Rover 216 GTI Reviews

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Rover 216 GTI
4.3 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.3 out of 5

From 8 ratings and 24 reviews

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Average Ratings for Rover 216 GTI

  • Performance4.5 stars
  • Practicality4.2 stars
  • Reliability4.4 stars
  • Value for Money4.7 stars
  • Reviewer Ratings4.5 stars
  • Overall Rating4.4 stars

24 Reviews For Rover 216 GTI

  • rovercrazy1978 14th Oct 2008

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    Bad Points: Can't get garages to work on the blessed things when things need doing.


    General comments: The Rover 216 GTI is a fantasticly nippy car it is a modern classic and can keep up with any of the newer cars in looks and speed.
    There are a few shows to go to with your modern Rover but they are becoming more popular keep your eyes open for more events.

  • rickandemma 9th Oct 2008

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    I love my gti, mrs hates it!!! i dont care about group 14 insurance, its a beast of a 1.6. go for dohc if at all poss, best engine out of the lot. Reliable, fast, mostly easy to repair.
    Rust (not on mine) and that apparently they used to put loctite on the cv joint are the only bad points.

  • Guest 29th Apr 2008

    Reviewer rating: 4 stars


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    We have had this car in the family for 15 years, I bought it when it was 2 years old. Its in British Racing Green, Twin Cam, 1991 with only 83000 on the clock. Had two new cam belts and with it having the honda engine it purrs along. We love the old girl and wont part with her for anything.

  • Guest 31st Mar 2008

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    I love my Rover 216 Gti. Consistently thrashed at every opportunity. She loves it. and keeps going forever. She has never complained once. Nice Roar. Kicks in at 4500RPM. Town at 30mph in 5th no problem - purrs. Motorway at 70mph, cruises perfect and bags of acceleration left. I love my Gti.

  • Guest 10th Mar 2008

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    I love my Rover 216 gti its the dohc 1.6 honda engine really fast beats most cars of the mark,Its about 140 hp got a K/N cone on it, I think its got a short-shift gear box as well which is great for accelerating, Got some new alloys and tyres for it still kept 15" on it. Its got a stainless steel exhaust and with being a 1991 plate its pre-cat,
    Which sounds great its lowered 40mm rest of the car is standard got the half leather and elecs etc...
    I've read some reviews and they have said that the ...

  • paul69mmm 11th Feb 2008

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    The rover 216 gti mine being the 1990 H reg is one of the beast things rover produced but only with the help of the honda 1600cc DOHC engine in it. One day i would like the 220 turbo coupe as they are supposed to be better than the escort rs turbo!! but would settle for a turbo on the 1600 if some one made one for it? never buy i rover with a rover engine in they are not very good at all, stick with the honda engine if at all possible.Hope this helps some of you out there to get your first rove ...

  • rov 2 Rank: Lance Corporal 2nd Jun 2007

    Reviewer rating: 4 stars


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    Bought my Rover 216 GTI in 2001 for a grand with 67000 on the clock, one owner and full service history & now has 147000. Last year the water pump seized and snapped the cam belt. On recommendation from my best mate who happened to be a Rover mechanic said I probably bent at least 2 valves. Upon removing the head I had found there was no damage so while the head was off I lapped the valves back in which takes some time being a twin cam. To my surprise the bores were still in perfect condition wi ...

  • whatevaemo Rank: Sergeant 16th Feb 2007

    Reviewer rating: 3.5 stars


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    I bought one of these gems a few years back from an auction as it was cheap and I needed something that could still overtake. This is the worse review you'll find on this car as I bought the worst example possible, it had two spoilers and 16 inch curbed up rims. I got it for next to nothing though so it's not so bad, after I had unmodified it, it turned out to be a pretty sweet car, I had a spare Honda CRX engine in my garage for spares (from a previous purchase). This is the same unit I think i ...

  • Cheezy 23rd Sep 2006

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    I've been looking around for a newer car recently but haven't found anything to really compare to my Rover 216 GTI, for the £1500 I spent on this 5 years ago. This car has done everything I've ever asked. Brilliant 16v engine, still good for 135ish indicated even after 95k miles. It does leak water into interior and rear heated screen connector come adrift, though not bad considering some of the (newer) junk I've owned.

