A quick update two years on from my original review above:
We keep it for special drives - this isn't the car I (often) use to get to work. The car is magnificent for touring.
We've packed the estate boot full and headed cross-country a couple of times each summer on family holidays. Even better, the car's been through the Eurotunnel a few times, heading onto the continent to be let free on the wide open Autoroutes and similar of France and beyond. It's got that mix of easy driving, comfortable size, and fun that makes the drive itself a central part of the holiday.
The monogram paintwork gets some nice comments on our travels, and you can spot petrolheads turning as the V8 rumbles past!
My only point is that I'll try to make sure there is safe and secure parking wherever we're heading for, to save that paintwork.
In terms of work needed, it's mostly maintenance. I've covered 10,000 miles in the three years I've owned it. The usual stuff like all the fluids and filters every 12 months, but also a fresh set of spark plugs and coils (it still had its originals!).
The other work has been:
1. Air conditioner condenser and pump replacement.
2. Welding on the rear sill due to a bit of rust coming through on the outer (decorative!) sill.
3. Accelerator cable replacement.
4. Fitted correct ZT front springs - as a previous owner had fitted softer Rover 75 springs.
5. Replacement dashboard information screen.
It has a slight leak from the front seal of the diff which I'll be fixing this spring. But after that it's off to the south of France and into Switzerland to again stretch the legs of the car.
Just be warned, it's near impossible to get more than 25MPG out of it! I'm usually getting about 20MPG even on a long motorway run...
6th Mar 2024, 21:04
A quick update two years on from my original review above:
We keep it for special drives - this isn't the car I (often) use to get to work. The car is magnificent for touring.
We've packed the estate boot full and headed cross-country a couple of times each summer on family holidays. Even better, the car's been through the Eurotunnel a few times, heading onto the continent to be let free on the wide open Autoroutes and similar of France and beyond. It's got that mix of easy driving, comfortable size, and fun that makes the drive itself a central part of the holiday.
The monogram paintwork gets some nice comments on our travels, and you can spot petrolheads turning as the V8 rumbles past!
My only point is that I'll try to make sure there is safe and secure parking wherever we're heading for, to save that paintwork.
In terms of work needed, it's mostly maintenance. I've covered 10,000 miles in the three years I've owned it. The usual stuff like all the fluids and filters every 12 months, but also a fresh set of spark plugs and coils (it still had its originals!).
The other work has been:
1. Air conditioner condenser and pump replacement.
2. Welding on the rear sill due to a bit of rust coming through on the outer (decorative!) sill.
3. Accelerator cable replacement.
4. Fitted correct ZT front springs - as a previous owner had fitted softer Rover 75 springs.
5. Replacement dashboard information screen.
It has a slight leak from the front seal of the diff which I'll be fixing this spring. But after that it's off to the south of France and into Switzerland to again stretch the legs of the car.
Just be warned, it's near impossible to get more than 25MPG out of it! I'm usually getting about 20MPG even on a long motorway run...