Rover 420 2.0 SLi 16v Review

Overall Rating

The looks (mine has Rover alloys from the later shape 400, smoked rear light clusters and the full body coloured bumpers and mirrors etc.)

The factory speakers are surprisingly good, although I changed the back ones when I fitted a new cd player

The comfort and equipment, especially given that I only paid £300 for it.

The speed. 136 bhp in a car that weighs next to nothing is very entertaining

The reliability. All the electrics still work like new, and it always starts first time, even after that snow in early February. It was buried for a week under a foot of snow and started straight up.

The size of the boot. Easily big enough for my musical equipment

The bodywork. No rust anywhere at all. Amazing for a car of its age

Build quality. The thing still feels solid as a rock, there are no squeaks or rattles from any trim and the car is quiet as anything. And it still smells like a new car. My Grandad had a 214 sli brand new and my 16 year old 420 smells exactly the same. Hardly important but its nice nonetheless

Only one really, and that is the paint. Mine is in Ocean Blue, and there is some laquer peel on the roof. However, there are a couple locally in this colour and they're worse than mine. Its just this colour, it seems, that has the problem. Minor detail aside though, I couldn't ask for more from a car. If the laquer peel wasn't on the roof, and I didn't know about values for these cars, I could have been persuaded to part with £1000 for this car and still been very pleased. For an 18 year old boy, having a 2 litre car with 136 bhp is nice, and I have so much kit in my car compared to any of my friends too. And I paid much less for it. Brilliant car in every way.

I bought my 1993 420 sli back in January and I am really pleased with it. Hasn't missed a beat since I've had it. It always starts first time every time, whatever the weather. It is a very comfortable car and the interior is still immaculate with no signs of wear and tear even after 92,000 miles. And because it's an early, 'pre cost cutting' model, all the wood is real and it has more sound proofing than the later ones, which make it a very nice place to sit, and a very relaxing drive. It also has electric windows, mirrors and sunroof, and electric boot and fuel cap releases. I am 18 years old and it's my first car. I don't rag it at all though, for numerous reasons, chief among which is the very soft suspension, which can be disconcerting when entering a corner at high speed. That said, though, your confidence will give out before the car will let go. Also, I don't need to rag it, as it is a very fast car, and I rarely need to use more than half throttle during normal driving. Although I have to admit, it is fun to open it up occasionally, because its so fast. My friends cars can't keep up with it either, which is funny to me as they all believed that a Rover saloon is a Grandad's car. Not any more though. The only thing that stands even half a chance is my mates Escort 1.6, and that's only because it handles better. In a straight line it can't keep up for love nor money. I absolutely love this car.