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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - Still looking for a ZT

Well, I'm still looking for that elusive ZT - but didn't realise that buying a car would be this difficult.

I drove a 190 and I liked it. Reasonable performance, good looks, comfortable and roomy. However an auto box would suit my needs better: I can drive the MGF if I want to have fun changing gear.

So I drove a 180 Sports Auto. I liked it as well but did feel that it could do with a few more horses.

Theoretically I should be able to get an excellent used example of either car for, say, £17k. Reality is different as I'm only interested in X-Power or Black and must have Leather and/or Alcantara + Hi-Line SatNav + Drivers Intellegence Pack as a minimum spec.

No joy.

Well, if I want more horses then there is always the 260 SE. If the car really is as good as Neil says than I'm sure I can find another £5k odd. Rumours aboud of Mk1 cars going cheap, but make any serious enquiries and both the cars & the stories evaporate into the mist.

Anyway, for that money I'm getting into used S-Type territory. Perhaps I should get a 3.0 Sport. Same de-chromed look, 240 bhp and a 6-speed auto.

Can anyone help?



Adrian

Well of course I am going to be biased. I went the extra mile and went for the 260 and how chuffed am I with that decision. It is such a great car, it has real character ok I am sure a few foibles will emerge with use after all not many have been made and it is a best of breed solution so to speak. But who cares it is a great car. What else is there on the market like this?....not a lot

The attention this car has attracted is amazing.

I wouldnt even think of a second hand S type in comparison, the looks are a bit dubious as is the Arfur Daly image....not for me

I didnt go for all the electronics in mine for two good reasons. The standard gear is pretty damn good as it is. The cost of the SE pack is quite high and frankly I would rather spend the money on the big metal bits, which I did as I couldnt run to the cost of the SE. The car I have does everything you would want. send me your email if you want to see a few photos of the beast It is quite something

Actually you could give Chris Banton or Richard Roberts a call at Trident 01932 874411 and they'll sort something out for you I know they have a V8 SE demonstrator in typhoon blue with black leather that was run in properly, it may be up for grabs!

I dare you
;¬)
Neil

Adrian
I had a letter a while back from my supplying dealer in Bradford offering a huge discount on any new car including ZT V8, which, when I stopped in, was genuine. An SE spec was on offer for <£28k, or standard for <£22k.
Does the ZT-T V8 come with an auto option? I know the Rover 75 V8 is only available with auto.

Martin

PS, didn't take them up on the offer, Wife would have strung me out if I had - have been told the ZT 160 stays for at least 3 years, if not longer! She's an accountant's daughter!
Martin ZT

Thanks for the replys, and for the pictures Neil: Your car does look really good.

At £28k a 260SE is above my budget & I wouldn't want a non-SE spec. After a few enquiries it would appear that, despite the rumours, SE spec cars currently start at £25k - £3k above my budget.

I don't believe that the ZT260 is available as an auto, Martin. Only on the over-chromed and IMHO ugly Rover V8.

Neil, I'd love to deal with Trident but they don't have the stock. SMC have some interesting cars but are a nightmare to deal with. As a few other posters have mentioned recently the dealer network is often more of a hinderence than a help.
Adrian

These prices are good guys. Let's not get away from the fact that they are radically diferent to the FWD ZT's. However saying that the 160/190 is a damn good motor

The gearbox for the 260 is an issue, MG is only Manual, which in my book is good news! and would be my preference the box works pretty well but needs running in a bit.

I wouldnt have an auto but that is the box the Mustang engine normally comes with so it will be bulletproof.

That leaves one thing left the styling of the terribly ugly R75V8. Was it a crass act of plagiarism copying the A8 Audi? or was it a cunning plan to get controversy/recognition/comparison ?

As I have said before we know that MGR are heavily compromised by costs and obviously all the grown up designers have fled. It's just a shame that they havent got any stylists who have been anywhere with any style. Like Northern Italy, Northern England just hasnt got it!

N
ex of Huddersfield before you start about northernisms
Neil

As an Owner / driver of an 180+ sports auto with everything added as per Adrians spec except it's blue, I will say the horses kick in at 3000 rpm which can take your breath away on some bends, 14k miles and 2 years on I still enjoy driving it, when I can get it back from Viv, oh well I suppose I can make do with the the little yellow number in the mean time.
Mike
Mike (London Office)

Been playing on www.jamjar.co.uk and www.buyacar.co.uk both of which are quoting around £20k for a brand new ZT-180-SE or ZT-190-SE. That is just over £6k off the list price.

Adrian

NOW you have REALLY cheered me up

:¬(

Neil

ZT 260 brand new £22,351.30 www.jamjar.co.uk
I dont know how much of a wait though.
Adrian I think you have just reached your target!

Me, well I knew it would be this way :¬(

Don't care car's beautiful
But why do MGR do this dutch auction thing
always discounting terribly!


Neil

Your link to jamjar cars price was 26k !
Mike (London Office)

Sorry!

That £22k is for a basic spec. model, I'm a gadget freek who would have to have the SE, which is £26k.

Not there yet, Neil.
Adrian

I have found a site where you can buy a UK-spec MG ZT 190+ for £16425

The 180 Auto is £16795

http://www.motorprovider.co.uk/frameset.htm

All MG and Rover models can be had at silly prices, if this site is to believed. V8 is not listed though.
Matthew Semple

Theres a few in Motorhouse at Cannock and Mansfield reasonably priced. Got my ZS180 there, 12,000 miles £8,200.
Jeff Patterson

This thread was discussed between 22/06/2004 and 06/07/2004

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