1997 Rover - Austin 800 Sterling review from UK and Ireland

ABS sensor on front left wheel gave false readings when damp.

Driver's window switches not working on 'up' position (rectified before I bought the car).

Catalytic converter smashed.

Auto gearbox is starting to show some signs of clutch slip on the change from 3rd to 4th gear when warm.

Reliability has been good so far; auto boxes on most makes tend to die around 100K miles so it is expected. Everything else has been minor or due to abuse.

This is a BIG car! Even parked next to BMWs', Volvo's, etc. it seems to be longer, though it isn't as wide as other cars in this class.

For almost a ton and a half, and an auto gearbox, it's VERY fast off the mark - surprising many boy racers :-) Pity it doesn't seem to have much of a top end, reaching 100mph is leisurely and I doubt it would go much above this.

The steering is very light and responsive; unlike Vauxhalls it provides driver feedback. The large body does roll when flung round bends, but what do you expect!? My only criticism is the suspension seems a little firm - not soft as you would expect on a car of this class.

The interior is comfortable and wears well, though I would have expected more toys and gadgets on the top spec model - it doesn't even have cruise control (unlike later Granada Ghias)! It also seems to squeak and rattle a little on rough roads.

If I could choose a car to spend all day in, it would probably be this - provided I wasn't paying for petrol (it only gets around 24mpg in town, and maybe 32mpg on a long motorway run)...