99 Rover 400 1.6 93k €1100

mcirl2

Hi,

Need some opinions. I'm looking for a cheap car (budget max 1500) and yesterday came across a rover 400 in a garage. I thought that that model of rover 99 400) was basically a honda civic with a rover badge but when I checked it out online last night I discovered that the body is that of the same era civic but the engine is a rover one :eek:!!

The car is in very good condition (no rust or anything on the body), no rattles, brakes are good, gear box and clutch seem fine. I spent a long time trying to find faults with it. The oil is normal colour and the water in the radiator reservoir is very clear so I think this is a good indicator that head gasket is ok. It was done at around 60K but have fears it might go again.

The car is nicely speccd with leather, cd player, alloys, good tyres and the garage are putting it thru the nct again next week (it failed emissions and they are replacing the Cat).

I put a €100 deposit on it yday and Im getting my mechanic to check it next week just to be sure.

I know rover have a bad rep but considering my budget is v small and it seems ok + getting a mechanic to check it, I think its an ok deal.

Sorry for long post but I would appreciate what you guys think. Am I paying too much or shoudl I run a mile.

also it has a towbar making me extra paranoid about clutch gbox. If I could get 20k outa the car id be happy enough - you get what u pay for...

Thanks,

Mike

Volvoboy

mcirl2 wrote: »

Hi,

Need some opinions. I'm looking for a cheap car (budget max 1500) and yesterday came across a rover 400 in a garage. I thought that that model of rover 99 400) was basically a honda civic with a rover badge but when I checked it out online last night I discovered that the body is that of the same era civic but the engine is a rover one :eek:!!

The car is in very good condition (no rust or anything on the body), no rattles, brakes are good, gear box and clutch seem fine. I spent a long time trying to find faults with it. The oil is normal colour and the water in the radiator reservoir is very clear so I think this is a good indicator that head gasket is ok. It was done at around 60K but have fears it might go again.

The car is nicely speccd with leather, cd player, alloys, good tyres and the garage are putting it thru the nct again next week (it failed emissions and they are replacing the Cat).

I put a €100 deposit on it yday and Im getting my mechanic to check it next week just to be sure.

I know rover have a bad rep but considering my budget is v small and it seems ok + getting a mechanic to check it, I think its an ok deal.

Sorry for long post but I would appreciate what you guys think. Am I paying too much or shoudl I run a mile.

Thanks,

Mike

Well your doing all the right things, if it turns out to be a ok car i dont see it to be alot to go against it, but if it was me and i'd always have the thoughts of the head going, for this reason i'd go jap. Surely a Civic of the same year would be around the money you have now.

Quick search: http://www.gumtree.ie/dublin/90/47061290.html

Max Power1

if its the model just pre the rover 45, stay well clear. Its not a honda engine its a rover one, that comes witha history of problems. Definetly if you are going to buy it, get it checked thoroughly.

bazz26

The biggest problem with the Rover K Series engines is their tendency to blow head gaskets. Now you could be lucky and have no trouble with the car but to be honest the Rover would have to be alot cheaper for me to take a chance on it. Even more so since you can get a Civic for similar money without the risk:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200937195146406
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200941195464316

I reckon one of the above Hondas would be a more prudent purchase to be honest.

mondeo

Their ok cars... They probably get dished alot more then they should do. I am fond of the MG versions but those engines do worry me. I would looking under the bonnet everyday to check the coolant level to make sure. With 93k on the clock you can probably assume the head had gone on it before along time ago, the 60k mark, still nothing stopping them popping again. 1,100could get you somthing else...

unkel

mondeo wrote: »

I would looking under the bonnet everyday to check the coolant level to make sure.

There's no need for that. Just keep checking the engine temp meter while you are driving the car. If it goes over normal temp, just stop straight away

robtri

unkel wrote: »

There's no need for that. Just keep checking the engine temp meter while you are driving the car. If it goes over normal temp, just stop straight away

+1