SD1 as a daily driver?
Discussion
Hi,
Can anyone tell me a bit about the Rover SD1?
I presume they have a rear hatch - do the rear seats fold? Wondering if I could get a mountain bike (minus wheels) in.
Whats reliability like?
If things do go wrong, what are parts availability like?
What sort of performance figures do they acheive?
Whats the handling like?
Um, anything else really. Would be looking to do 12,000+ miles a year and wondered if it would make an entertaining alternative to a 944 or 3 series
Can anyone tell me a bit about the Rover SD1?
I presume they have a rear hatch - do the rear seats fold? Wondering if I could get a mountain bike (minus wheels) in.
Whats reliability like?
If things do go wrong, what are parts availability like?
What sort of performance figures do they acheive?
Whats the handling like?
Um, anything else really. Would be looking to do 12,000+ miles a year and wondered if it would make an entertaining alternative to a 944 or 3 series
It'll very much depend on the one you purchase but they do have folding rear seats so plenty of room for a bike. Handling is very good, especially in the Vitesse. There are plenty of spares available and literally tons of cars to be found in wreckers so shouldn't be a problem.
Electrics can be dodgy and rust can be a problem, especially around the rear tailgate. Have a look around the net for an SD1 owners club as they'll have much more detailed information and maybe some cars for sale. A good Vitesse will command decent money and is the one to go in terms of driving enjoyment. They are also more likely to have been looked after as they have remained desireable whereas the other models rather unfairly have been discarded.
There's no reason why you couldn't use one every day - that's what they were built for!
Electrics can be dodgy and rust can be a problem, especially around the rear tailgate. Have a look around the net for an SD1 owners club as they'll have much more detailed information and maybe some cars for sale. A good Vitesse will command decent money and is the one to go in terms of driving enjoyment. They are also more likely to have been looked after as they have remained desireable whereas the other models rather unfairly have been discarded.
There's no reason why you couldn't use one every day - that's what they were built for!
Chris71 said:
Hi,
Can anyone tell me a bit about the Rover SD1?
I presume they have a rear hatch - do the rear seats fold? Wondering if I could get a mountain bike (minus wheels) in.
Whats reliability like?
If things do go wrong, what are parts availability like?
What sort of performance figures do they acheive?
Whats the handling like?
Um, anything else really. Would be looking to do 12,000+ miles a year and wondered if it would make an entertaining alternative to a 944 or 3 series
You'll be amazed how much you can fit in an SD1, you won't need to take the wheels off with the back seat down.Can anyone tell me a bit about the Rover SD1?
I presume they have a rear hatch - do the rear seats fold? Wondering if I could get a mountain bike (minus wheels) in.
Whats reliability like?
If things do go wrong, what are parts availability like?
What sort of performance figures do they acheive?
Whats the handling like?
Um, anything else really. Would be looking to do 12,000+ miles a year and wondered if it would make an entertaining alternative to a 944 or 3 series
Reliability is good, especially the V8 models - very strong engine.
Performance is very good, 0-60 for the Vitesse is fractionally over 7s - with some easy and cheap mods you can shave a lot of time off this. But the real performance is mid-range, so much torque you'll fly!
Most cars by now will need a bit of TLC in the suspension area as the shocks/springs/dampers will be a bit old - get these sorted (cheap and easy) and the handling is very good.
12k is nothing to a sorted SD1, no worries there. Also good scope for LPG conversions, lots of space under the boot floor.
Go for it!
Another vote for the SD1....lovely design ,drive great ,sound good(V8) & are fast becoming collectable....perhaps one of the most well supported classics in the UK with the exception of something like an MGB...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlmW8KrzxDo
Where some of the boys hang out..
http://julianreynolds.forumup.co.uk/index.php?mfor...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlmW8KrzxDo
Where some of the boys hang out..
http://julianreynolds.forumup.co.uk/index.php?mfor...
Edited by F.M on Tuesday 12th June 09:38
Interesting. A Vitesse does sounds promising.
Just two concerns,
I had a look at a few ads on the web and they all seemed to be suffering from quite advanced rot. Is this a worse problem than for other cars of it's age or is it just that as a relatively affordable fast car many have been abused?
