Faults:

The drivers window stopped working.

Rear drivers window seized.

Rear drivers central locking solenoid not working.

Sticking tappet.

Oil leak.

Brakes could be better.

Takes about 1 or 2 minutes to start on a cold day.

Passenger electric window is slow.

Some bubbling.

General Comments:

The car is very quick and responsive.

The seats are comfy.

Garage-kept condition; looks nice.

Interior perfect.

Engine runs smoothly when warm.

No fading.

Full service history.

New cam-belt.

Clean engine.

Only 2 scratches on the whole car; yes 2!

Everything original. No dents.

Flame red and shiny.

No rust.

Faults:

Brake disc's and pads shot at 41000 miles, needed full replacement.

Odd power delivery at 43000 miles.. oil filter and spark plugs replaced.

General Comments:

I never thought when I purchased a second hand Rover that it would be such a good car. Its the SI and bottom of the 400 range, but it's fantastic.

The 1.4 twin cam 16 valve engine is quick. I've had 60 in 10 seconds, and remember this is a saloon. I've had 115 so far as a top speed.

The gear box is fantastic. Short certain changes and very powerful gearbox. The car will willingly take a notorious hill in my area in 4th at 40mph with no fuss.

Steering is great. Very very light, sometimes so light its scary! I don't think I've used my left hand on the wheel in 2 months!

The usual Rover stereotypes do not apply with this car, for example, head gaskets. I drive aggressively, but have never had any heating problems.

Faults:

1. Head Gasket.

2. Pipe between Intercooler and Throttle Body kept on 'popping off'.

3. Front passenger window makes a cracking noise when it reaches the top.

4. Heater has not work since previous owner used rad-weld!

General Comments:

Stealth-Mobile!!!

This is a average looking saloon with an under-rated engine (Very Fast). Will beat most cars to 60, but hasn't even started pulling hard until it reaches the last three gears!

Power to traction ratio has to be the strongest I've ever heard of. 200bhp through the front wheels without a limited slip diff are traction control. Don't try and drive it with lead boots, because it WILL spin up in third if the roads are wet!

Does under-steer a bit though.

Faults:

Engine Control Unit failed at 105000 miles.

Ludicrous fuel economy!

Nothing else. Otherwise adorable :)

General Comments:

Has been a sound car other than the fuel economy which is simply dreadful. To rectify the problem I have fully serviced it with new leads, plugs, air filter, cam-belt (just a precautionary measure), engine flush and oil change.

This has not made much difference to the economy and I only average 22-26 MPG (should do 36-38 MPG) while driving it very smoothly and changing gear no later than 3000RPM. My driving habits have remained consistent, but the problem has worsened.

The car in general is in well above average condition with no MECHANICAL faults.

I believe it's running on a rich mixture since the plugs become carbon fouled days after cleaning.

Any ideas as to how I can adjust the mixture or is it just an oxygen (lambda) sensor problem or something??

Please reply with your ideas.

Much appreciated.

Faults:

Front suspension re-bushed - £300.

Igniter failed and the car had to be towed home. Recycled one from a scrap yard was only £10 though.

Other than that I've only had to buy normal service items - tyres, oil, etc.

General Comments:

My first car, I paid £1200 for it and it couldn't be better.

The Honda engine is simply amazing. It pulls well even from low revs, but get it over 4500rpm and it really takes off! The sound at high revs is just fantastic it just gets better and better until you hit the 7000rpm rev-limiter (oops!).

60mph comes up in 9.5s and that's with a full load of passengers! Tops out at 125mph and pulls hard up to 115. Makes a great motorway cruiser although 4000rpm in 5th at 80 is a little high.

Handling is great too, mines on very narrow tyres so you can get the front end to wash out too easily on the power. Off the power its perfectly neutral, go in too fast and the whole thing just drifts, no need for steering correction, just wait till you shed the speed and get your foot back down! Can get away from a V6 vectra through the twisty bits, although the two police offices in the unmarked car weren't so impressed!

Has a lovely rover interior, wood trim everywhere and nice comfy seats. Radio can be a pain to tune, but that's about the only bad point.

Running costs are minimal for a 1.6 engine. Drive with your finest pipe, slippers and flat cap on and 45mpg is possible. Driving with a little more enthusiasm I've never managed less than 30mpg and I've tried fairly hard!

Despite all the use and abuse this car gets it burns no oil and has sailed through its MOTs. The engine and drive-train are seemingly indestructible!