{"id":14706,"date":"2022-03-27T09:36:32","date_gmt":"2022-03-27T09:36:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/?p=14706"},"modified":"2024-09-12T10:15:28","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T09:15:28","slug":"1987-mg-maestro-2-0efi-auction-car-of-the-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/1987-mg-maestro-2-0efi-auction-car-of-the-week\/","title":{"rendered":"1987 MG Maestro 2.0EFi – Auction Car of the Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

No, we have not taken leave of our senses, and yes, we are suggesting you buy an MG Maestro. We do so with good reason though. You see, the MG Maestro was a decent car, or at least it was when MG finally got it right. Unfortunately for the MG Maestro, its reputation was administered by MG’s own failings. Knowing it needed to get involved in the booming ’80s hot hatch race, MG was quick to throw some stiffer springs and red stripes on the otherwise dull Maestro in a bid to pull buyers into showrooms. And the visual side of it worked. We may be biased, as we have always liked the shape of the Maestro, but with some skirts, some chunky bumpers, stripes and those alloys wheels that looked like motorbike engines, the MG version certainly looked the part.<\/p>\n

\"MG<\/a><\/p>\n

However, while it looked great, the same could not be said for the engine. The 1.6 litre R Series unit was about as advanced as Fred Flintstone’s car, and just as smooth. But that was only if it worked, which it seldom did. It didn’t like starting while hot, which was a problem if you wanted to get back home. Though to be fair, you had to leave home in the first place. Tricky, as the R didn’t like starting when it was cold, either. When it did bark into life, the Weber carbs would regularly come out of tune, and MG didn’t spend the money to train its staff, so dealers couldn’t fix it. Some fifteen thousand <\/em>R Series cars spluttered out of the factory because MG sorted things out. But by then, MG had been the architect, builder, estate agent and resident of its own poor reputation.<\/p>\n

\"MG<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite the fact the MG brand as it was then is currently deader than a dodo’s dinosaur collection, that reputation created by the R Series engine still lingers. But if you’re savvy enough, and take the plunge, the MG Maestro<\/a> with the replacement O Series engine is actually a gem. Nobody every noticed though, as nobody bought one. Find one today and you’re in for a treat. You get reliability, electronic fuel injection and an extra 400cc to play with. The slick, Honda, five-speed transmission is a delight and while the chassis isn’t the Guinness record holder for dynamics, it’s still pretty good. Taut, agile, responsive and thanks to longish-wheelbase, stable, it’s a giggle to throw about.<\/p>\n

\"MG<\/a><\/p>\n

And that’s what we have here, a proper 2.0 MG Maestro EFi<\/a>. In good, usable condition throughout, this vision of red and white is a great old thing. Fun to drive, rare and not too hard on the eye, we would have it in a heartbeat. It’s only covered 78 thousand miles, and was even given an overhaul in 2014, including new panels and fresh paint, meaning it looks great. And it’s been looked after mechanically, as the extensive history serves to attest.<\/p>\n

Official stats put the MG Maestro beside a top speed of 115mph and a 0-60 time of 8.5s, which is still spritely today. This is the car MG should have built from the off, as it would have seriously taken the fight to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen. But alas, thanks to the sham that was the R Series version, this later, improved incarnation was all but forgotten.<\/p>\n

\"MG<\/a><\/p>\n

Thankfully though, this one has been cared for and it survives in great condition as a result. Is it perfect? No, there are some finer points to sort here and there, but nothing the budding home mechanic can’t deal with. What matters is the fact it’s running, driving and on the road, ready to be enjoyed. You could pay over the the odds for an Astra GTE, you could sell a kidney and get an XR3i or you could play against the field and buy this. It’s bold, it’s bright, it’s different and it’s brilliant. And it’s just a couple of clicks away from being yours<\/a>. If you do buy it, please do let us have a go!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

No, we have not taken leave of our senses, and yes, we are suggesting you buy an MG Maestro. We do so with good reason though. You see, the MG…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":14711,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[3238],"tags":[2157,121,1188,15,963,2117,13,3952,610,992,57,1282,3955,3954,3951,14,58,3953],"yoast_head":"\n1987 MG Maestro 2.0EFi - Auction Car of the Week - C&C Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The hot hatch wars of the 1980s were fierce, and Britain was keen to be in the mix. 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