Secondly, I get the impression they're a BIG car, is this the case or do they just look large? I'd hope to garage it, but it would probably have to spend some of it's time being parked in London sized gaps! Anything significantly bigger than, say a 3 series, would be getting a little unweildy.
Does sound good though.
Just two concerns,
I had a look at a few ads on the web and they all seemed to be suffering from quite advanced rot. Is this a worse problem than for other cars of it's age or is it just that as a relatively affordable fast car many have been abused?
Secondly, I get the impression they're a BIG car, is this the case or do they just look large? I'd hope to garage it, but it would probably have to spend some of it's time being parked in London sized gaps! Anything significantly bigger than, say a 3 series, would be getting a little unweildy.
Does sound good though.
Chris71 said:
Interesting. A Vitesse does sounds promising.
Just two concerns,
I had a look at a few ads on the web and they all seemed to be suffering from quite advanced rot. Is this a worse problem than for other cars of it's age or is it just that as a relatively affordable fast car many have been abused?
Secondly, I get the impression they're a BIG car, is this the case or do they just look large? I'd hope to garage it, but it would probably have to spend some of it's time being parked in London sized gaps! Anything significantly bigger than, say a 3 series, would be getting a little unweildy.
Does sound good though.
They do tend to suffer with rot if not looked after. But, there are plenty of good ones and get it wax oiled every year and you should be fine.Just two concerns,
I had a look at a few ads on the web and they all seemed to be suffering from quite advanced rot. Is this a worse problem than for other cars of it's age or is it just that as a relatively affordable fast car many have been abused?
Secondly, I get the impression they're a BIG car, is this the case or do they just look large? I'd hope to garage it, but it would probably have to spend some of it's time being parked in London sized gaps! Anything significantly bigger than, say a 3 series, would be getting a little unweildy.
Does sound good though.
Re the size, not a problem - great turning circle mean tight spaces are a doddle.
Duke Thrust said:
Chris71 said:
Interesting. A Vitesse does sounds promising.
Just two concerns,
I had a look at a few ads on the web and they all seemed to be suffering from quite advanced rot. Is this a worse problem than for other cars of it's age or is it just that as a relatively affordable fast car many have been abused?
Secondly, I get the impression they're a BIG car, is this the case or do they just look large? I'd hope to garage it, but it would probably have to spend some of it's time being parked in London sized gaps! Anything significantly bigger than, say a 3 series, would be getting a little unweildy.
Does sound good though.
They do tend to suffer with rot if not looked after. But, there are plenty of good ones and get it wax oiled every year and you should be fine.Just two concerns,
I had a look at a few ads on the web and they all seemed to be suffering from quite advanced rot. Is this a worse problem than for other cars of it's age or is it just that as a relatively affordable fast car many have been abused?
Secondly, I get the impression they're a BIG car, is this the case or do they just look large? I'd hope to garage it, but it would probably have to spend some of it's time being parked in London sized gaps! Anything significantly bigger than, say a 3 series, would be getting a little unweildy.
Does sound good though.
Re the size, not a problem - great turning circle mean tight spaces are a doddle.
Like I said, might seem like an odd comparison, but looking for a modern/recent classic with a bit of character, but still able to carry stuff around in and cover long distances, so I'm open to a broad range of cars.
Chris71 said:
Duke Thrust said:
Chris71 said:
Interesting. A Vitesse does sounds promising.
Just two concerns,
I had a look at a few ads on the web and they all seemed to be suffering from quite advanced rot. Is this a worse problem than for other cars of it's age or is it just that as a relatively affordable fast car many have been abused?
Secondly, I get the impression they're a BIG car, is this the case or do they just look large? I'd hope to garage it, but it would probably have to spend some of it's time being parked in London sized gaps! Anything significantly bigger than, say a 3 series, would be getting a little unweildy.
Does sound good though.
They do tend to suffer with rot if not looked after. But, there are plenty of good ones and get it wax oiled every year and you should be fine.Just two concerns,
I had a look at a few ads on the web and they all seemed to be suffering from quite advanced rot. Is this a worse problem than for other cars of it's age or is it just that as a relatively affordable fast car many have been abused?
