What to look for, what to shop for...
Discussion
Hi again all, last time I posted, I was in the market for a Rover 200 BRM, but availability and budget have changed slightly.
I am now looking to get a Rover "sports" car, as for some reason I am drawn to them, despite their often ridiculed image.
Now, knowing that there is alot of knowledge on here, and that this question may have been asked before (but I haven't got too much time to trawl the forum) these are my questions/criteria:
1. With a Sub £1000 budget, would I be better off with a 200 hatch of some sort (Vi, 25GTi) or a Coupe? I know I could get an MGF and maybe a MG ZR, but not really interested (unless someone gives them a huge thumbs up over the others). I am looking to buy in a couple of months.
2. Preferably I would have the VVC, but I know I could get a Tomcat with the Turbo engine - any pros and cons of the Turbo over VVC?
3. What should I look for specifically in these cars - obviously the K-series head gasket issue would be a main thing to check, but are there any other points on the VVC or Turbo engine to look for, or even in the cars (any particular Coupe issues or Sportier model Hatch issues)?
I have so far put Rovers at the top of my shopping list, ahead of Golf GTis or Corrados and 205 GTis, but maybe there are some out there who could reinforce the decision I have made in my heart with some sensible advice from the head. I don't need to hear that VWs would be more practical/reliable - I had as many problems with my last Rover (only a '98 420 GSDI in a tasty Turquoise) as my last VW ('98 GTi that I replaced the Rover with - needed the hatch for a dog).
My experience of Rovers are a test drive in a used 214 GSi 9 years ago (had to thrash it to go - I would have killed it), a test drive in a BRM about 7 years ago (should have bought it - ended up with a Volvo S40 T-4) and the then the 420 GSDI bought as a stop gap for economy, but kept for over 2 years in the end and only got shot due to needing a hatch. On the whole positive and I know if I have a bit more knowledge behind me when I finally go shopping.
Bottom line - I want something a bit different, a bit fun and a bit sensible some of the time. the VWs tick the sensible and fun boxes, but the Golf isn't different (Corrado is, but old for money). The Rover would be mistaken as a duffer's car (not the Coupe though!), but I suspect could be good.
Sorry if that's long winded - if someone can link previous topics that would be brilliant, or even give me a few pointers.
I am now looking to get a Rover "sports" car, as for some reason I am drawn to them, despite their often ridiculed image.
Now, knowing that there is alot of knowledge on here, and that this question may have been asked before (but I haven't got too much time to trawl the forum) these are my questions/criteria:
1. With a Sub £1000 budget, would I be better off with a 200 hatch of some sort (Vi, 25GTi) or a Coupe? I know I could get an MGF and maybe a MG ZR, but not really interested (unless someone gives them a huge thumbs up over the others). I am looking to buy in a couple of months.
2. Preferably I would have the VVC, but I know I could get a Tomcat with the Turbo engine - any pros and cons of the Turbo over VVC?
3. What should I look for specifically in these cars - obviously the K-series head gasket issue would be a main thing to check, but are there any other points on the VVC or Turbo engine to look for, or even in the cars (any particular Coupe issues or Sportier model Hatch issues)?
I have so far put Rovers at the top of my shopping list, ahead of Golf GTis or Corrados and 205 GTis, but maybe there are some out there who could reinforce the decision I have made in my heart with some sensible advice from the head. I don't need to hear that VWs would be more practical/reliable - I had as many problems with my last Rover (only a '98 420 GSDI in a tasty Turquoise) as my last VW ('98 GTi that I replaced the Rover with - needed the hatch for a dog).
My experience of Rovers are a test drive in a used 214 GSi 9 years ago (had to thrash it to go - I would have killed it), a test drive in a BRM about 7 years ago (should have bought it - ended up with a Volvo S40 T-4) and the then the 420 GSDI bought as a stop gap for economy, but kept for over 2 years in the end and only got shot due to needing a hatch. On the whole positive and I know if I have a bit more knowledge behind me when I finally go shopping.
Bottom line - I want something a bit different, a bit fun and a bit sensible some of the time. the VWs tick the sensible and fun boxes, but the Golf isn't different (Corrado is, but old for money). The Rover would be mistaken as a duffer's car (not the Coupe though!), but I suspect could be good.
Sorry if that's long winded - if someone can link previous topics that would be brilliant, or even give me a few pointers.
