1989 Rover - Austin 800 Reviews - Page 3 of 3

Heater control.

Big, cost me next to nothing, wish I had got an Si, as this one's only got single point injection, could do with the extra BHP.

Comfy as old slippers, and remarkably fun to drive, considering the size.

Honda Auto Box packed up - twice, common problem apparently.

Tappets were extremely noisy, sounded like a traction engine.

Elec windows stopped working.

Very poor construction interior wise, bits just kept falling off.

Honda V6 capable unit, smooth and powerful. Although what out for non-regular oil changes, engine has a tendency to wear camshaft & tappets out quite quickly under these circumstances, and when it's worn it sounds absolutely awful (It's not as good as some people tend to make out).

Honda auto box suspect, I had two, kept slipping like nobodys business in 2nd gear! This is what put me off buying another one, I think a manual box might be better, however they may well have cracked the problem by now.

CV joint replaced at 82,000m.

Heater valve jammed,

Black paint flaking off around rear window revealing chrome (?!)

This is a very nice car. At least, I thought it was when I bought it. First impressions can be deceptive though. After a few weeks I noticed the ride is not particularly smooth, and the smallest of bumps can be felt through the seat. The seats themselves are very comfortable and the interior is very luxurious and full of gadgets that still work faultlessly after ten years. The engine is not as flexible as one would expect, but is more of a screamer. This doesn`t fit with the general feel of the car, being quite taught feeling until you get to a roundabout, when it feels like it`s rolling like a 2CV. Amazing amounts of grip though, considering the way it feels. The major let down for me with this car is that it's not a car you want to drive for the sake of it. It's quite lively and doesn't feel it`s size but it's just too dead feeling to drive for fun. And you soon stop worrying about the 7.5 sec 0-60 time when you realise it costs £55 to fill up the tank (every 300 miles).

Major/mechanically? - Nothing in over 100,000 miles.

Minor/electrically? - Airconditioning leaks. Faulty ABS wheel sensor. Heater fan-speed control. Windscreen wiper-motor mounting bolts fell out allowing it to slip and short out the main fuses. Rust appeared, on the bonnet around the hinges, around the sunroof & elsewhere. Very worrying after only 4 years from new!

What's good? - Superb 2.7 Honda V6 engine seemed like it would go on for another 150,000 miles with no problems. So smooth and quiet, I thought it had stalled the first time I pulled up at the lights. Good performance leaves most behind. Very comfortable seats, electrically reclining in the REAR also - passengers love them! Loaded with goodies, leather, air, cruise, memories for seat & mirror positions etc. etc.

What's not so good? - Build quality, especially electrics and minor trim, is poor. Short gearing means 3,300 rpm at 70, but engine so smooth it's only the economy that suffers, not your ears. Limited front suspension travel (Honda-design) means easy to bottom out/get airborne over bridges etc, and consequently the ride is nothing special.

Overall? - A comfortable, discreet motorway cruiser. Bought at less than one year old, still under manufacturers warranty for less than half the new list price. A bargain if you find a good one, a potential nightmare if not.