1991 Rover - Austin Maestro LX 1.6 petrol

Summary:

Very practical cheap motoring

Faults:

Rust on arches/doors.

Exhaust fell off.

Leak from the roof.

General Comments:

Comfortable motoring. Very practical.

LX benefits from the power steering.

Economical for a 1.6 yet still pokey.

Butt of lots of jokes, but my J reg cost just £495 and I traveled all around Cornwall and Devon problem free.

Still worth about £400 after a year of motoring.

Lots of cheap spares available.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st September, 2000

1991 Rover - Austin Maestro Clubman D 2.0 diesel

Faults:

Fuel lift pump diaphragm holed at 37,000 miles. Car still running but fuel leaking all over the place.

Alternator faults, regulator and rectifier pack on different occasions.

RUST. Both sills corroded enough to replace. Surface rust which just isn't obvious on other manufacturers vehicles for similar ages.

General Comments:

Despite lack of power, it will out handle lots of other cars in twisty sections.

Dealer didn't seem too keen to work on engine (check and adjust injector timing).

The most reliable car I've ever owned.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd February, 2000

6th Jan 2001, 20:22

Can I say I have owned a lot of diesel cars and I have had a few diesel Maestros, I have even had turbo diesel Mondeos. I have never had anything as reliable as a diesel Maestro, never even had an oil leak in any of them, 10/10.

20th Feb 2001, 07:40

Had an H-reg Clubman D model for over 3 years bought with 85,000 miles. Never failed to start in any weather (except when the alternator failed, but easily repaired), returns 40mpg all the time (more if driven carefully), currently 110,000 on the clock with no signs of stopping.

Prone to rust so regular maintenance is needed on body (sills & doors), good workhorse - used for towing and carrying anything, will happily sit at 90mph on motorway all day if you can cope with the noise!!

1991 Rover - Austin Maestro Clubman 2.0 diesel

Faults:

1. Sump plug hole stripped, requiring new sump cover. Replaced under warranty (after some complaining).

2. Rust after 18 months. Not covered by warranty (since not perforated). Not impressive!

General Comments:

Dreadful car! Grossly under-geared, making it extremely noisy on the motorway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th December, 1997

20th Feb 2001, 08:05

The gearing is not that bad,

1st - 20mph

2nd - 50mph

3rd - 70mph

4th - 90mph

5th - 105mph+ (not found a road long enough to find the true max!!)

Also consider that the book max. engine speed is 4500rpm.

At the legal 70mph in 5th the engine noise is not that noticeable. Most noise is the road noise of the tyres and the noise of air resistance. Also at 70mph the fuel consumption is above 50mpg, not bad for a 10 year old car with 110,000 miles.