Let me introduce Mildred, Shes an Austin Rover Montego 2.0 SLX saloon.

0-60 in 9.8 seconds which isnt bad for only having 105bhp. Ive seen 110 on the clock too! She quite enough to take on alot of other cars in her class. Ive raced plenty and won, ie BMW, Maserati's etc.

Shes a light weight car for her size weighting in at 1020kg.

I love the styling of the Montego, the lines and flaired arches. The sharp edged lights.

Reliability is ok, 2 AA call outs in a year, though both through age rather than design. A water pipe split and the carb needle got stuck.

As for character, there isnt a car with more! The heater dial started to work after more than 2 years, but at the same moment the reversing lights stopped! But they resolved themselves. This is the wonderful thing about Montegos, a lot of problems sort themselves out easily.

There is enough space for 5 adults.

When we got her from a family member we knew the head gasket had gone but that only cost us £30 to sort out for the gasket face as I did the head myself. Basically these engines are easy to work on. If the heads gone there is a step be step guide in the Haynes manual and it isnt hard to sort out, so no need to get rid of them.

Since January I have seen only 7 saloon, I saw more 1990 Celicas in one day than this.

Finally this car saved my life, we had to swerve a van which over turned in front of us at 65 miles an hour on a motorway. We did so with out making contact with the van or the car behind, thats how good these cars handle.

They are good for a gentle trip and are far more challenging when thrashed than a Celica.

Brakes are sufficient for the weight but as soon as shes back on the roads I shall be unrating the brakes.

Rust is a issue for those who neglect their cars, or those who buy neglected cars. Check the rear bumper as that can be just as bad as the wings.