Rover 75 Saloon (1999 - 2004) 2.0 V6 Club 4d Auto (1999/V) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Sophisticated traditionalist executive fond of creature comforts, and with a wild side.

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

The friends and family who have travelled with me in the car, if they have noticed the car at all, think it's a very good car - certainly a very much better car than the £800 price tag might suggest. Some of them thought it was a Jaguar, others a Rolls-Royce.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Without question. I would, of course, source a well-sorted example, with plenty of ticks on the spec-sheet - and of course plenty of time to make the purchase, but yes, the next car I have will be a Rover 75.

What are you likely to buy next?

If I can find a top-of-the-range, fully-loaded Rover 75 Connoisseur I will be most happy. I might also get an Aston Martin Lagonda V8, just for fun.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£800

When did you buy the car?

June 2012

Did you get a good deal and why?

No - in my opinion the car was faulty. Should have looked it over more closely but was in a hurry.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Traditional British luxury.

What was the dealer like?

Seemed fine at first.

What's it like to drive?

It's a lovely driver - the silky-smooth engine mated with the 5-speed auto box is a dream, especially with the lovely noise it makes under heavy acceleration. The rear suspension can be a bit jittery on rough surfaces, but other than that it's a magic-carpet ride.

What's it like to park?

It can be a bit tricky to work out where the extremities of the car are but, if you are mindful of that it's a doddle. The power-assisted steering makes even the most convoluted of manoeuvres easy and, 'though the Rover isn't quite the most compact car in the world, it is nevertheless a joy to own even in crowded Chelsea.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Kept overheating. Expert opinion had it that one of the head gaskets had gone, but that turned out not to be the case.

What's most practical about your car?

The engine. While it isn't exactly the first thing people think of when it comes to practicality, that it is smooth and reliable means you can keep your attention where it should be - on the road.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The car is, as far as I know, a bog-standard V6 Club Automatic, and no extras are appended to it. If someone were pointing a gun at my head, however, I would have to go into the back and the compartment within the rear armrest in which a busy executive can secrete pen and pad.