1991 Rover - Austin Metro S 1.1 petrol 8v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

An underrated, good car

Faults:

The alternator failed at 60,000. Replaced for £50.

Needed new suspension ball joint and an exhaust repair for MOT.

The rear arches are rather crusty.

Suspension needed re-pressurizing.

Some rust is starting to appear.

General Comments:

This car is totally devoid of street cred, but it gets on with its job.

The performance is good for an 1100cc engine, with more BHP than the equivalent Ford and Vauxhall engines, the engine also revs very well.

The 5 speed 'box has a positive change, but reverse can sometimes fail to engage first time.

The ride is very smooth thanks to the Hydragas suspension, but the handling is also adequate.

The dashboard looks like a refugee from 1987, but is well laid out and functional.

The front seats are very comfortable, but the back seat passengers have very little space, but this is to be expected in such a small car.

Maintenance is very simple and even the slightly complex parts such as the suspension can be tackled with the aid of a workshop manual.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd December, 2004

8th Dec 2004, 15:22

How fast will your little 1.1 metro go!!!

1991 Rover - Austin Metro S 5 Door 1.1 8v petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Cheap, reliable, but disappointing

Faults:

Drivers side gas suspension unit broke leaving me stranded.

Radiator corroded and had to be replaced.

General Comments:

A good first car that transported me to and from college. Only ever broke down twice in the year I had it, but not too expensive to fix.

The bodywork is very thin and the doors do have a tendency to buckle. Rust on the rear arches also is a characteristic.

I would however recommend this car highly to first time buyers on a budget. They can be picked up for very little these days and insurance is a bargain.

Not the cheapest car on petrol (for a 1.1 l).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th November, 2004

27th Jun 2006, 14:04

I had a Rover Metro and everything went wrong with it. I was never so glad to see it go. Read my review never buy one.

1991 Rover - Austin Metro S 1.1 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A great little car Rover should make it again, but without the early 80's Styling

Faults:

The car has been quite reliable, the fan broke, needed a new switch on the radiator.

The downpipe has gone.

The rear wheel arches had rusted badly, but repaired by the previous owner.

Thermostat.

General Comments:

This is a really good little car, mine has a light beige interior, which is horrible, but it is very comfortable and seems resistant to fag burns!

It is great fun to drive handles almost as good as my old mini, but with the benefit of better grip and a much better engine, much faster than my old 1.2 Vauxhall Nova and 1.4 205!

Insurance is quite expensive almost £200 a year more expensive than my Nova, which had a bigger engine and it was a year newer!

The car is terrible in the back, no room in there at all and mine is the 5door version.

But I would highly recommend this car, I am planning to sort out the dodgy look of the car soon with new seats and a gta body kit and some gti alloys.

A really good car that is much more fun to drive than the standard Fiesta or Corsas (and a lot faster too!)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st October, 2003

1991 Rover - Austin Metro KZXN2000 2.0i 12v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

FAST

Faults:

Fan belt went after 4k due too bad fitting.

General Comments:

This Metro has came back from America a couple of years ago, the old Metro engine was a 1.1 manual with 89K on the clock. My brother who owns a big car garage over America put a 2.0 8v ford Nova (Sports Car) engine in producing 167bhp thrusting the small car up to a staggering 155mph!! Out running the BMW325 at lights.

Nothing to do with this car, but my brother also shoved a 3.5 V8 into a Sierra XR4i which was producing 315bhp, but added another 300KG to the car! The Sierra had a top speed of 180mph instead of the old 2.8 24V V6 160mph.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd September, 2002