Oops, I've done it again. (Rover 75).
Discussion
I know, I know, you're all telling me how terrible these cars are. So here's another one. Bought on Friday, unseen from eBay. It was the only one for sale within a 20 mile radius, it's bottom of the range (almost) and the description was somewhat... sparse. I didn't really mean to win it - it just sort of happened. £571 in total with tax and test.
So, I arrived on Friday morning at the gentleman's house, and was pleasantly surprised at what I found. It might be bottom of the range, but it has a nice wallet of recent receipts (clutch, exhaust, tyres, recent service & rear springs), and a full service history to boot. Even better, the cambelts (hideous job on these V6 engines) was done a little over two years ago, and less than 20k miles ago. The car is currently showing a (verified) 67,000 miles, and I'm the third owner.
On the drive home (10 miles or so) I did notice that the car isn't reaching proper operating temperature, sitting about 75'c rather than a normal 95'c, so it will need a new thermostat (a known weak point on these engines). Other than that, it drives straight, doesn't pull, sounds good, no horrible noises from underneath, and no nasty vibrations etc...
Spec wise, even though it's bottom of the range, it's got a reasonable amount of kit. It has air conditioning (not climate, though), power / heated door mirrors, remote locking, follow me home headlights, electric windows, cd changer etc... Everything works, too. The air conditioning blows nice and cold, one touch windows work, radio works as does the cd changer.
It's powered by a 2.0 Rover KV6 engine, which is lovely and smooth, and contrary to most reports on the web, is returning a decent fuel economy at the moment. On Saturday I took it on a 200 mile round trip, and have been pottering about in it since, and it's returning over 32mpg so far. We'll see how that fairs when I get the thermostat changed too.
In that time I have found a few little issues that will want rectifying:
Anyway, have some more pictures!
So, I arrived on Friday morning at the gentleman's house, and was pleasantly surprised at what I found. It might be bottom of the range, but it has a nice wallet of recent receipts (clutch, exhaust, tyres, recent service & rear springs), and a full service history to boot. Even better, the cambelts (hideous job on these V6 engines) was done a little over two years ago, and less than 20k miles ago. The car is currently showing a (verified) 67,000 miles, and I'm the third owner.
On the drive home (10 miles or so) I did notice that the car isn't reaching proper operating temperature, sitting about 75'c rather than a normal 95'c, so it will need a new thermostat (a known weak point on these engines). Other than that, it drives straight, doesn't pull, sounds good, no horrible noises from underneath, and no nasty vibrations etc...
Spec wise, even though it's bottom of the range, it's got a reasonable amount of kit. It has air conditioning (not climate, though), power / heated door mirrors, remote locking, follow me home headlights, electric windows, cd changer etc... Everything works, too. The air conditioning blows nice and cold, one touch windows work, radio works as does the cd changer.
It's powered by a 2.0 Rover KV6 engine, which is lovely and smooth, and contrary to most reports on the web, is returning a decent fuel economy at the moment. On Saturday I took it on a 200 mile round trip, and have been pottering about in it since, and it's returning over 32mpg so far. We'll see how that fairs when I get the thermostat changed too.
In that time I have found a few little issues that will want rectifying:
- Clutch pedal rubber missing (sorted!)
- Slack accelerator cable (sorted!)
- Loose driver's kick trim (sorted!)
- Thermostat
- Intermittent rear lamp (connection? Need to have a look)
Anyway, have some more pictures!
A 'Classic SE' - don't see many of these. The Classic had the wheel trims and the SE the same wheels as the Club. I know, I'm telling the OP what he already knows I'm sure!
Boobonman said:
I'm sorry but I cannot see the attraction in these.
People can't now, but when they were new you'd easily wait 3-6 months for one to be built to order.Thanks for all the replies guys 
I really have a soft spot for big Rovers. When I was young, we had an old 1.6d Fiesta, and when my Dad came home with a Rover 800 fastback one day, it seemed like the best thing ever. Going from an F reg horrible cramped car to a big barge with air conditioning, and an armrest(!) was awesome. I've had a thing for Rovers ever since.
