Head gasket currently blown (has been since 120,000)
Passenger door difficult to close.
Radiator disintegrated.
Rear spoiler bolt rusted, damaging paint.
Front bumper lacquer peeling.
Rear wiper snapped.
When I acquired this car it looked quite sporty, having a factory spoiler, which I had to remove because of rust on the bolt.
The car has comfortable supportive seats in the front, and comfortable if not cramped rear seats.
Rear head rests would be good.
Access to rear is difficult because of the 3 door body-shell.
Despite rear being cramped front is quite roomy and light.
Engine is quite responsive for such a small size.
Poor steering, very heavy in town.
Poor equipment level for a 93 car.
Badly placed tailgate release, it is easy to open the fuel cap instead.
Good solid engine, is running with a blown head gasket at the moment, meaning the engine is very rugged. Although if I was intending to keep the car I would replace it.
Slow acceleration, but can't be helped as this is a small car.
Poor safety, no anti-lock brakes, no airbag, no side impact protection, no seat belt pre-tensioners, no centre rear 3-point belt.
Would reccomend for a single person or couple without children, it is a comfortable and cheap to run car for one or two people.
Mine has overall served me well in times of little money, and provided motoring for five people when I needed it to.
If this car had a lower mileage I would keep it as a second car for my wife, as it stands it has 137,000 and a blown head gasket, time to say bye bye and scrap it.
Did you say it has a blown head gasket?
Sorry, I meant a cracked cylinder head! I wasn't thinking right when I posted that.
Car is gone now anyway.
Acquired K reg 1993 Rover 214GSi in 2004 for £440.00. Mileage then 71,000.
A complete exhaust system replaced inc CAT £160.00.
New Borg & Beck clutch complete £140.00.
Front brake discs and pads at 85,000 miles, £120.00.
Rear brakes relined, £40.00.
Timing belt changed at 78,000 miles, cost £40.00.
The car has undergone a complete body respray in original colours as the previous owners neglected basic bodywork care. Cost £750.00.
In three 1/2 years the total cost of buying, running (inc services) = £2,300.00 approx.
Divided into 3 1/2 years = £17.69 per week to maintain the vehicle in A1 condition including day to day transport to present mileage of 98,000!
The car is going strong. Acceleration & handling is exceptional for the engine size & the interior is excellent for the year. A little understeer, but not a problem.
Interior very relaxing on long motorway journeys.
Radio/cassette replaced by a radio/CD player.
Conclusion.
The car is exceptional for reliability, providing previous owners have serviced regularly. A full service history is paramount.
Acceleration, handling & response good, but steering heavy at parking speed etc (no power steering). Otherwise very responsive.
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