2004 Rover - Austin CityRover Sprite from UK and Ireland - Comments

My Cityrover is a 53 plate Cat c, and I was a little dubious to say the least when I first bought it, but I must say I'm happy; I get good mileage, it's cheap and it turns heads. Bargain. Let's hope I can still say that after three years and the next MOT. My third rover... 218 diesel, 420 gsi and now this one, so I know class!!

Bought a CityRover about 18 months ago.

The list of problems in that time include:

Faulty heater box

Central locking

Faulty coil

Rear light fittings

Blowing fuses

Have so far had to replace 7 rear wheel bearings

Unexplained noise from front of car

The car is noisy generally

Gear change is vague

Gear box whines constantly etc, etc

Buy one at your peril

Bought a CityRover Select 6mths ago, It has been reliable except fro a fauty sender unit, that has now been changed, a vague gearchange cured with rubber lubricant on the linkage, and a friction reducer put in the gearbox.

The ride is quite hard, but it's improving as the mileage increases.

Engine temperature now normal with new 89 deg thermostat from car parts.

Fuel consumption improved.

I find the seats comfy and an it's an easy starter. 46000 miles.

Have just picked up the car and driven it from wales for four hours mainly on motorway. The inside trim is poor and the general quality is poor, however, this car is our 2nd car intended as a runaround for my wife. For this purpose I think the car is suitable. Purchased this car (sprite) very, very cheaply hence expectations are not high but you only get what you pay for. Reliability is the main worry but that remains to be seen. So far so good and wife happy.

Bought the CityRover for my wife in Feb 2005. It was six months old with 2000 miles on the clock. Still got it, it's now (Oct 2009) got 40,000 on the clock, but is still going strong.

Not had too many problems with it. Yes the interior is a little cheap and the wind noise at 80 is noticeable. However around town it’s a fab car. It turns on a sixpence, can be parked in tiny spaces, and you can get four large adults and one child in comfort.

To date we have no major bills, just the usual brakes, wheel bearings etc. Generally a good buy, and cheap.

Just bought a City Rover Select 53 plate. On balance the car is pretty good - worth what you pay, but then again, I've experienced the starting problem. The battery looks like it's had it, so I've got a new one to stick on. This has been highlighted by the problem in starting due to the immobiliser seemingly being temperamental because of a lack of electrical power. Even had to bump start it. So, new battery will go on tomorrow and fingers crossed. Hope it's not the alternator... then again it might turn out to be dodgy leccy... oh well. Keep smiling :)