Rover 200/400 Series (1989 - 1996)
BY JONATHAN CROUCH
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Quality family transport that's reliable and well-built. All the engines are dependable, whether they be Rover, Peugeot or Honda-sourced; in fact, the British 1.4 is surprisingly rapid. With this model, despite its affordable price, there have been no short cuts.
On the contrary, there are all the hallmarks of Rover quality that during the production run, marked out the 200 Series as the finest product in its class. Whichever 200 series hatch, Cabriolet or Coupe model or 400 series saloon or Tourer variant you choose, the quality is the same. You'll notice the wood inserts on the fascia; the Rover-inscribed scuff plates on the door sills. Then theres the way that the door shuts with a solid thunk, the quality of the trim, that solid steering wheel perfectly positioned in front of you. All are telltale reminders of the wind of change which swept through Rover during the last decade.
Prices start from under £200 for a 1989 H-registered 214S three-door - if you can find one. In truth, these older models are best priced on an individual basis as condition and mileage can vary wildly. Its the latest examples which will still be turning up in dealerships mainly on M and N plates. A214i five-door hatch with a 96N plate should be around £800.
Whereas the 218 turbo diesel five door is changing hands for £700. Go for a Coupe and £900 should seal the deal on a 95N-plate with the Convertible costing barely £100 more. Late Rover 400s are priced similarly to the 200s; £700 for a 96N-plate 414 four-door saloon, £1,000 for a 416 SLi Tourer and £1,200 for a 420 GSi Turbo Saloon
You may find that on older models, the seats tend to sag if the car has had heavy use. The brakes can suffer from judder and vibration and the electric windows had a history of occasional failure. My own recommendations for the used market? The five-door 214 Si with Rover's 16-valve 1.4-litre engine was a good package and early examples are very cheap. If you can find a SLi or GSi at a price you can afford, so much the better. These cars were and still are considered a cut above equivalent Escorts and Astras.
The three-doors don't make quite as much practical sense in their humbler forms - though they can be found cheaply. I did like the three-door hot hatch Honda-engined 1.6-litre GTi (1992 onwards) however, a stylish fast family sportster. The Cabriolets are rare and pretty but need purchasing care.
Maybe a better bet are the Coupe models which had removable T-Bar smoked glass roof panels. Steer clear of the Turbo versions however; many of them will have been thrashed and anyway the engine was rather too much for the car to handle with torque steer a constant companion. And the 400 series Tourer? A classy sports estate - but don't expect to be able to carry much more than you would in an ordinary hatchback.
(approx based on a 1993 216 GSi - exc VAT) A clutch assembly will be around £190. An alternator is about £250 and brake pads around £75 each. A headlamp is around £75, a full exhaust system (excluding the catalyst) would cost you about £250, an alternator can be between £120 and £250 with an exchange varying from £70-£150, a starter motor £135 and a front head lamp £75.
On the road, there's a feeling of class, a feeling that you're driving a much larger car. The relative lack of speed is more than compensated for by the free revving nature of the Rover 1.4 and Honda 1.6 multi-valve engines (remember that post-March 1996 models had the K-series 1.
6). Sure, in the case of the 1.4 Rover unit, you have to use the gears a great deal to compensate for the lack of power, but such is the sweetness of the gearchange and the engine note that you're positively encouraged to do so. If you enjoy your driving, a brief test drive reveals further attributes like supportive seats, positive steering (although the power assistance thats standard on plusher models is well worth having) and failsafe handling. Squeaks and rattles are notable by their absence and refinement is such that, as I said, you could be driving a much more prestigious car. The credits continue with the layout of the interior.
The instrument layout has a quality look about it, forged through the tie-up with Honda, and all the minor switchgear falls easily to hand. The plush seat trimming looks like quality too, adding to the expensive impression created by the chunky Rover-embossed safety steering wheel.
Check them out before you sign up for that Escort or Astra. If you thought you couldn't afford a classy Rover, you might be in for a pleasant surprise.
