Rover 100 Hatchback (1994 - 1999) 1.4 GTa 3d (1998/S) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Depending on what your view of Metros and old cars in general are, they are either dated, poorly specified, structurally and ergonomically archaic and/or unrefined, driven by tight-wads who care little about themselves or the car they drive; or, they are small, nippy, cheeky, charming little run-arounds, which my example aside of course, cost peanuts to run and represent a significant piece of British automotive history.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Naturally they all hate it, even if some are a little less vocal about that fact, but I have had quite a few nice comments about how clean it looks (har har), and that it is quite 'cute'. Naturally, I care little for other people's opinions of a car that isn't theirs.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes, but it would have to be the 1.4 16V GTi, with a 190BHP Lotus 1.8 K-Series engine conversion!

What are you likely to buy next?

Possibly moving up the range to a Rover 200/25 MG ZR or Rover Streetwise (no laughing at the back!), either that, or a VW Golf to get me through the rest of my student days, even if they are not as fun to drive, or as charming.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£750

When did you buy the car?

March 2006

Did you get a good deal and why?

Looking back probably not. The seller was a lucky and/or clever swine that either knew absolutely nothing about cars, or knew just enough to have shot of it when he did. My faith in humanity sways me towards the former, but if not, the man obviously had no conscience of selling a money pit to a financially vulnerable 18-year-old student.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I am a Rover enthusiast, and at the time, the car was a charming and financially viable entry into the brand I love.

What was the dealer like?

N/A.

What's it like to drive?

The steering has always been one of the Metro's saving graces over the years. The steering is sharp, alert, light on the move and gives excellent feedback, making it a very fun little car to drive. Suspension on the pseudo-hot hatch ‘GTa’ is sadly shared with the rest of the Metro/100 range however, which gives for some steep roll in the corners which is not helped by the lack of lateral support from the seats. However, I have heard that GTi shock absorbers, dampers and anti-roll bars make a lot of difference in this area. Gear change on a healthy gearbox is slick and precise, if having a little too long a throw to it, and the clutch is quite heavy and snappy. Positioning of the gear lever is a little far away for the enthusiastic of drivers to appreciate as well. Engine is a gem.

What's it like to park?

As mentioned previously, all round visibility is excellent on this car, which coupled with the size of this little darling, helps to no end when squeezing into tight spots. However, the lack of power steering hinders this at the best of times, and people without Dolf Lundgren’s biceps will be flustered after a few minutes of wresting with the steering wheel from rack to pinion and back.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Quite a bit. Later K-Series engines are renowned for their dreaded issues of head gaskets (HGs) perishing prematurely, and this one was no exception. The HG was in early stages of failure at 57,000 miles when I bought it, but luckily I had a good friend in the trade who managed to fix it for me for £150. Other issues include the common disposables: Most of the exhaust system has been replaced, as have the tyres, but one of the more serious of faults was corrosion on structural points of the car, which have needed whole new panels welding on at a cost of roughly £275, all of which was deviously hidden under the car’s clean bodywork. She has also recently needed a new radiator, which I fitted myself. I hate garages, and a Metro is not the car to take if you are sensitive to insult.

What's most practical about your car?

All round visibility is second to none; the car’s skinny A-pillars help to reduce blind spots significantly, albeit to the detriment of the structural integrity of the car in a crash, but the improved visibility may just prevent some of those accidents in the first place.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The rear seats fold all the way forward, making for some handy luggage space in the back for such a small car. They're a lot like what modern MPVs boast in their advertising, but just a little less glossy. The central locking also has, primitive as it is, deadlocks, and pressing the locking pins down activates all of the locks connected in the circuit, which is quite a handy feature. The immobiliser also activates itself after three minutes of inactivity, i.e. no key in the ignition, or having the key in position ‘1’.