RE: PH 2020 | Shed of the Year

[Oilchange]

I bet half of them have never stepped foot in one...

[Rob 131 Sport]

The drive is is awful and as for the exterior and interior styling they are on a new level of awfulness. It is almost like someone is having a joke.

Like it or not the truth is Alfa Romeo’s, Audi’s, BMW’s, Jaguars and Mercedes have that key ingredient of ‘Desirability’. The Rover 75 unfortunately didn’t.

The first generation Rover 800 particularly in Sterling, Turbo or Vitesse form had some form of desirability, that the 75 totally lacked. The SD1 had desirability in bucketloads, hence when it was launched it was such a sales success. As soon as I saw the 75, I unfortunately knew it was the end for Rover.

[Oilchange]

You seem offended that the result isn’t what you expected it to be.
I’ve seen this somewhere before...

[R400TVR]

Rob 131 Sport said:

The drive is is awful and as for the exterior and interior styling they are on a new level of awfulness. It is almost like someone is having a joke.

Like it or not the truth is Alfa Romeo’s, Audi’s, BMW’s, Jaguars and Mercedes have that key ingredient of ‘Desirability’. The Rover 75 unfortunately didn’t.

The first generation Rover 800 particularly in Sterling, Turbo or Vitesse form had some form of desirability, that the 75 totally lacked. The SD1 had desirability in bucketloads, hence when it was launched it was such a sales success. As soon as I saw the 75, I unfortunately knew it was the end for Rover.

The styling was universally praised, and they still look good today. The MG version is a handsome thing still. The interior is a lovely place to spend time, exceptionally comfortable and very well built. Mine has done 210000 miles and there are no rattles or squeaks. The drive was superb. Highly rated by every tester who drove it. Even Clarkson rated the 260 highly. On the 'desirability', issue, why are Alfa more desirable when they were one of the most unreliable cars available, Jag's S Type was a horrid looking thing inside and out, also unreliable. Mercedes rusted badly at the time, and build was at a low point.
The 75/ZT should have been the start of the regeneration of Rover, but thanks to Bernd Pischetsrieder torpedoing the launch, and BMW stripping the prototype Mini, the Range Rover, and the 1 series away from them, there wasn't much hope.

[Lester H]

Happy Christmas to the Sheds. The beauty of these articles is that they are firmly rooted in the real world, cynical in a good way and free of awful car journalese about damped grab handles and ICE.

[white_goodman]

S60 T5 for me and although it wouldn't be my winner, I'm not getting the hate for the 75. Avoid the base 1.8 K-Series and go for preferably one of the V6s or diesels and they're fine cars. I sold these new and they weren't supposed to compete with Audi/BMW/Mercedes, they were considerably cheaper and on a par with the Vectra/Mondeo on price and considerably nicer than both and I would say at least an equal of the contemporary Passat. A pre-facelift Longbridge-built car would be my pick and I would wager it would be more reliable and cheaper to run than the E39, CLK or A8. My boss had a V6 manual ZT Tourer and I loved that car!

[Helicopter123]

The 'over 75' was rubbish when new, and age hasn't improved it at all.

Got to be better ways of spending £1500 quid than that...

[PositronicRay]

R400TVR said:

Rob 131 Sport said:

The drive is is awful and as for the exterior and interior styling they are on a new level of awfulness. It is almost like someone is having a joke.

Like it or not the truth is Alfa Romeo’s, Audi’s, BMW’s, Jaguars and Mercedes have that key ingredient of ‘Desirability’. The Rover 75 unfortunately didn’t.

The first generation Rover 800 particularly in Sterling, Turbo or Vitesse form had some form of desirability, that the 75 totally lacked. The SD1 had desirability in bucketloads, hence when it was launched it was such a sales success. As soon as I saw the 75, I unfortunately knew it was the end for Rover.

The styling was universally praised, and they still look good today. The MG version is a handsome thing still. The interior is a lovely place to spend time, exceptionally comfortable and very well built. Mine has done 210000 miles and there are no rattles or squeaks. The drive was superb. Highly rated by every tester who drove it. Even Clarkson rated the 260 highly. On the 'desirability', issue, why are Alfa more desirable when they were one of the most unreliable cars available, Jag's S Type was a horrid looking thing inside and out, also unreliable. Mercedes rusted badly at the time, and build was at a low point.
The 75/ZT should have been the start of the regeneration of Rover, but thanks to Bernd Pischetsrieder torpedoing the launch, and BMW stripping the prototype Mini, the Range Rover, and the 1 series away from them, there wasn't much hope.

I like the 75, drove a 2.0 v6 when new, didn't suit the car although smooth enough.

Happily drive another, pref a tourer.

[Rob 131 Sport]

We all have different preferences as regards cars and whether we like or in my case loathe the Rover 75.

However what cannot be disputed is that it sold badly and had terrible resale values.

[993kimbo]

Lester H said:

Happy Christmas to the Sheds. The beauty of these articles is that they are firmly rooted in the real world, cynical in a good way and free of awful car journalese about damped grab handles and ICE.

Hear hear. Thank you Shed.

[Hugh Jarse]

Deerfoot said:

AndySheff said:

One of the Volvos for me.

You take the S60, I'll have the C70...

