Mondeo vs Octavia vs Rover 75

unkel

'02 Mondeo 1.8 vs '01 Octavia 1.4 vs '01 Rover 75 1.8

What say ye?

All similar mileage, condition, price, etc. The extra running cost of the 1.8 petrols is not that much more, but depreciation will be higher and they will be harder to sell. A lot of extra car for the money compared to the Octavia 1.4. My requirements are in this thread. Mrs unkel seems to take to the Rover...

Henry Ford III

If the Mondeo is a Zetec model go for it. If it's an LX, don't.

The "Octavia crowd" may suggest otherwise but a 1.4 will be significantly underpowered.

Rover - nah.

alias no.9

What kind of kit is there with the 75? I know a guy who runs a fleet of limos and executive private hire cars who has a 75 as his daily driver. He recons the leather upolstery in the 75 is better than any of the cars in the fleet, inclusing S class merc's. I'd be wary of the k-series engine though, probably worth getting a full mechanical inspection to make sure everything is as it should be. One thing against the 75 and possibly the mondeo, is that it's a saloon. It's amazing how useless a large boot becomes when the opening of the bootlid is small.

Henry Ford III

Do those Rovers have issues with parts?

Mondeo has a fine boot (think 5 sets of golf clubs), and comes in a h/b too (rarer in Ireland).

alias no.9

X-part are the parts company and were spun off from rover long before they went under. I think they have some connection with JCB now, but I could be wrong. You won't have any part worries for years with rover.

maidhc

alias no.9 wrote:

X-part are the parts company and were spun off from rover long before they went under. I think they have some connection with JCB now, but I could be wrong. You won't have any part worries for years with rover.

Caterpillar.

Parts will definately become an issue, they always do when a manufacturer goes bankrupt. Of bigger concern with an elderly car though is the lack of them in scrapyards.

The scrapyards of Ireland are full of mondeos. Need a replacment wiper motor... buy a whole car for half the price of a new motor...

mike65

I would have thought a hatchback would be a good idea for a family roundabout. Which rules out a Rover 75.

Mike.

unkel

The car does not need to be fast. Even the 75BHP of the Octavia 1.4 would be enough. It will rarely be on an open country road, let alone overtake. The Mondeo is base spec 110BHP LX, the 75 is base (no leather unfortunately) and the Octavia is Ambiente

alias no.9 wrote:

I'd be wary of the k-series engine though, probably worth getting a full mechanical inspection to make sure everything is as it should be

I'm aware of the issue. The car will be checked out by my trusted mechanics and should we buy it, we'll keep a very close eye on the engine temps / coolant leaks

alias no.9 wrote:

One thing against the 75 and possibly the mondeo, is that it's a saloon. It's amazing how useless a large boot becomes when the opening of the bootlid is small.

Another excellent point. I'm only too aware of it as my own car (BMW 7-series) has a huge boot, but it is nowhere near as practical as the hatchback of the humble Octavia. The Mondeo hatch is very rare here. Mrs unkel says boot in the saloons are adequate though

maidhc wrote:

Parts will definately become an issue

I don't see it becoming an issue, at least for the medium term, say 5 years. There will be demand for parts and there are still many Rovers about. Granted, parts will probably be more expensive compared to other cars, but how many parts will we need? Remember this is going to be an ultra-low mileage car

maidhc

unkel wrote:

I don't see it becoming an issue, at least for the medium term, say 5 years. There will be demand for parts and there are still many Rovers about. Granted, parts will probably be more expensive compared to other cars, but how many parts will we need? Remember this is going to be an ultra-low mileage car

No, definately not in the next 5 years!

Genuine parts get bloody expensive for any old car anyway tbh.

The Rover is the most impressive looking by many miles. Buy a Rover.

alias no.9

maidhc wrote:

Caterpillar.

I knew it was something big and yellow

gyppo

Unkel,

I'd go for the mondeo every time - even in lx trim its not badly appointed. I ran the same type car for two years, put 45k on it, and it was faultless. It should return 36/38mpg. Also, its a pretty safe car to be in, with lots of airbags (hopefully never to be used). As other posters have said, there should be no problem with spare parts, and plenty of places to source them.

