RE: Rover 75 Tourer | Shed of the Week
Discussion
SirGriffin said:
And given the intolerant state of things today, indeed it was.
I had a number of 75's, and while personally I didn't care for the looks of the tourer version, the saloon was a handsome design. Retro? Well if designing something that has character and good looks is what passes for retro these days, then yes it was. It reminded us of a time when people could have different tastes and not be made fun of for it.
How sad that even James May sneeringly said it was a car for "people to clean a lot" as if enjoying something something that brings you pleasure is something to be derided.
I was always amazed by the amount of people who had a ride in my 75's and said "This is lovely, I didn't realise they were like this!" Nope, that's because they were swept along by the scornful mass who drive gopingly ugly vehicles that look as if they have been in a collision on their way to the showroom, with concrete ride and handling, because they dare not admit that they actually like something different, in case they lose face.
The 75 was a comfortable car designed for the rubbish roads we actually have, instead of something that pandered to the 'ring dreams of the ad men.
Having had both the X-type and S-type, the 75 was head and shoulders above them for build quality, particularly the early interiors.
Lovely cars, and not a hateful touch screen in sight.
Could not agree more.I had a number of 75's, and while personally I didn't care for the looks of the tourer version, the saloon was a handsome design. Retro? Well if designing something that has character and good looks is what passes for retro these days, then yes it was. It reminded us of a time when people could have different tastes and not be made fun of for it.
How sad that even James May sneeringly said it was a car for "people to clean a lot" as if enjoying something something that brings you pleasure is something to be derided.
I was always amazed by the amount of people who had a ride in my 75's and said "This is lovely, I didn't realise they were like this!" Nope, that's because they were swept along by the scornful mass who drive gopingly ugly vehicles that look as if they have been in a collision on their way to the showroom, with concrete ride and handling, because they dare not admit that they actually like something different, in case they lose face.
The 75 was a comfortable car designed for the rubbish roads we actually have, instead of something that pandered to the 'ring dreams of the ad men.
Having had both the X-type and S-type, the 75 was head and shoulders above them for build quality, particularly the early interiors.
Lovely cars, and not a hateful touch screen in sight.
Edited by SirGriffin on Friday 24th June 06:54
Transported a lot of these back in the day from the factory, loved them, loved the traditional gentleman's club interior of various colour and material combinations, the refined remoteness of the engine and the soft ride.
Uncloned design for individuals unafraid to decide for themselves which car they should enjoy, instead of relying on some scripted TG non-entertainer or revitup magazine hack telling them which identikit concrete sprung car with its gloomy black interior, for some unknown reason regarded as 'cool', they should have in order to fit in.
The only thing Rover got wrong was that all models should have been RWD instead of just the V8.
Edited by Smint on Friday 24th June 07:54
SirGriffin said:
And given the intolerant state of things today, indeed it was.
I had a number of 75's, and while personally I didn't care for the looks of the tourer version, the saloon was a handsome design. Retro? Well if designing something that has character and good looks is what passes for retro these days, then yes it was. It reminded us of a time when people could have different tastes and not be made fun of for it.
How sad that even James May sneeringly said it was a car for "people to clean a lot" as if enjoying something something that brings you pleasure is something to be derided.
I was always amazed by the amount of people who had a ride in my 75's and said "This is lovely, I didn't realise they were like this!" Nope, that's because they were swept along by the scornful mass who drive gopingly ugly vehicles that look as if they have been in a collision on their way to the showroom, with concrete ride and handling, because they dare not admit that they actually like something different, in case they lose face.
The 75 was a comfortable car designed for the rubbish roads we actually have, instead of something that pandered to the 'ring dreams of the ad men.
Having had both the X-type and S-type, the 75 was head and shoulders above them for build quality, particularly the early interiors.
Lovely cars, and not a hateful touch screen in sight.
Yeah, this just reads as being bitter.I had a number of 75's, and while personally I didn't care for the looks of the tourer version, the saloon was a handsome design. Retro? Well if designing something that has character and good looks is what passes for retro these days, then yes it was. It reminded us of a time when people could have different tastes and not be made fun of for it.