993kimbo said:

Lester H said:

Happy Christmas to the Sheds. The beauty of these articles is that they are firmly rooted in the real world, cynical in a good way and free of awful car journalese about damped grab handles and ICE.

Hear hear. Thank you Shed.

Merry Christmas sheddites and Mr Shed.
Both Volvos for me look great value, dead classy and great lookers.
Tow hitch on the S60 and a cheap trailer and there you have two cars that cover most functions.
Except fuel economy obvs.

[nmckay]

The A8 gets my vote. Superb car with a great engine. After a bit of digging I can confirm the car is still in the road, having recently being MOT'd until Dec 2021 under its new private registration. It also looks like the oil leak has been addressed too.

[PrinceRupert]

Rob 131 Sport said:

We all have different preferences as regards cars and whether we like or in my case loathe the Rover 75.

However what cannot be disputed is that it sold badly and had terrible resale values.

Have you driven one?

[sjc]

Well as it’s hated by some so much, shut your eyes because this is the 3 I’ve had over the last 11 years doing over 200,000 miles in them. All V6’s, all one or two owner cars. Total purchase outlay £5000,resale of 2 £1400 plus the current bottom one that is prob worth £1500 max. So depreciation of £2000ish over 200,000 miles and 11years, all done in cruised and climate controlled comfort, with electric everything whilst sitting on fantastically comfortable chairs.... and no unexpected big bills.


And Tiff liked it when he filmed my original one for Fifth Gear ..

https://www.flickr.com/photos/25371374@N07/8694624...

As he says ...” Makes you wonder why people are obsessed with modern rubbish”...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WMAzi6MKxzA

Edited by sjc on Tuesday 29th December 16:35

[Rob 131 Sport]

No haven’t driven one. I would never drive such an ugly old fashioned car. I did have a Rover 827 Vitesse back in the day that was not the best as regards reliability.

I always went for Alfa’s or BMW’s after that.

I did occasionally travel in Rover 75’s as Mini Cabs. They seemed to enter into the world of Mini Cabbing really early in their life, probably due to the tragic resales.

I found them rather claustrophobic for a Mini Cab much preferring a Mondeo, Skoda or Vectra.

Edited by Rob 131 Sport on Wednesday 30th December 18:36

[pSyCoSiS]

Prices for Shed-worthy cars have most certainly increased and the selection is now limited.

From this Top 10 - my choice would be the Audi A8 and the S60 T5.

Happy New Year everyone - hope 2021 is a better one for all.

[Jaguar steve]

993kimbo said:

Lester H said:

Happy Christmas to the Sheds. The beauty of these articles is that they are firmly rooted in the real world, cynical in a good way and free of awful car journalese about damped grab handles and ICE.

Hear hear. Thank you Shed.

No need to wait 'till Christmas to celebrate all things Shed I say.

I appreciate mine every day of the year for the excellent and reliable service they provide for peanuts, as well as the subtle affirmation I have absolutely nothing to prove to anybody else and absolutely nothing to loose for myself every time I get in them.

Here's to Sheds Long may they bring common sense, practicality and liberation from care to the enlightened.

[Justin Case]

I have a boring shed, but I have come round to thinking that for the shed limit [boring cliche alert] you can have something completely bonkers that costs no more than a few months payment on a new but bland car, or the amount it would lose as soon as you drive it out of the showroom. On that basis the A8 is the top dog shed, it may not survive the journey home but it might on the other hand give a year or two's relatively trouble free service. In any case if the worst comes to the worst you will be able to sink into luxury as you wait for the recovery service

Mazdashed is lying forlorn and Sorned as I write. It is tempting to keep it as a reserve and go for the most outrageous shed that I can find, so please Shed keep our appetites whetted in the coming year with even more savoury sheds and unsavoury euphemisms A happy new year to you all and most of all the Sheds

[PrinceRupert]

Rob 131 Sport said:

No haven’t driven one. I would never drive such an ugly old fashioned car. I did have a Rover 827 Vitesse back in the day that was not the best as regards reliability.

I always went for Alfa’s or BMW’s after that.

I did occasionally travel in Rover 75’s as Mini Cabs. They seemed to enter into the world of Mini Cabbing really early in their life, probably due to the tragic resales.

I found them rather claustrophobic for a Mini Cab much preferring a Mondeo, Skoda or Vectra.

Edited by Rob 131 Sport on Wednesday 30th December 18:36

You seem to be very focused on how others perceive you.

[GhiaInjection]

Mr-B said:

gavner81 said:

greenarrow said:

Itsallicanafford said:

I’m confused....

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=18...

16 pages of love for the focus and it doesn’t make the top 10....

A trumpesk recount required! Happy Christmas!

I just thought the same. The Focus had more comments than any other shed I can think of and barely a negative one out there. Never seen such love for a Shed. How on earth did it not make the top 10 compared with some of the other stuff selected, such as the Mondeo TDCI from two weeks back which had far more negative comments from people....

Its a fix!!!

+1.

And another +1.

Love the shed of the week article as it shows you can still get a whole lot of metal for not a lot of money. And I still want to sample a MK1 Focus just because.

+1

When I read the responses to the Mk1 Focus SOTW, I thought that it was in for a good shout on SOTY (has there ever been a SOTW will so much positivity and so little negativity?) . Maybe the fact that last years winner was a Ford Fiesta ST, counted against it. But it should have definitely made the top 10!