2000 Rover - Austin 25 iS 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Cheap, quick, reliable car

Faults:

Had to have a new clutch fitted when I purchased the car - not great after only 28,000 miles, but I think this was more down to the previous owners driving style!!

One of the ABS sensors had to be replaced.

Aside from these things, I have not had any problems at all with the car.

General Comments:

This is the third Rover that I have owned and I have been really pleased with the 25.

For the money, you get far more car than you do with an equivalent Golf or Focus, for example.

It comes with electric windows and an electric sunroof, ABS and remote central locking.

The 1.6 engine is terrific too - really quick to 70/80mph, but does begin to struggle above that. Engine needs to be revved to get the best from it, but it's actually good fun to drive.

People complain about the radios, but I don't think it's that bad actually! The volume and channel controls on the steering wheel are a useful feature too.

OK, so the interior is starting to look a bit dated, but it's comfortable and well laid out.

All in all, this is a great car. It was cheap to buy, it's cheap to insure, very reliable, quick, economical (40mpg on long trips) and looks good with the iS alloys. Would certainly recommend this car to anyone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th January, 2007

2000 Rover - Austin 25 iL 1.4 - 84PS from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A solid, well-built car with reasonable power and handling, cheap to buy and run

Faults:

No major problems.

Bonnet release catch stopped working - adjusted it myself, working fine now.

Door handle trim came off.

Slight, but noticeable clutch judder when accelerating from standstill.

General Comments:

It was a 2nd hand bargain - less than £2.5k for a tidy low mileage car.

The 25 handles very well, especially around country lanes and when overtaking. Acceleration is a little slow, however when you put your foot down, progress is brisk with a surge of power/torque above 3000rpm.

Around town the clutch judder can be noticeable when moving off. The 25 drives well on the motorway, though it can lose power on long uphills due to high gearing.

It is very economical, did around 45 mpg on a recent motorway trip, approx 40 mpg around town.

Body/chassis seems strong and very well built, though the trim is a little tacky in places. No noticeable rattles though. Overall build/trim quality is better than small French or Italian cars, though not quite up to VW/Nissan standards.

The 84bhp 1.4 could do with more power - if you're thinking of buying a 1.4 then go for the 103 bhp version (or the MG ZR!)

Getting parts and advice from dealers has not been a problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st May, 2006

2nd Jun 2006, 13:06

I understand Rovers can be had for nearly half price in some instances due to Rover's untimely demise.

2000 Rover - Austin 25 GTi 1.8 VVC from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Could be great

Faults:

The car won't stop cutting out and if its not cutting out the rev's are going up and down or sometimes just going up resulting in me having to switch the engine up, I've had the car looked at by several garages including land rover which use the same engine in the free-lander, I've had it on the diagnostics machine where they found some faults and corrected them, but nothing has helped.

General Comments:

If it wasn't for the problems it would be a great car its quick and handles very well and also quite good on fuel and insurance.

Maybe I've bought a bad one who knows!

Maybe this sort of thing is common in all cars, but I'm so used to Honda reliability where you don't have to think of breaking down!! I should have bought a civic vti!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th January, 2006

7th May 2006, 09:11

Great review very helpful.

7th Feb 2007, 16:00

Those garages are messing you around, it sounds like the stepper motor to me...

6th May 2011, 07:02

It sounds like your fuel injection filter. Take it to a garage and have it checked.