Faults:

Just prior to me getting it had:

Head gasket failure

New cambelt

ECU replaced

New radiator

After I had it:

Coolant leak, engine overheated. Needed new cylinder head due to misaligned bolts from prior rebuild.

Top radiator hose split (not the coolant leak I'd had prior to this)

Alternator seized.

Crank case oil seal popped twice.

Tracking has had to be adjusted 5 times.

Boot leak, seemingly from the light units.

Rear seats have started to split at the stitching.

Noisy tappets, although I've been told this is common and isn't really a problem unless it gets too bad.

General Comments:

Electric windows (all round), mirrors and sunroof were nice.

Lack of ABS and PAS was a surprise, but I'd not had them on my previous car either.

Engine seemed capable, and would go like the clappers when I wanted it to.

Leather seats were comfortable, although get very hot and sticky in the summer.

Doesn't seem particularly secure, mine was broken into twice without apparent trouble.

Faults:

Nearside drive-shaft snapped after 1 week of ownership.

General Comments:

This car is fairly well equipped with electric front windows, electric sunroof and mirrors. The phliips radio cassette was binned after it chewed a tape, pioneer head unit installed things are much better :)

The handling is soft (its not meant to be a sports car)

The body is not bad for the year, seems rover and Honda had words with the metal treatment people.

Faults:

The Drivers side Drive Shaft at 50000.

The Drivers side Drive shaft at 110,000.

Calipers to rear - Repeatedly.

General Comments:

The car is extremely quick for a 1600, and even now being 11 years old, it can leave many a car in it's wake.

This is my second Rover 216 GTI (I blew the engine in the first), and my only gripes are the fact that the rear calipers and drivers side Drive Shaft have gone on both, a bit of a Manufacturer boo boo, me thinks!

Next I want the Rover 220 GTI Turbo, everyone wish me luck in finding one!!

Faults:

Usual rear suspension problems

Rust along bottom edge of all 4 doors.

General Comments:

This car has a fantastic, free revving engine - it positively encourages you to take it to the red line. The power comes in with a real surge above 3000rpm, and keeps on coming all the way to 7000 (if your ears can take it).

The handling can't quite match the performance, as it rolls considerably, and understeers dramatically, especially in the wet. The driving position doesn't help this, as the height of the seat makes you feel like you are sitting on the car rather than in it.

The downside to the performance is that fuel economy is not very impressive, even given the size, aerodynamics and weight of the car. If it wasn't for this failing, the car would be an excellent motorway cruiser - very comfortable and relaxed. Unfortunately, while the car could cruise happily at 95 mph all day long, you'll be forced to stop every 250 miles or so to refill the tank.

The GSi model is well equipped for its age - electric windows/mirrors/sunroof, central locking, and height adjustable seats with variable lumbar support are all standard.

The quality of the interior is reasonable, with big comfy seats, loads of room, and a huge boot.

Despite the fact that was a very low mileage example, it seemed to eat brake pads and discs. It also got through two exhaust back boxes and one mid-section, although this was probably caused by the low mileage (condensation forming in the pipes and never having a chance to dry out).

Unlike some other reviewers, I found insurance to be expensive - the lowest group any insurer would class it as was group 11 - which meant that insurance cost 50% of the value of the car. Ouch.

Overall - better than I expected: very cheap to buy, but not cheap enough to run to allow me to recommend it whole-heartedly.