Purchasing a Maestro

[Moley]

Hi all.

I'm looking at get a maestro as a run around for while i am at uni! i'm a bit of a car nut and currently own 2 Mini's, but i'm fed up of the minis lack of reliability and the fact that the local little kids think its funny to vandalise my car! So i want to get rid of one of my minis (the one in pieces in my mums garage) garage my current one and get a Maestro as its got much more space for moving my stuff around, and would be far nicer for motorway driving!!! (i live in kent, but go to uni in Liverpool, so do frequently do big mileage). We used to have a maestro when i was a kid, i used to love it, especially as it used to talk to you and tell you what your instant fuel consumption was etc.

Due to insurance reasons i want to stick to the 1275 verson, can anyone give me some pointers as to what to look for? how good are they at starting when they've been kept outside and not run for a week? I've noticed that there are plenty of parts going on ebay, so i'm guessing thats not an issue! but what options are there for personalising the car a bit, and adding mod-cons? Also one of my Mini driving mates used to own an EFI and said it was excelent, what engines and what ages were EFI, and how do i spot one?

Any help/advice would be appreiciated!

cheers for your time,

Aid

[SkyBlueSam]

Hi Adrian,

good to hear you are looking into running a Maestro around.

I think you would be wise to stick to the 1275 for insurance/tax reasons.

I've owned a few of the beasts now and I would recommend any of the 1.3 models.

From personal experience I'd go for a 1.3L (they are reliable and easy to maintain). You'll need a 5 speed gearbox if your shooting up and down the motorway.

As for starting first time like any older car this can be a problem. It may be an idea to invest in a new battery.

Take a look at the classifieds on this site if you haven't already done so.

Just a word of warning make sure you have a good visible security device on it if you decide to go for one of these cars.

Good luck and happy motoring.

Craig :)

[ChrisM]

Hi there. Good to hear you love the Maestro :D

I have a C reg 1.3HL and it is a superb car. Yes it will start on the button after a week or so without being run, and yes, you fall over parts in the street for them! As for mod cons, all you really need are some decent speakers, a good head unit and a cd changer! Central locking and electric windows/mirrors are easy enough to fit though, or you could buy a 1.3LX if you want these as standard...

The EFi is the 2.0 litre fuel injected engine installed in the MG Maestro and Montego...

[ChrisM]

You'll need a 5 speed gearbox if your shooting up and down the motorway.

That's not really a big deal, I've owned both 4spd and 5spd and there isn't much in it on the motorway (4th in the 4spd is about 4 3/4 on the 5!)

[F111RHK]

Hi not sure if this will help - I found a Maestro surf in Practical Classics last night looked very good ie no visible rust and low mileage and was open to sensible offers had mot..... just type in maestro and heypresto! a flame red maestro 1.3l......

[Moley]

thanks for the info guys. Think i'll leave it till my mini runs out of insurance and i've got my exams out the way before i go out and get one.

Need to do a bit of insurance investigation too, as at the moment the insurance is alot more than it is for my mini.

will keep my eye peeled for a good one, maybe i'll even get one needing work, seeing as i have a welding machine... we'll see!

Cheers guys

[Maria]

Have a look at the club's insurance scheme, and contact the insurers for a quote assuming you were a club member. You may find they can do you a good deal (and you get to join a great club too!).

[Moley]

well naturally if i did get a car i'd join the club! am used to all that from owning and trying to run a mini! lol!

I just wanted to get the basic picture of what they were like on a maintainance level. Sounds like its all within my normaly maintainance schedule of new plugs, coil and leads once a year and a new battery and air filter every couple of years, ando oil change when the oils gone black! :laugh:

I told my mate earlier i was considering getting a Maestro and he laughed at me as they go rusty, but then i laughed at him because hes a citreon BX fan, and they are just made of bendy plastic!

Thanks for the advice i hope to get to talk to you all more!


one more thing... are there shows and stuff to go to?

[ChrisM]

one more thing... are there shows and stuff to go to?
Oh yes :D

click here --> http://www.maestro.org.uk/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?cat=502