New MG Excite or Used Car

Hi l need a new car soon, l am thinking of a new MG excite for around $22,000.

The main reason l am interested because it's about the cheapest new car you can buy and it has a 7 year warranty, if not for the warranty l wouldn't be interested.

Would l be better off getting the MG Excite or a used car for about the same price but then l won't have a 7 year warranty. l have heard mixed reviews about the MG, some say because it's made in China it's garbage but other say it's great.

My main concern would be its not reliable and has problems but then l would be covered by the warranty.

Comments

  • +45

    Avoid MG car.It is completely unreliable and bad quality.

      • +13

        Warranties are not some magic shield that protect you from problems.

        Don't forget the value of the car at the end of warranty or ownership period etc.

    • +14

      So it's like a British-built MG?

      • +5

        Pretty much - both sh1t quality

      • +1

        Worse.

    • Care to elaborate?

      • +4

        There's a reason why the Chinese focus on EVs, and one of them because they suck at ICE (internal combustion engines).

        This is a Chinese ICE car.

        • they are not that much better at EVs. not by a long shot. test drove the BYD and i now call it Temu Tesla.

          • @kubrikates: Which BYD specifically? I've got the '24 Atto for my wife and test drove a performance Seal and both were good. I don't like SUVs so can't really comment there but it drove like how I'd expect a reasonably good SUV to drive. The Seal felt great for an EV sedan.

    • +4

      I agree. You know what is better than a 7 year warranty… not having to use it in the first place.

      Focus on a car which suits you with a good reputation and support.

    • +8

      Do your research on MG warranty and how they respond to any claims then you'll realise it's just a marketing plot. 10 year used Toyota will be much more reliable and will still go a other 10 years with no issues compared to a brand new MG. It's not that China can't make quality cars. They certainly can. Whether they can do that with the expected price tag and profit margins is the issue. People are willing to pay Toyota for its renowned quality and durability. But people won't pay for MG for that. So they have to cut corners to build a cheaper product that can attract buyers other ways (i.e. price tag).

      • So they have to cut corners to build a cheaper product that can attract buyers other ways (i.e. price tag).

        Don't know where I sit on this. Frankly, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) subsidies their car companies to make their cars much cheaper than the competition, and flood the international market. This means Chinese car companies have a huge advantage, because their cars are extra cheap thanks to the CCP subsidies.

        The US and the EU (and other countries) place tariffs on Chinese-made EVs so that they are on a fairer playing ground (amongst other reasons), but we (Australia) do nothing and 'welcome' this competition.

        So it's good for consumers in the short term - we get cheap cars 'thanks' to the CCP. But it is not fair for the other car makers as they don't get special subsidies like the cars from China, as they are not controlled by China, so don't have this price advantage. And in the end, these other car makers lose out, they close shop and leave, and we become more dependent on the CCP for more things.

        https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/staggering-scale-of-ch…

        https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-launches-anti-subsid…

        • +2

          While your answer has got some facts it's mostly the majority of general westerner look at how China economy works. I was born in a third world country, now living in a first world country, have been to china and many other communist and non communist countries. I know a bit about politics as well as media, and how they work in mind sets of different geographical areas. All I'm saying is we see the world through how we're fed information. The more broader your sources the wiser you get. If your only source of information is western media, then your vision will be typical of that kind. I'm not blaming you for that at all. I believe majority of Chinese people are to an extent brainwashed by Chinese media. And similarly, majority of us in western countries are also brainwashed by western media. If you want to have a fair wisdom, you must widen your horizons, visit other countries, hear their stories, read what they have to say etc.
          Chinese car makers definitely cut corners and that's how they make cheaper cars, not necessarily because CCP subsidies. Why they cut corners? Western society has got a general consensus that Chinese goods (especially when coming under Chinese own brand name) are cheap. Their expectations are set at that level and difficult to change (at least it takes a while). BYD is such company which changes things a little but many Chinese car makers just provide what's demanded, cheaply made cheap car that is. What do you expect?

    • ACCC nanny is normally helpful. Just wouldn't recommend as only car. Also see what best offer from dealer and then go to a car broker - they can normally do better for you.

    • +1

      Had a ride in a current year model (Uber) and the interior was already falling apart. Dangerously slow off the mark too. 7 year warranty but when it breaks you'll be off the road for weeks or months waiting for parts. Don't do it.

