Faults:

The alternator went along with fan belts, surprisingly expensive to repair, required Japanese parts, over £200.

New battery.

Full new exhaust system (excl. manifold)

New front brakes.

General Comments:

Good looking small car in 3dr with metallic blue paint and alloys.

Very nippy in high rev. s for a 1.4. Certainly the best perfomer for its insurance group (Grp 6). Handles OK for small family car.

Economical if driven sensibly. Plenty of creature comforts E/W, E/Sunroof, R/C/L, Alarm immobiliser etc.

Some parts expensive, but generally reliable.

Faults:

The rotor arm broke, causing the car not to start.

It was refusing to start in the damp at times, but that now appears to have been fixed.

Recently, the SRS (airbag system) light on the dashboard has been coming on when it should not, which the manual says means there is something wrong with the airbag system.

General Comments:

The engine (a Rover K series) is very good indeed. It has over 100 brake hoarse power, which is very impressive for a 1.4. It revs nicely and when you do give it some revs, it has a very good, sporty sound. Even with this engine, the insurance group is very low. However it does lack torque sometimes.

It is very good around town, because it is quick, but when it comes to motorways, this car disappoints. Above 70 and the noise in the cabin gets very loud indeed.

The standard radio/cassette is awful. It refuses to stay on a station unless it decides it has a strong enough reception, regardless of the fact that you are not getting any interference. The sound quality is also very low. However, when the radio is replaced, the speakers are not at all bad.

There is not enough space for your left foot.

The handling is quite sharp, but the steering is practically dead in terms of feedback. It is also a bit light, with the power steering.

The seats are very comfortable, and the interior generally of a high standard, but the design of the center console leaves a lot to be desired.

It comes with remote central locking/immobilizer and alarm, although the alarm only detects doors or the bonnet opening, allowing someone to smash a window without setting it off.

Faults:

Not much really.

Changed cam-belt at 60000 miles.

Performed badly after a service with engine misfiring. Turned out to be the h/t leads fitted incorrectly.

Strange knocking sound started coming from the nearside front corner. Will just drive it till it breaks cos I really can't be bothered to fix it.

Heated rear window switch light has gone out. Will get a new one when I can be bothered.

Airbag light kept coming on. Turned out to be a loose connection under the seat.

General Comments:

I'm pretty happy with this car.

Being quite tall, I think there is more than enough headroom despite everyone else saying its cramped.

For a 1.4, this car shifts. Had many Saxo VTR's and Vectras away from the lights.

Handles well, even if there is a tad too much body roll on tight bends.

I would have preferred the car to have ABS and electric windows though, although the 214 Si came with electric windows the following year as standard.

Overall, I am very impressed with this car as an all round performer. Not as common as a nova or saxo or even one of those corsa things and quicker than most of them too!

Would buy another 200, but only a Vi or BRM.

Faults:

Boot started to leak, found out to be water leaking in from the light cluster, though easily fixed with a sealant.

Head gasket blew at 55,000 miles. Expensive to fix.

General Comments:

Very nice car to drive, comfortable, good handling, spacious.

Pretty quick for a 1.4 and can take on quite a few cars with bigger engines.

Good on fuel, but will eat it up if you drive it hard.

Looks great and alloys set it off nicely too.

Low insurance group.