1989 Rover - Austin 800 827 Sterling review from UK and Ireland

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.