Secondly, I get the impression they're a BIG car, is this the case or do they just look large? I'd hope to garage it, but it would probably have to spend some of it's time being parked in London sized gaps! Anything significantly bigger than, say a 3 series, would be getting a little unweildy.
Does sound good though.
Re the size, not a problem - great turning circle mean tight spaces are a doddle.
Like I said, might seem like an odd comparison, but looking for a modern/recent classic with a bit of character, but still able to carry stuff around in and cover long distances, so I'm open to a broad range of cars.
I always found the boot on the 944 to be useless - very shallow due to the transaxle sitting underneath.
My main concern boot wise is long, wide, flat things like mountain bike frames, so the 944 boot should be addequate, but does look the SD1s is rather bigger.
Must admit one of my biggest gripes about the SD1 is it's inerior! Getting rid of that wheel would be a pleasure if I bought one
Am slightly worried about the cost of getting a good one. They seem to be something like £5000 for a good Vitesse! I'm sure they're worth it, but I'm not sure I could justify the price of a decent S2 on one. If I found a nice one for 8v 944 money however it would be far more difficult to call. Do like characterful engines and I think I should own something with a V8 before the eco-weenies make it illegal to do so. RWD is a must. It has plenty of space and it's a bit different.
Must admit one of my biggest gripes about the SD1 is it's inerior! Getting rid of that wheel would be a pleasure if I bought one
Am slightly worried about the cost of getting a good one. They seem to be something like £5000 for a good Vitesse! I'm sure they're worth it, but I'm not sure I could justify the price of a decent S2 on one. If I found a nice one for 8v 944 money however it would be far more difficult to call. Do like characterful engines and I think I should own something with a V8 before the eco-weenies make it illegal to do so. RWD is a must. It has plenty of space and it's a bit different.
A 5k Vitesse would be a very good car and whilst expensive now would almost certainly appreciate in the future which is more than can be said for the 944.
It is always more economical to buy a mint example rather than a cheap mediocre example that is going to require a lot of work in the near future.
A nice 4.0 or 4.6 engine in place of the 3.5 really makes for a wonderful woofly cruiser that can lay black lines down the road if called upon (whether it be manual or auto). If kept in good nick or slightly upgraded the handling and braking are really very good indeed. When you first drive a good Vitesse it feels more like a hot-hatch which I guess in some respects it is. I would also go for an LPG conversion too as they are relatively cheap and reduce one aspect of SD1 V8 ownership that is quite expensive - fuel consumption!
A black 1985 Rover Vitesse with deep front spoiler and those lovely lattice alloys - definitely one for my dream garage irrespective of available budget!
It is always more economical to buy a mint example rather than a cheap mediocre example that is going to require a lot of work in the near future.
A nice 4.0 or 4.6 engine in place of the 3.5 really makes for a wonderful woofly cruiser that can lay black lines down the road if called upon (whether it be manual or auto). If kept in good nick or slightly upgraded the handling and braking are really very good indeed. When you first drive a good Vitesse it feels more like a hot-hatch which I guess in some respects it is. I would also go for an LPG conversion too as they are relatively cheap and reduce one aspect of SD1 V8 ownership that is quite expensive - fuel consumption!
A black 1985 Rover Vitesse with deep front spoiler and those lovely lattice alloys - definitely one for my dream garage irrespective of available budget!
That's interesting - I've even seen ones requiring work going for above £4000.
For £2.5k, something faster, rarer and more practical than an 8v 944 definitely makes a degree of sense.
It would have to be the Vitesse I think - the extra performance and the V8 soundtrack.
Hmmm, this one sounds fun! http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/157559.htm Not sure how the insurance companies would take to that though (I'm 24!)
For £2.5k, something faster, rarer and more practical than an 8v 944 definitely makes a degree of sense.
It would have to be the Vitesse I think - the extra performance and the V8 soundtrack.
Hmmm, this one sounds fun! http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/157559.htm Not sure how the insurance companies would take to that though (I'm 24!)
