Rover 800 (1986 - 1999)
5 V6, 2.7 V6, 2.5 turbo diesel [E, 16v E, 16v i, SE, 16v SE, 16v Si, 16v SLi, 16v Turbo, Sterling, Vitesse, D Turbo] Second generation 800 - 1991-1999: 4dr saloon, 5dr Fastback, 2dr coupe - 2.0, 2.0 turbo, 2.5 V6, 2.
7 V6, 2.5 turbo diesel [base, i, SE, Si, SLi, Vitesse, Vitesse Sport, Sterling, Di, SDi, SLDi])
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Rover's biggest saloon, the 800 had a difficult but nonetheless successful life. Launched to a lukewarm reception from the press in 1986, the initially underdeveloped 800 eventually found favour as performance and build quality improved. Rover relaunched the car in late 1991 with a new body and the return of the now famous grille. Persistence paid off - the 800 was transformed into a well-built and reliable prestige car that is still very much in demand both new and used.
Everything anybody ever bought a British car for wood, leather, stainless steel, and tastefully placed chrome. The other things which used to come standard on most British cars - leaks, rattles, breakdowns and rust, are mostly absent from the 800 (at least in new-shape, post-1992 form). Performance from V6 and turbo models is very strong Rover once advertised the Vitesse as its fastest ever car, though this was contentious. Interiors are very luxurious, if not overly spacious.
Rear headroom can be a tight fit for those above average height. Legroom, however, is more than adequate.
Five-door cars have always been the most popular with both new and used buyers, but don't usually command a premium over the saloon. You can pay anything from £200 for an early car, though better to go for a tidy F, G or H-plater. If you prefer the newer shape with that grille, late models are great buying: a 99T Vitesse saloon for under £2,275, a 99T 820 automatic Fastback for £2,000 and even a 99V Sterling coupe for £2,475; it was over £23,000 new. While the turbo diesel was never a big seller, the 825D does offer big car luxury in an economical package. Pay around £1,950 for an R-reg SDi, saloon or hatchback or £2,375 for a 99V.
The Honda-sourced V6 is a fairly complicated engine, so best to go for a car with service history. Later ones will have the excellent Rover-made 2.5-litre V6. Four-cylinder cars tend to be more straightforward, although turbocharged versions need to be well maintained or you could have expensive problems.
As with any luxury car, check all the electric 'toys' for smooth operation - you'd be amazed how expensive and fiddly it is to replace things like electric seat adjusters or heated door mirrors.
(Approx - based on a K-reg 2.0 820SLi) A clutch assembly is around £110, while a full exhaust system (excluding catalyst) should be just under £400. An alternator will be around £185, new front brake pads £55 and for the rear £60. A headlamp should be around £90, a radiator around £160 and expect to pay £225 for a starter motor.
Vitesse aside, not really one for the driving enthusiast. If, however, you want a luxury car for smooth motorway miles, the 800 could be your cup of tea. On B roads the big Rover tends to become a bit floaty and show the age of its chassis. Stay on the smooth and straight and you'll be smiling.
British barge, then? Not at all. The 800 may have had a shaky start in life but it matured into a refined cruiser. Performance and equipment levels of the Sterling and Vitesse make them the pick of the bunch.