  • ian jepson 24th Jul 2006

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    My Car is the 216 gti twincam honda engine in british racing green, full kit, still looks nice when parked up, but wind down the window, accelrate hard and listen to that beautiful sound coming from your exhaust, that's why i love my GTI, all the lads at work have got their souped up fiesta and seats, but they all say my car sounds awesome, i rest my case...

  • langhamcourt 13th May 2006

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    At the moment I own 18 Rover GTi,s single cams,2ltr.220 GTi,s and without doubt the 1600cc Honda twin cam is by far the best out of any of them. They are identical on 0-60mph as the 220GTi and only a couple of mph slower on top speed

  • frostyboy 17th Apr 2006

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    Great little car. Cheap to run still has enough power to pass on the highways. I've had my Rover 216 GTI for over 2 years and it's been just about everywhere on 4wd drive tracks, to main roads. I have spent nothing on it in that time apart from the normal maintainance (tyres,etc). I have replaced the rear suspension with the CRX's style which fits straight in rides a bit harder on the road but you notice the extra control you have around corners. A+ car!

  • mikemorgan222 5th Mar 2006

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    This is my second car. Previously I had a Peugeot 205 1.1L. I though that was good...then things happened to it...it became a rust bucket...and it was more expensive to repair than it was worth. Well, instead I upgraded to this Rover. I Love its looks, the spoiler compliments the car very nicely indeed.
    If you go for a 216GTi, make sure you go for the DOHC engine, as I have heard the SOHC engine lacks the power that makes this a great car, even though, the SOHC is still very fast. When it was ...

  • crb 4th Feb 2006

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    I have had mine for six years. Bought with 43K genuine on the clock. This is a lovely car that suits my lifestyle and I do not want it to get older!
    Mechanics all recommend changing the oil every 6k miles.
    Keep an eye on the rear wheel arches for rust forming.
    Where does the water come from in the bottom of the boot?

  • SCOTT MECHANICS 1st Feb 2006

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    Honda's involvement in the Rover 216 GTi makes it even better. A very good car in its day.

  • Charles Conway 29th May 2004

    Reviewer rating: 2 stars


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    All in all I am very impressed by the performance of my "Rover 216 GTI old banger". I purchased it with a full MOT for less than £200 as most people who had looked at the car were scared off by the Rover reputation and the noisy gearbox which I replaced for £20 second hand.
    It is very quick for a 1.6, and although I am over 50 now I cannot resist "burning off the local lads in there newer and supposedly quicker cars.
    The Honda engine will run right round the rev counter. The gear ...

  • Hantmen 26th Apr 2004

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    I've had my Rover 216 GTI for nearly 2 years wouldn't change it to any other car. For that cheap price it's got great engine. With some adjustments to the engine I take on BMW328. Plus it's got the looks ;)

  • Ben065 Rank: Lance Corporal 14th Apr 2004

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    Main plus on the Rover 216 GTI has to be the honda 130bhp dohc engine. It keeps going relentlessly, and mine has been driven quick!

    Sounds nice with a big bore exhaust although it can be too load if you want to listen to music properly, and can't fork out for sound proofing etc.

    I definitely recommend a K&N 57i induction kit, made such a difference to the way mine picks up. Who are all these boys talking about 125mph top speed?? I hit got 145mph out of mine, hit the rev limiter at that ...

  • Iain22 28th Dec 2003

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    I am now on to my third 216 GTi(my fault not the cars`) but I love these cars! The DOHC is quick although the SOHC is a great performer. The lightness of the car allows the 1.6 honda engine to give great acceleration even in 5th gear. And top speeds of 125mph! Its a comfortable ride and for an early 90`s car its exterior styling is great especially the 3 door hatch. Its also surprisingly spacious for a hatch including the boot.
    I love this car. Brought my first when I was 20 and never looked ba ...

  • round Rank: Lance Corporal 19th Dec 2003

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    Since I bought the Rover 216 GTI I have been amazed at the top quality preformance, and the DOHC engine gives a blistering 0-60 of about 8 seconds, which for a 1600 standard is very quick.
    overall I am well pleased with the car, even the standard speakers do it some justice.
    I would of prefered the half leather as the interiour is preaty poor but hey you can't have everything.
    After all else said
    I LOVE THIS CAR!!!