Motoring Rover 25
- Thread starter tris-
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Few things.
1. Rover don't exist as they used to be. They do exist in a chinese counterpart's manufacture though.
2. Parts. Before any uninformed twat comes on and says OH DOOM AND GLOOM YOU CANT GET PARTS - it's bollocks as they are abundant.
3. The engine. The K series engine (assuming it's a manual petrol model) is one of the reasons we have so many small cars with big engines and big cars with economic engines. Without the K series, cars wouldn't be how they are now. However, due to a couple of design flaws in the otherwise revolutionary (revolutionary in the early to mid 90's that is) the head gaskets are prone to popping. If you look after it though and drive it properly, they should be just fine.
4. Driving properly. Rovers are often bought by old bastards pottering along at 20mph on motorways in case their flat caps get blown off by the air conditioning or open windows/sunroof. The K series doesn't like that, it's a revvy engine designed to be driven properly. So, ironically, something that's been ragged will probably do you up to 150-200,000 miles without hitch. Something that's been driven by Miss Daisy will fall apart if you so much as risk using the seatbelt.
Otherwise, they're not half bad cars. Cheap to run and tax, cheap to get the parts for & do up.
1. Rover don't exist as they used to be. They do exist in a chinese counterpart's manufacture though.
2. Parts. Before any uninformed twat comes on and says OH DOOM AND GLOOM YOU CANT GET PARTS - it's bollocks as they are abundant.
3. The engine. The K series engine (assuming it's a manual petrol model) is one of the reasons we have so many small cars with big engines and big cars with economic engines. Without the K series, cars wouldn't be how they are now. However, due to a couple of design flaws in the otherwise revolutionary (revolutionary in the early to mid 90's that is) the head gaskets are prone to popping. If you look after it though and drive it properly, they should be just fine.
4. Driving properly. Rovers are often bought by old bastards pottering along at 20mph on motorways in case their flat caps get blown off by the air conditioning or open windows/sunroof. The K series doesn't like that, it's a revvy engine designed to be driven properly. So, ironically, something that's been ragged will probably do you up to 150-200,000 miles without hitch. Something that's been driven by Miss Daisy will fall apart if you so much as risk using the seatbelt.
Otherwise, they're not half bad cars. Cheap to run and tax, cheap to get the parts for & do up.
tris-
Failed Geordie and Parmothief
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Link may not work but here is one I spotted. 18k miles for £3k seemed half decent for a 5 yr old car.
Auto Trader UK - ROVER 25 1.4 iL
Not sure what you mean by K engine. It is a Rover 25 1.4iL
Auto Trader UK - ROVER 25 1.4 iL
Not sure what you mean by K engine. It is a Rover 25 1.4iL
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K series engine (which that is) is just the model of the engine itself manufactured by Rover.
That's not half a bad car IMO. Smaller engine cars up to 1.4 are a premium price due to the obvious tax reasons. Best to check up on it's emissions etc first to see where it falls into the tax banding too.
For comparison, look at some larger engine cars. I've seen 04 plate vectras and mondeo's go for the same price as that privately.
That's not half a bad car IMO. Smaller engine cars up to 1.4 are a premium price due to the obvious tax reasons. Best to check up on it's emissions etc first to see where it falls into the tax banding too.
For comparison, look at some larger engine cars. I've seen 04 plate vectras and mondeo's go for the same price as that privately.
DaGaffer
Down With That Sorta Thing
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Don't like them (I was saddled with one as a company car many moons ago) but there's nothing intrinsicly wrong with them and despite Rover being gone, parts are cheap and plentiful (its not like you need to use the dealer network).
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See above. Also check the history to see if it's had it done. With luck, if it has, it's been done properly and the uprated gasket fitted.
Did mine the day after I bought it on the 400, and I sold it still going strong at 110,000 miles (68 thousand after I bought it). As a result, had one of the smoothest cars I've driven (including many a brand new car). Very reliable motor.
Did mine the day after I bought it on the 400, and I sold it still going strong at 110,000 miles (68 thousand after I bought it). As a result, had one of the smoothest cars I've driven (including many a brand new car). Very reliable motor.
DaGaffer
Down With That Sorta Thing
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Ancient engineering tarted up to keep poor old Rover going, but compared to more modern stuff it just feels cheap and old-fashioned.
yaruar
Can't get enough of FH
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my 99 golf did exactly he same, never worked out why so replaced it.
Pfy
Fledgling Freddie
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I have a 1lite Corsa. it's cheap to insure, cheap to run and drives me from A-B. Gear linkage has been replaced, exhaust, oil pressure switch, boot struts, parcel shelf 'pegs' keep breaking and £8 a throw, both seat catches gone so can only put rear seats down with the aid of a screw driver, it now sounds like a tank due to ticking (prolly timing chain or something [I think I read that somewhere]), if the cigarette lighter fuse blows you lose reverse lights, uhm, I'm sure theres more.
So for 59.5k miles and a grand total of 7 years old I'm not overly sure they're the greatest of cars but it certainly does the job.
So for 59.5k miles and a grand total of 7 years old I'm not overly sure they're the greatest of cars but it certainly does the job.
Gumbo
FH is my second home
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Sounds like they were desperate to turn over the corsa
The headgasket issue isn't so bad on the 1.4 as that was the size the engine was designed for in the first place. It's far more prevalent on the stretched, 1.8's, especially when they are lugging around heavy freelanders or getting stressed in cars like mine. Kryten is right though if it does go, and it's fixed properly, it should then outlast the rest of the car. My Elise has done 55k on the original head gasket now, so I'm expecting it to let go pretty soon, but I don't fear it. I'll fix it properly and be good for another 100k at least.
tris-
Failed Geordie and Parmothief
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Sounds like they were desperate to turn over the corsa
Im not really sure they were to be honest. There is nothing actually wrong with it. It was previously used as a demonstration car (sat looking shiney in a shop) and then had one owner.
old.user4556
Has a sexy sister. I am also a Bodhi wannabee.
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tris-, check the oil in the Corsa regularly, two people I know have had problems with oil leaks with Corsas.
Google for it, seems to be a few recorded cases on the web.
Google for it, seems to be a few recorded cases on the web.
Gumbo
FH is my second home
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I wasn't serious hence the To be honest there are fantastic deals to be had out there on trading in, as the dealers are desperate to get cash in, any cash, and profit on the deal isn't whats going to get them through the week. Of course that's no good in the long term, but when the red bills start falling on the carpet you'll take what you can get.
To be honest there are fantastic deals to be had out there on trading in, as the dealers are desperate to get cash in, any cash, and profit on the deal isn't whats going to get them through the week. Of course that's no good in the long term, but when the red bills start falling on the carpet you'll take what you can get.
tris-
Failed Geordie and Parmothief
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Ooooo.
Well he initially said 100-200. He fucked off inside and said if you do it this week before the MOT finishes i'll do it for 500!
(Theres about 2 weeks on the MOT and all old cars the garage sends to auction).
If someone wants to give you 500 quid for an N reg car that leaks fuel then you may aswel rip their hand off and eat it!
Well he initially said 100-200. He fucked off inside and said if you do it this week before the MOT finishes i'll do it for 500!
(Theres about 2 weeks on the MOT and all old cars the garage sends to auction).
If someone wants to give you 500 quid for an N reg car that leaks fuel then you may aswel rip their hand off and eat it!