1992 Rover - Austin Metro Gta 16 valve review from UK and Ireland

No major problems from what I can remember. Needed a little bit of welding underneath and the passenger interior door handle came clean off in an ex-girlfriend's hand. Great other than that.

This car is great. I have owned a Micra and a R reg Fiesta 1.4 ghia (Never buy a Fiesta - review coming soon...) after this car and neither came close to the satisfaction I got from "The Metro".

First of all the car looked cool, I know it's a Metro and therefore not renownd for being the hight of style, but with its deep red paint, alloy wheels and body kit, it was mighty easy on the eye. Like any Metro, rust had begun to eat away at the arches of the car, but the low slung suspension and front and rear spoilers took attention away from these "minor" problems and left the beholder with the bewildering sense of being impressed with a Metro!

Inside "The Metro" the interior was like something from a different age. Nothing was electric and the design and quality of the dashboard, seats and trim was laughable in the extreme. Even so, what little comforts Rover provided you with worked and were pretty much where you expected them to be. The car featured a distinct lack of sound proofing that manifested itself at speeds over 50mph and became especially frustrating on motorways.

Where the car improved markedly was hen it came to handling and speed. The lack of power steering (a bit of a pain when parking etc) provided perfect feel through the steering wheel. Every bump and imperfection in the road could be detected and gave the confidence to push the little car round corners at speeds that couldn't fail to bring a smile to your face (disclaimer - please take speed in moderation ;). Acceleration was pretty rapid, in part due to its almost feather like weight (all that lack of build quality and soundproofing was useful after all!) and its highly abusable 1.4 16 valve K-Series (the same engine that used to feature in the Caterham no less!). Fun, Fun, Fun is the best way to describe the fine little car.

The best thing about this car as not its looks, or its performance, but the way you could mistreat it so badly and it would always come back for more, rather like an over-excited puppy (disclaimer - I have never, nor have any intentions of mistreating puppies - though if my analogy refer'd to a cat I could not give the same assurances). After drunken nights out we would spot "The Metro" in the distance and all make a run for it where we would proceed to jump up and down on the roof, kick it, and generally show it no mercy. Even then you could still see the smile on its face. But I digress...

If you want a fast, cheap and slightly quirky car, don't hesitate and go get a Metro today!

P.s. The only reason I don't have it now way because some pond life stole it. I just hope they think about how much they annoyed me when they are in the Dole que.