Rover 200 Hatchback 214 SLi Cat 5d (1994/M) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
As long as you buy a good one (I didn't) it should be reasonably cheap to keep going. Best for a second car, although insurance a bit steep for class. Go for a late model (L-N reg) and make sure you have a good look round first. Dont pay more than £500.
Costs
As long as it doesn't break down too much (Mine did), it should be cheap to run apart from high insurance. 1.4 gets reasonable mpg with about 35 combined town and motorway.
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On the road
Driving
Bit of a harsh ride - power steering direct untill above 80mph when it all begins to feel a bit wobbly and unsafe. Much better for nipping around town.
Performance
A 1.4 designed in the late 80's isn't exactly going to pull a small family car well is it? Well, it's not as bad as you might think - 104bhp means you have to rev hard to get any kind of fast acceleration, as there's not much torque low down.
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Living with it
Reliability
I'm going to run out of space here - see all the separate boxes for more info. Suffice to say, I bought it for £2000 3 years ago, spent over £3000 on it and now it's worth around £400.
Image
A bit embarassing really - late 80's design really shows it's age. Luckily I only live a couple of miles from the Longbridge Rover factory so there are still plently about around here.
Comfort
Depends where you use it. Around town it's reasonably quiet & smooth but the ride is a bit bumpy on poor surfaces. Not good on motorway - low gearing means it does 4000rpm at 75mph. Loud tyre roar & wind noise, but comfy seats. Not much room in back.
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Security and Service
Security
Alarm and immobiliser standard but key 'plipper' failed almost instantly - not worth a replacement at £200 each. Still, no one has tried to steal it yet. If they did, it'd only break down 100 metres down the road - the best security of all.
Service
The stupid prices they want to charge for an old banger like this - sometimes more than it's worth - made me give up and use my local garage for maintainance. At least I can say they're very good.
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
New alternator,new radiator, new battery, new sparkplugs, misfires when cold, large oil consumption, oil leak, unidentifiable water leak and various probs with the gas conversion (most not to do with petrol parts). Basicly everything but the actual block.
Other
Dodgy glove box, unfixable boot light, alarm plip irratic so not used, no central locking on rear right door, rear left speaker gone. I'm sure I'll think of more once I've submitted this!
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
Used
Would you buy the same model again?
No
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
Yes