1993 Rover - Austin 600 i 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great looks and an impressive turn of speed

Faults:

In the 8 months of my ownership the vehicle has been very reliable.

I have just noticed the exhaust has started to blow.

Driver and passenger door rubbers have become a bit distorted and sometimes do not seal perfectly, thus a certain increase in wind noise is evident.

General Comments:

This car is very attractive in its styling and the overall performance from the Honda 2.0 engine is excellent, beating many would be competitors.

Cabin is comfortable and well layed out with adequate functions.

Worst feature is probably the huge turning circle!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd August, 2004

1993 Rover - Austin 600 Si 2.0i petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Smooth motorway cruiser

Faults:

New exhaust at 110,000 miles.

Distributor went at 130,000 miles.

The real problem has been a little rust, setting in on the upper part of the bonnet, just beneath windscreen wipers.

General Comments:

Overall my Rover 600 has been a very reliable car. I'm finally about to trade it in for a newer, smaller car.

It's only broken down once when the distributor went, other than that has always started, even in winter.

Quiet and smooth on motorways, but not so good on narrow twisty roads with its wallowing ride.

Not too easy to park in the city.

Very expensive to insure for its current value, other than that good running costs, achieving 25-30 MPG.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd February, 2003

1993 Rover - Austin 600 i 2.0 16v SOHC injection from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Cheap reliable luxury motoring

Faults:

The Exhaust is blowing. It still has the original exhaust on it.

Headlamp bulb needed changing.

Water has started to collect in the boot and the backseat is constantly damp. This causes the windows to mist up every time it is driven it. I can't find the leak.

Clutch is starting to judder a little.

Rust starting on both rear arches.

Seems to like oil, but I do drive it hard.

General Comments:

The Honda engine is sound at 113k and I expect it to be reliable for miles to come.

Starts every time without fail in any weather.

It handles very well, and takes serious hard driving to make it feel uneasy.

It's heavy and this model comes with no ABS. If you lock up, it will skid for a long way on standard tyres.

It has a nice tight Honda gearbox that feels like new.

The engine far from fast, but not slow or sluggish. 120mph is about all its good for and 0-60 times are nothing to be proud of. Best suited for the motorway rather than traffic light dashes.

Road noise is a little to loud for my liking.

This is my second Rover and I will definitely consider another, maybe the same model, but newer.

Still looks classy even though its dated.

I'm also surprised the remote central looking still works on all doors.

I have changed the standard stereo to a CD player. The standard one has a block fit (ISO) that fits perfect, but I can't find the pin that fits to the electric aerial relay, so no radio at the moment.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th December, 2002

17th Mar 2003, 10:18

Get the rust treated - or it will rust through and then it needs re-paneling. £250 should sort this.

As for the engine - get a good 'en, and it is a lovely car to drive. Try using Red-Ex, this may loosen it up a bit. The 2-litre Honda engine will does over 130 mph if it's cared for correctly.

1993 Rover - Austin 600 Si 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

160000 miles and rising, do I keep it for another 10 years?

Faults:

It has never truly let us down in the whole of 9 years.

Once a worn exhaust section failed to get noticed and broke whilst we were driving along a dual carriage way.

Once it failed to start on a cold damp winter morning, but that was my fault for not noticing the interior light had been left on.

General Comments:

The car is still in very good condition, inside and out, despite its very high mileage.

I had from new back in 1993, originally as my 'company car', but it was so good we purchased it from the company when the car was 4 years old - and have happily kept it ever since.

The reliability has been maintained by regular servicing, every 6000 miles, i.e. it has been to a garage on a routine basis over 26 times. Also, it has been to tire and exhaust fitters on a number of occasions.

The weakest point on this car seems to have been front brakes and tires needing frequent attention.

Most of its miles have been motorway driving where the car is probably at its best. It still is respectably quiet to travel in at speed - engine noise is well silenced, but wind and tire noise could have been better dealt with at the design stage.

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

Review Date: 29th October, 2002