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Greetings everyone!
As I am 25 Years old and have this passion, you would guess, correctly, I have a driving licence. I do. Back in 2002, this dream became true, and I found myself in an all-new level: the steering wheel was mine!
So, what was I going to drive?
Here at home, there were only two cars: a 1997 Rover 214 Si, and a 2000 Diesel Mitsubishi L200 4x4.
The rover was the obvious choice. Right? Not so fast... OK, it has a nice engine, with a power-to-wheight ratio of about 11 kg/hp (with hp I mean "german" ps, not english bhp - although similar, it's not exacly the same). And small. And practical. And good-looking. I'll be back to this later. Trouble was to manage the clutch, specially when stopping while going uphill. As a new driver, that was quite a (big) challenge.
So, the pick-up was the choice for most of the times. Despite it's gigantic dimensions (the square back simplifies a bit...), it's as easy to handle as a vacuum cleaner (as Jeremy Clarkson often points out while driving a car). It may have a turning circle bigger than Jupiter's orbit, but the steering is light, the gearbox is easily manageable and the door back mirrors are very big. And, in junctions and roundabouts, the sheer size and presence of the thing often gives advantage over normal hatchbacks and the like. Up-hill stops? No trouble at all: it even takes off in second gear with no drama!
But there was something about the Rover.
First, the lines: I love the design, even today. It's exterior is contemporary, even by today's standards. I mean it. As Rover never replaced the car with a real substitute (ok, there was the '00 facelift 25), somewhat that lines really never went off, as it happens with a car when it's sucessor comes out. It was the latest iteration. It was version 1.0 and, while there was version 1.1 ('00 25), there was no version 2.0, if you see what I mean.
But the interior is a different story. Soooooo different... This is were the car more shows it's age. While having some character (british style is something I love...), it's old fashioned in most places, above all the centre console. And the electric windows switch location. And the steering wheel, even if it's feel and dimensions are quite nice.
Another (major) issue is build quality. It is poor. Speaking about cars, in general, I think british people are great about styling. And about soul. Even about technology, even if not cutting-edge. But I do think, as well, they are not very good at putting bits together. And, by the looks of things, not very good accountants either.
(By the way, I just hope Range Rover and Jaguar's more-than-predictable new owner, Indian company Tata, does a good job maintaining both this brand's Britishness...)
Built quality is, then, a problem. Not that something fell of the car so far, but it lacks solidity. Some exterior panels are not perfectly aligned, there are massive gaps between them and, while going over bad tarmac (very usual in Portugal...), every single interior bit gets voice. It´s bad. And sad, the car deserves much more. Oh, I almost forgot, all these cars have some serious rust issue at the base of the boot door supports, even the facelift 25.
But then, there is the K-series, twin-cam 16-valve 1.4L engine. And, what I have to say, is: what a masterpiece! Along with the styling, this is the reason of my passion for this car. It is a small 1396cc inline-4 with 103 hp/6000 rpm and, in this pre-facelift version, it has 127 Nm/3000 rpm. Just brilliant. The only comparable engine I can remember of is the '99 Alfa Romeo 1.4L, wich developed the very same 103 hp, but at higher revs (6300 rpm). And it had less torque. And it guzzled fuel without a care. Well, there are reports that Rover's K-series are very thirsty, as well. All I have to say is, of course, it can be thirsty, specially when the driver is in a good mood (you know what I mean ;) Otherwise, it is economical, I average something around 5,5 l/100 km (43 mpg) at a (very) constant speed of 100 kph (62 mph), and a week average of about 6-6,5 l/100 km (36-39 mpg), with urban driving included. As I have the privilege of driving alone most of the times, the car travels light, so overtaking is not an issue, either. Most of the times, 5th gear is enough, while 4th is the best for speeds under 80 kph and 3rd for under 60. Then, it's just pedal to the metal, and let the K rev, something it loves. Of couse, since the moment you do that, you'd be better forget the radio, as the engine noise will overtake that, as well...
A masterpiece, then, the K-series. Of course, I'm forgetting that, with about 106k kilometres, it's head gasket blew off... Even if it was not directly engine's fault, as the water pump desintegrated and the radiator was blocked. So, it overheated. So, the famous head gasket was part of the past, and the engine had to be opened, so it could be replaced. What a headache. But the new one, together with an otherwise-perfect reliability, made up for it.
Now, with more than 160k, it still is my everydar runner.
Of course, back in 2002, most of this facts were "still to happen". But, back then, I already felt there was something about it.
So, there you are. I have a Rover. And I like it. The man is crazy, may you think. A bit, may I say. But personality is something fantastic, even if it envolves (big) lacks. As I read somewhere, "Personality has no price, nor commercial value..." It is so true...
