RE: Rover 216 Coupé | Spotted
Discussion
Nice, I almost bought one of these in the late 90's as we also got a fantastic discount but we couldn't sell the 214Si we had in time so had to cancel(and actually ended up with our first MGF a couple of years later instead). Really nice looking cars then and now and that one seems in great condition. Isn't there some oddity about the Honda engine being in the opposite way round compared to the K-Series, due to it rotating the other way round?
Ambitious pricing yet again.
Always has a soft spot for Rovers of this time having two 416gsi’s. First one was absolutely mint but got nicked and bought the second straight after but had a continuing brake issue so got rid after a year.
Honda engined ones were very revvy and although not the fastest thing in the world, would hustle along quite well.
Always has a soft spot for Rovers of this time having two 416gsi’s. First one was absolutely mint but got nicked and bought the second straight after but had a continuing brake issue so got rid after a year.
Honda engined ones were very revvy and although not the fastest thing in the world, would hustle along quite well.
Can anyone guess which version of the Coupe I bought lol!
My first 'sports' car (a stretch i admit). Bought in 2003 for 4350 from main dealer.
Had manifold and exhaust sorted at Roverdose down near Stevenage. Great car. Loved the T bar roof. Often had to remind people it was a Rover because it looked decent compared to the rest of their offerings.
Cooling system was cheap. The rad split at just 6 years old and fooked the head gasket etc. Total cost of those repairs was a little over 600 quid so not horrendous.
Sold it in 2005 after I bought a 200sx.
If Rover had fitted better coolant lines, rads and the improved head gasket the VVC engine could have had a much longer life and usage. Genuinely wonderful lightweight engine. Must have been a real hoot in the Elise!
My first 'sports' car (a stretch i admit). Bought in 2003 for 4350 from main dealer.
Had manifold and exhaust sorted at Roverdose down near Stevenage. Great car. Loved the T bar roof. Often had to remind people it was a Rover because it looked decent compared to the rest of their offerings.
Cooling system was cheap. The rad split at just 6 years old and fooked the head gasket etc. Total cost of those repairs was a little over 600 quid so not horrendous.
Sold it in 2005 after I bought a 200sx.
If Rover had fitted better coolant lines, rads and the improved head gasket the VVC engine could have had a much longer life and usage. Genuinely wonderful lightweight engine. Must have been a real hoot in the Elise!
mooseracer said:
andy97 said:
I have a feeling that that particular generation of 200 series Rover chassis was very closely related to the DC2 Honda Integra and therefore handled very well.
At best a very tenuous link to the Integra.For their time these, and the hatchbacks, were a decent option and this one still looks good today.
donkmeister said:
mooseracer said:
andy97 said:
I have a feeling that that particular generation of 200 series Rover chassis was very closely related to the DC2 Honda Integra and therefore handled very well.
At best a very tenuous link to the Integra.For their time these, and the hatchbacks, were a decent option and this one still looks good today.
Looks like a very nice example, though I do prefer them with the boot wing, I've still got my 98 VVC one seventeen years on in pearlescent Tahiti Blue (undergoing a restoration, brakes & a custom stainless steel exhaust this Easter hopefully).
Frankly I'm on the look out for another Coupe while I do mine up as I really rather like them, I'd prefer another VVC but they're even rarer than hens teeth. The 1.6 is a strong unit usually (if it's anything like the one that my Grandad had in his 216 which had a good strong pull) and I need something a tad more frugal to run alongside the XK (it'll still need to be fed E5 super though).
Frankly I'm on the look out for another Coupe while I do mine up as I really rather like them, I'd prefer another VVC but they're even rarer than hens teeth. The 1.6 is a strong unit usually (if it's anything like the one that my Grandad had in his 216 which had a good strong pull) and I need something a tad more frugal to run alongside the XK (it'll still need to be fed E5 super though).
Always wanted one of these (well, the 220 Tomcat) and when I passed my test back in the 90's I looked but couldn't afford the insurance on one. Instead I ended up with a 214SLi which I loved despite the problems it had (who doesn't still have a special spot for their first car?). But I still have a strange nostalgic hankering for one of these all these years later. Not at that price though!
Had the 220 Turbo and as mentioned above, it was quite rapid in a straight line. Forget traffic light Grand Prix, headed towards the curb like a magnet but it was a nice looking car with the targa roof and half leather. Questionable wooden dash trim but kept mine for over 3 years before trading in for a UK Impreza Turbo.
Remember the drive home and being completely underwhelmed with the pace of the Subaru. Certainly didn’t feel as quick until you got it on a B road. Fond memories of both to be fair.
Remember the drive home and being completely underwhelmed with the pace of the Subaru. Certainly didn’t feel as quick until you got it on a B road. Fond memories of both to be fair.
I had one of these in a dark metallic red, I was always pretty impressed with the Honda lump, it revved well and 'went' quite well for the times with good mpg to boot was comfortable and I thought it had a good boot too, in those days I shod my cars in cheap rubber. Learnt my lesson well on a cold damp dark A21 London bound with an imbecile of a police officer who parked his car in the live lane, no cones etc; I saw him pulled out, car further in front did not until last sec and pulled into my lane I braked (or more correctly didn't) and wrapped my car onto the central reservation. Drove home with odd steering and glass all over me and the door restricting my movement.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff