MG3 vs ZR vs Mk2 Golf GTi

These all seem quite similar cars to me, though the MG3 is likely to be the best value with its modern safety and equipment.

Comparing the MG3 against two cars which are virtually the exact same size:

	MG3 1.5	MG ZR 105 2000s	Golf II GTi 1990s
cc	1498	1396	1781
PS	107	103	112
0-62	?	11.0s	9.7s
Top speed	?	111	118
Wheels	195/55 R16	205/50 R16	185/60 R14
mpg		34	30
Length	4015	4010	4035
Width	1728	1690	1665
Height	1520	1400	1415

You can't compare the MG3 with a 20 year old car, or a 10 year old revamp of an old Rover - however competent they were. Tastes change and evolve over time. Plus the emissions will feature more in people's minds (although, if you're buying any kind of 'hot hatch' I don't think it'll be the highest priority!).

It's still an interesting comparison although I think it would be more interesting to also include a 1.4 or equivalent Ford Fiesta and Mini, both of which would be uncompetitive on acceleration...

The Golf has grown - maybe a better comparison is with the current Polo?

However, I think the real competition is the Swift, Fabia etc

Morris Motors wrote:You can't compare the MG3 with a 20 year old car, or a 10 year old revamp of an old Rover - however competent they were. Tastes change and evolve over time. Plus the emissions will feature more in people's minds (although, if you're buying any kind of 'hot hatch' I don't think it'll be the highest priority!).

Er yes you can - I just did. You are right that there is a current fad for so-called "emissions" which the marketing people cannot ignore. In real life, however, it is as good as irrelevant unless it is a company car.

Windy wrote:It's still an interesting comparison although I think it would be more interesting to also include a 1.4 or equivalent Ford Fiesta and Mini, both of which would be uncompetitive on acceleration...

Looking at price, I was surprised to find Fiesta, Swift and Fabia all coming out (far) pricier before discount... or get a 60PS car for a list around £10k (Swift: cheapest list £11.2k)

http://www.mguk.org/t960-mg3-from-under-10k-pricing-the-competition

Morris Motors wrote:The Golf has grown - maybe a better comparison is with the current Polo?

However, I think the real competition is the Swift, Fabia etc

See above. The best-ever Golf was almost exactly the same size as MG3.

It's all very well comparing with other new cars I have never driven for the price, but the true indication of the size and relative capability of the MG3 is comparing it with anchored experience of well-known outstandingly-packaged cars like Golf II or wedge 200. I don't believe either Volkswagen or Rover ever improved on those models. Maybe now, with the latest Polo (for me a key alternative to MG3 with Volvo V40 and perhaps A-Class Mercedes) and MG3.

patpending wrote:Looking at price, I was surprised to find Fiesta, Swift and Fabia all coming out (far) pricier before discount... or get a 60PS car for a list around £10k (Swift: cheapest list £11.2k)

Do many people actually buy these 60PS cars? It must be like going back to the days of a Morris Minor

Windy wrote:Do many people actually buy these 60PS cars?  It must be like going back to the days of a Morris Minor

for someone driving to the shops, plenty of reasons I suppose. Low insurance, low road tax (big selling point), good fuel economy?

I drive a 1248cc 70 BHP diesel for work, it's very nippy.

I wish MG had done a deal with Fiat/GM to put this engine in the 3.

Windy wrote:

patpending wrote:Looking at price, I was surprised to find Fiesta, Swift and Fabia all coming out (far) pricier before discount... or get a 60PS car for a list around £10k (Swift: cheapest list £11.2k)

Do many people actually buy these 60PS cars?  It must be like going back to the days of a Morris Minor

You never driven a 1.1 Metro/100?

Roverman wrote:I drive a 1248cc 70 BHP diesel for work, it's very nippy.

I wish MG had done a deal with Fiat/GM to put this engine in the 3.

They said that there was a smaller version of the 1.9 diesel under development for the MG3, if Europe buys lots of MG3s then we will probably see it, it's not easy for Europe to buy lots of MG3s at the moment though!

Is there a big stockpile of thousands of diesel engines somewhere?

patpending wrote:Is there a big stockpile of thousands of diesel engines somewhere?

Yes, but an MG3 with one of those fitted would be about as quick as your MG ZS V6. Wonder what the market for such a car would be?