The next generation of owners.

[DMGRS]

My ZT-T has had a rather unusual history - it started out as a workhorse, but recently I've been spending more and more keeping it mechanically perfect.

It'll be undercoated and treated well - but still used as the main vehicle for the business. The end result will be a ZT-T in great condition, but with many hundreds of thousands of miles... hopefully!

[Comfortably Numb]

I suspect our 75s will appreciate less than the ZTs, because of the typical original buyer/user profile. Cars like the Escort and the Golf GTi/205GTi have soared in price because when you were young, you either had one, or aspired to one. Now, those same young men and women, now in late middle age, kids left the nest, want to relive the thrills and memories of their youth. Those cars, made in their millions, were bought, sold and thrashed and crashed. There are very few left, compared to the number of one-time owners. The ZT appealed to the young exec, whose employers switched to other makes of company car when MG/R went bust, Those same people can now afford to own that fast and flashy motor, go back to that love affair, so cruelly cut short by the workings of the wicked world. But the original Rover owner was typically an older man, who bought the car with the luxury he had promised himself all his working life. Many of you will have bought your cars from such owners, or may be such owners! These people, due to their age, are unlikely to buy again the car they once loved. Their middle aged children will probably not see the Rover with the excitement of youth remembered - they will be looking for a contemporary 3series BMW, a Saab, a Jag, possibly an Alpha. So while so many of our well maintained (how many rough-looking ones do you see?) Rovers remain, I don't see demand outstripping supply - the real cause of high prices. Let's just be happy that WE know a good thing when we see it!

[Mike Trident]

absolutely spot on!

Although there are Rovers that still fetch decent money P5B, P6 3500, even the SD1 3500

But you are correct, anything that carries the MG badge is more desirable.

[MSS]

Originally Posted by mystabe

To be honest it's the thought of spending lots of money on a daily driver (and it would have to be as I don't have the space for a fleet of cars) getting it back to how I want it then some muppet drives into me and it's either written off instantly or I have to fight for it not to be that has dulled my enthusiasm.


When I bought it I looked at all the usual suspects and nothing came close really. I spent a lot of money getting it to how I wanted it...... then I got bored and just drove it..... then I was into constantly chasing knocks and bangs around the suspension..... and I was bored with it already.


However, I have been looking at cars again to replace it and there is absolutely nothing in my price range (up to about £6K) that I either actually want to own, don't think will be a money pit or would be big enough for a dad car

What you want is a Rover 45.

[klarzy]

Originally Posted by Mike Trident

absolutely spot on!

Although there are Rovers that still fetch decent money P5B, P6 3500, even the SD1 3500

But you are correct, anything that carries the MG badge is more desirable.

My black ZT CDT auto saloon is one car I do with I had never sold

[Slaya]

I'm on my second 2002 ZT 2.5 V6 and it's my daily driver - about 10,000 miles a year and the clock is on around 93,000miles now.
Between both ZTs in the 7 years of ownership between them, I've never had a large repair bill - the only garage repair bill I've had is for a brake caliper.

The fuel bill is another story though, currently getting around 24-26mpg (and about the same in wax/polish ).

I bought my first ZT in 2009, expecting it to break down every other week and cost me a fortune in repairs, but turned out to be the most reliable car I've ever owned.
I had an MG6 for a couple of years between ZTs, and although I liked the looks, it just didn't feel as good as the ZT and turned far fewer heads.

I intend to keep it as long as possible - I have no clue what I'll do if I have to change to something else...

[Jules]

The problem these days even for us ( in the trade) is sourcing decent quality parts.

Cheap Chinese or unbranded copy parts has sent a lot of these cars to an early grave because the owners give up paying out for the dame job to be done again in a few months.


I've heard the same from P5B, P6 3500 & SD1 owners
It's getting pretty grim out there.

For example:
We would happily pay £100 for a quality KV6 water pump instead of the Nasty 30 quid jobs out there which only last 20-30k miles if your lucky, but at the moment they don't exist.

[Teflon]

Originally Posted by Jules

......... For example:
We would happily pay £100 for a quality KV6 water pump instead of the Nasty 30 quid jobs out there which only last 20-30k miles if your lucky, but at the moment they don't exist.

That's interesting. So with that in mind, would it be more sensible to leave the water pump in place (assuming it's still working ok) when having belts changed, or would you still recommend replacement in view of the work involved?

Cliff

[Best_of_British]

I would leave your drop links, leave your front arms, leave all the original if it still works. I have tried preventative maintenance and been bitten by the chocolate parts.

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[Best_of_British]

The original impeller is plastic I thinks so OAT will effect it, I will butt out and let Jules give the technical answer.

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