The Skoda Octavia would be number two. The boot area as already mentioned is huge in them. 1.4l is underpowered, which is why I'd place a larger engined car as safer wrt overtaking.

The Rover 75 is a fine car, but not in very plentiful numbers in this country. Parts availabilty in the future would make me think twice about them.

pburns

Mondeo the best all-round buy but I quite like the Rover even though it's an old man's car. Would quite fancy the MG version fitted with the BMW diesel engine. What a motor!

Something that popped into my mind today...I saw a Mondeo taxi and was wondering - why are there not more of these used as taxis?? Ford reliability has been very good the last 5-6 years and a Mondeo 1.8 is pretty cheap second-hand.

I know Toyotas are good but jaysus, those taxi-boys are pretty conservative. A Mondeo is defo better than any VW Group (Skoda) car IMO...

gyppo

pburns wrote:

Something that popped into my mind today...I saw a Mondeo taxi and was wondering - why are there not more of these used as taxis?? Ford reliability has been very good the last 5-6 years and a Mondeo 1.8 is pretty cheap second-hand.

I know Toyotas are good but jaysus, those taxi-boys are pretty conservative. A Mondeo is defo better than any VW Group (Skoda) car IMO...

I was in Rome a few weeks ago, and there was stacks of Mondeo TdCi's running as Taxi's. But you're right, there isnt that many here.

bazz26

There are bargins out there especially with the Mondeo.

A work collegue of mine recently bought a 2001 MkIII Mondeo 1.8 Zetec with 101k miles on the clock for €4k. It was owned by a company from new with the same driver (a mate of his). The car was sold by the company as is but had a full service history and was mechanically in great condition. The body was grand, it just the usual little scuffs and scraps that a company car picks up. Interior was perfect especially the rear where nobody probably ever sat. He got himself a bargin.

While you can give away most Rovers these days, Rover 75 prices seem to be holding steady at the moment as as they are generally a quick seller even after Rover's demise.

I think generally people recognise that they are still alot of car for the money:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=455480
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=475807

Pitty this one is outside your budget and isn't a better colour:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=498982

TCP/IP

I would take the Rover 75 any day a really lovely car and some real good bargins to be had. Parts are around for the next 10 years min and the 75 is been relaunched early next year

maidhc

gyppo wrote:

I was in Rome a few weeks ago, and there was stacks of Mondeo TdCi's running as Taxi's. But you're right, there isnt that many here.

In Valencia almost every car is a Focus (surprise surprise), but more interestingly about 90% are diesel.

In Ireland many people seem completely unaware that companies other than VAG sell diesels!

Padraig Mor

I drive a 75 and would definitely pick that over the other two but I guess I'm biased. Regarding the K series 1.8 - I've heard all the scare stories and have been paranoid since I got it but haven't had a problem in the six months I've had it. Just make sure you check for coolant leaks etc before handing over money - and the power steering and ancillary belts too. She's not the fastest away from the lights (despite having 120 hp - it's 1500 kg!) but moves well once you get her up to speed and fairly glides along the road! I have the top (Connoisseur) spec sa have all the bits and bobs but even the base (Classic) trim should be well kitted out in comparison to other cars. If you have questions, head over to the 75 forum at forums.mg-rover.org - those guys know everything about the car!


Of the others, I wouldn't touch an Octavia with only a 1.4 and would take a Zetec spec Mondeo (125 PS) over the LX (110 PS - in Irish cars anyway).

PS Appartently good spec second hand 75s are currently INCREASING in value!

Guy:Incognito

I'd throw my hat in the ring for the 75 asweel, really really like them. Did some of them not have bmw engines? (similar to the deal with the 600 series having honda engines)

commited

Rover 75 all the way - a totally different class of car to the mondeo and octavia.

colm_mcm

Have you considered Mazda 626?

unkel

I'm quite surprised, there's a lot of support for the Rover on here. Contrary to what I posted before, the Rover I'll be looking at is actually a Club, not a Classic. Anyone know what's extra?

