1992 Rover - Austin 200 216 SLI 1.6 16v Honda Engine from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Excellent value for money for a car that is quicker than average

Faults:

Clutch replaced at 76000 miles,

CV joints replaced at 82000 (Because rubbers were badly fitted on prior Joint replacement) and general wear and tear, EG Tyres and servicing.

General Comments:

Super Car performs more like a 2.0 than a 1.6 only sold it as I needed a more economical replacement, so I bought a Rover 115 SLD.

The car handles well, braking and performance is very good, the car is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

I bought the car from my father who had owned the car from six months old.

He had very little trouble with it and i can only recall that he had two sets of brake disc's and pads and a new fuel management control unit during his ownership.

It was and still is a low mileage vehicle for its age.

I have had friend who has owned the same model and has sold it with 140000 miles on the clock and he has had no come backs from the new owner.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th July, 2005

1992 Rover - Austin 200 216 GTi Twin Cam 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Excellent performance bargain that handles as well as it goes!

Faults:

Nothing has fallen apart to date - not bad for something with so many miles on the clock, and no history to show when previous maintenance has been carried out.

Interior is fantastic - no cracks in the leather!

General Comments:

Handling... oh, the handling - people go on about how well the 205 1.9 GTi drives... I'd say this was just as good in this respect.

And the performance - up to 90mph, it's extremely rapid, and a right screamer... and then it'll still return 40mpg and encourage you to drive sensibly when you're not going for it.

I'd recommend one of these to anyone looking for something cheap to buy, that'll be reliable and put a smile on your face!

My only gripe... could do with ABS.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th April, 2004

1992 Rover - Austin 200 214SLi 1.4 MPI from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fairly fast, very reliable, nice to drive, little bit basic

Faults:

Head gasket blow out at 63000 (but this is not uncommon with the early K series 1.4 engines and a modified gasket was fitted without fuss or much cost).

General Comments:

For:

105bhp is superb for a 1.4 litre engine.

Handles exceptionally well.

Apart from the head gasket nothing went wrong in the time I had it.

Rock solid build quailty.

Quite a large car for it's class - certainly more internal space than the Escort or the Astra of the day.

Reasonable spec for the price - including electric front windows and mirrors, central locking.

Against:

No PAS (although it is available on higher spec models) meant that parking was a right sweat.

Not as comfortable as it could have been - especially in terms of driver headroom (could have been so easily solved if the driver's seat was height adjustable).

Looked a bit bland.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th December, 2003

1992 Rover - Austin 200 SLi 1.4 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Underrated, cheap car

Faults:

Bought car in 2001 and only really had one problem with it since then...

However, it was a BIG problem!!

Water pump went (common on these cars I gather) and this caused the engine to overheat after just 1/2 mile. This caused some serious damage to the engine and required a lot of work. Total bill: £700!!!

Apart from this, nothing else has gone wrong.

Quite a few rattles and squeaks, but then I guess it is to be expected on a car this old.

General Comments:

I only paid £1200 for this car - and compared to other cars for similar money (Ford Escort for example), you actually get good value for money. Mine has electric windows and mirrors, power steering, central locking and a sunroof.

For a 1.4, this is a fairly quick car. Good acceleration and does well on the motorway. However, when revved hard the engine is noisy.

Good fuel consumption if you go easy with your right foot - 42 mpg is realistic and I can get over 400 from a tank on a long journey.

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

Review Date: 22nd February, 2003

23rd Feb 2003, 13:13

How come you paid so much for your Rover, it must be a j or k reg? The 216 are better as they have Honda engines.

24th Feb 2003, 09:55

Bought it two years ago, it's a K reg and that was the going price at the time. In fact, Parker's had it down at more than that!!!

I actually really rate the K-series engine and in any case, the 216 is in a higher insurance group...

6th Aug 2005, 13:26

I feel that it is somewhat a myth that the Honda-built engines are better than the K-series, having experience of both in the past. Any decent engine that is looked after will be reliable.