I can remember seeing the 75 being unveiled for the first time, and loved it. I will always remember one Mr Clarkson uttering "the star of this motor show, for me, is the Rover 75..."
Anyway. I like big cars, and Rovers, so I might as well own a few
As for the mats - they're awful! The previous owner had put them in to protect the cream carpets, but the backing is breaking up so they need to go (and they slide around all over the place). I think I'll get some rubber mats for the winter, and some genuine Rover carpet mats in the spring time.
I really have a soft spot for big Rovers. When I was young, we had an old 1.6d Fiesta, and when my Dad came home with a Rover 800 fastback one day, it seemed like the best thing ever. Going from an F reg horrible cramped car to a big barge with air conditioning, and an armrest(!) was awesome. I've had a thing for Rovers ever since.
I can remember seeing the 75 being unveiled for the first time, and loved it. I will always remember one Mr Clarkson uttering "the star of this motor show, for me, is the Rover 75..."
Anyway. I like big cars, and Rovers, so I might as well own a few
As for the mats - they're awful! The previous owner had put them in to protect the cream carpets, but the backing is breaking up so they need to go (and they slide around all over the place). I think I'll get some rubber mats for the winter, and some genuine Rover carpet mats in the spring time.
Triumph Man said:
There is something about the Rover 75... I'm only 22, but I would really like to have one. It looks like it's one of those cars where you get in and it just cossets you, and makes everything alright. Am I right OP?
Oh yes. It does.Everything has a satisfying clunk. When you close the doors it really does isolate you from all the normal outside noises. Wind noise is next to non existent (even this weekend with the wind we've had I've been wafting up and down the M1 in almost silent surroundings). The seats are very comfy. I can drive a journey and feel very fresh at the other end.
Interestingly, this car, an early one built at Cowley, seems to feel more solid than my later Longbridge example.
Triumph Man said:
There is something about the Rover 75... I'm only 22, but I would really like to have one. It looks like it's one of those cars where you get in and it just cossets you, and makes everything alright. Am I right OP?
Well thank f
k for that, I'm 23 and find myself looking at these every now and again, glad I'm not the only 'youngster' ready for those slippers and pipe hahaSebastienClement said:
Triumph Man said:
There is something about the Rover 75... I'm only 22, but I would really like to have one. It looks like it's one of those cars where you get in and it just cossets you, and makes everything alright. Am I right OP?
Oh yes. It does.Everything has a satisfying clunk. When you close the doors it really does isolate you from all the normal outside noises. Wind noise is next to non existent (even this weekend with the wind we've had I've been wafting up and down the M1 in almost silent surroundings). The seats are very comfy. I can drive a journey and feel very fresh at the other end.
Interestingly, this car, an early one built at Cowley, seems to feel more solid than my later Longbridge example.
The ride is quite marvellous really, much better than any of the contemporaries I've driven (off the top of my head I've had a go in the Passat, 156, A4, Vectra, Mondeo. Hyundai Accent). It's not sporty (that's what the MG is for) but really, who needs sporty when you have to drive through potholes and over speed bumps?
I'm another one with a soft spot for these. I nearly bought an MG ZT back in the day but was put off by the fact that the 14 month old one I was looking at in the main dealer was half the price of the identical new one next to it!
Lovely car though, still looks special (and I was in my 20s at the time).
Glad you are enjoying yours, make the most of a car which is definitely under the radar.
Lovely car though, still looks special (and I was in my 20s at the time).
Glad you are enjoying yours, make the most of a car which is definitely under the radar.
New POD said:
It's everything that the Allegro Vandom plas wanted to be, and wasn't. Great stuff !!!
Heh heh, I like that quote!Got it nicely cleaned up, and this is how she's looking as of yesterday afternoon:
The trouble is, I can't seem to buy a car and then leave it as is. I had a brand new gear knob (for my other 75's refurb, actually) knocking about, so popped it on this afternoon too.
I think I might add a walnut wheel at some point too, but trying to control myself with this one!
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