1979 Rover - Austin Maxi 1.7 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Dire, '70's relic that deserves to be laid to rest - NOW!

Faults:

The front suspension collapsed.

The steering rack failed.

The front wheel bearings seized.

The head gasket went at 69000, which resulted in a constant oil leak after the repairs.

The tail gate struts would not hold the boot open!

The drivers door lock failed and snapped the key!!!

The headlights failed one lovely wet night and I had to drive home on sidelights - NOT recommended!

The radio blew a fuse and caused an electric fire - Unfortunately it didn't spread and put itself out!

General Comments:

Possible the worst car EVER on Gods green earth. I actually can't believe that the Maxi was designed by Issigonis the man behind the Mini!

A prehistoric '70's Dinosaur which became the bane of my life. Never again will I look for a cheap car as a fill in! I will use public transport and be late for work and blame them - not my Austin Shed!

The only redeeming feature that the Maxi has is that the rear seats fold to make a double bed - just as well, as you will spend most of your time waiting at the side of the road either for the AA or the RAC!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th April, 2002

6th Nov 2002, 08:14

You are talking about a car that was designed in the 1950's, what do you expect. The Maxi is no more unreliable then any other car from that period and is one of the most practical cars ever built. No other car has the space inside that the Maxi offers.

11th Dec 2002, 16:31

I had five Maxis and three of them were awful, cost me a great deal of stress and £`s.Major failings included, engine seizure at 100000 miles, front cv joints, burning more oil that petrol, clutch problems, starting problems, rust and rot in sills, clutch slave cylinders ever popping, the only good maxi I had was built in 1977 and I did find that as the Maxi got to the end of it`s miserable life, the overall quality deteriorated, R.I.P.

18th Nov 2005, 03:30

Sounds pretty normal for a worn out 20 year old car.

14th Apr 2010, 06:40

For it's size, the Maxi was very roomy and practical. Same goes for the Maestro too. Still, I wouldn't own one these days...

1970 Rover - Austin Maxi 1750 1.7 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

The best British car we never had

Faults:

Required two new front wings at 46,000 miles.

Head gasket replaced at 48,000 miles.

New water pump at 49,000 miles.

Brake master cylinder at 49,000 miles

Clutch plate wore out at 44,000 miles.

General Comments:

The Maxi Club is a great help in finding bits.

Most parts can easily be repaired by the DIY mechanic at home, after all I did the repairs myself (apart from the wings) and found it extremely easy.

In keeping a Maxi on the road, I now go over it every summer while it is warm with Wax-oil, pay attention to the front of the sills behind the front wings & also remove the trim panels and get the wax-oil behind the rear wheel arch box sections. Such effort now really can pay huge dividends later!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st November, 2001

1982 Rover - Austin Maxi 2 HLS 1.7 twin carb from UK and Ireland

Summary:

The most under-rated car in the world!

Faults:

Many things, but it was my first car and I was only 12 years old, and that is where I got most of the info I have now on motorcars.

General Comments:

A damn good car!!!

My dad and his brother both had at least 5 each and the last one my dad had was in 1993, and that was a V-reg 1500 in blue. We went to Torquay twice in it, and the only problem we encountered was a little overheating.

The last one my uncle had was a X-reg Maxi2 HLS which I ended owning!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th April, 2001

1st Nov 2001, 12:41

I learned to drive in a Maxi and I believe that it is the most underrated car this country has ever produced!!

It's great at swallowing things, a huge amount of room inside, considering it's external dimensions. A true practical car in all its needs. The only problem being that it can be heavy on the steering at low speeds, but like any car you get used to it.

Out of all the Issigonis front wheel drives, the Maxi surely rides the best, and as for what is said about the gearbox, well I've also driven other BMC cars and to me the Maxi 5 speed rod shift is possibly one of the best gear-boxes going!!

19th Sep 2008, 16:12

I too learned to drive in this Maxi, great car.

Only 3 problems that I can remember; I always found it hard to change gear. Secondly the rear suspension always kept going down, always had to pump it back up, and thirdly one day as we were driving in it, the wheel came of as we went round a bend on a country road.

Apart from that, a great car.