  • +21

    You'd get a nice second hand Toyota for that kind of money. Probably have less/no issues with it either.

    • +21

      Guess you haven't seen the OP's post history

      • +6

        Oh I completely missed who posted this before responding. In this case I'd highly recommend a 20 year old Camry.

      • +2

        Probably need a Mrs/Mr to make decisions for them instead of Ozbargain.

        • +1

          Well, OP does own 2 cats…

        • +1

          Well ozbargins doesn't make decisions for me and i have to live with the wife.

    • -1

      They should get a Camry.

  • +3

    Are you talking about the MG3? The old one was absolute rubbish, the new one is much better.

    • better rubbish?

  • +9

    Nice used camry or corolla for the same money. Don't rely on the warranty unless you have a lot of spare time. It is crazy difficult to get anything repaired with any manufacturer without going to them with the complaints multiple times and waiting for your car to be returned after 6 hours with the comment "we couldn't find any issue".

  • +17

    New Suzuki Swift it you can stretch the budget to 25K otherwise Toyota Corolla. Stay away from MG

    • +8

      +1 for Suzuki Swift. It's a good value for money car and reliable. IMO, it's one of the most underrated cars in Australia.

  • +4

    You are asking the Toyota forum about MG, but in the last few years, MG has been among the brands that set sales records. You get a 7-year warranty plus a new car smell. I can't comment on the quality, never driven one.

    And here some reviews https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/2023-mg-zs-price-and-s…

  • +5

    Id look at a Kia picanto GT

    • +2
      • Definitely test drive a Picanto. I know some tall people that use it as a daily driver. It is tight for 5 - for sure (but not impossible - I routinely drive it with three teenagers in the back). But if you are mainly driving with 1-4, it is a fantastic little car. Safety is way better than the MG, it is a cinch to park. All round just a great little car.

  • +8

    InB4 all the comments of how someone knows a guy who knows a guy who’s wife’s second cousin’s best friends sisters dog father knows this teacher at their kids old school who hired one as a rental back in 2018 and using this as a basis for all MGs being absolute shitboxs.

    • +3

      Funny you should mention that except it was a private tutor and not a teacher.

    • +1

      Or to suggest to buy a Peugot instead

      Or shudders a Fiat

      • +2

        Hey, wash your mouth out with those anti-Fiat jibes.
        Abarth now 7 years old, problem free & fun

        • +1

          Best part is, only 10km on the clock!

    • +3

      I rent all kinds of cars every week for work. The MGs really are very shit compared the rest (can't speak for mechanical quality but the build quality, comfort, drive etc sucks), however I'd probably still consider one as a run-around car given the price if the warranty was good enough.

      • Which models have you driven?

        • Couple of MG3s and I think an MG HS. It was a medium sized suv either way.

          • +3

            @900dollaridoos: I have the HS PHEV, love it every word you said there is completely the opposite of my experience.

            • @crisso: Fair enough, for the price it sounds like you've struck gold so that's a win.
              It could also be build year? Eg the rentals would have been 2020 or less, maybe they've improved since.

              • -1

                @900dollaridoos: Or maybe they were cheap rentals that got treated like shit? I cant imagine the type of people who want to hire the lowest priced rental car as being the same type that would diligently take good car of the car and drive it appropriately.

                • +2

                  @pegaxs: Trust me the rented carollas, camrys, Swift's, rav 4s, etc etc are flogged out too. They still feel much better.
                  Also one of the mg3s had 5k km on the clock, still sucked haha

                  It's quite funny that you'd neg me over this. I'm one of the few people that has no allegiances to any car brand, don't get particularly excited by any of them, and drive and enourmous variety of them each year…

  • +5

    Warranty doenst mean a thing when they say, "oh we cant find the problem/ that's normal". Or when you have to take it back ten times and argue. Does MG have large inventory of spare parts or do you have to wait until they ship it.

    Corolla is a reliable car, holds its value and is sellable/popular. On other hand the mg is a disposable car, buy it and drive it into ground and throw away.

  • -3

    it's made in China it's garbage

    • +5

      Wait! My iPhone 15 is made in China (or maybe India), should I be worried?

      • should I be worried?

        yes

        • -1

          Your comment is to general, and if it’s garbage wouldn’t it fail like Holden

          But we all know you’re just trying to be discriminatory

      • +2

        I’m usually happy to accept a PRC made product when it’s made to a foreign company’s desired standard but seems to be a diff ballgame when a local company makes their own products there.

