Motoring
A bit on the side
Alan Judd
Prejudices and idiosyncrasies should not be discarded lightly. Indeed, the more irra- tional or unreasonable they are, the more they should be clung to; they add colour and vividness to our passing and may be what is most memorable about us. I once read of a mediaeval philosopher whose ideas, life, name are lost to me entirely but I do remember that, 'though married, he liked to lie hard and alone'.
I used to assert that driving two-seater convertibles is cramped, uncomfortable, inconvenient, unenjoyable and overrated. I'd never owned one, of course, but it was a gratifying little prejudice, pleasing the puri- tan in me while somehow suggesting that my motoring mind was on higher things. The automotive equivalent, perhaps, of lying hard and alone.
The recent demise of this prejudice is due to the week-long loan of an MGF. I'd never taken much note of them, thinking the shape too stubby to be attractive, and disliking the raised rump that seems to be the fashion in two-seaters. MGBs were OK, perhaps, but the last really good-looking MG sports car was surely the MGA, the lines of which echoed those of the beautiful XK Jaguars.
In this latest MG, the raised rump is needed to house Rover's excellent 1.8i K series engine. The model I had was the more expensive and powerful (145 bhp) VVC — variable valve control — version, which has airbag, anti-lock brakes, elec- tronic power steering, alarms, immobilisers, leather-edged seats, etc., etc. as standard.
Looks apart, I was wary of the finish. The embossed plastic emblem above the dash, the cheap cup-holders, the flimsy sun-visor extenders, the carpet-like cloth insets on the doors, the mix of interior colours all combined to make me think that in three years time this car could be pretty tacky. And what about the bits I couldn't see — how well made was that sophisticat- ed steering and suspension system, what about servicing that seemingly inaccessible engine, how thick was the paintwork? My little prejudice was warming its hands to this new fire.
Then I drove it. To be pedantic, I first got in it and found a two-seater in which I could sit upright with the hood up. It even passed the flat-hat test. The seats — the leather of which smells exactly right, unlike that in the BMW, Lexus and Mercedes recently tested — were a blessing even to my hypersensitive back, despite there being no lumbar adjustment. There is also a thoughtfully placed rest for the clutch foot. The gearbox is precise and easy, though it sometimes took a little force to get reverse, and the power steering a well-weighted, positive pleasure. The simple cream dials are especially attractive, while the cockpit switch, lever, dial, knob, handle, pedal, control, etc. count is a commendably frugal 48 or thereabouts (not counting the radio/cassette).
And then I drove it. Concern about looks and finish flew away with the passing coun- tryside. This car is a delight to drive. Faster than most of us would, I think, choose to go (130 mph, 0-60 mph in 7 seconds), it gives a firm but not harsh ride, corners like a crab, has just the right exhaust note, yet remains comfortable and driver-friendly. If you enjoyed your old MGB, you will more than relish this. Just being in it brings a smile to your face.
The hood is easily raised and lowered, secured by two robust clips. Visibility, even with it up, is surprisingly good. Sound lev- els are acceptable, with none of the drum- ming you used to get in hooded cars at speed, and there is space behind the engine for a couple of smallish going-away bags. There is a tiny space behind the seats but no room for a third person. The handbrake is well-placed and effortless. Overall mpg is given as 36.3.
It's no good if you don't want to be noticed. I — or, sadly, it — garnered more female glances per mile than anything I've ever driven since the Bentley Turbo R. My wife collected a wolf-whistle on her first outing, after which I didn't see much of it. She wants one. So does everyone else who came to see it.
At £19,940 for this version (including VAT and road tax), it's more expensive than its Mazda MX5 competitor, which I've never tried. However, if you can afford that sort of money for a bit on the side — which is what, to me, sports cars always will be (I cling to the remnants of my prejudice) it's well worth a test drive.
Our car was a 21,000 mile pre-produc- tion model, number two off the production line and destined, I suspect, for the Her- itage motor museum rather than to me for a song. There were no rattles, so the build quality may be better than I thought, and I'm told a number of the more obvious cheapnesses were improved for the produc- tion models. As for its looks — well, the car grows on you. I began by thinking it would never achieve the cult and character status of the MGB, but now I'm not so sure. For comparison, I went in a B the day they collected the F. There is no comparison. If you like MGs, keep on moving down the alphabet.
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