So long as you havent got a really bad driving history, insurance isn't that bad. Vitesse insurance is more than VDP EFi, despite being almost identical cars, I'm being quoted about £550 fully comp and thats at 25 with a clean license, but a fault accident October 04 and two non-fault accidents in the past year.
Regards
Iain
Regards
Iain
Chris71 said:
That's interesting - I've even seen ones requiring work going for above £4000.
For £2.5k, something faster, rarer and more practical than an 8v 944 definitely makes a degree of sense.
It would have to be the Vitesse I think - the extra performance and the V8 soundtrack.
Hmmm, this one sounds fun! http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/157559.htm Not sure how the insurance companies would take to that though (I'm 24!)
I've just bought a Vandenplas V8, for £1700, with 11months test, and 1mth tax. Yeah, i know, never buy the first one you look at. It is (or will be, when i get rid of the deaded 218vvc coupe, and the deaded renault 19) my only car.For £2.5k, something faster, rarer and more practical than an 8v 944 definitely makes a degree of sense.
It would have to be the Vitesse I think - the extra performance and the V8 soundtrack.
Hmmm, this one sounds fun! http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/157559.htm Not sure how the insurance companies would take to that though (I'm 24!)
First off, fuel consumption: It sucks around town, but then mines got a uprated carb and filter. On motorways and A roads, its not so bad ('bad' is a relative when you have a V8, but still). I drove from wolverhampton to southport today, and including a couple of WOT moments while overtaking, it used £20 of regular unleaded.
second. no matter what anyone says: Its a 'King huge car. my parents garden gates are 6'6" wide, and its a very close squeeze to clear the wingmirrors. I've yet to see a parking bay in tescos/asdas/random NCP fodder that doesnt leave me overhanging. It is however, very easy to steer, and so it is live-with-able.
third. Spares: if you have read about the standard 2000 haul, you'll know theres lots of bits available. the bits i'm struggling to find are tyres that dont cost the earth (i've seen 205/60/R15 tyres range from £60-£80 a corner) and wheels (6.5Jx15"ET38 wheels with a 127x5 pitch circle diameter, which are what i belive are the correct ones, are a pig to find. apparently the only other car to share the same fittment, was the chrysler grande cherokee from about '96-'98). Having said that, a set of 15" minilites would only be £129 each.....
Yeah - I did actually look up the dimensions online and whilst it may be more compact than it looks it's still significantly bigger than any of the other cars I'm looking at. If it wasn't for that I'd get one tomorrow, but I think it is a little large, which is a real shame when it's got a nice V8 and a decent chasis.
There's a silver Vitesse on Ebay at the moment which has had a lot of boywork done. The mechanicals sound like they could do with being upgraded at some point but hey, 3.5litres just isn't enough anyway!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rover-sd1-vitesse_W0QQitemZ1...
If a cheaper, mint, Vanden Plas V8 came up it may be an option. The only difference was the seats and the suspension. Spend the difference on improving the handling.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rover-sd1-vitesse_W0QQitemZ1...
If a cheaper, mint, Vanden Plas V8 came up it may be an option. The only difference was the seats and the suspension. Spend the difference on improving the handling.
I liked the look of this one, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
That said. I fear they'd just be too big. Would really prefer something smaller than my current car (an MG ZS) to negotiate London traffic with and although the ZS is deceptively large and the SD1 (according to some) deceptively small, the figures still show quite a lot of difference!
Gotta be RWD though, so unless a really good buy comes up in SD1 form, I think it'll be an e30 325 touring or maybe my frivolous side would contemplate an Alfa GTV6 on the groudns I could spend all day salavating at it.
That said. I fear they'd just be too big. Would really prefer something smaller than my current car (an MG ZS) to negotiate London traffic with and although the ZS is deceptively large and the SD1 (according to some) deceptively small, the figures still show quite a lot of difference!
Gotta be RWD though, so unless a really good buy comes up in SD1 form, I think it'll be an e30 325 touring or maybe my frivolous side would contemplate an Alfa GTV6 on the groudns I could spend all day salavating at it.
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