MG 3 test drive today!

kbonney88 · 3rd January 2014, 13:43

Hi All,

had a test drive in an MG3 today, as my wife wants to swap her 2005 MGZR, so we bit the bullet and went down to the MG Dealer in Needham Market whilst visiting friends..

here are my thoughts of the little car..

The model we drove was a 3 form-sport, which is next to top of the range.

Overall I was impressed with the little car.. seemed to have good build quality, and drove and handled lovely.. and seemed nice and quiet whilst on the road.

The interior was comfy, but a bit plastic, but to be honest not too far off my wifes current MG ZR.
- The MG3's dials and instruments seem close to hand and in the correct place, if you know what I mean? and, what I will say is that there is tons of room inside, it is alot bigger on the inside than it looks.. lots of leg room in the front and the back.. !

The MG3's exterior has a good quality finish, I was happy with it.. and my wife loved it.. but, she was more interested in the colours lol...

Now, MG3 v ZR? - I Have to say "in my opinion" I think the ZR is superior in drive etc.. and feels more like the quality it is..
- the ZR is alot quicker too..
- but the ZR is not as quiet or smooth as the MG3, but the MG3 is newer! - so what do you expect?

- would I swap the ZR, if it was mine, for the MG3? = No...
But, for my wife.. its a fair swap.. and she will be happy with it..

So, we will be getting one..

ps.. I will not be trading the ZR in !! - I will be selling privately.. along with the TF as its not being used...

regards, Kev B

Simondi · 3rd January 2014, 18:15

An interesting review, I think ( hope) that the MG3 will be a success

kbonney88 · 3rd January 2014, 21:08

It will be.. It is a lovely car.. despite my comparison to our MG ZR..

the garage where we went sold 20 last month.. so thats a good sign..

as I said we will get one..

Miff · 4th January 2014, 15:34

I like the look of it and the MG3 seems to be getting good reviews, you also like it but if you buy it now in 2 or 3 years it will only be worth £3000, not a problem if you intend to keep it.

kbonney88 · 4th January 2014, 16:01

true.. and thats what we intend to do.. she will keep it for atleast 5 years..

Alan_G · 8th January 2014, 09:07

Glad you enjoyed the test drive. Its a great little car for pottering about. It was never going to be a world beater, however kick up the revs and the handling on the car is superb. It can be fun. Let us know what colour etc you have gone for when you order. Also let us know how long you have to wait, the waiting lists seem quite long!

Tatts · 8th January 2014, 09:17

Don't think I've read a bad review on it! The only criticism being the lack of engine choices.

Cracking car for the money!

kbonney88 · 8th January 2014, 19:07

yeh - it is.. and hopefully it will help the MG name

and the garage told us - upto 2 months waiting list..

- mind you, they said that depends on spec and colour..

So, we will sell one of MG's in the meantime whilst she decides what she wants... lol...

lovema75 · 12th January 2014, 23:16

On the Autocar website the MG3 is currently the most widely read review, must be a good sign that the car is generating interest.

Shame the press seem so hard on the MG6.

neilbaker86 · 12th January 2014, 23:30

From what I've seen of the MG 3 in photographs, I have to say I like the look of it.

However, if you're saying that it feels even 'cheaper' inside than a 2005 MG ZR, that has me seriously concerned. The quality of the ZR took a serious dive over the years. I've driven a 52 plate ZR, and it felt completely different (in a good way) to a later 05 car that I also drove, I was quite shocked.

The dashboard and switches of the 05 ZR are just cheap in every way, the car had virtually no underseal on it, no under bonnet insulation, the list goes on. Even the handbrake wobbled from side to side, unlike the earlier car.

I realise that MG-Rover were going under, but I think the ZR suffered quite severely under project Drive.

3rd January 2014, 13:43	#1
kbonney88 I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Tourer & 75 Saloons Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Perth/Glasgow Scotland Posts: 2,313 Thanks: 804 Thanked 656 Times in 512 Posts	MG 3 test drive today! Hi All, had a test drive in an MG3 today, as my wife wants to swap her 2005 MGZR, so we bit the bullet and went down to the MG Dealer in Needham Market whilst visiting friends.. here are my thoughts of the little car.. The model we drove was a 3 form-sport, which is next to top of the range. Overall I was impressed with the little car.. seemed to have good build quality, and drove and handled lovely.. and seemed nice and quiet whilst on the road. The interior was comfy, but a bit plastic, but to be honest not too far off my wifes current MG ZR. - The MG3's dials and instruments seem close to hand and in the correct place, if you know what I mean? and, what I will say is that there is tons of room inside, it is alot bigger on the inside than it looks.. lots of leg room in the front and the back.. ! The MG3's exterior has a good quality finish, I was happy with it.. and my wife loved it.. but, she was more interested in the colours lol... Now, MG3 v ZR? - I Have to say "in my opinion" I think the ZR is superior in drive etc.. and feels more like the quality it is.. - the ZR is alot quicker too.. - but the ZR is not as quiet or smooth as the MG3, but the MG3 is newer! - so what do you expect? - would I swap the ZR, if it was mine, for the MG3? = No... But, for my wife.. its a fair swap.. and she will be happy with it.. So, we will be getting one.. ps.. I will not be trading the ZR in !! - I will be selling privately.. along with the TF as its not being used... regards, Kev B

