wow... (Rover 214i 3-door)

Member Name: JMD

Product:	Rover 214i 3-door
Date:	19/04/08 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great handling and potential.

Disadvantages: cheap assembly, reputation

Ive had 2 Rover 214i's, The first i never drove as a standerd car, just moddified it. A lot. Engine was swapped for a 250bhp T16 and the suspension and brakes were changed to track spec items.

So, when i came to drive a 214i for the first time i was prepared for a disapointment. The modded car was seriously impressive (proved in competion) so could the base machine compare?

Amazingly it did. It drove supperbly. Rover had obviously delibratly tamed the chassis but it felt so capable and was jus spot on. Not fun like a focus, just capable. Very.

The engines deserve credit. On a low budget and designed as a cheap way of powering there base cars this motor still punches above its weight today. And its weight is very low to! Lotus and caterham used it remember....

So the engines are great, when there working! and the car even in base trim drives and handles better than many hot hatches. Is the assembly as impressive? Erm, no. The car has been put together in the cheapest way possible.
Good for me as it means light and simple, but as a car i had to live with and for the family? Im afraid not.

Bad:
Very Cheaply assembled
K series engines can suffer gasket failures if not maintained
Standerd setup on this model to tame to be fun

Good:
Very light
Superb handling
Easily moddified to serious levels of performance
General driving experiance is hugely impressive
Easy to work on
K series engine fantastic if looked after

Summary: Cheap and cheerful with demonic potential.

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Reliability:
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