I've been offered an mgf as trade in on one of my cars.

Now I've been thinking and keeping an eye out for a rag top as I've missed my barchetta.

Talking £1k budget

Any recommendations based on experience invited...

The head gaskets not a myth!

I had the TF 135 version, Lovely drive, dead flat round the corners, Really I could not fault it,

It got 'warm' one day, checked the oil & the worst was comnfirmed, Upon repair, the cylinder head had actually cracked! Cost me a whold new engine + £1200!

When working they are lovely IMO,.

That's the thing Chrissy, I'm talking throwaway money. If the head gasket holds for a few months I'll get some enjoyment before selling it on. It also has history of a head gasket change in 2009, not that that's an exception from the norm. I expect most 15 year old mgf's to have had at least 3!!

This thread should give you the information you need.

Love this quote:

Buy an Mx5.

or a saab

MX5 is the obvious choice, but what about a 306 convertible?

Nothing personal, I just don't like MX5's, which is why I've had Barchetta's in the past. So they're out. Same for Pugs, don't like them either.

Saab. Perhaps.

Rover TF. Perhaps.

Anything else?

Although not based on experience, and may stretch the budget a bit?

I drove an MGF VVC at Thruxton on an experience day. I was surprised how well it performed. It was an enjoyable drive. Although my own car at the time was a Pug 406 estate, this was after my first 20VT.

Having said that I know of one head gasket failure on a well maintained car.

I've seen that Derek, interesting, but not the one for me!

Head gasket failure I've heard of countless times on the MGF. But, it's a chance I may be willing to take!

I read the MX5 thread which I found amusing. The MGF seems to have a whole folklore similar to the Coupes.

Another Barchetta out of the price range?

Would love another Barchetta, but I'm looking at a rag top for a few months this summer, nothing to become attached to!

Don't let the head gasket put you off. I've owned a few k series powered cars and I think they're fine if looked after.

Think of it like this, you wouldn't drive your coupé without checking the oil. Well you just need to be as vigilant with the coolant. It won't just explode, it'll start using coolant first. Spot it early and you can't have damaged anything. All you need then do is a skim and new head gasket and your away.

The other thing is a head kit which includes new head bolts and the multi layer steel gasket is really cheap. I've done a couple and they're still going strong.

Buy one, you know you wanna.

Good, sensible K series advice there. I have had no issues with either of the engines I have used in the Caterham, despite a damn good thrashing. I am always careful how I warm the car up and for the last couple of miles to home drive gently, in the same way as you would with the 20VT.
I have drilled a small hole in the thermostat, which avoids the thermal shock which is partly the blame for HGF.
I checked both engines have the latest multi layer steel gasket fitted, and almost 50k miles later no problems.

MG TF all day long. I love them.