RE: Rover 214 SEI: Reader's Car of the Week
Sunday 2nd June 2019
Rover 214 SEI: Reader's Car of the Week
Two owners, 12,000 miles and one doting PH owner - welcome back to 1995!
In the list of once common cars now rendered scarce by scrappage, the R8 era of Rover 200 must rank pretty highly. Once seemingly on every other road, they're now notable merely by their rarity: HowManyLeft reckons that, in the decade from 2008-2018, numbers for a 214 SEI like this one plunged from 8,200 registered to just 208.
There can't be many remaining, either, in such incredible condition. This 214 SEI has recently been acquired by PHer 'itscaptainslow' - who you might remember also owns a 200 BRM - having seen the car at a show; "it was mandatory I bug the owner into selling it to me" is how the story goes...
Owned by an elderly couple until a few years ago, and a clearly dedicated enthusiast since then, itscaptainslow has acquired an immaculate 200. Having covered just 500 miles a year on average since it was first registered, the condition isn't far off new; though that shouldn't be our job to explain, though - over to itscaptainslow, and the pics of his timewarp Rover!
Discussion
Unlike the poster above I think this is a horrible car.
My dad had a (continually fading) red example for a long time and in my teens I actually drove it for a while before I bought my first car - eventually it was mercifully written off when someone hit it; it was a hateful thing and is everything I dislike about the British car industry of the time. Tinny, woefully underpowered and just generally cheap and nasty even though it tried to give off an air of comfort and class. Glad to see the back of this entire era. Out of all the cars he owned I would say this was by far the worst one he ever had!
My dad had a (continually fading) red example for a long time and in my teens I actually drove it for a while before I bought my first car - eventually it was mercifully written off when someone hit it; it was a hateful thing and is everything I dislike about the British car industry of the time. Tinny, woefully underpowered and just generally cheap and nasty even though it tried to give off an air of comfort and class. Glad to see the back of this entire era. Out of all the cars he owned I would say this was by far the worst one he ever had!
These Rover 200’s featured heavily in my motoring youth.
My mums friend had a 214SEi, was a two door hatch in that gorgeous dark metallic blue. I loved that car and aged 15 decided I needed one in my life when I was old enough.
Started motoring at 17 in a Fiesta, but aged 20 decided my second car had to be a Rover. Looked for a 2 door hatch SEi but they were like hens teeth. So I did the decent thing, applied man maths and bought a 216GTi 2 door. Coming from the Fiesta it felt like a rocket ship. The Honda 16v engine revved like no car I’d driven before or since. Granted, it wasn’t the best around corners, and at times wet handling was terrifying with buckets of understeer. Had many happy years in that car, but eventually chopped it in for an 3 series E30.
Many years later I revisited Rover with a 216SLi. That was a reliable comfy commuter for me until the fuel tank split and dumped the contents on my drive
Back in the day I always coveted a blue 2 series ‘Tomcat’ but never found the funds or the opportunity.
My mums friend had a 214SEi, was a two door hatch in that gorgeous dark metallic blue. I loved that car and aged 15 decided I needed one in my life when I was old enough.
Started motoring at 17 in a Fiesta, but aged 20 decided my second car had to be a Rover. Looked for a 2 door hatch SEi but they were like hens teeth. So I did the decent thing, applied man maths and bought a 216GTi 2 door. Coming from the Fiesta it felt like a rocket ship. The Honda 16v engine revved like no car I’d driven before or since. Granted, it wasn’t the best around corners, and at times wet handling was terrifying with buckets of understeer. Had many happy years in that car, but eventually chopped it in for an 3 series E30.
Many years later I revisited Rover with a 216SLi. That was a reliable comfy commuter for me until the fuel tank split and dumped the contents on my drive
Back in the day I always coveted a blue 2 series ‘Tomcat’ but never found the funds or the opportunity.
sidesauce said:
Unlike the poster above I think this is a horrible car.
My dad had a (continually fading) red example for a long time and in my teens I actually drove it for a while before I bought my first car - eventually it was mercifully written off when someone hit it; it was a hateful thing and is everything I dislike about the British car industry of the time. Tinny, woefully underpowered and just generally cheap and nasty even though it tried to give off an air of comfort and class. Glad to see the back of this entire era. Out of all the cars he owned I would say this was by far the worst one he ever had!