How sad that even James May sneeringly said it was a car for "people to clean a lot" as if enjoying something something that brings you pleasure is something to be derided.
I was always amazed by the amount of people who had a ride in my 75's and said "This is lovely, I didn't realise they were like this!" Nope, that's because they were swept along by the scornful mass who drive gopingly ugly vehicles that look as if they have been in a collision on their way to the showroom, with concrete ride and handling, because they dare not admit that they actually like something different, in case they lose face.
The 75 was a comfortable car designed for the rubbish roads we actually have, instead of something that pandered to the 'ring dreams of the ad men.
Having had both the X-type and S-type, the 75 was head and shoulders above them for build quality, particularly the early interiors.
Lovely cars, and not a hateful touch screen in sight.
Edited by SirGriffin on Friday 24th June 06:54
God forbid that people actually decided for themselves that these looked dated when new and have aged poorly since and also decided to put their own money into something they desired.
Recently flogged my Nightfire Red 2006 2.5 contemporary SE saloon in favour of a Mazda3 MPS.
The Rover was nice, in its way. Comfortable, easy to live with, very easy for long distances on the motorway. I liked it, but never really loved it. Interestingly my X-type I had a couple of years prior, a quite similar car in many ways, got under my skin a whole lot more.
I'd have preferred a pre-facelift car. Black leather seats and fake "black ash" are wrong on these IMO - they want briwn and velour. I'm also told the Project Drive stuff really changed his they felt, and I also think the earlier cars look better. This shed might have been right up my alley, although however much sense they make on paper I'm still not sure I'd have wanted a diesel.
The Rover was nice, in its way. Comfortable, easy to live with, very easy for long distances on the motorway. I liked it, but never really loved it. Interestingly my X-type I had a couple of years prior, a quite similar car in many ways, got under my skin a whole lot more.
I'd have preferred a pre-facelift car. Black leather seats and fake "black ash" are wrong on these IMO - they want briwn and velour. I'm also told the Project Drive stuff really changed his they felt, and I also think the earlier cars look better. This shed might have been right up my alley, although however much sense they make on paper I'm still not sure I'd have wanted a diesel.
I remember getting one of these for an airport taxi trip. My initial disappoint was unfounded, it was a remarkably relaxing car to be a passenger in. Fabulous ride, very nice interior that reminded me of a Bentley. Sure it would not the Ring as fast as a bmw but it wasn’t intended to. Would quite like one now actually, it’s got all the qualities that really appeal.
You can tell the people who have actually driven or been in one of these and those who haven't from the replies...
I've driven 75s almost exclusively for the past 10 years. I sort of bought my first one by accident, but they have been absolutely super for motoring up and down the country.
They're much better built than people will have you believe, and all of my examples have been rattle free, with hard-wearing interiors that are a nice place to be. I've never been left stranded by one either, and I've had every available engine choice and put a lot of miles on all of them. A top-spec early car on 15" wheels absolutely eats up motorways and the ride is really very good indeed.
The KV6 engines are also excellent, having put a total of 300,000 miles on 3 of these, they sound absolutely great, are reliable, and not that bad on fuel for a 2.5 litre engine.
This is my current daily... It's a late 2004 registered 'Contemporary SE' - so without most of the chrome - and currently sporting circa 20,000 miles from new. I fully expect to be taking it north of 150,000 miles in my ownership.
I've driven 75s almost exclusively for the past 10 years. I sort of bought my first one by accident, but they have been absolutely super for motoring up and down the country.
They're much better built than people will have you believe, and all of my examples have been rattle free, with hard-wearing interiors that are a nice place to be. I've never been left stranded by one either, and I've had every available engine choice and put a lot of miles on all of them. A top-spec early car on 15" wheels absolutely eats up motorways and the ride is really very good indeed.
The KV6 engines are also excellent, having put a total of 300,000 miles on 3 of these, they sound absolutely great, are reliable, and not that bad on fuel for a 2.5 litre engine.
This is my current daily... It's a late 2004 registered 'Contemporary SE' - so without most of the chrome - and currently sporting circa 20,000 miles from new. I fully expect to be taking it north of 150,000 miles in my ownership.
