Rover 200 Hatchback (1995 - 2000) 200 Vi 3d (1998/S) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Not much. i just wanted a cheap, well equipped little car and this one fits the bill perfectly. The fact that it has a true Jekyll & Hyde character, which is so underrated, is a bonus. It's a connoisseurs car is this, it looks a lot like a normal 200, unless you know what to look for, like the Vi specific features ie colour coded rear spoiler, rear discs, and front fogs.

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

My purchase of a Rover raised a few laughs and sniggers, got your pipe and slippers as well ? they asked. Ha, fools the lot of them, if they drove it they wouldn't be so dismissive.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes, because i honestly feel there's nothing out there to touch it in terms of cheap performance and driving enjoyment. It's even quite economical if you drive it sensibly (difficult this, as it encourages you to rev it). Why buy an in yer face, common as dirt Saxo VTS for three times the price ? It's not as well built and certainly no quicker. Quite a lot of people don't even know what a 200Vi actually is, nor what it's capable of. I have removed the Vi badge on the back to further disguise it, perfect for when i leave you trailing in my exhaust fumes.

What are you likely to buy next?

????????

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£1,100

When did you buy the car?

June 2006

Did you get a good deal and why?

yes, because at £1099 used it was a very cheap way to get a well equipped car which was £16,000 new. Spare parts are aplenty if you know where to look, but in any case it hasn't gone wrong.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Wanted a cheap, fun, & understated performance car

What was the dealer like?

Didn't have one, bought privately

What's it like to drive?

I find it superb, SO much fun, with a responsive, willing engine which revs for England. It is so flexible and tractable, it still surprises me now, it pulls 5th gear from 20mph onto a theoretical 130. How's that ? It holds the road incredibly well, goes round bends like they're not even there, with no real understeer to speak of, & it has sharp brakes too. Lots of responsive revs in an agile, lightweight chassis make driving a real pleasure if you're in a 'go for it mood', definitely the most involving car i've ever driven.

What's it like to park?

easy as anything, small size, with light feeling PAS makes it very agile.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Nothing at all with the engine. There are lots of scare stories about the 1.8 K series engine and head gasket troubles. Sure, these might afflict some people, but the later ones, like mine, can have the metal dowels and more recent head gasket fitted to solve the probs. It's well built on the whole, no rattles as such. Only problem has been a leaking windscreen, resulting in a slightly soggy carpet on the driver's side, not ideal, but not the end of the world either.

What's most practical about your car?

It's not necessarily a practical car, in fact it's quite small inside, it depends what you do in life, if you have kids and want to carry things about there are no doubt better cars. However, for me it represents a well specced car which is very rewarding.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

That 7000 rpm redline and VVC whine when you're going for it. Plus the fact it does 45 in first. Nice.