't help putting the foot down (the whole time).
I have to say anyone who slags the MG off doesn't know what a real car is and if they want to drive around in Astra's and Civic's for the rest of their life's its their loss I say. For the price you can get a ZR for now I would say go and get one now as they are excellent value for money and top notch cars.

I received my MG ZR at the end of July, and I have never enjoyed driving so much!! I used to drive a 1.2 Renault Clio, but the ZR knocks this off the block. It holds the road really well, and I have kept up with quite a few sporty cars on the dual carriageway. Even though I only have the basic model, it still draws a few stares. I have fixed the stereo problem with just getting a new one fitted, and the original speakers hold their quality with a more powerful unit. The only problem so far is that I had to take it back for a wheel alignment within a month, but that's probably due to poor road surfaces where I live. There is plenty of space in the boot to fit a pram, as well as having a CD changer in there too.

With X POWER modifications i have full warrenty, a lovely progressive road car and an awsome track day car, all for the total price of £15,500. i have had no real problems with the MG ZR 160 and even though the car is 20mm lower than standard, because the suspension was developed through MG from Ebaich the ride is firm yet still slightly forgiving. the car does not feel like it simply has lowering springs. I would recommend this car to all but seriously think about that suspension, it makes all the difference!!!!

Bought the MG ZR 160 when they first came out, so its going on for 3 years old now, I've had no problems aprat from the boot not shutting which happened a few months ago and was fixed by the dealer in under 10 mins. Car has 40K+ on the clock and hasn't missed a beat (and boy has it been thrashed). I still love this car after 3 years of driving. Says it all really

I brought the car second hand with 70k on the clock which I only just had the money for but once I test drove it I was hooked. Great acceleration even at the top end and with that mileage, good grip round the corners - well balanced.
So even if you have teething problems at the start dont worry, this car just gets better with age.

The MG ZR 160 is a drivers car no doubt about it. The car has presence on the roads and deserves respect as it can take on most hot hatches/saloons out there. The seats are great as is the twin exhaust that sounds sweet. Road holding and sheer power for a 1.8 are better than you could hope for. A true British sports car and worth every penny. 18 months I have had this car from new and I still look back at it now each time I leave it anywhere, now can you honestly say that about the car you drive now?

My previous car was a Saxo and before that a Civic. I was considering going back to Honda for a Type R but my girlfriend had recently bought a 2nd hand ZR 105 (the base model). After driving that and being rather impressed I decided to try out the 160, which I have owned for about 6 months now.

Do not buy a hot hatch until you try this car! And do NOT listen to the press who moan about this or that. This is the best car I have ever driven.

I'm supposed to be specific so, in order of preference: Road holding (superb), steering (super superb), engine (ditto - sounds great and bags of power), exhaust (sounds spot on woooooow), interior - I think it's fine, solid (not plasticky), no steering column audio stick but then I always fit after-market stereos anyway, and so should you!

And yes this car gets lots of looks (the ladies adore it). And as per previous reviews it's British and that counts for summat too.

I love this car - it looks good and its just as great to drive. My previous car was a VW GTi which developed one fault after another. I decided I would never buy another VW and after a lot of looking arround I chose an MGZR 160VVC in metallic black. I've done 5,000 miles and so far I have not been disappointed. The best thing I like about this car is its British!

Had my mg atomix from brand new 03 got the 17" side sills,half leather etc in solar red with red leather inserts.well chuffed with my car,get all the boy racers in there 1.1 beaten up cars burning around town.My msg is get a decent car to pose u sad boys!!!all u guys with mgs have taste and u women!!I love my car but only fault the noise u get frm sunroof,but apart from that a well sexy car,if u aint got one get one!!gona mod my car right up and give it large round town so eat ur heart out u 1.1 sad boy racers. also love the british car,bmw everone has got mgs not many where i live!! nice rare car!!! dead sexy and puller!!!

The MG ZR 160 is the most fun car I have ever driven and it gets tons of admiring looks, superb suspension and steering so it just sticks to anything, power is more than adequate to see off virtually all contenders. Extremely pleased and still loving it a year after purchase.

The MG ZR 160 is a great british sports car that takes over the roads.

Fast As a cheetah, can keep up with most things on the road and sayin that i have kept up with a lot of performance cars, as for the focus RS that car tends to get rather small in my rear mirror, and i cant wait for the 1.8 turbo unit to be bought out and there is talk about putting a 2liter KV6 under the bonnet now that sounds interesting. The only thing i can say about it is dont underestimate what power it has got cos you might be a bit embarised if you challenge 1. Also you will find you do become a bit popular if you do like i did and have the light sensative paint, also there are a few more mods under the bonnet cranking the power upto a staggering 280-300bhp and i think NOS is the next stage.