What a load of crap written above ! Obviously written by someone who has no idea of what they are talking about ! These Rovers were a league above just about everything else in their class at the time and were the exact opposite of underpowered, tinny and cheap and nasty. My dad had a (continually fading) red example for a long time and in my teens I actually drove it for a while before I bought my first car - eventually it was mercifully written off when someone hit it; it was a hateful thing and is everything I dislike about the British car industry of the time. Tinny, woefully underpowered and just generally cheap and nasty even though it tried to give off an air of comfort and class. Glad to see the back of this entire era. Out of all the cars he owned I would say this was by far the worst one he ever had!
itcaptainslow said:
wiliferus said:
Back in the day I always coveted a blue 2 series ‘Tomcat’ but never found the funds or the opportunity.
There was one for sale at KGF with 6k miles for £15,000 if you fancied it... 
king good at man maths, but not sure even I could make that work 
wiliferus said:
itcaptainslow said:
wiliferus said:
Back in the day I always coveted a blue 2 series ‘Tomcat’ but never found the funds or the opportunity.
There was one for sale at KGF with 6k miles for £15,000 if you fancied it... king good at man maths, but not sure even I could make that work 
I liked these. Back in the late 90's we had many 216's 214's of various armchair trim levels in a company fleet.
I liked the performance, They shifted well. Moving on I liked the looks (angular side glass), interior and ride. I can never remember any reliability problems with the Rover's, unlike the Vauxhalls and fords also in our fleet.
a white good car they were, but one I always coveted.
I liked the performance, They shifted well. Moving on I liked the looks (angular side glass), interior and ride. I can never remember any reliability problems with the Rover's, unlike the Vauxhalls and fords also in our fleet.
a white good car they were, but one I always coveted.
Twig62 said:
sidesauce said:
Unlike the poster above I think this is a horrible car.
My dad had a (continually fading) red example for a long time and in my teens I actually drove it for a while before I bought my first car - eventually it was mercifully written off when someone hit it; it was a hateful thing and is everything I dislike about the British car industry of the time. Tinny, woefully underpowered and just generally cheap and nasty even though it tried to give off an air of comfort and class. Glad to see the back of this entire era. Out of all the cars he owned I would say this was by far the worst one he ever had!
What a load of crap written above ! Obviously written by someone who has no idea of what they are talking about ! These Rovers were a league above just about everything else in their class at the time and were the exact opposite of underpowered, tinny and cheap and nasty. My dad had a (continually fading) red example for a long time and in my teens I actually drove it for a while before I bought my first car - eventually it was mercifully written off when someone hit it; it was a hateful thing and is everything I dislike about the British car industry of the time. Tinny, woefully underpowered and just generally cheap and nasty even though it tried to give off an air of comfort and class. Glad to see the back of this entire era. Out of all the cars he owned I would say this was by far the worst one he ever had!
Maybe the 8 valve is being referred to by side sauce?
heisthegaffer said:
I agree, these weren't tinny at all and with these 1.4 16v engines, far from underpowered. Like I said in the other thread, compare these to an Escort 1.4 or even 1.6 and tell me the k series is underpowered.
I drove my mum's 1991 414Si when I was in 6th form. I remember a classmate getting very upset that I stayed absolutely neck and neck with his XR3i away from some traffic lights down a local NSL DC. We stayed absolutely level right up until we both had to hit the brakes for the next roundabout about 1/2 mile later.
Twig62 said:
sidesauce said:
Unlike the poster above I think this is a horrible car.
My dad had a (continually fading) red example for a long time and in my teens I actually drove it for a while before I bought my first car - eventually it was mercifully written off when someone hit it; it was a hateful thing and is everything I dislike about the British car industry of the time. Tinny, woefully underpowered and just generally cheap and nasty even though it tried to give off an air of comfort and class. Glad to see the back of this entire era. Out of all the cars he owned I would say this was by far the worst one he ever had!
What a load of crap written above ! Obviously written by someone who has no idea of what they are talking about ! These Rovers were a league above just about everything else in their class at the time and were the exact opposite of underpowered, tinny and cheap and nasty. My dad had a (continually fading) red example for a long time and in my teens I actually drove it for a while before I bought my first car - eventually it was mercifully written off when someone hit it; it was a hateful thing and is everything I dislike about the British car industry of the time. Tinny, woefully underpowered and just generally cheap and nasty even though it tried to give off an air of comfort and class. Glad to see the back of this entire era. Out of all the cars he owned I would say this was by far the worst one he ever had!
