1999 Rover - Austin 400 Executive 2.0 petrol

Summary:

Very classy - Very British!

Faults:

Absolutely nothing!

General Comments:

What a great car, I would definitely recommend a Rover 400 to anyone.

If you are after a car that is a cut above the bland boxes from Ford and GM then the classy British Rover is worth considering.

Wood, chrome and leather are all to be found in abundance in the Rover 400 and comfort and refinement are second to none.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st March, 2004

1999 Rover - Austin 400 SDi 2.0 turbo diesel

Summary:

Sensible, but fun!

Faults:

My clutch cable snapped at 55000 miles, but this was easy to fix.

The clock/radio display is garbled. Apparently this is a common fault.

The heater fan and resistor bank packed in at around 62000 miles.

Drivers electric window unit came loose and required tightening up (it caused the window to shudder).

General Comments:

Despite the above niggles, the car has been and still is excellent.

It offers a great compromise between power and fuel consumption and the spare parts are readily available and cheap.

I frequently achieve 40+mpg.

It won't turn heads, but you feel like you are getting good value for money every time you drive the car.

The air conditioning is great in summer, and really cools the car down.

The ventilation in the cabin is poor. Expect steamy windows with this one!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th February, 2004

1999 Rover - Austin 400 LI 1.6ltr 16v

Summary:

You get what you pay for, there cheap!

Faults:

Kangarooing in 1st and 2nd (Rover Dealer says its the Engine Management) I think that they are talking rubbish as nearly all the other rover 400s I have driven had the same fault.

Difficult to get into reverse.

More rattles in the interior than you will find in a baby shop.

Funny clunking from door while breaking and accelerating.

General Comments:

This car is very quick considering the weight and the size of the engine.

The handling is about as vague as any car or van come to that that I have ever driven.

Seats are useless for going round corners as they offer no lateral support. (I realize this is no sports car, but some sort of support would be useful.

Best summed up as dull and boring to drive, but so far touch wood hasn't cost any great amount of money to maintain and service. (After reading the other reviews I'm just waiting for the head gasket to blow.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd October, 2003

1999 Rover - Austin 400 i 2.0 petrol

Summary:

Underrated half decent car

Faults:

The front pipe corroded badly.

Front driver seat collapsed.

General Comments:

This car is really quick considering the engine size, but does get harsh when pushed.

Not the most comfortable car I have driven.

Panels do rattle quite a lot, which can get tiresome on a long journey.

Electric windows and sunroof are a common problem with this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th May, 2003

1999 Rover - Austin 400 Si petrol

Summary:

Keep well away from the Rover 400

Faults:

The head gasket blew within the first 2 months, I had it replaced and then it went again 8 months later.

The work was carried out by a Main Rover Dealer, they were very dirty workers (oil on the car seats)

The car is pretty comfortable with a decent ride.

Everything rattles inside when you hit a bump in the road, I always thought Rover to be the Pride of British car makers (how wrong can you be!)

The car is the most unreliable vehicle that I have ever possessed I will never buy another Rover car again.

General Comments:

Old Fashioned.

Unreliable.

Very high service price.

Shoddy workmanship.

Its like driving a 1950s Rover 90.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th February, 2003

1999 Rover - Austin 400 414 Si 1.4 16v

Summary:

Very high quality family car, but a little dated

Faults:

The driver's window motor came loose.

Bulbs keep blowing.

General Comments:

The 1.4 16v twin cam is a super engine, it thrives in the high RPM and will match most 1.6 engines.

The tires that came with the car are brutal, change them to something that offers a degree of roadholding, and it's like driving a new car.

Handling was poor on the original tires, but has improved considerably now that it's on a set of Bridgestones.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 11th January, 2002

1999 Rover - Austin 400 416i 1.6

Summary:

Fast, smart and a little bit posher than an Escort

Faults:

Unpleasant "kangarooing" - leaping forwards when slowing down in 2nd & sometimes 1st gear - can only be controlled by the clutch, garage can find nothing wrong.

General Comments:

Nice car, very fast, even though not the sports model or 2.0 litre. Not the grandads car people seem to think it is - 60mph in 2nd gear and it wasn't straining!

Seats are very unsupportive and soggy, driving position too low, but otherwise very nice.

Handling is fairly crisp, but a bit light and faint due to the power steering.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 29th October, 2001

1999 Rover - Austin 400 414i 1.4

Summary:

BORING!!!

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

The car was AWFUL.

Admittedly, it was very reliable. However, it was slow, noisy, and boring to drive.

Equipment levels were OK and the car was comfortable but I wouldn't recomment this to anyone who enjoys the car the car they drive.

It doesn't look too hot either.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th September, 2000