Rover 200 Coupe (1992 - 1999) 220 Turbo 2d (1995/N) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I am a petrolhead & a very individual person. It is the latest in a long line of unusual cars I have owned.

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

Its not their cup of tea! They think I am a little eccentric (they may be right!) it is not really practical for my needs.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes it may be the best FDH Tomcat left in the world & the second Turbo Tomcat I have owned. I may never sell it. most people do not look past the radiator grille not seeing how low it is & how sleek it is or its standard performance 0-60 = 6 secs, 0-100 = 15 secs, 150 mph top speed - the fastest production Rover ever made. ( I also own a Triumph Stag since 1978 -35 years!).

What are you likely to buy next?

MG ZS 180 or New Honda Civic 1.6 Diesel.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£2,100

When did you buy the car?

June 2008

Did you get a good deal and why?

I Paid the "market" price using Parkers Guide but condition & impeccable provenance meant the car was a bargain. Its an "FDH Tomcat" - 300 were exported to Japan but regulations meant they could not be sold. Rover fought to register them for 3 years then returned them to the UK & registered in 1998 as N1 - 300 FDH mine is N257FDH (year of manufacture 1995) put on the road in 1999 with 1st MOT April 1999 "13 Miles!". (I have all the paperwork from original Bill of sale etc).

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Collectors car, 38.000 miles on the clock & the vendor was my neighbour, the only previous owner his son.

What was the dealer like?

My neighbour owned the car. His son gets a brand new car every 3 years then sells it to his dad, I had a Tomcat with 170,000 miles on it when his "3" year old Tomcat with 38,000 miles arrived I said I will buy it off you in 3 years. True to his word 3 years later he turned up one Saturday morning with the keys we checked the market price on Parkers Guide & I bought it!

What's it like to drive?

It drives like a dream very light steering but with good feel. Handles well at any speed. On continental roads where permitted I cruise at 100 & occasionally take it close to its max = 150 (Autocar data). weighing just over a ton & with 200 BHP the performance is phenomenal for its age.

What's it like to park?

With light steering & being small it is relatively easy to park.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Brakes, Battery & Tyres replaced.

What's most practical about your car?

Its not really practical for me. I travel backwards & forwards to Spain 3 times a year, its too low to the ground to facilitate access/egress (I am 64) the boot is too small, the access to the rear seats is not good for my friends (pensioners). However I can cross Spain (560 miles) in 7 hours at 34 mpg in comfort.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Performance, running costs.