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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - ZT not moving fast enough

I was at my local dealers today. The Sales Director and our saleman have both bought their own cars as the new Company Car tax rules also hammers those in the trade who get the use of loan cars.

Both had chosen the 75 tourer. Asked why not the ZT and they said MGR are a tad disappointed with the sales as most people looking to spend a large wedge on a large car expect luxury and comfort.

This is why MGR are making more Rover options avialable on the ZT. However they are also addressing the hard and noisy ride by offering a comfort suspension option shortly.

Might have been better to just to offer a sports suspension on the 75....

Cheers

Patrick
Patrick Beet

Patrick,
Have just cover 1k miles in the ZT 180+ Sports Auto, I'm very impressed with everything in it! with the optional extra's fitted it's almost a Hi-Line SatNav Connoisseur 75 , as it only missing the chrome side strips.
The ride is firmer than the 75 but that is how I want it. This months Caravan Club magazine has an article on the ZT-T 190 as a tow car , it came out very well.

I think the sales of the ZT will improve once more are seen on the road.

Mike EJ02 CZC, Trophy Blue ZT180+ Sports Auto
Mike

Mike

I suspect I risk becoming Megaesque about this and my prejudice is built on personal experiences (but aren’t everyone’s).

I am not one of those who believe that BMW are part of some evil conspiracy to destroy England but merely another example of a take-over that failed. To me the 75 is the promise of what might have been. Here is a car that owners love and in which it is both difficult to find fault and huge amount to cause delight. It was (is?) available with a huge range of options from a very “low rent” to completely OTT luxury with the customer having huge choice to personalise the car (huge range of body colours 4 or 5 internal colours, 2 sorts of air conditioning, 3 or 4 levels of ICE, 2 sorts of sat nav and so on).

My fear was that with independence from BMW, MGR would revert to the old “low rent” approach of old.

When we were looking to replace our 200 (charming, reliable but even in top of the range guise, still too many low rent features) with a 75 Estate, we went off to the showroom. There was a new ztt sitting next to a Connoisseur Tourer. I was drawn to the MG out of brand loyalty but it was a bit of a no contest. One instantly seemed opulent, the other did not. When it can time to choice, one was available in only 4 colours, none of which I could drive to a client, one did not have an automatic option (on a executive car?), one only had one interior option, one had no leather seats, one had the world’s ugliest and cheapest looking radio fitted, one was FAR too aggressive for lady wife to consider driving alone. One did not get any serious consideration!

This is a pity because I know it is a fine car. I also appreciate that MGR is changing matters slowly but the showroom models still look cheaper than the Rover versions. I am still stuck with the thought MGR do not understand the executive car market properly. ZR and ZS sized cars are going to appeal largely to the young males where being brash and OTT go with the territory. They are also likely to be more concerned about performance than opulence to the point where they actually LIKE Recaro seats!

People buying executive cars are doing it out of self-indulgence with no concern about saving money. They are probably old enough to also want to be understated in their opulence. While I am sure there is market to OTT executive cars, it is a small niche. If it were not, then I suspect you would see outrageous Jags and M3 and AMG Mercs on the road.

I have felt like this since I first saw the ZT and am relieved that I am not alone as I had thought I might just be turning into a sad old git! I worry that when / if the V8 version of the ZT arrives it will make the current ZT look as wild and extravert as Mother Teresa. Big mistake boys!

Rovers, MGs and, damn-it, the English, are about being understated!

End of rant and what a silly way to spend lunch when I could have gone to the pub!

Cheers

Patrick
Patrick

This thread was discussed between 30/06/2002 and 01/07/2002

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