1998 Rover 420 Derv are they any good?

In news:to2Eh.22801$ snipped-for-privacy@newsfe2-win.ntli.net, Rob wittered on forthwith;

They're s**te.

We had them in Avis when they were new and they were bloody awful then, I can't imagine what they're like with a couple of million miles on the clock.

Engine appears to weigh the same as the Isle of Man and has the same effect on handling as trying to corner with said island on the bonnet.

He's a minicabber, cornering speed and handling isn't a requirement. The ability to drive *everywhere* in 5th, however, is top of the list....

I'm a fan of the noise they make - yes, they're not the quietest machines, but then I like my diesel-factor to be high. They're a little cramped inside but if you have the 105 bhp donk (I forget what was available, there's a non-intercooled 85 bhp and an intercooled 105 bhp version), they're relatively quick for what they are. Ten seconds to 62 mph, type thing.

pfft thats what i've got the octavia for Steve :)

the Rover shed is a 80 quid banger to sell on or drive like a loon for a bit with

Had one years ago, it sounded like a helicopter but was fairly quick for what it was. Economy was very good and insurance cheap. Nothing went wrong with it either. The whole car seemed to vibrate at idle until it got moving, once on the motorway you forgot it was a diesel. If it is just for running about in then it's great. If it's for racing then forget it, although it is faster than some of the crappy new cars you see on the roads.

Rotting rear arches.

They're prone to the cambelt tensioner rollers letting go, so if you're thinking of keeping it, make sure these have been done as part of any recent belt change.

I've also seen one snap a fanbelt which then managed to get tangled up with the cambelt which it then threw - not good.

On paper they look alright really - when I was breaking Rovers, I saved a

416 on a similar plate and found it pretty anonymous and boring, but then sometimes that's a good thing.

The intercooled one, (has an i after the D or SD), is the one to have - more power, more economy according to the guides.

I've considered one a few times, but I've seen enough die of issues like the above to feel I couldn't really trust one.

As for rotten arches... hmm... I've seen a few early ones with some bubbling, but not what I'd call terminal rot, so if it's cheap then just live with it.

Yup, one of the few cars I've driven that I never, ever want to see or drive again. In one week I went through at least four of them as hire cars. Most unreliable pile of poo ever as well as handling like a greased whale.

Which reminds me, I spotted while channel surfing some godforsaken pile of s**te program even worse that Fifth Gear, indeed even worse than Pulling Power. I didn't think that programs could get as bad as this, it was called IIRC "vroom" or "vroom-vroom". However they did do a jokey lame arsed attempt to do a Top Gear type challenge. Suffice to say the Rover didn't even finish the course.

thats old and it's sky one s**te if i remember once, used to watch it for lisa rogers but even that wore thin after a while.

I'd wear Lisa Rogers thin.... Mmmmmmm, dirrrrrrrty biiiiitch....

It's a honda civic[1], with a very good rover diesel engine. Handling is soggy when pushed, but no worse than VWs of the same era, and rather more comfortable. Engine is noisy at idle, but reasonably refined otherwise and has a nice power delivery for a diesel. Economy is excellent - I was getting 50+mpg thrashing my dad's one about fairly mercilessly. The intercooled version (105BHp) is the one to go for. Interior trim is quite dated and plasticky (identical to the same gen. civic), but wears fairly well.

If you aren't bothered about sharp handling and quality finish, they make a very good case as an economical, reliable, practical family car.

[1] same components, at least. Of course, being nailed together in Longbridge rather than Swindon means that fit and finish isn't as good, and trim-rattles appear much earlier than on civics, but basic structure is the same.