Value for money: The MG-F

A few brands dominate the U.K.’s second hand market. For £3000, you could get a slightly ropey Mercedes E or S Class, or a shifty BMW 320d, or a troubled Audi A4.

What if you want something a little more… wow? Something mid-engined. Something convertible. Something nimble, with an excellent power to weight ratio to make the most of that? Something that is essentially a baby Lotus?

Here lies the spot for MG-Rover’s F and later TF. For £3000, you can find a tidy, quick and unique little car, the last of the great British roadsters.

The car is powered by either a 1.6 or 1.8 version of Rover’s K-Series – the very same that appeared in the brands Z series of hot-hatches and super-saloons, and its estranged uncle, the Elise. In its 1.8 guise, the car is available with Variable Valve Control (think Honda’s VTEC, but much less financially ruinous on insurance), which allows it to develop 145bhp.

The car’s design has quite the pedigree too, having been inspired by both the Jaguar XJR-15 and the Ferrari 250LM – not a bad crowd to be in with.

Factory 0-60 times say the F’s 160 Trophy trim is good for 6.9 seconds, but owners regularly claim they’re able to get it down to 6.5 seconds. There aren’t many cars in this price bracket that can boast that.

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