1994 Rover - Austin Montego Countryman from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Brilliant all rounder

Faults:

Front passenger track rod end, electric window, passenger side tailgate door bottom rusted, though new tailgate 90 quid.

General Comments:

Second car I've had, and what a gem, It will do 60 to gallon at 55-60ish. The handbook says 68 mpg @ 55 mph.

It annoys other newer cars if booted, as when the turbo kicks in, it's very rapid and handles better than Astra or Ford estates.

Second car I've owned, bought for buttons and saved me a fortune. Was I'm told the staff car of choice for RAF officers.

7 seater, British made, nearly 70 mpg science fiction, oh and this was 15 years ago.

Mmm, looks a bit boxy, but that was the fashion then. Never saw it on Top Gear, but oops it's British progress huh.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th August, 2009

1994 Rover - Austin Montego Countryman 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Sound idea, but lacked quality

Faults:

Oh Dear.

Apart from brakes being replaced and the catalytic converter nearly killing the exhaust pipe man, the only thing to go wrong was electrical and fatal. After spending oodles of cash on the old girl, we ended up having her towed away.

General Comments:

Fantastic carrying capacity and the best roof rack on any car I've seen. Absolutely brilliant! The bars were stored in the wheel well and simply clicked into the roof rails.

The rear seats in the boot were very comfortable and the kids loved sitting in them facing the car behind and pulling faces.

The cargo area was massive and accommodated large amounts of camping equipment. For space, nearly as good as a Volvo, maybe dare I say it, even better.

Self leveling rear suspension meant no star gazing when carrying heavy loads.

The Engine was powerful, but unrefined, but the Montego had a sweet exhaust note. Especially under full power.

The interior was drab, but functional and the seats were comfortable enough.

Handling was stable and safe, but a bit wafty if pushed too hard.

My wife loved Monty and it was our first 'big' car.

Last of the great rust buckets though. Tail gates and wheel arches!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th February, 2008

1994 Rover - Austin Montego LXi Clubman 2.0 EFi from Spain

Summary:

British rubbish

Faults:

I really hate this car. I though it was a good car, but I had a huge deception with this piece of crap.

In 93000 km I have changed the exhaust six times.

The car is seven years old and is covered in rust.

Doors have never adjusted very well.

The injectors had to be cleaned at 14000 km.

Now has a coolant leak and I'm not going to repair it.

General Comments:

Rover cars ARE RUBBISH. I won't buy another Rover in my life. Now I'm looking for a Passat TDI or a SAAB 9-3. I don't which one is better in reliability terms. If anyone could help me I would be happy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd October, 2001

3rd Oct 2001, 16:59

If you want the best reliability, go Japanese or as a second choice, German.

21st Jun 2002, 08:16

I currently have 2 Montego (+ a SEAT Leon TDi 150), One is a 1990 1.6L with 60k miles (100,000km), the other a 2.0GTi Estate with 130k miles (210,000km), both very reliable.

The 2.0GTi is used on track days, it always starts after being left outside all summer, and has never caused a problem, even on the 2001 Cape to cape challenge where we did 9,000 miles in 10 days.

I'd go for the Passat with the 130bhp 1.9TDi...

11th Jun 2003, 09:59

Why are you saying that all rover cars are rubbish the Montego was and all cars that were designed by Austin, but I have had 4 rover 800's and not once have they broken down. the worse thing that happened was that a clutch went.

22nd Dec 2003, 18:11

Hear hear to the last comment. Not every car from the old Rover Group was rubbish, although it is true the Montego and most other Austins were. At the same time as the Montego range was dying out (early-mid nineties) however, Rover were also making superb 200's and 400's to replace them and the 800's of that day were just sublime. Rover stagnated a bit between 1996 and 2002 (the BMW years) but the current range of cars from what is now called MG-Rover looks pretty impressive and I can foresee a 75 or an MG-ZT coming my way when my 800 finally gives up the ghost (although not usually until 300,000 miles so I've got some time yet).

3rd Oct 2015, 21:06

So bad he kept it and drove it for almost 93k miles???