RE: Rover 75 Tourer | Shed of the Week
Discussion
Just wait until a fuel pump is on the way out and you're sat there almost frying the starter trying to get it going... then when it fires, it dies again. Fond* memories of my Wedgewood Blue II Connoisseur... the seats were also far from comfortable, but that may be because I closely resemble Fat b
d off of that Austin Powers movie.
d off of that Austin Powers movie. I was at the motor show when Rover launched the 75 and Jaguar launched the S-type. Both were retro styled non-sporting cars. There was a far bigger hubbub around the Rover stand than the Jaguar. If you like white Audis on 19" black rims this won't be to your taste, but they are solid comfortable cars in the traditional Rover style. Good SOTW.
SirGriffin said:
Global Nomad said:
was always the retro nostalgic interior that put me off...a false sense that everything was better in the good old days.
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.
Edited by SirGriffin on Friday 24th June 06:54
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...
You do occasionally get Troy Queef-style posts:Gliding over our nation's asperous highway to the club known globally as the Darby & Joan, I spied the imminent change of a traffic signal from green to amber. Realising I was on a fast-burning fuse before a more ruddy shade, I squeezed gently on the loud pedal, mustering all of my steed's 192 lb ft of twist to surge me smoothly past the still-amber beacon and round the left turn over which it stood sentry. As the car responded immediately to my request for a course deviation, the rear stepped out and with a dap of oppo I caught it swiftly, gliding on my way without even a hint of perturbation.
The Rover 75 Tourer 2.0 CDT Connoisseur Estate 5d 1950cc auto is a b
h. And I spanked it.Brilliant cars, 99% of those who don't like them haven't actually driven one.
They've got a rather large 'modern classic' following too; the business I founded invests somewhere between 5 and 6 figures each year in tooling and reproducing spare parts to keep these old girls on the road.
Reliable when looked after, comfy as anything and cheap to run compared to the modern nonsense most engines seem to have fitted to them these days.
They've got a rather large 'modern classic' following too; the business I founded invests somewhere between 5 and 6 figures each year in tooling and reproducing spare parts to keep these old girls on the road.
Reliable when looked after, comfy as anything and cheap to run compared to the modern nonsense most engines seem to have fitted to them these days.
wpa1975 said:
Why, the petrols were awful (apart from the V8)
Not even slightly - the KV6 suited the car well and is a fine motor. The K Series in NASP form wasn't really enough for the car, but the 1.8T fixed that and is still a wonderful power-plant for the 75 / ZT.
Like anything, if you look after it it'll look after you - the KV6-engined car on my driveway currently has 108,000 miles on the original engine with no major work and counting.
RicksAlfas said:
I was at the motor show when Rover launched the 75 and Jaguar launched the S-type. Both were retro styled non-sporting cars. There was a far bigger hubbub around the Rover stand than the Jaguar. If you like white Audis on 19" black rims this won't be to your taste, but they are solid comfortable cars in the traditional Rover style. Good SOTW.
I have it in my mind that Nigel Havers did the opening unveiling or something if that is any indication of product positioning...But motor shows were rather liberal with the drinkies in those days so I may have mixed things up!
mattyprice4004 said:
wpa1975 said:
Why, the petrols were awful (apart from the V8)
Not even slightly - the KV6 suited the car well and is a fine motor. The K Series in NASP form wasn't really enough for the car, but the 1.8T fixed that and is still a wonderful power-plant for the 75 / ZT.
Like anything, if you look after it it'll look after you - the KV6-engined car on my driveway currently has 108,000 miles on the original engine with no major work and counting.
The 18T was only launched to replace the 2.0 V6 due to emissions and tax purposes, I don't rate it as a great engine.
I've had a Z-TT 190 for 4 or 5 years now.
When it comes to old Rovers, here's a massively overlooked benefit vs many other marques: The community support is excellent! The 75/ZT forum is still thriving and full of interested, helpful people. All issues are well known. Rimmers is brilliant for parts with exploded diagrams of literally everything, and almost everything I've ever needed is readily available.
They are hard to beat for the money. People who dismiss them are probably unwittingly comparing them to cars that cost £000's more.
They don't seem to suffer badly from rust. IME, the equivalent E46 will be a comparative rust bucket.
IME, they are fundamentally reliable in the sense that you're unlikely to be left stranded, but they will cost some money to maintain and, unless you buy from a doting enthusiast, there will be things to sort out when you buy it.
Contrary to the suggestions of one or two posters, the boot is not cavernous. They are 3-series sized, not 5 series sized and the boot floor is high.
Would I have another? Not sure. I don't think I could go through the faff of "starting again" sorting out another one. But if I was going to it would be a 75 1.8T, rather than the MG. I suspect the 75s still have the decent steering feel without the firm ride. Honestly, the mk2 Mondeo I had previously was probably the better car.
When it comes to old Rovers, here's a massively overlooked benefit vs many other marques: The community support is excellent! The 75/ZT forum is still thriving and full of interested, helpful people. All issues are well known. Rimmers is brilliant for parts with exploded diagrams of literally everything, and almost everything I've ever needed is readily available.
They are hard to beat for the money. People who dismiss them are probably unwittingly comparing them to cars that cost £000's more.
They don't seem to suffer badly from rust. IME, the equivalent E46 will be a comparative rust bucket.
IME, they are fundamentally reliable in the sense that you're unlikely to be left stranded, but they will cost some money to maintain and, unless you buy from a doting enthusiast, there will be things to sort out when you buy it.
Contrary to the suggestions of one or two posters, the boot is not cavernous. They are 3-series sized, not 5 series sized and the boot floor is high.
Would I have another? Not sure. I don't think I could go through the faff of "starting again" sorting out another one. But if I was going to it would be a 75 1.8T, rather than the MG. I suspect the 75s still have the decent steering feel without the firm ride. Honestly, the mk2 Mondeo I had previously was probably the better car.
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