1984 Rover - Austin Metro L 1.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

The best small car of the 1980's

Faults:

Brake pads needed replacing a total of seven times, first at 8,000 miles and finally at 46,000 miles.

Apart from hard wearing brake pads, the Metro was a very reliable and sturdy little car.

Clutch plate broke at 23,000 miles.

Stereo failed at 37,000 miles.

General Comments:

Very economical, but not very fast or enjoyable to drive.

Interior was surprisingly spacious, but not very comfortable.

Brake pads wore at an alarming rate.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th April, 2006

1984 Rover - Austin Metro City 1.1 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A quality piece of crap

Faults:

Endless rust problems especially on wheel arches.

Fan belt problems, whining even after new one fitted.

Gearbox links broke after a couple of years of me buying it.

Complete brake overhaul became a necessity.

Brown colour made it harder to re-sell.

Awful brown interior seats worn badly.

Timing problems with the engine never were properly sorted out.

Poor radio cassette system.

Boot often flew open for no apparent reason when driving, two new locks fitted.

General Comments:

Has to be one of the worst cars I ever had the misfortune to buy. Typical cheap, badly produced, eighties Austin Rover pile of dung, it was even a dung colour.

The car was quite nippy though, and especially good for hand braking around bends.

The 1.1 City was useful for wheel spinning and general whizzing about town in, whilst playing our Roachford and Frankie Goes To Hollywood tapes in the eighties.

Unfortunately after thrashing it to pieces and reaching 124.00 miles it was on its last legs and I sold it for £25.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th August, 2002

1984 Rover - Austin Metro L 1.3 petrol from Cyprus

Summary:

Can be your best friend

Faults:

The gear box died at 72000.

I often have oil leaks from nowhere.

I have to replace the front tires with the rear ones every once in a while.

General Comments:

Very nice for first car.

It has up to 185 - 190 km/h top speed. Very fast for its class.

It's very easy to drive even if you're on a motorway.

It is not smart to push this little car to its limits because it is very easy then to lose control.

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

Review Date: 25th April, 2001

1984 Rover - Austin Metro MG Turbo 1.3 turbo from Germany

Summary:

Awful, badly built and unreliable, expensive

Faults:

Everything that can!!

Engine mounting broke.

Carburettor flooded continually.

Transmission would seize intermittently!!

General Comments:

What a piece of junk! A good idea, but poorly produced. Everything on this car was cheaply produced and poorly fitted. When it ran it was fast - 120 mph, and reasonable economy. Daren't drive it more than 15 miles for fear of breaking down. Finally sold it to a complete mug for what I paid for it, I was lucky.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st March, 2001

1984 Rover - Austin Metro City X 1.3 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Goes better than it looks

Faults:

Everything suspension related :o) Hydragas unit needed recharging as the suspension was 1.5" lower than it should be! Lots on front ball joints replaced.

Front wheel bearings took a 20 ton hydraulic press to pop the driveshaft, but we got there in the end.

Nasty overheating problem that started about six months ago and I can't seem trace.

Brakes & exhaust renewed - pretty much par for the course.

General Comments:

Fighting a losing battle against rust, and car's generally a bit shabby.

Goes a lot better than it looks though, even though the gearbox is terrible. Good for surprising people who just see a rusty Metro and expect it to max out at 60mph...

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

Review Date: 2nd May, 2000

1984 Rover - Austin Metro City 1.3 turbo from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Outstanding performer

Faults:

See below.

General Comments:

De turbo'd.

Half the engine is missing.

Flat tyres.

2 broken windows.

Dents.

This is the best car I have ever had the privilege of owning.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd March, 2000

1984 Rover - Austin Metro L 1.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

The fuse on my indicator circuits blown, nothing else, very reliable!

General Comments:

Slow, noisy, and uncomortable but always starts and goes, brilliant on mpg, but glad it's sold!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th January, 1999