        • +1

          So MG is a "local (China! :-o) company" now?

      • Only iphones sold in India are made in India. Apple set up a factory there in response to India's tarrifs on imported goods. Turns out when you want to protect local jobs it is possible.

    • +1

      So is probably 90% of what you wear or use..comments like these are becoming boring.

      • +1

        So is probably 90% of what you wear or use..

        Not for everyone.

  • +3

    Look at Kia Picanto. Same price, 7 year warranty & the big plus, it’s ICE. Less than $22k drive away

    • +2

      lot smaller and when I test drove a Kia Picanto it had a lot of road/cabin noise and a bad plastic-like smell I bought a Kia Rio instead!

      • Was that the current model?

  • +7

    Just get a second hand MG Excite, the depreciation is massive and you'll get the balance of the 7 year warranty.

  • +5

    My preference and advice has always been used Japanese over new MG.

  • +5

    I know of a C43AMG with a very motivated seller

    • I'd love an update @sydguy18

  • if you are in Brisbane then check out Norris motors who have a bunch of 2022 MG3 with low kms (less than 20,000ks) for ~$15k, and 2022 Excites from $17,500

  • +2

    MG3 is garbage

    • +1

      May I please have a free load of that "garbage". Happy to collect at no extra cost.

      Keen to quickly make bucket-loads of money!

    • +1

      My daughter has one,3 years and the only problem was the famous spark plug failure otherwise more than 50,000KM, normal service, and 1 pair of front tyres at 45,000. so each to their own!

  • Got a mate who bought a new MG, it wont do Android Auto, only Apple car play.

    • They seem to advertise Android Auto for MG models on their website
      Is it just older models that didn't have it?

      Edit: I see the person underneath had a 2024 Excite without it.

      • I think it might have just been certain models, I 'think' his was an LS?

    • Not true

  • +2

    Just get 10 of these should yield enough to buy a new one eventually….

  • +12

    I had my vehicle written off at the start of the year. The vehicle I was given in the interim was a 2024 MG Excite ZS with around 500ks on it. So as close to being a new car as far as I'm concerned.

    I am not particularly mechanically minded however what I noticed was;

    • A lot of road noise, especially for a brand new car.
    • When I drove over a bumpy road. The hazard lights would come on (after googling it seems like a known fault).
    • Hesitation going into gears and sometimes sounded like it was going to stall even though the vehicle was automatic (I've never owned a vehicle with a 1.5L engine however)
    • Sounded like it was running very rough
    • Already leaking oil (I did around 3,500ks on it myself)
    • Reasonably comfortable and leather-like interior (not sure how long it will last in Aussie conditions)
    • Everyday driving it was -fine- I can't say it lacked anything major but there was nothing that blew me away for a brand new car
    • Bugger all power under the foot (1.5L model) made pulling out into highways interesting.
    • Major throttle lag (same issue as above)
    • No Android Auto (only CarPlay - could only do music via bluetooth and no inbuilt nav)
    • Fantastic on fuel

    After my experience with it my opinion was - would I buy one myself? Absolutely not. However do I understand why people buy them for the price and a 7 year warranty - absolutely.

    • +1

      The reputation of such low end vehicles are really depends on what did people drive before it, people coming from a 2020 BMW will say it's a garbage, people coming from a 1997 Toyota will be 100% satisfied, and a lot of others between the BMW and Toyota. At the end of the day, it's a vehicle cost about 50% of the same size Toyota.

      • Absolutely agree. For context, my vehicle was a 2009 Subaru Impreza RS sedan (2L non turbo). Worth around 10k.

        • Makes sense why the fuel consumption was so noticeable!

      • +1

        The old 1997 V6 Camry is a wonderful machine. I doubt they'd be satisfied with a gutless 1.5L MG.

        • You can only compare apple to apple, e.g. 1997 Yaris vs MG3, 1997 RAV4 vs MG HS

          • @Leonard0880: Yaris was introduced in 1999. Its name was Echo. It was a coupe and had a 1.3l engine :)

    • +1

      In think the zs models with the 1.5l are severely underpowered. My 1.3 Turbo zst excite 2021 however is a rocket. Android auto too.

      • +1

        My 1.3 Turbo zst excite 2021 however is a rocket.