For my part, my old man had a 216. It was OK for its time. The engine was good, free-revving and quite pokey for its class. The box was a bit vague however. The build quality was reasonable but the interior was pretty plasticky. Overall, it was as good as its rivals at the time. Dad drove the 214 before buying the 216 and found it a bit underpowered.
Edited by Escort3500 on Sunday 2nd June 11:27
sidesauce said:
Unlike the poster above I think this is a horrible car.
My dad had a (continually fading) red example for a long time and in my teens I actually drove it for a while before I bought my first car - eventually it was mercifully written off when someone hit it; it was a hateful thing and is everything I dislike about the British car industry of the time. Tinny, woefully underpowered and just generally cheap and nasty even though it tried to give off an air of comfort and class. Glad to see the back of this entire era. Out of all the cars he owned I would say this was by far the worst one he ever had!
What are you comparing it too? They were miles ahead of anything Ford/Vauxhall of the time. And of course this was a joint venture with Honda. So right in par with them. My dad had a (continually fading) red example for a long time and in my teens I actually drove it for a while before I bought my first car - eventually it was mercifully written off when someone hit it; it was a hateful thing and is everything I dislike about the British car industry of the time. Tinny, woefully underpowered and just generally cheap and nasty even though it tried to give off an air of comfort and class. Glad to see the back of this entire era. Out of all the cars he owned I would say this was by far the worst one he ever had!
my recollection of these were they sold well due to the K series 1.4 engine. It was a joy compared to stuff like the ford CVH.
Also it's the first normal hatchback that appeared with big alloys on a normal family hatchback. Lots of these came with 15" alloys whereas the ford or vauxhall was still on 13" steelies.
My uncle had a 416GTi, with the honda twin cam. I loved that engine.
Also it's the first normal hatchback that appeared with big alloys on a normal family hatchback. Lots of these came with 15" alloys whereas the ford or vauxhall was still on 13" steelies.
My uncle had a 416GTi, with the honda twin cam. I loved that engine.
sidesauce said:
Unlike the poster above I think this is a horrible car.
My dad had a (continually fading) red example for a long time and in my teens I actually drove it for a while before I bought my first car - eventually it was mercifully written off when someone hit it; it was a hateful thing and is everything I dislike about the British car industry of the time. Tinny, woefully underpowered and just generally cheap and nasty even though it tried to give off an air of comfort and class. Glad to see the back of this entire era. Out of all the cars he owned I would say this was by far the worst one he ever had!
You have to compare it to the other cars produced at the time, it was not underpowered at all and neither was it tinny compared to its contemporaries, you may have questioned its power and tinnyness when you drove it many years after it was made, but you’d have questioned any contemporary car in the same wayMy dad had a (continually fading) red example for a long time and in my teens I actually drove it for a while before I bought my first car - eventually it was mercifully written off when someone hit it; it was a hateful thing and is everything I dislike about the British car industry of the time. Tinny, woefully underpowered and just generally cheap and nasty even though it tried to give off an air of comfort and class. Glad to see the back of this entire era. Out of all the cars he owned I would say this was by far the worst one he ever had!
300bhp/ton said:
sidesauce said:
Unlike the poster above I think this is a horrible car.
My dad had a (continually fading) red example for a long time and in my teens I actually drove it for a while before I bought my first car - eventually it was mercifully written off when someone hit it; it was a hateful thing and is everything I dislike about the British car industry of the time. Tinny, woefully underpowered and just generally cheap and nasty even though it tried to give off an air of comfort and class. Glad to see the back of this entire era. Out of all the cars he owned I would say this was by far the worst one he ever had!
What are you comparing it too? They were miles ahead of anything Ford/Vauxhall of the time. And of course this was a joint venture with Honda. So right in par with them. My dad had a (continually fading) red example for a long time and in my teens I actually drove it for a while before I bought my first car - eventually it was mercifully written off when someone hit it; it was a hateful thing and is everything I dislike about the British car industry of the time. Tinny, woefully underpowered and just generally cheap and nasty even though it tried to give off an air of comfort and class. Glad to see the back of this entire era. Out of all the cars he owned I would say this was by far the worst one he ever had!
Are you trying to tell me a mk4 Escort was a better car for example? No way was that CVH powered skip better than the Rover!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff