USED MG Rover ZS Hatchback (01 - 05)

My car

I had my MG in 2002, it had 16 miles on the clock when I got it. I had it for 18 months and clocked up 68,000 miles.

I gingerly drove it from the showroom, and took it home. I could feel the handling was firm and I was certain it was gonna handle like a dream when I finally got t thrash it!

I was on the A34 when I finally hot the magic 700 mile run in period. I dropped from 5th to 3rd and the car screamed and of I went. I loved it.

I could feel all the bumps in the road, but didn't it grip! I had a Vectra SRI before and this just blew it away. It handled like nothing i'd driven with 4 doors before.

The accelerating was pretty good, but at roundabouts.... no-one can touch me!

18 months of trouble free driving.

Actually my only problem was caused by me clipping two of my 17 inch alloys on a roundabout while driving slightly vigourously!

My car

In March 2007 I was looking to buy a car. Initially, for some reason, I fancied a Ford Focus or Vauxhall Vectra, perhaps a 1.6, but I needed four or five doors for the kids.

I stumbled across an MG on Autotrader website and was pleasantly surprised at the amount for sale and the reasonable price. I ended up with an Anthracite (black!) ZS120+ hatch 2003 with only 28,000 miles for just £3200.

I love it - the sports suspension is great, as is the quick-rack power steering, CD player, electric windows, air-con, and great seats. The car can be driven round town with ease and economically, and if I feel a bit devilish and use the revs, there's enough there for rapid progress across country.

Despite the negative Rover image I find it a pleasure - it's quick off the mark when you want and very well built. It feels absolutely solid. It has four airbags somewhere behind the trim and use of the carbonfibre-effect trim is subtle. The hatch looks infinitely better than the saloon to me, which looks like it has a big butt.

If you're thinking about one, go for it. I initially wanted a 2.0 diesel for economy but these are hard to find at low miles. It'll do me for five years at least, or until the lottery and a WRX STi comes along!

My car

Hard ride is trade off for excellent handling and stability at speed... which I've never done, but can well believe tops 140mph. Overall mpg on mine has been about 28mpg over 27000 miles. In the last 1k-2k miles, an engine I thought always a bit asthmatic has suddenly, it seems, completed running-in, and the car now goes like stink when you call for it. Light, accurate controls. V nice hydraulic clutch. Front discs replaced at 22k, front tyres at 23k, rear tyres(strangely) at 24k miles. They are normally noisy, but worn tyres are incredibly noisy, especially on concrete surfaces. Service from local ex-MG Rover dealer excellent. WhatCar wrong about cambelts, manf interval is 6y 90kmiles. Its the sparkplugs which get changed at 4y! I'm 6'2" and sit on a seat at the extreme of its adjustment. The rear spoiler on my saloon version is right in my sight line, but you learn to live with it. Saloon has bigger boot than hatch, but spoiler weight overwhelms boot lid springs! Selling now as no room for recently acquired greyhound!

My car

I bought a three-year old 2.5 V6 with 11,000 miles on the clock, having always wanted that sound that a V6 makes. I was not disappointed.

On the whole, the car is excellent - it goes like stink and corners well (just don't try it in the wet).

So far, my MG has proven very reliable and is happy to be driven in a relaxed manner or as though it has a hot poker up its backside.

Would I recommend this car? Yes, but not if you want refinement or you are a bit tight - this car likes petrol stations.