All the signs are ticked, one previous owner that the current owner knows well, FRSH with bills, etc.

Padraig Mor wrote:

If you have questions, head over to the 75 forum at forums.mg-rover.org - those guys know everything about the car!

Cheers, Padraig. Will have a look there indeed

pburns wrote:

Mondeo the best all-round

I agree. The Mrs is quite keen on the Rover now though and I can't say I blame here

bazz26 wrote:

A work collegue of mine recently bought a 2001 MkIII Mondeo 1.8 Zetec with 101k miles on the clock for €4k

That's an exceptionally good deal. You could drive that for a year and sell it for the same money no bother

On your selection:

The first one is sold. Pity. The second one is just a bit old / worn for the money and the third one is indeed way out of budget and a bit overpriced too imho

If we were looking for a car to do high(ish) mileage, the diesel would be the choice alright. Some great bargains out there. A BMW developed car with many parts from the 320d, but much more exclusive for less than half the price, anyone?

colm_mcm wrote:

Have you considered Mazda 626?

Yes. Some good bargains there indeed. The old 626 is dull as dishwater but well built and reliable. Typically Japanese, really. I hadn't expected Mrs unkel to be that bothered about the looks of cars, but she dismissed many cars just like that. She wouldn't have any Japanese car I showed her

bazz26

colm_mcm wrote:

Have you considered Mazda 626?

Unkel and Mrs Unkel don't like Jap cars.

thebman

unkel wrote:

'02 Mondeo 1.8 vs '01 Octavia 1.4 vs '01 Rover 75 1.8

What say ye?

All similar mileage, condition, price, etc. The extra running cost of the 1.8 petrols is not that much more, but depreciation will be higher and they will be harder to sell. A lot of extra car for the money compared to the Octavia 1.4. My requirements are in this thread. Mrs unkel seems to take to the Rover...

Octavia is underpowered. I drive a 1.6 and it's okay but I wouldn't buy any lower to be honest or I imagine acceleration would be slow as hell.

I wouldn't touch a Rover.

So Mondeo it is then.

Guy:Incognito

brim4brim wrote:

I wouldn't touch a Rover.
.

Any particular reason ? or is it just an "all Rovers are crap" comment.How about the 620? pile of crap?

R.O.R

I'll throw my opinion in to the ring.


The Octavia 1.4 is underpowered. Cracking car, large, well specced, reasonably priced, massive boot, but the engine isn't enough to pull a Golf along and the Octavia is a larger car. If you can find a 1.6, 1.8T or 1.9Tdi I'd go for that.


I've never driven a Rover but I've heard very positive feedback from people who have, but reliability is an issue. Over 50% of cars that we had on fleet using the K series 1.8 engine have had at least 1 head gasket failure - recently we got rid of an MGF with 23,000 miles on the clock that had had the head gasket replaced 3 times.


Mondeo LX is still very well specced. Electric driver seat, CD player, Air Con, Front electric Windows. No reliabilty issue's that I'm aware of on the trusty old 1.8 (110ps) engine. Some of the Mondeo's have been known to roll away on hills, but as long as you have your foot on the brake when you engage the handbrake you'll be fine. I had one of these overnight when my car was in for service and liked it so much I bought a diesel version and ran that for 2 years.

maidhc

Just to make my position clear:

I think unkel should go with a Rover because of the fact the car will be doing so little driving any possible reliability issues are pretty much meaningless. The car looks so much more interesting than a mondeo too, and since all cars he mentions will be worthless by the time they are to be sold on resale is irrelevant. In other words, he can afford to throw caution to the wind a little.

If on the other hand he wanted a car to bring him to work 20 miles every morning in comfort and on time, I probably would be predisposed towards the Mondeo.

But really, even eif the worst happens and the Rover needs a headgasket after 20k miles, that is many years away.

