1988 Rover - Austin Montego MG Turbo 2.0 turbo from UK and Ireland

Summary:

You'll love it or hate it!

Faults:

Instrument lighting eratic.

Burnt out electric window motor.

PAS leaking.

General Comments:

In most respects this car was pretty bad - the chassis couldn't cope with the power, the build was terrible and it went rusty by its 8th birthday. But it was hilarious to drive.

The power was incredible - this was a seriously quick piece of kit. If you were careful with the throttle it didn't even handle too badly either.

The mechanical bits were amazingly reliable, but the rest of the car was disintegrating around them, and by 79,000 miles the whole car just felt like it had had enough.

Glad I owned it though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th September, 2001

2nd Feb 2003, 06:54

I'm only 14 years of age, and a very capable driver, and I have an Austin Mont-ego 2Litre Turbo Diesel. It's a great drive, even if the roof material has fallen off, and the acceleration in 2nd gear is a little unusual, but hey, it's a laugh to drive around in. Good power, not so good looks, but not bad for £100.

1988 Rover - Austin Montego L 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A damn good car for the price I paid

Faults:

As most of the of the other comments, rear shockers and rust over the rear wheel arch and it needs patching up at the rear of the sills. Other than that, a damn good car for £300.

Just starting to have a problem with the cooling system, it is staying pressurised when cold.

General Comments:

Is a very good car even though the name lets it down.

And it is a shame that the insurance is a bit expensive (group 11).

Otherwise very pleased with it, I find it good to drive and it handles well.

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

Review Date: 2nd December, 2000

1988 Rover - Austin Montego MG 2.0i from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A cheap, reliable, well equipped performance saloon car which is worth a look

Faults:

Not much for a car of this age.

Needed a brake pipe and the oil pump was noisy.

General Comments:

This car has always been a pleasure to drive and I have found it hard to find anything else in its class of the same age that is as fun.

It looks good in black and if looked after will keep going and going. Nowhere near as bad as a lot of people will try to tell you!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th November, 2000

10th Dec 2001, 13:28

I agree.

A friend bought a tidy 80,000 mile example a few years back, and we all said he was mad, and that it'd blow up or fall apart within weeks.

When he sold it two years later, it had nearly 120k on the clock, and it still ran well. No faults, no breakdowns, and boy did it shift!

We were very very wrong.

1988 Rover - Austin Montego L 1.6 petrol from Israel

Faults:

A lot of things went wrong, but nothing really big. There aren't a lot of places in Israel which know these cars.

General Comments:

Great value for money.

Big and comfortable.

Fair performance,low fuel consamption, big comfortable seats.

Feels safe.

I like the engine sound.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd June, 2000

10th Aug 2015, 00:43

Hi. I want to ask about spare parts for 1988 Austin Montego 1.6 petrol engine. They aren't available in Israel. I do have this car in Talkarem and I love it. Can't find spare parts. Thanks.

In reply to 10th Aug 2015, 00:43

30th Aug 2016, 20:25

Try making contact with the Maestro & Montego Owners Club which you will find on the net. My 30 year old example is still going well, which says it all.