Rover 200 Coupe 1.6 2d (1997/R) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
Got mine from a Rover dealer 3 days before they went bust for a reasonable sum. still probably not lost much money on it. I could not find a better coupe for the money
Costs
Fuel wise I can get up to 40MPG while driving quickly (which is about as good as my old Diesel Xsara) Parts are OK cost wise and still available.
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On the road
Driving
Probably the best Front wheel drive I have driven. Its a much better drive than a Celica. You can have some serious B road fun in this with the roof out on a sunny day. Can be a bit light at the front in the wet but that just adds to the fun.
Performance
Its no dragster but for a 1.6 with 109BHP its seriously quick. Tip change up at 6,000RPM to get the best acceleration on a 2nd-3rd change it will bring you in a peck torque. As for 3rd - 4th I have not been on an auto bahn to find out!
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Living with it
Reliability
After a year of ownership its let me down once due to a dirty contact on the boot light switch. This coursed the battery to discharge. Other than that I'm just paranoid the Head gasket will go.
Image
Some people its a case of “its a rover!! yuck” and others “tomcat... ...nice”. I like to be different and its certainly different.
Comfort
Some would say its a bit on the hard side, Mine is all original and I think its the best compromise for handling/comfort. The seat is very comfortable.
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Security and Service
Security
I would not take you long to work out how to get in without the keys but it comes as standard with an immobiliser and I added a stop lock. I've not had any trouble but yet again it is a rover.
Service
Despite its age, I brought it and have service it a Rover Dealer who has been superb, (A.E. Wilcox in Wickwar). Manufacturer? What Manufacturer?
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
Last owner paid £400 for a head gasket and skim at 40k miles, 80k miles is up soon so I'm saving my pennies.
Other
Electrics can be a bit erratic. Likes to randomly wipe the rear windows when the engine if off. Clock also needs a good thump once in a while but it is 9 years old.
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
Used
Would you buy the same model again?
No
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
No