BnA

We have had a 03 1.4 Ambient Octavia since new and it has been a great family car. There is no doubt that it is way under powered. But it is still very drivable. On the plus side, it's a good solid car. You would feel safe in it. And the boot is not big..... it is HUGE...HUMONGUS. It is flippin GINORMOUS.

unkel

maidhc wrote:

I think unkel should go with a Rover because of the fact the car will be doing so little driving any possible reliability issues are pretty much meaningless. The car looks so much more interesting than a mondeo too, and since all cars he mentions will be worthless by the time they are to be sold on resale is irrelevant. In other words, he can afford to throw caution to the wind a little

That's pretty much how I'm thinking...

Henry Ford III

maidhc wrote:

...I think unkel should go with a Rover because of the fact the car will be doing so little driving any possible reliability issues are pretty much meaningless......

Try explaining that when the 75 refuses to start (and it will almost certainly)

unkel

Henry Ford III wrote:

Try explaining that when the 75 refuses to start (and it will almost certainly)

The fuel filter issue? There's a simple and permanent solution for that. I'm not spooked that easily

3ps

isn't the 75 supposed to be kindof cramped for it's size?

colm_mcm

it's small enough alright, snug even. but it's all very tasteful!

Do-more

R.O.R wrote:

The Octavia 1.4 is underpowered. Cracking car, large, well specced, reasonably priced, massive boot, but the engine isn't enough to pull a Golf along and the Octavia is a larger car.

Because of the styling, I suppose, most people percieve the Octavia to be based on the Passat floorpan, when in fact the Golf and Octavia share the same underpinnings.

The kerb weight of the Golf 1.4 is 1323kgs and the Octavia is 1230kgs.

But agreed both are woefully under powered.

Dilbert75

I'd imagine you're having a difficult time with that decision.

Personally I'd probably only get the Rover if it was a diesel - supposed to be a lovely car in that guise.

The Mondeo is, as everyone knows, the class of its sector in many ways. Handles well, very nippy in Zetec (haven't driven the lx), solid, reliable, parts are cheap, dealers everywhere.

As an Octavia driver (1.6), I can see a lot of benefits. As another poster said, the boot is just monstrous. (You should have seen my boss's face when he tugged his little squashy bag from his Lexus IS200 and put it into the boot of my Octy - it must be the size of his boot and back seat put together). They are nippy enough. Dealers everywhere - some VW garages double up as Skoda parts/service agents. I get 40-41mpg on my daily drive. Its solid on the road - I drive to work on a very exposed route and feel a lot safer in my Octy than in many other cars.

I'd suggest that you keep an eye out for all three. Sooner or later a really good deal will arise on one of the cars - when it does, grab it whichever one it is.

Padraig Mor

3ps wrote:

isn't the 75 supposed to be kindof cramped for it's size?

Plenty of space in the front. People says the back is a small bit cramped but it seems pretty average to me.

Re the Club spec - this adds dual zone climate control for definite and maybe a few other goodies along the lines of larger alloys, front fogs etc.

On a side note I received my new (well, second hand) half wood steering wheel for my 75 today so I should soon have a dash like this

colm_mcm

timber-tastic!

commited

My old man is selling this if you're interested in the far nicer and far more reliable 2.0V6 model.
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=6346 - 2.0V6 club
Only selling as he upgraded to an S-type - the only car he could find with similar levels of comfort.
Price is negotiable. PM me if you want more info/wanna come for a look

colm_mcm

nice car commited.

commited

Cheers - I'd buy it myself, but I just got a company car!

unkel

commited wrote:

My old man is selling this if you're interested in the far nicer and far more reliable 2.0V6 model.
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=6346 - 2.0V6 club
Only selling as he upgraded to an S-type - the only car he could find with similar levels of comfort.
Price is negotiable. PM me if you want more info/wanna come for a look

Nice car, committed. But even a 1.8 is pushing it for insurance reasons / running costs

Anyway, I got one!

