Faults:

Turbo has given up the ghost, also the fuel injection pump has started to malfunction.

General Comments:

The car itself is really far better than it's reputation. It's very comfortable, well designed, and pretty well bolted together. I'm a huge Rover fan, so perhaps a little biased, though I would say the car has by far surpassed my expectations overall.

Unfortunately, in the two months I've owned the car the Turbo has begun leaking oil at an increasing rate, and has lost pretty much all of it's boost giving properties! Also, since I've had the cam belts changed the fuel injection pump has started playing up resulting in lack of power with no notice every few miles... this seems to be slowly clearing up (I hope as a new pump is around £1,000 plus fitting!).

Overall, the car doesn't quite cut it in the golf club car park, but once you spend some time with it, and learn to forgive it's few shortcomings you'll find the 600 is an excellent car with a great design which grows on you over time. The ride is second to none, the interior really well laid out, the power delivery modern even now (apart from in first gear where it's a bit sluggish) and the external features are really pretty classy.

If you do go for a 600 I recommend the Diesel engine, but be very careful about it's condition.

Faults:

New gear box at 52000 miles.

Intermittent fault with starter motor.

General Comments:

Totally underrated, very quick car. 200bhp as standard. BMW drivers get upset.

With its torsen diff, it handles great. Hard springs, but at the speeds it is capable of, you want them.

Faults:

Nothing, except for the occasional blown headlight (I think I blew three in 4 years).

General Comments:

This car loved me. And the feeling was mutual.

We met by accident. I was shopping for a new car, and the Rover dealer happened to be next door to the Citroen dealer, where I was disappointed by the Xantia. I saw her (the 618Si in British Racing Green) in the showroom, and thought I wouldn't be able to afford it. I looked at the sticker price, thought again, got a test drive, and was lost. That sound... that light-footed engine, that actually enjoyed getting kicked... the interior, no fancy stuff, but so homely, these seats... as I said, I was lost.

For almost 2 years, I waited for things to break, blow, fry, or generally go wrong in a very English way. After 2 years, I gave up waiting. When the lease ended after 4 years, nothing had gone wrong, and I could push it hard over cobblestone roads without a rattle or creak. When I handed it back to the company, my heart was heavy.

I could go on about the fantastic Honda engine, the superb handling, the reliability, the no-frills, no-spoilers, uncut, classic, elegant, simple, beautiful lines, and the excellent dealership... but it all boils down to "this car loved its owner".

I'd get another one without thinking - if Rover would've still wanted to sell a 600.

Faults:

We have replaced the exhaust, which blew as they do from time to time. Other than this we have had no problems at all with the car that was bought ex-company with a full service history and maitenece log.

General Comments:

For motorway driving this is an effortless and relaxing car to drive. Not suited to sports driving and the car loses its pleasure if you thrash the engine which gets harsh over 5,500 RMP. Once over 2,500 RMP there is plenty of torque. The turbo gets going by 3,000 and you effortlessly glide down (or up) the road. Acceleration is good in every gear, however not as fast as most other 2.0L Turbos on the market. The extra fuel economy and second hand price (mine cost £3650 at 3 1/2 years old) makes up for this. This is an excellent bargain if you want a fast, comfortable motorway car. It comes with nice seats, air con, 6 disc CD and a nice relaxed driving position.