THE demise of MG-Rover led many drivers to shy away from them, but there is no need to do so.
There are still plenty of good cars out there with low mileage and full service history and there are also many garages that can fix them, plus factors supplying spares for them.
Prices are now very low compared to others and if you buy carefully you can find a real bargain.
The MG ZS in the middle of the range is just as good to drive as the more funky ZR. Engines are 107bhp 1.6, 118bhp 1.8 or a 2.5 V6 with 175bhp.
Two versions of the same 2.0-litre diesel were also available, with either 99 or 111bhp, and these give 50mpg economy.
They are great to drive and huge fun when pressed. Even the 1.6 is reasonably quick, but the best one to go for if you want performance and economy is the excellent 1.8, which revs sweetly and pulls better in the mid-range.
Interior
Standard equipment is good without being great, and road holding and handling are excellent - but this does lead to a rather hard ride.
The V6 is spoiled by a heavy clutch and the smaller engined models are much easier in the left pedal department.
FAST FACTS
MG ZS
Price: Pay about £1,200 privately for an ’04 54-reg hatch, or £1,950 retail for an ‘05 55-reg automatic saloon
Mechanical: 118bhp, 1,798cc, 4-cylinder petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 122mph
0-62mph: 9.7 seconds
Combined mpg: 38
Insurance group: 11
CO2 emissions: 174g/km
Main rival: Vauxhall Astra