Same colour as yours, an '01 1.8 Club with 63k miles for €6k, after a heavy session of negotiations :cool:

Serviced as yours in Ryan's of Blanchardstown where it got a new HG and a new belt in '03 and '04. It's exactly the same spec as yours too

Padraig Mor wrote:

Plenty of space in the front. People says the back is a small bit cramped but it seems pretty average to me

Exactly. If an Octavia was big enough for our needs, then the 75 sure is too. The back is only going to be for small kids anyway

eamon234

What about a 1.6 Octavia? Rover 75 is one of the worst cars ever built plus it has absolutely no resale value not to mention the company doesn't exist anymore. A mate of mine was dumb enough to buy one and it was a nightmare. I wouldn't touch a Mondeo unless it's diesel the petrols aren't great.
I have a 1.6 Octavia it's the best car I've ever had and I've pretty much driven them all in this range. It's certainly the best value for money of the three and the resale values have gone up in the past few years.

Padraig Mor

eamon234 wrote:

Rover 75 is one of the worst cars ever built .

Legions of car enthusiasts and car magazines would disagree with you - but what would they know eh?

TCP/IP

eamon234 wrote:

What about a 1.6 Octavia? Rover 75 is one of the worst cars ever built plus it has absolutely no resale value not to mention the company doesn't exist anymore. A mate of mine was dumb enough to buy one and it was a nightmare. I wouldn't touch a Mondeo unless it's diesel the petrols aren't great.
I have a 1.6 Octavia it's the best car I've ever had and I've pretty much driven them all in this range. It's certainly the best value for money of the three and the resale values have gone up in the past few years.

Eamon have you ever driven a 75 the ride quality is so far ahead of the other cars mentioned here

maidhc

unkel wrote:

Anyway, I got one!

Best of luck with it!

unkel

maidhc wrote:

Best of luck with it!

Cheers, maidhc

Had a wee spin in it tonight and I must say I liked it. A lot of car for the money. 6 grand is about what one pays for a '99 1.4 Golf in this country these days :eek:

Here's a pic:

mike65

Honk if you see the old man in his carraige!

Mike.

Webmonkey

I am glad to see that rover is getting some positive comments here - It is a change. It is a well under rated brand.
As for parts, xparts done a contract last year stating they producing parts for next 10 years. Plus SIAC in china are re-building the Rover 75 and NAC china will be coming uot with MG's early next year.
Some of you might like to check out http://forums.mg-rover.org

Congrats unkel - lovely car. Now i must start saving for my next car

overdriver

My girlfriend LOVES the Rover 75. Bets of luck with it!

unkel

overdriver wrote:

My girlfriend LOVES the Rover 75.

Yeah same thing with Mrs unkel. She just loves the looks of it. Can't say I blame her. It is a sound car in the looks / drives department

mike65 wrote:

Honk if you see the old man in his carraige!

I'm still big V8 BMW, Mike. And unlike yourself, I'm not yet very old

RobAMerc

I cannot believe that a car thats not made anymore by a company that doesnt exist anymore which when it did exist built rubbish that everyone whos had one has had trouble with gets the thumbs up from some people here, when mention of an Alfa has some people queing to knock it.
Sorry m8 - I would not touch the 75, there is a reason the company went tits up, they dont make great cars. Its cheap now but wait till no dealer in Ireland wants to take it as a trade in and you have to keep checking the phone to see if its working when you advertise it coz even your friends aint ringing anymore.
Dont be bought by the wood etc, the Mondeo and Octivia will be better long term purchases.

Mailman

A Rover 75 with 63K miles on it at €6000 is good for another 70,000 miles so it'll be a long time before you have to present it to a dealer for trade-in.
15,000 service intervals. Get the Head Gasket fixed by a mechanic who knows what they are doing and use the right coolant and it should be reliable there after.
The other good thing about buying a Rover 75 is that they are generally well cared for by previous owners, driven carefully and kept clean. They attract a certain type of owner and this is reflected in how clean secondhand examples are.
There is very good after sales support in the form of the forums at mg-rover.org.

I've just purchased a 2.5 V6 Auto Rover 75 Connisseur myself.