Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club

I got my first R8 in 2002, and I’ve had 8 altogether, and still have one today. I guess I’ve got the bug

I had an early 214 Si 3 door and absolutely loved it. It was comfortable, economical, good looking and handled well.

As for performance, it often showed a clean pair of heels to contemporary 1.6s from other manufacturers, without really trying. And before anyone asks, I wasn't really a boy racer!

I think I'm right in saying that the suspension was a Rover setup that was used on Longbridge built Hondas?

Finally, my Sister once hired a Toyota Corolla. What a hideous vehicle! It pitched and rolled in everywhere to such an extent, I would have reached for a sick bag on a long journey! As for the interior, there were acres of hard, cheap looking plastic and a naff colour scheme!

I owned a Mk3 Escort SE Cabbie, the one with the RSTurbo body kit, many years ago, it was a good car & handled well.

I was in a position to treat myself to a 'fun' car, so I looked at a few later Escort Cabbies, but nothing grabbed me. I then spotted a 1998 216 SE Cabbie, I thought looks smart & fits the bill. When I drove it it out performed the Escort easily. The handling was very responsive & precise & the 16v K-series is so much quicker than the Ford engine.

The rarity factor of the Rover Convertible is always drawing attention when ever I'm out in it, be it having fun or at car shows showing it, there's always plenty of great feedback & questions about it. I don't know how many times I've heard "I forgot Rover made these !" & "When you think Rover, you don't think of the Cabriolet & Coupe, you think old man car with a Tartan blanket in the back"

All in all, I'm glad I've got the Rover & not a common Escort

I have the 416 gti (on my third week of ownership) and it's amazing, the best car i have owned by far, so nice to drive and looks amazing especially with the optional roversport options! On tomcat alloys to, which makes the car look super smart, full leather interior and that 1.6 d series engine.

If u think back to its rivals, it was better than the equivalent Ford or Vauxhall or even VW

henryiett wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:56 pm

JOHNDQ wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:36 pm If you think you can find a MK3 Astra or Escort for 2k keep dreaming

Why would u want to unless they are the performance version

Same reason many of us own our R8’s I’d say; nostalgia.

When I brought my 416 Gti I was looking for a “reasonably priced car”. I spotted this one in the local newspaper classified ads ( remember those) and fell in love with it.
25 years and 110k miles later I still love it. Yes its got a bit rough round the edges with multi shades of flame red , but it still feels good to drive,(despite most of the suspension bushes being 30 years old) and its still good for a blast at 70+ (despite the high gearing)
Long live the R8!

I remember on Top Gear Richard Hammond got a 416gti and it lapped the Top Gear test track faster than any of the reasonably priced car vehicles doing it in 1:42 which is respectable