Cambs_Stuart said:
Good shed. It's an interesting car. Most of the people that own them really rate them, hold on to them and then buy another, so I suspect that underneath the retro styling they're pretty good cars.
From memory BMW spent a good chunk of money developing the 75.
They are good car and I have yet to find a car that is more relaxing on long trips. The manual would for me be ideal.From memory BMW spent a good chunk of money developing the 75.
I used to with relative frequency drive London to Vienna (about 900 miles) and it was a very comfortable single day drive with a 75 diesel tourer, with very long range and real deep down comfort and peace, to the extent that having driven there I'd be about as refreshed as when I left home in the morning.
A reasonable size boot and quality materials on the roughly pre-2003 models and for a low price you may not get a sports car but you get one heck of a comfortable way to get about!
SebastienClement said:
You can tell the people who have actually driven or been in one of these and those who haven't from the replies...
I've driven 75s almost exclusively for the past 10 years. I sort of bought my first one by accident, but they have been absolutely super for motoring up and down the country.
They're much better built than people will have you believe, and all of my examples have been rattle free, with hard-wearing interiors that are a nice place to be. I've never been left stranded by one either, and I've had every available engine choice and put a lot of miles on all of them. A top-spec early car on 15" wheels absolutely eats up motorways and the ride is really very good indeed.
The KV6 engines are also excellent, having put a total of 300,000 miles on 3 of these, they sound absolutely great, are reliable, and not that bad on fuel for a 2.5 litre engine.
This is my current daily... It's a late 2004 registered 'Contemporary SE' - so without most of the chrome - and currently sporting circa 20,000 miles from new. I fully expect to be taking it north of 150,000 miles in my ownership.
The Rover 75 is never a car I would be in the market for, however, there is something about it that, in the right spec, looks quite refreshing. Yours looks quite nice but I just get the feeling, based on the comments in here that most people would think I'm a coffin dodger brexiteer who thinks the Daily Mail is a way of life for driving one.I've driven 75s almost exclusively for the past 10 years. I sort of bought my first one by accident, but they have been absolutely super for motoring up and down the country.
They're much better built than people will have you believe, and all of my examples have been rattle free, with hard-wearing interiors that are a nice place to be. I've never been left stranded by one either, and I've had every available engine choice and put a lot of miles on all of them. A top-spec early car on 15" wheels absolutely eats up motorways and the ride is really very good indeed.
The KV6 engines are also excellent, having put a total of 300,000 miles on 3 of these, they sound absolutely great, are reliable, and not that bad on fuel for a 2.5 litre engine.
This is my current daily... It's a late 2004 registered 'Contemporary SE' - so without most of the chrome - and currently sporting circa 20,000 miles from new. I fully expect to be taking it north of 150,000 miles in my ownership.
MrGeoff said:
SebastienClement said:
You can tell the people who have actually driven or been in one of these and those who haven't from the replies...
I've driven 75s almost exclusively for the past 10 years. I sort of bought my first one by accident, but they have been absolutely super for motoring up and down the country.
They're much better built than people will have you believe, and all of my examples have been rattle free, with hard-wearing interiors that are a nice place to be. I've never been left stranded by one either, and I've had every available engine choice and put a lot of miles on all of them. A top-spec early car on 15" wheels absolutely eats up motorways and the ride is really very good indeed.
The KV6 engines are also excellent, having put a total of 300,000 miles on 3 of these, they sound absolutely great, are reliable, and not that bad on fuel for a 2.5 litre engine.
This is my current daily... It's a late 2004 registered 'Contemporary SE' - so without most of the chrome - and currently sporting circa 20,000 miles from new. I fully expect to be taking it north of 150,000 miles in my ownership.
The Rover 75 is never a car I would be in the market for, however, there is something about it that, in the right spec, looks quite refreshing. Yours looks quite nice but I just get the feeling, based on the comments in here that most people would think I'm a coffin dodger brexiteer who thinks the Daily Mail is a way of life for driving one.I've driven 75s almost exclusively for the past 10 years. I sort of bought my first one by accident, but they have been absolutely super for motoring up and down the country.
