1991 Rover - Austin Montego LX 1.6 petrol

Summary:

Poor reliability and not much fun to drive

Faults:

Many things gone wrong:

- Central locking has failed on 2 doors.

- Electric sunroof has run off the rails and is now useless (but doesn't leak).

- Poor starting and stopping due to the fuel/air mixture being too rich, and every time it is re-tuned it reverts back to its bad self after a while.

- Tracking is easily thrown out.

- 'Taxi' speedo (i.e. bounces around the speed it's trying to indicate, but never hits it.)

- Mechanism of the electric mirror is foo-barred (drivers door, thankfully).

- Clutch cable x 2. One snapped and dropped out the bottom, the replacment's self adjusting mechanism failed and gear selection was impossible (genuine Rover replacement).

- Reliability has generally been poor with the suspension and shocks being particularly bad.

- Radiator replaced at 50K.

General Comments:

This car has seriously heavy steering and parking, it is only slightly less painful than being sat on by an elephant (I'd imagine).

Handling is poor with the suspension being too soft to be any fun, and the engine could never be described as pokey.

Once in the car, the drab interior is actually quite comfortable, but this doesn't excuse the poor quality of the cars underpinnings and switch-gear.

This is not a car I'd recommend, but maybe I've got a "Friday afternoon" car. Or maybe not.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th August, 2001

1991 Rover - Austin Montego LX 1.6

Faults:

Ringgear (cogs damaged).

Seals on the whole car rotten, lets in water, for an H plate it was incredibly rusty.

Sills replaced.

Sump!!!

3 of the 4 plastic door handles snapped off in my hand one cold morning!! Boot release catch and bonnet catch also snapped in the cold weather.

Ill fitting doors made for a draughty ride as well as the usual exhaust, brakes, brake pipes etc.

General Comments:

A word of warning to anybody thinking about spending serious cash on their Montego....... don't.. I spent nearly £800 this year getting it through its MOT, then 2 weeks ago somebody smashed into the back of me... I got £900 back off the insurance (middle book price).

These badly made cars have a very low resale price, I even resprayed it, the rust came back after 2 weeks (and that's with Rust Kote). One things for sure though, you'll always find plenty of them in the scrappy, buying any Rover before 94 (pre BMW takeover) is asking for trouble..... Cheap to buy, nasty to fix.

The words "Montego"and "Daytime TV" add up to the same thing......... a pile of crap.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st August, 1999

24th Feb 2004, 10:37

Yes, i agree wholeheartedly with this user, i also had many problems with mine, but looking back... it was still a good car.

1991 Rover - Austin Montego DLX 2.0 turbo diesel

Faults:

Rust on rear wheel arches.

Steel brake pipe corrosion.

General Comments:

After covering some 290,000 miles in this Montego with very little mechanical attention other than basic servicing I still find this vehicle a joy to drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th May, 1999

1991 Rover - Austin Montego LX 1.6 auto petrol

Faults:

Electric windows.

Central locking.

Seat belts.

General Comments:

Running gear very reliable - no faults. Ancilliary equipment very unreliable. Too rusty.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st March, 1998