fatherpierre

Are these any good - relatively for what they cost these days?

A mate of a mate has a T reg one going for not much cash. Lots of history and in good nick. It's done loads of miles (145k) but he's done about 90k of them and had it serviced more or less on the button as per schedule, inc a new recent clutch.

I guess they eat front tyres and aren't great handling cars? Tempted, but he lives miles away so don't want to waste trip if they're cack. I know Rovers don't have the best rep but it is very cheap and they're meant to be quite potent. I'm a sucker a bargain!

markymark34

cant believe im going to say this but they arent bad cars. Something like 197bhp?
Seem to be pretty good with high miles but 145k would worry me. Is this just for a run about? If so think i would rather go down the small car route or an old vectra.

The handling is awful (well compared to a scooby)

NotoriousREV

I had one as a company car. Excellent engine, although I did manage to kill 2 pistons (cheap petrol and a heavy right foot) and blew the gearbox up a couple of times.

They're fast, handling isn't bad but you can't put the power down in anything other than perfectly dry conditions. They have an LSD but that just means both front wheels light up

If it's cheap enough, do it as they're a great car for the money.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

Headgaskets!

sti-04!!

Spec'c'57

iTrader: (1)

Gasket set around £40 plus a day messing around and good as new again.

fatherpierre

Cheers for the advice.

This had its headgasket done about 30k ago has been used as a motorway commute car, covering about 80 miles per day up and down the M1 in his use.

He only wants around £300 for it but the MOT is due in July and it will need new tyres apparently. Insurance is only around £250 fully comp too.

imprezaworks

iTrader: (9)

For that money id buy it. I drove one ages ago and was suprised how quick they were.

Dan

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

They are alright, but why buy one when you can get a Saab for the same money if you really must have a straightlinetastic barge.

fatherpierre

What saab with that power for similar money?

Shark Man

Generally; the M-series (or T-series) gaskets just leaks oil - so long as you can live with parking the car over a drip-tray its not worth the bother fixing it; it'll go again. As the wall thickness of the gasket between the oilway and the outside world is very small. Oil leaks doesn't really stop the car from working (so long as its kept topped up with oil).

NOT to be confused with a K-series. Which mixes oil and water better than a blender.


Ironically, the 620Ti's achillies heel is the Honda gearbox.....(Honda, good engines...not so good boxes )


(as an aside; I know someone who has one; 160K, LPG conversion, still going strong; albeit leaking oil like a sieve )

robby

Nice cars - 1/2 leather recaros, air-con, all electrics, 16" alloys (so tyres aren't too dear), 200bhp
I think the T plate will be the pre update - V plates onwards had - colour coded skirts, lower suspension and some mechanical changes
As mentioned the only common problems were clutches and head gaskets, for the handling Moto-Build did a poly bush kit to sort that out (not sure if MB are still going?)

what would scooby do

If they are anything like my old 220 turbo (tomcat) they will have brakes the size and composition of custard creams..

NotoriousREV

From memoery, they're better than early WRX brakes...

what would scooby do

More like bourbons then

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

various turbo 9000's, 900 (185 Bhp) and remember these all remap safely to higher levels. Even 9-3 LPT's like I had remap to 210 bhp and like any big petrol car at the moment they are cheap, I p-exed my 2001/100k miler for £1200 six months ago, needs some minor jobs but was very sound and drove very well, its not turned up as being taxed on the dvla so it suggests that it and others are sat around unloved waiting for someone with a grand and a turbo shed itch to scratch.

there is also the Volvo T5 that can be had for that kind of money, though I like the Rover just for the sheer inverse snobbery and the fact they are quite a good looking car I would be concerned about the engines on these, the Swedes just do turbocharging better.

Jamescsti

Was given one as a courtesy car when my STI rediator and waterpump went, had it about a week, rubbish handling but straight line speed was quite good.
For the cash I'd say it's worth it

Spec'c'57

iTrader: (1)

ah thats whats wrong with the one i have then. Brakes are shocking to say the least. altho it has stood for a few years so will change the fluid/disc's/pads when the weather allows.

what would scooby do

let us know how big the pads are when you do it then