GL02HXH

MG ZR 120+ – StepSpeed 5-Door 2002

Owner: Barry O’Donovan

This MG ZR was supplied new by Barrett’s of Ashford (Kent) in June 2002 with a commission number of 20017. It is Trophy Blue (JFV) which was one of the 3 launch colours. It is a 5-door model with a ZF manufactured StepSpeed automatic gearbox with normal, sport and 6-step manual modes. The list price when new was £12,995 excluding the options.

120 refers to the BHP of the 1.8 litre Rover K series engine and the “+” is the higher specification model with sunroof, fog lights, electric windows/mirrors, remote locking, height and lumbar adjustable driver’s seat included. The car was delivered with many optional extras such as air conditioning, body coloured side skirts, Blue Monaco sports seats, leather steering wheel, rear head restraints and window and light etching.

During lockdown I had a Jaguar I-Pace lease car which I hardly drove. When the lease ended, I wanted an affordable fun ULEZ complaint runabout car that I could also take to car shows. I spotted this car for sale and was blown away by the original condition and excellent history with just about every invoice and MOT certificate coming with the car. The car had spent its first 3 years in Kent, serviced by the supplied dealership, and then was re-sold by Heritage of Brentwood in 2005 for £7,750 with 27,000 miles on the clock. It had a lovely lady owner for the next 16 years and I acquired it in 2022. The mileage has just tipped 45,000 miles. There seems to be less than 30 StepSpeed models left on the road so you will be lucky to spot another 5-door model in Trophy Blue.

The car really embodies the true spirit of MG with excellent road handling and cornering due to the sports suspension and low stance. The car gives a very-responsive performance due to ability to control the revs by flicking up and down the 6-step manual gearbox function. Having owned many automatic and CVT cars in the past, this is definitely the best driving experience. I regularly display the car at shows, and it always garners attention and is a talking point. I am so happy to have bought a ZR and parts and maintenance are easy with lots of support from the club and forums on how to keep the car running well.