My new car...

[Strandy]

what's it to be?

My maestro, faithful though it is, is sowly coming to the end of it life - it looks well scruffy in the car park at work. There are 3 full months MOT on it and although I have every confidence that I could get it though another MOT I wouldn't be happy using it for another year (I know just how bad the inner sills really are)

It has been fantastic value for money and I've quite enjoyed owning it. My calculations have concluded that this car has cost around £0.14p per mile to run - this includes cost of purchase, parts, repairs, mots and petrol (but not tax) I've covered 70,000mls :D

I've done 19,000 miles since my last MOT and all it has needed is three new tires and a clutch Cable! only once has it left me down and that was due to a flat battery.

So, give me some ideas of worthy successors. What could possibly fill my maestro's shoes?

[D87 SMW]

Hmmm, a newer Maestro? :laugh:

[Strandy]

that would of course be the obvious answer - but you'll have to try harder.

5 years in a maestro - I think I need a change...

[malcsmaesty]

What about a new(ish) rover,say a 400 series? mate of mine has just bought a 400 on a 'p' plate, nice motor,fully loaded.

[tony]

everybody knew this was comming,.a montego .end of the day it depends on what u want the car to do,what u want it to have,eg lekky windows abs and the like ,.do u want speed,m.p.g.posh,cheep.

[malcsmaesty]

Anything as long as it isn't a F**D!

[malcsmaesty]

I sound like a hypocrite really,as i drive a transit 4 work:rolleyes:

[John S]

Rover 200/25?

[J199 HHG]

My girlfriend has a Rover 200 2litre Turbo Diesel, the 104BHP one.
T reg.

I think it's a good little car, very fast, economic, and so far it's been good as gold (apart from bulb replacements!)

[Wonko_The_Sane]

Hmm...I'm sort of in the same direction..H870 is basically sound..but..sometimes part of me knows it's just delaying the inevitable.

Can't say as I've seen many cars these days that really get my vote..all similar looking eurobubbles..:rolleyes:

The Missus says "Corsa". Not convinced...the pickup on those with an autobox seems SO damn weak compared to my 1.6 maestro..:laugh:

From what I've seen of service costs too-forget it.

I've had Renaults before..so part of me would look at a Clio or a Megane..expensive bits again, as I know from experience.

My friend is trying to convert me to Proton..but..ick, no. Too Plastic and grey.:laugh:

My Brother has Hondas, and while they look nice..the repair costs..ooh..:eek: Now he has a Volvo T5 auto estate..and parts are horrendous. For what he paid for one plug/lead assembly..I could treat H870 to a service and new wheelarches!:laugh:

My friend Rik has just bought a "Microcar"..a 600CC, automatic, 2 cylinder, Spaceframe chassis/ABS panelled 70MPG machine...basic, but nice. Nippy, economical, mini sized..never rusting is a bonus..;)

In my heart though..I'd probably go Rover again. What can I say..Budget class...something Fo*ds could never posess. I like the 200/25 series..but not so much the late front end. I like the 400/45, and the 600. I also like the "Honda wedge" 200 series..I came across a fully loaded 216 GSi for about £500...leather, ABS, etc, etc...SO Tempted..

I like a car I can do a bit of DIY on...and Rovers are cheap even with good spec..the upside to the Rover troubles I guess!

If I had the money, I'd go with a ZR. (Or a Kit car). (Or..a Montego Estate! I like them..:) )

[Strandy]

hmmm, i'm thinking along the lines of a 400... Although I did have the pleasure of driving one of these recently for about 400 miles and I didn't find the seats very good. However, i think the real problem was that the seat had not been adjusted to my liking - there are around 5 controls for the drivers seat alone.

It's 1.6 K series was very good and the Air con was lovely too!

I'm also waiting to get hold of next months Car Machanics mag where they are covering the fitting of a VVC head to the 1.6 and 1.8 k-series engines... I'm liking the sound of that - it may just sway me!

[Wonko_The_Sane]

I clean forgot there is a 1.6 K series! :eek:

I have to admit I'm wary of the 1.8's now...HGF in freelander and MGF can't be good.

Lets hope the 1.6 is more durable..I think (I hope) there is a 1.6 Steptronic Rover..I'd love to try one of those..:D

[matthewsemple]

I have owned four Maestros

1995-2002 1.3HLE
1998-1999 MG 2.0i
1999-date MG Turbo
2001-date MG 1600

So I'm obviously not the one to ask! If I could buy another car - I'd like another 2.0i to replace the one I sold in 1999.

Wouldn't mind a late MG Montego Turbo. If I had to get a new car then it would be either a MG ZS 180 or an MG ZT 190 - although the new 1.8Turbo seems like a good idea. :banghead:

If I had to buy a foreign car - umm I'd probably walk/take the bus:mad:

[matthewsemple]

Originally posted by Wonko_The_Sane
Lets hope the 1.6 is more durable..I think (I hope) there is a 1.6 Steptronic Rover..I'd love to try one of those..:D

To my knowledge the Steptronic Gearbox is only available on 1.8 Rover 45s - not sure about 25s. It was also available on the 45 with the 2.0KV6 - but again I'm not sure that this car is built anymore.

By the way - we should now refer to the gearbox as Stepspeed because B*W own the rights top the name "Steptronic" !!!! :banghead:

[E_T_V]

Any idea of what your budget is going to be?

I've gone for a wedge shaped 1993 Rover 214. Quite nippy and not to bad to run. Looks fairly respectable in the car park too. If I had the money I'd go for the Diesel MG 25. If you consider a diesel 200 try and find the Di rather than the plain D as it has a lot more poke and better fuel economy. The 400 saloons are nice as I learnt to drive in one although they are aweful to park, (I think the hatches are better). If you go for a newer rover you be pleasently suprised by the lack of rust!

Dan

[Strandy]

We actually owned a 1993 Rover 414 for ages. It ran for over 150K on the original engine until a head went a bit porus... I know what sort of reliability to expect and when we sold the rover, it could have easily passed for an example with half the miles on the clock - no rust or paint defects!

My budget will be around the £3500 mark i think (Dear Mr Natwest...) so I should be able to buy quite a lot of rover 400 :cool:

I know the Di is a very swift car(!) but the 1.6K series is a really sweat engine - free reving and quite punchy! I think it might be the one for me. I'll keep you posted ;)