1999 Rover - Austin 200 Vi review from UK and Ireland

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.

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?)