Rover 45 Hatchback (2000 - 2004) 2.0 TD iL (113ps) 5d (2002/52) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

That I don't care what other think/say about me.

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

DW hates it for some reason?!

Would you buy this car again and why?

Why not, budget motoring Nirvana but they don't make them anymore.

What are you likely to buy next?

Something robust like a Mitsi Ccolt maybe?

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£2,500

When did you buy the car?

January 2006

Did you get a good deal and why?

I think so, there was around £500 worth of niggles to sort out which they fixed under the 3 month warranty. Car was lowish millage at 30k (she is on 181k now! wow).

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

It was the newest car my money stretched to at the time. Rover went but a year earlier and everyone was panicking and selling them cheap.

What was the dealer like?

Not interested but fair. Needed a bit of chasing up to fix things he should have done before selling the car. He shift VAG cars for main income and the Rover was a trade in.

What's it like to drive?

Surprisingly fast, it's a TDI so overtaking is v.easy. I am driving to conserve fuel so I can't say if she rolls around the corners, it is a classic reliable AtoB

What's it like to park?

A pig, turning circle of a large combine harvester, but we don't live or go with her to the city so it is not an issue.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Nothing serious, mostly niggles. 1. Internal trim is hopeless and tend to fall off, but it is a dogmobil/skip transporter as well as a commuter platform. 2. Needed a new clutch at 130k but to be expected and reasonable to replace at £280. 3. Back sit catch broken when I got her and fixed under warranty. They also fitted a new master clutch cylinder under the same warranty (so check everything in the first 3 month, it's worth your money) 4. Heater fan resistor, need replacing every couple of years, but the Rover ones are cr**p, you can find improved ones online never to be touched again. 5. Original Mass air sensor was sluggish so knocked off £200 from the dealer initial price, fitted a Pierburg MAF and pre-oiled air filter and never had to touch it again. It is a DIY easy jo

What's most practical about your car?

Economical, easily get 60 mpg with my kind of driving. 2 labs can sit in comfort at the boot. Back sits go flat and you can use it as a mobile tip carrier. She never cost much to keep on the road comparing to a similar age Passat which we also have I measure the expenses in £100's not £1000's.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The heater fan! Cold air to the face and heating to the body.