They're much better built than people will have you believe, and all of my examples have been rattle free, with hard-wearing interiors that are a nice place to be. I've never been left stranded by one either, and I've had every available engine choice and put a lot of miles on all of them. A top-spec early car on 15" wheels absolutely eats up motorways and the ride is really very good indeed.
The KV6 engines are also excellent, having put a total of 300,000 miles on 3 of these, they sound absolutely great, are reliable, and not that bad on fuel for a 2.5 litre engine.
This is my current daily... It's a late 2004 registered 'Contemporary SE' - so without most of the chrome - and currently sporting circa 20,000 miles from new. I fully expect to be taking it north of 150,000 miles in my ownership.
The main problem for these at the time would have been competing with the BMW E46. Which was/is brilliant.
In the early 2000’s I was still going through my Saab phase (I like whooshy turbos and comfy seats) but when I did eventually tire of those I went down the E46 route.
If I was looking for a shed and now I’m old older I would definitely consider a Rover 75. I also detest the BNP.
In the early 2000’s I was still going through my Saab phase (I like whooshy turbos and comfy seats) but when I did eventually tire of those I went down the E46 route.
If I was looking for a shed and now I’m old older I would definitely consider a Rover 75. I also detest the BNP.
Good shed, and to those who say how terrible and unreliable they are, its 21 years old and not exactly that rare either so they must have done something right.
I think sometimes folk take a little bit of hearsay, some prejudice and trot that out as an opinion as to whether a particular make/model is any good, when really what they mean is they arent keen on the brand and styling, which is fine and probably more accurate as they do tend to look a bit of the classic "Pipe and slippers" but then nobody really thinks you are super cool in a 3 Series, A4 or similar of the same vintage.
Its still going, its 21 years old and not full of rust, it would be comfy, economical and practical.
I dont particularly want it but if I was after a cheap estate car I would consider it.
I think sometimes folk take a little bit of hearsay, some prejudice and trot that out as an opinion as to whether a particular make/model is any good, when really what they mean is they arent keen on the brand and styling, which is fine and probably more accurate as they do tend to look a bit of the classic "Pipe and slippers" but then nobody really thinks you are super cool in a 3 Series, A4 or similar of the same vintage.
Its still going, its 21 years old and not full of rust, it would be comfy, economical and practical.
I dont particularly want it but if I was after a cheap estate car I would consider it.
Had a saloon version of this (same spec, different colour) as a company car for many happy thousands of miles. Went down to St Tropez and then on to Monaco after work one Friday night and got there on just under one and a half tank-fulls in real comfort. Only problem was the seats were so big and comfy I kept falling asleep on the autotroute in cruise mode, so in the middle of the night I handed over to my other half and she did about 30 mins and fell asleep herself.
In three years I only had one issue and that was a clogged MAF sensor after some heavy salting of the roads. There seems to be a bit of unnecessary hate for these. Perhaps it's because it was associated with a certain demographic or because it's looks haven't worn well over the years. I still think these are a bargain that many overlook through some form of misguided snobbery or association with wrinklies.
In three years I only had one issue and that was a clogged MAF sensor after some heavy salting of the roads. There seems to be a bit of unnecessary hate for these. Perhaps it's because it was associated with a certain demographic or because it's looks haven't worn well over the years. I still think these are a bargain that many overlook through some form of misguided snobbery or association with wrinklies.
Edited by cookie1600 on Friday 24th June 09:02
Mikebentley said:
Great shed and entertaining read. Always liked these. What’s all the Brexit nonsense in the replies? Get over it.
Agreed. Ran a saloon version of this with a manual box for 3 years and 40,000 miles. Sold at 145,000 miles. Did many a European roadtrip and was a superb cruiser. Two issues I had:
- Thermostat issue which mean the engine ran cold. I did eventually get this replaced.
- No boot handle/latch on the outside, so only way to open was an electronic button near drivers seat. This was fine when it worked, but when it stopped, I had to leave a long wooden cane down the side of the interior, so I could press the button and also open the boot and the same time.
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