3rd January 2014, 18:15	#2
Simondi Regional Secretary MGTF, MG ZS EV Exclusive Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kilwinning Posts: 14,046 Thanks: 1,460 Thanked 3,563 Times in 1,857 Posts	An interesting review, I think ( hope) that the MG3 will be a success __________________ Simondi FAQ How do you do that? Club Flyers Looking for a car seen in a film or on TV? Fancy a change in colour or wheels - paint configurator OBD - Trip Meter Ultimate Buyers Guide Post YouTube videos

8th January 2014, 09:07	#6
Alan_G Posted a thing or two MG3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Falkirk Posts: 1,507 Thanks: 242 Thanked 153 Times in 123 Posts	Glad you enjoyed the test drive. Its a great little car for pottering about. It was never going to be a world beater, however kick up the revs and the handling on the car is superb. It can be fun. Let us know what colour etc you have gone for when you order. Also let us know how long you have to wait, the waiting lists seem quite long! __________________ http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...5signature.jpg

8th January 2014, 09:17	#7
Tatts This is my second home MG6 TL Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tarn Posts: 5,269 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 37 Posts	Don't think I've read a bad review on it! The only criticism being the lack of engine choices. Cracking car for the money! __________________ http://www.wcgsig.com/115562.gif

3rd January 2014, 21:08	#3
kbonney88 I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Tourer & 75 Saloons Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Perth/Glasgow Scotland Posts: 2,313 Thanks: 804 Thanked 656 Times in 512 Posts	It will be.. It is a lovely car.. despite my comparison to our MG ZR.. the garage where we went sold 20 last month.. so thats a good sign.. as I said we will get one..

4th January 2014, 15:34	#4
Miff Avid contributor 2002 2.5 Connoisseur SE. Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sheffield Posts: 223 Thanks: 2 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I like the look of it and the MG3 seems to be getting good reviews, you also like it but if you buy it now in 2 or 3 years it will only be worth £3000, not a problem if you intend to keep it.

4th January 2014, 16:01	#5
kbonney88 I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Tourer & 75 Saloons Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Perth/Glasgow Scotland Posts: 2,313 Thanks: 804 Thanked 656 Times in 512 Posts	true.. and thats what we intend to do.. she will keep it for atleast 5 years..

8th January 2014, 19:07	#8
kbonney88 I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Tourer & 75 Saloons Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Perth/Glasgow Scotland Posts: 2,313 Thanks: 804 Thanked 656 Times in 512 Posts	yeh - it is.. and hopefully it will help the MG name and the garage told us - upto 2 months waiting list.. - mind you, they said that depends on spec and colour.. So, we will sell one of MG's in the meantime whilst she decides what she wants... lol...

12th January 2014, 23:16	#9
lovema75 This is my second home 75 Tourer CDT Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Enfield Posts: 3,925 Thanks: 63 Thanked 431 Times in 237 Posts	On the Autocar website the MG3 is currently the most widely read review, must be a good sign that the car is generating interest. Shame the press seem so hard on the MG6.

12th January 2014, 23:30	#10
neilbaker86 Gets stuck in MG ZT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oxford Posts: 847 Thanks: 124 Thanked 312 Times in 147 Posts	From what I've seen of the MG 3 in photographs, I have to say I like the look of it. However, if you're saying that it feels even 'cheaper' inside than a 2005 MG ZR, that has me seriously concerned. The quality of the ZR took a serious dive over the years. I've driven a 52 plate ZR, and it felt completely different (in a good way) to a later 05 car that I also drove, I was quite shocked. The dashboard and switches of the 05 ZR are just cheap in every way, the car had virtually no underseal on it, no under bonnet insulation, the list goes on. Even the handbrake wobbled from side to side, unlike the earlier car. I realise that MG-Rover were going under, but I think the ZR suffered quite severely under project Drive.