Aaron1204

I'm after a cheap as chips runaround, but one that is comfy, has aircon, and is a good motorway cruiser.

Now, as far as the text goes, this fits the bill perfectly, and for the price, it's a hell of a lot of car...


But what should I look out for? Is it true this model has the Honda Engine? Any known reasons why you wouldn't go for this car?

Here's the ad



All advice appreciated.

And before anyone says it, I know it's a Grandad car, I already have my Flat cap out of the loft...

spudmurphy

yeah the engine in them is a Honda V6.

Pretty good car, my old man had one for years and it never really let him down except for one major breakdown that turned out to be a badly installed ECU loom that eventually rubbed through. Not a common fault though, I guess he was just unlucky.

I cant think of any reasons not to have one, lot of car for the money, they're well spec'ed. It'll certainly do motorway miles with ease, they arent particularly good on juice though if you're doing a lot of miles you might find it a bit thirsty.

Aaron1204

Any issues with the head gasket problem known to rovers? Or is this model not prone?

bud-weis

i'd go for the vitesse turbo myself, reliable as fuck and you'll get more mpg when cruising down the m'way i'd have thought

richard_syko

HG is a k series related prob AFAIK

Aaron1204

And would this be a K series engine? Sorry, I literally know nothing about Rovers..

Aaron1204

Can't see those with the budget, what sort of money do they go for?

spudmurphy

yeah the infamous rover HG problem, is on the K-series engines.... 1.4's, 1.6's and 1.8's as fitted to rover 200/400 mgf's elises etc.

Though they arent as bad as the rap they get in my experience.

spudmurphy

sorry to add to the above, the 2.7 V6 is NOT a k-series

John Laverick

Another option [which has a little more street cred] is a BMW 525i [or the 2 litre]. Similar money but slightly higher miles [mine has done 198’500 but was only Ł400] but it is very very strong and super reliable, I’ve done 10’000 miles in it since May!!

Aaron1204

I would have an e34 no problem, as you can see I'm a big BMW fan anyway...

Trouble is, finding one with leather and air con for my budget is proving difficult...

They do glide along like their on air though

EDIT - What about this? Would want a 12 month ticket on it though...

DaveMCMkIII

My mate bought an 820 coupe turbo a couple of months ago and loves it. Leather, climate control, electrical everything, all you'd need. He got it for 2k but tbh payed well over what he should have, you can pick them up for well under that in good nick. In terms of performance it had the same t-seris engine as the 220 tomcat coupe, however is a little slower because its a heavier car.

Aaron1204

Crikey!

John Laverick

Mine's on a J without Air-Con or leather but I'm not that fussed [It was only Ł400 ]

My neighbour has a 520i SE with Air-Con and no leather which he gave Ł600 for [about 140k].

The one you've posted seems a little dear to me...plus it doesn't list the mileage which probably means its been to the moon and back. And its an Auto which I personally wouldn't have.

You usually find th 2.5 is a little cheaper as nobody wants the big engine model but mine is 'Ok' on fuel

The other adavantage is its RWD...don't think the Rover is, is it?

John Laverick

Now your talking.....I've always fancied a 7

Aaron1204

I've just phoned the guy regarding that 7'er..

He didn't have the documents in front of him, but from what he could recall:

Air con- he says the pump is working, but no cold air, could need a regas at ~Ł40, or it may have a leak ~Ł200

History - Full BMW up to 151000, nothing after.

MOT - Feb 07

Tax - None

It's been stood for a few months at a time, not being used at all, but he said it runs fine and drives fine, but only done 20k in the last 5 years.

What do you make of that?

Rhys

Cool car, wouldnt like the fuel bill though

Aaron1204

Fuel economy is not a great concern, as long as it's not single figures

Rhys

If u dont have to worry about Fuel then go for a Look!! I gotta say chuck wads of fuel money in kills me. hence why i driv a derv now

John Laverick

Do it!!

Much better than that Rover thing!!

Aaron1204

What do you think of the chat with the guy selling? Anything to worry about?

I don't know these engines at all and don't want a huge bill!

Rhys

For that money you not going to get huge bill!!!! If it breaks throw it away or break it

SapphyMike

the 2.5 is a KV6 - shocker of an engine LOL

I sold my vitesse sport saloon for Ł800 recently - had 122k miles and a stainless exhaust, rebuilt gearbox and in very good condition (i actually miss the car in someways, as it was amusing to drive!).

for the mileage, i'd get the rover. i looked into a 7 series beemer a while back (4 litre v8) but went for a 3.0 v6 vauxhall omega elite but im selling that for a T5 now.. didnt want the running / servicing costs of the bmw..

Aaron1204

Very true, but I do need a winters trouble free motoring, so I could do with one that won't break

I need to go have a look I think, time to call someone in to go with me, who actually knows stuff

John Laverick

I paid Ł440 back in May......I changed the water pump and fan as it the bearing was becoming a little noisy [Ł200]....and serviced it myself [Ł40] + 1 new front tyre [part-warn - Ł20]

Total - Ł700

I've done 10'000 mile since May = 7p a mile

Bearing in mind ALL my mileage is paid for by work at 40p a mile The car has actually paid me 33p a mile to run it

John Laverick

The engines are bombproof mate....if it sound's sweet and doesn't have any of the usual adverse symptons it'll probably do another 20k!!

Oranoco

Tell that to my mother in law. Her HG has just gone for the 6th time Car has less than 30k on the clocks and is immaculate and it will be going for scrap.

spudmurphy

'kin 'el !!!

thats shocking! 6 times in 30K though, I'd be asking questons of whoever is putting it back together. Even a shit K-series should hold together longer than that !

BlueSmoke

So is he saying it was last serviced at 151000 miles, which (as you've said it's only done 20k in the last 5 years and it's now on 170k) was 5 years ago?

timrud

Went with a mate to buy a Rover Sterling from the midlands somewhere. By the time we got back to South Yorkshire it had put a rod through the block, and before that developed an electrical fault

Aaron1204

Yep, exactly...


Think I'll give this one a miss...

phil4x4saph

Dont touch that bloody rover!!

The V6 blows headgaskets too, and theyre only available genuine and cost a fortune.

Its cheap for a reason!