If it does not need to be a hatch, then why not look for a well cared for Rover 620ti ~ thats the only R600 fitted with Rover's own T16 Turbocharged engine. A nice car to drive. With a little patience, a search should turn up a well maintained and cared for 620 ti near minter for less than £1000.
There are four 620ti in my family and all have been and continue to be bullet proof reliable and inexpensive to maintain to give further reliable service. It is a spacious three box saloon ( not a hatch ) with surprisingly good performance when needed. It can also be fuel frugal unless you become addicted to that turbo effect. For instance, my son gets approximately 100 miles per tankful more than I do in my identical car. However, he does appear to have more will power than I where that turbocharger is concerned.
K-Series. There are three cars in my immediate family. A 1.4, two 1.8s ( one a VVC ) and so far, none have needed a replacement cylinder head gasket. That includes one bought new in 1993 and another, an MG ZS Hatch bought new in 2003. What few folks realise is that even if the cylinder head gasket becomes damaged ( usually as a result of over heating following loss of coolant ), on the four cylindered K-Series renewing the cylinder head gasket is one of the easiest 16 valve engines to do that ( MGF excepted mainly because of the mid car engine location which restricts access ) ~ otherwise easy job for any half decent DIYer ~ provided the overheated engine was caught in time before serious damage occurred. However, this job is regarded as a "they all do that mate " nice little earner in the trade, even when it's not needed!!
If it must be a hatch, my better half drives the MG ZS hatch and loves the car. The Rover 25 is similar ) and I have to admit it's one of the nicest handling ordinary production cars I've ever driven. A realy nice overall package for such an ordinary production car. She gets 40+ mpg on a run which is excellent too. Even leadfoot me gets mid-30s. Some of these are now in the £1000 region and even nice ones are not much dearer.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. For numerous reasons, some very good value to be had now for any Rover or MGs on your shopping list. Exceptional value even in the case of a Rover 620ti.
..
There are four 620ti in my family and all have been and continue to be bullet proof reliable and inexpensive to maintain to give further reliable service. It is a spacious three box saloon ( not a hatch ) with surprisingly good performance when needed. It can also be fuel frugal unless you become addicted to that turbo effect. For instance, my son gets approximately 100 miles per tankful more than I do in my identical car. However, he does appear to have more will power than I where that turbocharger is concerned.
K-Series. There are three cars in my immediate family. A 1.4, two 1.8s ( one a VVC ) and so far, none have needed a replacement cylinder head gasket. That includes one bought new in 1993 and another, an MG ZS Hatch bought new in 2003. What few folks realise is that even if the cylinder head gasket becomes damaged ( usually as a result of over heating following loss of coolant ), on the four cylindered K-Series renewing the cylinder head gasket is one of the easiest 16 valve engines to do that ( MGF excepted mainly because of the mid car engine location which restricts access ) ~ otherwise easy job for any half decent DIYer ~ provided the overheated engine was caught in time before serious damage occurred. However, this job is regarded as a "they all do that mate " nice little earner in the trade, even when it's not needed!!
If it must be a hatch, my better half drives the MG ZS hatch and loves the car. The Rover 25 is similar ) and I have to admit it's one of the nicest handling ordinary production cars I've ever driven. A realy nice overall package for such an ordinary production car. She gets 40+ mpg on a run which is excellent too. Even leadfoot me gets mid-30s. Some of these are now in the £1000 region and even nice ones are not much dearer.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. For numerous reasons, some very good value to be had now for any Rover or MGs on your shopping list. Exceptional value even in the case of a Rover 620ti.
..
Cheers MG John - I had thought of the 600TI, but seem to see fewer and fewer around, with those I do find being inevitably pimped! I saw a good one the other day, but it was about 300 miles away, so I suppose it depends how far I want to go (or in the end how far I need to go to get what I want).
I will look at them and ZSs as well - thanks.
I will look at them and ZSs as well - thanks.
You'd be well happy with a ZS, they drive so well. I've had two ZS 180's and now have a Turbo Tomcat which is great but not in the same league handling wise.
The turbo coupe obviously is quicker than the VVC because it has 40 hp more, it's a cracking engine but being a cast iron block is heavier. I also have annoying oil leak issues from my Turbo.
The turbo coupe obviously is quicker than the VVC because it has 40 hp more, it's a cracking engine but being a cast iron block is heavier. I also have annoying oil leak issues from my Turbo.
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