2000 Rover - Austin 45 Connoisseur 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A bargain mini-limo

Faults:

To date nothing has gone wrong with the car.

General Comments:

This is a very underrated car.

The engine gives masses of turbine-like power, and the auto-box is very responsive to throttle position giving confident and safe overtaking.

Use of kick-down produces a tremendous surge of power that will take the revs to the red-line quite easily.

Leather seats are very comfortable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th April, 2004

2000 Rover - Austin 45 iXL 2.0 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great value and underrated

Faults:

Front wiper blades needed replacing at 55k miles. That's all!

General Comments:

Paid £6500 for an x reg with 41,000 miles with 1 one owner and full dealer service history.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th November, 2003

2000 Rover - Austin 45 iXL 2.0 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A genuine surprise

Faults:

Just a perished turbo pipe at 64,000 miles.

General Comments:

I wanted to hate this car, I really did.

Before I got in it, I knew I detested the badge, the pipe and slippers image, the fake wood, the old Civic/400 design.

After a week though I found it brisk enough to keep up most VW TDIs, but now is starting to lag behind again with the next generation of diesel engines from competitors.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th April, 2002

12th Nov 2003, 04:27

So if it has been reliable and reasonably quick, why do you give in a Frown in your review.

Admittedly it's image and design lets it down, but it has been a good car to you hasn't it?

24th Mar 2004, 13:50

The frown appears if you say that you wouldn't by another. This guys seems to be saying that this car is better than he had expected, but he wouldn't have another one.

2000 Rover - Austin 45 Connoisseur 2.0 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Bootlight bulb blown on delivery.

Rear side light bulbs blew after 20,000 miles.

Brake light fuse blew after 25,000 miles.

General Comments:

Mid range response of the engine is phenomenal providing instant acceleration even uphill in fifth.

Interior very well equipped.

Capacious boot.

Returning over 60 miles per gallon at a steady 2000rpm.

Seriously underrated vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th May, 2001

12th Jun 2002, 04:33

Interesting.

I have a 600 iLD and it's a much nicer place to be than the Fords and Vauxhalls I'm used to.

I used to be dismissive of Rovers, but having looked at the specs I'd probably choose a 45 Connoisseur when I replace the 600 - you don't get leather seats and a CD-changer on Astras and Focii.

10th Jan 2003, 06:14

A very dynamic car. At 1.6i it has very prompt reactions when accelerating (considering the size). The interior is very spacious and comfy though the wood insertions may lack a bit of taste. The stability in curves at high speeds is not the best one its class. Often felt insecure. But overall, there's enough value for money to consider it a highly underrated vehicle.

2000 Rover - Austin 45 XLi 2.0 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Underrated and undervalued

Faults:

Puncture at 3,000 miles.

Wind screen washer pump needed replacing after 6,000 miles.

General Comments:

Understated and underrated, the Rover 45 is quick and nicely styled.

Stereo's great.

Excellent economy from the Rover/Perkins designed turbo diesel engine.

If people could only get past Rover's recent troubles, they'd recognise the cars for the quality and value-for-money they truly are.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th February, 2001