2004 Rover - Austin CityRover from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Just about average

Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

This is a decent car for a big city with a lot of clogged traffic. It's rather useless on motorways.

While the designers have made good use of the space it offers, the interiors are tardy.

The engine is economical and that's a good thing, but one swallow doesn't make a summer. It seems the car is just overpriced and is just not fun to drive.I wasn't expecting a Mini Cooper but I wasn't expecting a Golf car with headlights either.

I've driven the Indian versions in Bombay, the Indica as well as the Indigo and the later, which is a sedan is actually a far better drive. If Rover has an iota of sense they'll import those - perhaps introducing the diesel variant might also make sense.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd February, 2005

7th Feb 2005, 11:02

The Cityrover is plainly overpriced. I got my estate version of the same car (which boasts of vastly better build quality, believe me, and infinitely better engine refinement) for about 5,500 pounds. Its the top end GLX version with aftermarket alloys and leather. Still it costs no more than 6000 pounds+ change. The top end diesel (most expensive car in the Indica lineup) retails for about the same price. Is Rover taking its customers for a ride :-)?.

2004 Rover - Austin CityRover Sprite 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

It was a smart looking vehicle with comfortable seating. However it was mechanically unsafe

Faults:

Loss of power with no warning on 3 separate occasions.

Poor quality interior light switch and petrol cap.

Shaky/out-of-focus rear view mirror.

Rear seat belt not working.

Petrol gauge showing only three-quarters full when actually full.

Petrol fumes in car.

General Comments:

We purchased our City Rover in June 2004. We experienced 3 breakdowns with the same fault - loss of power with no warning. We owned the vehicle 3 months. We did 3,600 miles and lost £860 (on initial purchase price) having returned the car to local dealer as unsafe. We understand a new ECU was subsequently fitted to the vehicle.

Other faults included:

Poor quality interior light switch and petrol cap

Shaky/out-of-focus rear view mirror

Rear seat belt not working

Petrol gauge showing only three-quarters full when actually full

Petrol fumes in car.

We are relieved we no longer own the vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th November, 2004

25th Jan 2006, 13:27

I wish I had read this comment before I bought my Rover City Sprite.

I bought mine two weeks ago. So far I have taken it back to the garage three times, the clock on the dash board didn't work, the inside light didn't come on when I opened the driver door, now it doesn't come on when I open the passenger door, after changing gear if felt like the engine momentarily lost power; this was put down to faulty brake sensors, but still isn't fixed, the handbrake only stops the car from rolling down hills if it is pulled as tight as it goes then the car is left in reverse, the connector for the parcel shelf snapped, the wind noise is horrific, everything rattles, the fuel gauge only registers three quarter full when it is full; the garage plan to remove the tank at the weekend so I will see how that goes.

On the upside, if all these problems were fixed it would be a great runaround. The power steering on it is the best I have had. The car is very roomy in the front and back. It looks good from the outside and the inside can be made to look better with accessories.

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2004 Rover - Austin CityRover Sprite 1.4 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great performance and space

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car at all.

General Comments:

The car is built to a good level.

The interior is made of sub-standard quality plastics, but they do the job that they were made for.

The engine is loud, but is one of the quickest in the city sector.

Best to avoid the base Solo as the lack of kit is a joke and you would be laughed at.

The car has lived upto what is expected of it and I would buy another if I needed another city car. Well done Rover for importing it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th July, 2004

29th Jul 2004, 02:26

These city rovers are built in India on the Tata production line (check the windows etc, they're stamped Tata) and the quality is very poor of these cars. You have only done 3000 miles so the car should be faultless, however, it won't be long before it starts falling apart!

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