Wannabe 75 owner - viable/how?
 

Hi all,

I've been browsing this forum on-and-off for a good few years. I've always fancied a 75, and now I'm in a position where I really do need to replace my MG ZS. I don't do a lot of miles, and would like a high-spec 75 with the 2.5V6, auto-box, and sandstone interior. I've had enough of the road noise and harsh ride of the ZS!

Is a 75 still a viable daily? I don't want something which is at the constant-repair stage, so I am willing to pay for a well-sorted machine (rather than a £300-special!).

I've seen a couple this year in the for sale forum, but with my fussy hat on, I think they've all been a dark interior, and/or manual boxes. Are there other places I should be looking? Anything local? (I'm in Teesside, by the way)

And pointers appreciated.


Cheers,
Richard.

Yes - you will need to be flexible on colour, toys etc.

Paid £300 for mine a couple of years ago and about £1000 since getting her sorted and general maintenance, i use it a daily workhorse and bar a 19 year old ubp giving up the ghost taking all off 20 mins to replace it's had bullet proof reliability so far.

Always a list of 'to do' things on a car in it's 20th year but for me none of them would affect my use of the car so it's absolutely fine as a daily user :)

Yeah, I would fully expect to have to spend money fixing-up a cheap one. But I don't have the talent to do so, nor do I know a local place that would do it, so I'd rather buy a well-sorted one. Nice to hear they are OK as dailies.

Maybe I do need to be flexible on the colour... it's mainly the sandstone that I like. It's such a nice change from most cars with their black interiors.

Thanks for the input.

Welcome to the forum Richard.

The 75 is still very viable as a daily driver so long as you're prepared to be attentive to its needs. I have a 2004 1.8 turbo with the auto box which gives decent performance, acceptable fuel economy, fair reliability (watch the coolant level like a hawk!) and no clutch worries.

Good cars are becoming harder to come by as the majority are now unloved bangers. HGF has seen off a lot of 1.8 and the V6s often neglected due to the complex belt change and various niggles. The diesels are hardy units that can do big mileages if looked after and not let down by their ancillaries or clutches.

There are plenty of members up your way who can advise on the cars, don't discount the diesel either ;)

Paid £1750 for mine a couple of years ago. I run it on a daily basis, and would happily set off anywhere in it at the drop of an hat.

Done about 19k miles in it.

My 1.8t is on 203,900 miles and has had a fortune spent. Currently having a full respray. A very special car is The Flying Banana.

Car no. 2 is a CDTi 135 on 159,200 miles. Spent quite a lot in the last 14 months. But very economical. Full tank gets me from Saltash in Cornwall to North London and back.

Car no. 3 is my V8 400 ZTT and has just reached 59,100. Spent some money on her. And a full tank just brings smiles for miles, well not many miles that is.

At the end of the day the car you choose is down to you. We can offer advice, but the choice is yours.

Yes of course - just driven over 450 miles in two days in this one. It is well specced, well sorted, and will be up for sale soon for £350. :}

[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/h7IuZBs.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/FGSB7lQ.jpg[/IMG]

Good ones do come up. Keep an eye out on here, Gumtree, autotrader, car and classic and some of the Facebook 75 groups. eBay, too.