Faults:

Driver's electric window regulator failed.

Vibratory engine at idle, especially from cold (possibly engine mounts). Doesn't affect the car when driving.

Heater switch only works on the top two speeds.

General Comments:

Surprisingly good small saloon from Rover, with no real build or mechanical issues. And only £600 with 12 months MOT! You couldn't buy an (awful) Ford Escort of the same age and spec for the same price.

The 1.6 Twin Cam K-series engine is revvy and responsive, thanks to the light weight of the 400 (just over a ton). I worked out the MPG to be 37mpg which is pretty good since I have a right foot of lead and it's been towing fairly heavy trailers recently. The car is very low geared though, and it's pulling nearly 3000rpm by 60mph.

The car drives much like a Honda, unsurprisingly given the Civic underpinnings - which means independent suspension by double wishbones all round, just like a Ferrari! The car is a little understeery in the wet, but it's probably due to the feeble Chinese tyres currently on it more than anything.

The styling is very grandad, but the saloon does look a lot better than the hatchback. I'm of a "boy racer" age and it's an very unsuspecting car to thrash around the countryside in. I really ought to get a tartan rug and tissue box to put on the parcel shelf...

The dashboard looks dated, but it's held up well over the past 8 years - the uphoulstery looks like your grandma's 30 year old couch though, and the faux-wood is nasty (I'm thinking of painting it piano black). The interior isn't incredibly roomy, I practically have to stoop to drive it.

Faults:

Overheating due to manifold gasket failure 40000 miles. Cost £25.

General Comments:

Dull and old world looks outside.

Nice quality interior; far beyond its price.

Fair performance, but noisy at speed.

Good to drive with nice controls ad gearchange.

Good handling and ride.

Doesn't cost too much to buy and run.

Reliable.

Faults:

My rocker gasket leaks a little bit oil over exhaust on long runs (when in traffic car stinks)

Headlight, Rear stop and sidelight bulb blows about every month.

Starter motor sometimes turns engine over very slow.

Knocking suspension on front drivers side and rear drivers side.

Rear box goes every year got all bills to prove (all original rover parts)

Radio/clock display light broke so can't read even in the day.

Boot trim falling off.

Leather seats creak,lumber support knocks inside seat.

Brakes squeak.

Mate has a rover 200 and itis as bad as my 400.

General Comments:

The car goes quite well, Sounds nice with K/N cone filter.

Good MPG for a 2.0L.

The handling is Crap bounces and jumps all over the place. It gives the driver no confidence.

General Comments:

It's a noisy little car, but it's so handy, we have used it for driving so much, and it really has lots of space when you fold down the seats.

The service mechanic tries to rip me off every time I go there, but I always double check it, so that has spared me a lot of sweet money. It always starts, even in -20 degrees Celsius.