1998 Rover - Austin 400 SDI 2.0 turbo diesel with intercooler

Summary:

As close to free driving as you'll ever get!

Faults:

The heater motor only worked on position 3 & 4 (£3.5 repair).

Glow plugs needed replacing.

Anything else is just general maintenance.

General Comments:

I bought this car for £300... £300.

Since I've bought it, it has had a service, brake discs and brake pads and that's it!

These cars are amazingly reliable! Based on the Honda Civic with a Rover L series diesel (Good enough for Honda to use in their Civic and Accord at the time), this car will just not let you down.

It's roomy, and easily fits in the wife and kids, as well as luggage and prams and stuff.

Granted the interior trim isn't as high quality in the boot for example, but I paid £300... I'd be mad to complain!

It has all the comforts that I would need, and regularly comes out at above 50 mpg!

On the basis of the 20000 miles per annum I do with this car, it is costing me £0.12 to run and that's only because the extortionate diesel prices.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st February, 2009

1st Mar 2009, 06:26

Love this engine, it's got loads of low down pull and is bulletproof. Shame it's as noisy as the average tractor, but on the move you don't notice anyway.

1998 Rover - Austin 400 1.6 petrol

Summary:

Cheap, reliable, comfortable and good looking

Faults:

Nothing to date.

General Comments:

Having been warned (frequently) about potential problems with Rover's K series engine, I have had nor problems of any sort. The car was bought cheaply and has performed faultlessly.

Performance is more than adequate, and comfort is very good. Boot space (mine is a 400 saloon - in my opinion a much classier looking car than the hatchback) is excellent.

Running costs are, as you would expect, higher than for a car such as a Metro or Corsa, but are not unreasonable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd December, 2005

1998 Rover - Austin 400 416 SLi 1.6 Honda engined

Summary:

Not in any way exceptional, but does everything adequately.

Faults:

No mechanical faults in the two years of my ownership.

General Comments:

Really surprised, two years on and no problems whatsoever apart from blowing a few bulbs. The Flame Red paintwork is also exemplary. If I had to fault the car I would have to say the steering is a little on the heavy side and tends to want to follow ruts in the road. The Honda engine pulls well, but the ratios on the 2nd and 3rd gears could have been spaced better. (Automatic box). Seats aren't the most comfortable, but there is good adjustment and it's reasonably well equipped for this size of car (1998)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th December, 2005

1998 Rover - Austin 400 di 2.0 turbo diesel

Summary:

A very underrated good all round family car

Faults:

Failed emissions at 99,000 miles, new part fitted.

Centre brake light on rear window fell off, easily remedied with some glue.

Fogged up headlight.

General Comments:

Rover 400 Diesels aren't slow believe me!

This car is fast, reliable, economical and very comfortable and doesn't deserve the old man image it is associated with.

The car handles sweetly and is also well equipped.

This car also tows a caravan very nicely too.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 23rd May, 2005

1998 Rover - Austin 400 Si 16i

Summary:

High performance, low cost!

Faults:

Injectors was miss-firing.

Front brakes seized up.

Rust spots appeared.

General Comments:

The car can be pricey, depending on how you drive it, but on long journeys its very good.

The car is very good for speed especially at top end, where you can reach 120mph with ease. it has 111bhp which is much higher than other manufactures, with the same engine sive and this shows in the performance.

By adding an induction kit you can get a lovely sound and the drive is that more enjoyable.

The car seems very light on the handling and a really smooth drive with hardly any noise from outside.

The boot is very big, being able to fit most things in, with lots of room inside the car even with 5 people in side it.

Loved my first car (mini) but so impressed with the power and looks, I much prefer my 400.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd July, 2004