        YouTube reviews show it reaching 0 to 100 in just under 10 seconds. Is this correct or that number is different?

        • That's rather slow by modern standards. The good old V6 Camry would blow the doors off it.

    • Not having android auto is pathetic, it isn't 2008.

      • They have android but you have to use a good quality cable.

    • Did you by any chance make a mistake with the 500ks on it or did I misunderstand? Do you mean 500km on it or 500.000 km on it.

      • The car had 500 kilometers on it. It had just over 4,000 when I gave it back.

    • When I drove over a bumpy road. The hazard lights would come on

      This is a 'feature', not a 'problem'. 😁

  • +1

    I can understand the appeal of brand new and 7 year warranty but thats really the only reason people buy them over something else. Once they are brand new or with much warranty they wont be worth much

  • +2

    You're better off getting herpes

  • +3

    The MG3 hasn't been ANCAP safety rated, and the MG5 literally scored a 0 star rating last year - don't spend your money on this unsafe rubbish.

    Anecdotal evidence: a family member of mine had an MG3 hire car last year - brake booster and power steering failed WHILE DRIVING (which magically worked again after a restart), throttle response was abysmal, and the car was just generally cheap and nasty. Hire cars are obviously treated roughly - but you wouldn't experience any of that with a gently used Japanese or Korean car in your price range.

    Also, the MG3 needs 98RON for some reason…

    • +2

      Well said Sodoff.

      Not only the 98 PULP, but it manages to a remarkably inefficient 1.5l engine with a badly engineered and calibrated automatic. The older manual was almost decent, the post-2020 cars are certainly not.

      Seriously, Hyundai, Toyota and Honda 1.5s from 20 years ago are much better in every respect but age.

    • It runs on regular unleaded (91RON)

    • +1

      What gets me is how a car with an ANCAP if 0 is even allowed to be sold here. Plenty of stuff that doesn't meet safety regs is banned but with cars, it's all good.

      Bizarre and worrying.

      • +2

        Yet paradoxically we allow people to ride motorcycles.

        • Indeed but you're, generally, not going to be taking your young children on a motorbike

    • +1

      Incorrect about needing 98RON.

      Source: I own one

  • +2

    Your Camry lasting so long gives a clear indication of what brand to go with. Going from an invincible 20 year old Camry to an MG is a big downgrade. Otherwise, keep the oil topped up, fix the squeaking noise (might be as simple as a belt), and use it for another 2 years.

    • +3

      The Camry would be more likely to still be on the road than the MG3 in 7 years.
      I have a friend who bought one and it's been off the road while they've struggled to get it fixed under warranty.

  • +6

    You came to one of the most anti china forums on the internet. Yorue not going to get any experience informed information, just repeated BS based on nothing

    Go on mg and excite FB groups and ask owners directly how they feel about them, if they regret anything and what to look out for.

    • +6

      This is spot on. The only reason you'd ask about an MG here is if you wanted a nice dose of confirmation bias and something to show the missus to talk her out of it.

      For the price and inclusions they're a perfectly fine car. Just make sure you get one of the top 2 models so you get android auto, nav and a turbo. The turbo makes a huge difference to driveability. When test driving just remember it's got a cvt transmission. You squeeze the accelerator, not slam it down.

      They're cheap, don't expect a Toyota experience.

    • +1

      I'll argue that this place is one of the most PRO China forums in Australia, and is THE medium to promote China and Chinese brands.

      The deals here, especially electronics and cars, are mostly Chinese brands that no one has heard of / unfamiliar in Australia, and they get upvoted to the moon, and anyone who questions the quality or ethics are downvoted to oblivion. Also every 3rd travel deal seems to be to China.

      I suspect a sizable chunk of our users are Chinese Australians or immigrants from China who have grown up with China's development, so have been through the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) schooling and CCP's propaganda, and have positive feelings about the CCP and China. Totally unlike the earlier immigrants from China and Hong Kong who despise the CCP and have left as soon as they could.

      • +1

        Yes but I think people here are mostly talking about the quality of the car, it’s an easy punch bcoz it is from China. Many products here on OzBargain are made in China, good and bad, but the good either have quality control standards set by western corporations. The bad goes straight to Temu etc. MG is the temu of cars when comparing to Japanese cars, there will always be a crappy tier of cars, and top tiers, obviously subjective. IMO I welcome to competition in the EV space.

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