As I am 25 Years old and have this passion, you would guess, correctly, I have a driving licence. I do. Back in 2002, this dream became true, and I found myself in an all-new level: the steering wheel was mine!
So, what was I going to drive?
Here at home, there were only two cars: a 1997 Rover 214 Si, and a 2000 Diesel Mitsubishi L200 4x4.
The rover was the obvious choice. Right? Not so fast... OK, it has a nice engine, with a power-to-wheight ratio of about 11 kg/hp (with hp I mean "german" ps, not english bhp - although similar, it's not exacly the same). And small. And practical. And good-looking. I'll be back to this later. Trouble was to manage the clutch, specially when stopping while going uphill. As a new driver, that was quite a (big) challenge.
So, the pick-up was the choice for most of the times. Despite it's gigantic dimensions (the square back simplifies a bit...), it's as easy to handle as a vacuum cleaner (as Jeremy Clarkson often points out while driving a car). It may have a turning circle bigger than Jupiter's orbit, but the steering is light, the gearbox is easily manageable and the door back mirrors are very big. And, in junctions and roundabouts, the sheer size and presence of the thing often gives advantage over normal hatchbacks and the like. Up-hill stops? No trouble at all: it even takes off in second gear with no drama!
But there was something about the Rover.
First, the lines: I love the design, even today. It's exterior is contemporary, even by today's standards. I mean it. As Rover never replaced the car with a real substitute (ok, there was the '00 facelift 25), somewhat that lines really never went off, as it happens with a car when it's sucessor comes out. It was the latest iteration. It was version 1.0 and, while there was version 1.1 ('00 25), there was no version 2.0, if you see what I mean.
But the interior is a different story. Soooooo different... This is were the car more shows it's age. While having some character (british style is something I love...), it's old fashioned in most places, above all the centre console. And the electric windows switch location. And the steering wheel, even if it's feel and dimensions are quite nice.
Another (major) issue is build quality. It is poor. Speaking about cars, in general, I think british people are great about styling. And about soul. Even about technology, even if not cutting-edge. But I do think, as well, they are not very good at putting bits together. And, by the looks of things, not very good accountants either.
(By the way, I just hope Range Rover and Jaguar's more-than-predictable new owner, Indian company Tata, does a good job maintaining both this brand's Britishness...)
Built quality is, then, a problem. Not that something fell of the car so far, but it lacks solidity. Some exterior panels are not perfectly aligned, there are massive gaps between them and, while going over bad tarmac (very usual in Portugal...), every single interior bit gets voice. It´s bad. And sad, the car deserves much more. Oh, I almost forgot, all these cars have some serious rust issue at the base of the boot door supports, even the facelift 25.
But then, there is the K-series, twin-cam 16-valve 1.4L engine. And, what I have to say, is: what a masterpiece! Along with the styling, this is the reason of my passion for this car. It is a small 1396cc inline-4 with 103 hp/6000 rpm and, in this pre-facelift version, it has 127 Nm/3000 rpm. Just brilliant. The only comparable engine I can remember of is the '99 Alfa Romeo 1.4L, wich developed the very same 103 hp, but at higher revs (6300 rpm). And it had less torque. And it guzzled fuel without a care. Well, there are reports that Rover's K-series are very thirsty, as well. All I have to say is, of course, it can be thirsty, specially when the driver is in a good mood (you know what I mean ;) Otherwise, it is economical, I average something around 5,5 l/100 km (43 mpg) at a (very) constant speed of 100 kph (62 mph), and a week average of about 6-6,5 l/100 km (36-39 mpg), with urban driving included. As I have the privilege of driving alone most of the times, the car travels light, so overtaking is not an issue, either. Most of the times, 5th gear is enough, while 4th is the best for speeds under 80 kph and 3rd for under 60. Then, it's just pedal to the metal, and let the K rev, something it loves. Of couse, since the moment you do that, you'd be better forget the radio, as the engine noise will overtake that, as well...
A masterpiece, then, the K-series. Of course, I'm forgetting that, with about 106k kilometres, it's head gasket blew off... Even if it was not directly engine's fault, as the water pump desintegrated and the radiator was blocked. So, it overheated. So, the famous head gasket was part of the past, and the engine had to be opened, so it could be replaced. What a headache. But the new one, together with an otherwise-perfect reliability, made up for it.
Now, with more than 160k, it still is my everydar runner.
Of course, back in 2002, most of this facts were "still to happen". But, back then, I already felt there was something about it.
So, there you are. I have a Rover. And I like it. The man is crazy, may you think. A bit, may I say. But personality is something fantastic, even if it envolves (big) lacks. As I read somewhere, "Personality has no price, nor commercial value..." It is so true...
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