A good cheap work-horse
Believe it or not, absolutely nothing yet. Rust is slowly eating away the driver's door.
The steering is heavy at low speeds, and the ashtray has started to rattle (my fault, I broke the holding spring).
Also in damp weather, the steering wheel feels clammy and makes your hands dirty.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 5th October, 2004
Such a laugh to drive you won't care about the badge
A couple of electrical gremlins - rear light cluster, instrument illumination.
Small oil leak from rocker cover gasket - fixed for pennies.
Clutch started slipping at 62,000 miles.
What a car! Rarer than any BMW (only just over 500 were ever built and less than 250 are thought to still be on the road), and it will still kick the backside of any of today's hot hatches away from the lights. 0-60 in 6.7 seconds (Performance Car road test in 1991) and 145 mph top end. The car was developed by Tickford and is a much more capable machine than its Montego Turbo cousin.
It's reliable too. Apart from the clutch crapping out two years ago, the last problem I had with it was an instrument panel light failure in 1994. Finish is a bit crappy here and there, but no worse than most cars of its era.
The Maestro's performance is incredible. From 2,500 RPM the turbo engine delivers a huge wave of torque which propels the car forward with eye opening speed. Handling is OK - better than the Astra GTE 16v I had before (not saying much) but it's no Pug 306.
A cruelly underrated car which after 10 years of ownership can still plant a cheesy grin on my face every time I drive it. Standard ones are appreciating due to their rarity - it's already worth more than I paid for it, which is why I have kept it. It comes out on sunny days and gets caned purely for pleasure. My 306 Rallye will whip it in the twisties, but by the time it even gets to the twisties, the Maestro will be home and dry.
Brilliant car. Don't mock it till you've tried one.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 20th May, 2003
A very reliable and economical workhorse
Clutch cracked and replaced @ 85000 miles.
New middle and end section exhaust.
Alternator stopped working and the battery went flat, but was easily botched up and no more problems after 2 years.
Rear shocks badly sagged when bought, replaced with 2 "new" ones from the scrap man.
Rear passengers door and boot lid rusted badly and were replaced with parts from an A-reg vehicle! For total of £50.
Standard Phillips cassette/radio jammed cassettes.
Fuel pump became unbolted from its mounting, diesel everywhere, but it did not stop running!
Rear brakes drums became totally seized up (MOT failure) and provided no braking on the drivers side. Easily replaced.
Car prone to rust around the sills, on door edges and on wheel arches.
Extremely reliable car, never failed to start, except in the above case of the alternator.
Will return about 40mpg around town if driven normally. More available if careful with the throttle, 30mph in 5th etc. On the motorway 58 mpg was achieved at 55/60mph and 55mpg at 75mph.
Excellent leg room in the front and rear provides good leg room for 6 foot person.
Despite lacking acceleration will sit at 85-90mph on the motorway all day, however driving noise is uncomfortable above 85mph. It will do over 100mph (in theory!)
It will move anything it is asked to, caravans, car trailers, 40 breeze blocks, washing machines and bicycles in the boot.
Handling is pretty good for type of car and improves with more weight in vehicle.
With regular maintenance and TLC it should go on for much longer.
Cheap, cheerful, functional, practical family car. Turbo version would be nice for the extra power required at times with a loaded car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 20th February, 2001
5th Jun 2014, 01:30
145mph top speed?
The Montego Turbo was a far superior shape aerodynamically, with the same 2.0 'O' series SU carb'd turbo lump pushing 152bhp, and that could only do 128mph!
Must be your speedo that's lying (and I've had Maestro's that did).