Faults:

Minor things, but not good for a relatively young car.

The hazard lights failed to function properly at 48,000 miles.

The drivers window dropped off its runners at 50,000 miles.

Rear shocks required replacing at 48,000 miles.

Reverse gear pops out intermittently, whilst reversing sometimes.

First gear is difficult to obtain.

General Comments:

Bad purchase!

More suited to an elderly person who doesn't expect much drive or fun, or indeed that doesn't expect to undertake too much travelling.

Interior boring and sedate, drive is boring.

Not a very exciting car to own or drive.

Faults:

Had a few minor hitches in first first months of ownership. Had to replace the Variable Valve Control unit (obviously fundamental); cost £650; but it was covered under warranty. There is also a ticking noise at around 1500rpm, but I have been told that this is a feature of the VVC engine!? Build quality is typically Rover, but if you take care it'll be reliable.

General Comments:

The engine is great. A friend had one before me and after driving it I knew I had to have one.

The eats are good, but the standard stereo is terrible and should be binned immediately. Cabin is nice, a bit too grey in places but comfortable.

In a straight line this car is fantastic. As soon as you get the right side of 4000rpm you're away, but it still pulls well from 2000rpm!

The close ratio gear box is fantastic and matches the engine power band well. If you want to fly, the first four gears are all you need as fifth feels a little further away from the others and is really the economy gear.

The engine is the best part of this car without doubt. It doesn't quite feel as torquey as a tuned 2 litre, but it revs well just a like a proper 16 valver should be. It really fizzes in the high rev range and overtaking is a doddle. You can really feel all of the horses pulling at high revs and it feels quick.

Handling is not as good as it could be, especially in the wet, but it keeps things interesting! After owning a 306 (which the handling is supposed to be based on? Believe me it doesn't feel like it!) it took some getting used to, but I think some better front tyres will help.

On the motorway it's OK, but things start to get noisy at higher engine speeds.

I regularly get 38mpg out of it (try that in a Golf GTI or 306 GTI?), and it can be driven easily round town at low revs without drinking petrol.

I've had the car 8 months, I've done 12000 miles, and I've never looked back.

Price/performance/economy? You'd do well to beat it (and I looked everywhere?)

Faults:

SRS (airbag) fault indicator light showed there was a fault in the airbag. Service replaced the faulty connector in the steering wheel that caused the warning.

Valve cover gasket leaked some oil.

Brake light switch needed adjusting.

Headlights' relay was replaced.

Rattle in the dashboard in about 2700 RPM.

General Comments:

Surprisingly despite the problems in the car I've been mostly satisfied, nothing really crucial has happened (knocking wood...). The last 20,000 kilometers have been problem free.

Things I like most in the car: nice looks inside and outside, 103 hp engine really moves the car (if you are ready to use high RPMs), the car feels very assertive even when driving at the speed of 180 km/h.

Faults:

Front tyres well worn, and replaced with Bridgestone Potenzas.

On third throttle body - possibly too many trips to the red zone... - as a result - odd higher idling speed.

General Comments:

At first the orange 'smiler' at the front was interesting. Then it became annoying - following bad reactions from friends etc. Subsequently sprayed it green, and now it looks better (in my opinion).

Very good handling; the lowered suspension, 16 inch wheels and limited slip differential help in those moments where understeer should be experienced.

Very nice inside environment with leather trim sports seats, alloy gear knob, red steering wheel and everything else in the cabin.

7000 rpm red-line very addictive! But not good for oil consumption.

Fuel economy OK, if you keep out of the higher torque zones!

A nice looking, fast, original - 700 made in this country, good car. That is a joy to own and drive, always receiving good comments from friends.

Maybe in the future add a supercharger or throttle bodies for a little more 'kick'.

Original stereo - absolute ratner, replaced with a nice Alpine unit with decent speakers in the back also. Volume control switch still functional on the steering wheel.

I love this car!!!