Is the mega-rare Rover 220GSi the best British hot hatch ever? And should I buy this one?

I drive a 3-door R8 Rover 220GSi - my joint favourite Rover ever - for the first time since 1995. Will I still love it? And will I buy this one, which my friend Ben is selling?
If you are interested in buying the Rover, comment below or message me on Twitter (@realGrandThrift).
There's an article on Ben's Rover 220 here: petrolblog.com/2020/05/rover-... (the price has been reduced since then).
Ben's R8 also featured in the first issue of the superb Classic.Retro.Modern magazine (classicretromodern.com/). Recommended reading if you enjoy my channel (not sponsored or affiliated).
Credits and copyright attribution:
All music by Vinyl Silk: vinylsilk.bandcamp.com/
Still photos are (c) Grand Thrift Auto except:
Ford Escort Mk4:
Rudolf Stricker, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
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Peugeot 309:
Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 2.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons
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Alfa Romeo 33:
Corvettec6r, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Renault 19:
Guillaume Vachey from Chalon sur Saone, France, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Magazine images (c) Car Magazine, reproduced on a fair use basis.
Still from Changes VW television commercial 1987 (c) DDB London, reproduced on a fair use basis.
This film was edited using Wondershare Filmora X: filmora.wondershare.com/invit...
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[@GrandThriftAuto]

Update: The Rover has now sold, to a viewer from this channel! It’s gone to an excellent new home and while I’m a little sad the timing wasn’t right for me to buy it myself, I’m chuffed to bits to have played matchmaker.

[@moonbaby6134]

Had a 216 GTI TC 130 in 1994. Such a great car. Left the equivalent ford and VW for dead. Fabulous car.

[@whitewayc]

I had a 220GTi as a company car. Loved my 3 years with it.

[@tommycarradice3146]

I have a 3door 220 gti with the t series lump 48k miles, they drive beautifully very under rated car

[@Skazy16]

I have one. My car is 216 gti not 220 gsi. I have Honda motor d16a9. My father bought the car in 1998 and stay in the family since than. It's mine know, I own the car six years ago and it's a great car, never give me engine problems, its just maintenance. In Portugal I just see one in the road, and another two in junkyard. Start's to be a pretty rare car in Portugal.

[@brusselssprouts560]

If you want it, buy it! That wood dash is still gorgeous and unique to this day. I had a Standard Triumph 1300TC LKT958F with a wood dash, and it was a pleasure to get into it a drive it somewhere for that reason. I doubt it will end in divorce.

[@mikehedges5954]

The aerial location & angle is perfect. Sporty & out of the way. Underrated. Loved my 220 GTi

[@chrismc1977]

I personally think the D16 twin cam Honda motor was better than the Rover unit. In the real world it made the same power & was a sweeter engine- needed revving but it was really happy doing so. We have had several 1.6i-16 Honda Concerto’s over the years & they were cracking cars!

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Could be - it’s been many years since I’ve driven a D16 engined car. Would be very interesting to compare them.

[@kooliodaddio]

I was fortunate to have owned a 216GTi (4 door) and a 420GSi Turbo (also 4 door but with a boot). I also had the extended loan of a 220GSi almost identical to the one in the video. Of the three, it's difficult to choose my favourite. The 1600cc Honda engine in the 216GTi was brilliant and I felt better than the normally aspirated 2 litre Rover engine. The 420GSi Turbo with the 2 litre turbo Rover engine was absolutely wild and required a good deal of skill (and restraint) to keep it heading in the right direction, especially in the wet. The 220GSi, for me, was neither one thing or the other. A sort of compromise car. If I could find a decent one today, I'd buy either a 216GTi or a 420GSi Turbo.

[@leepritchard]

I remember briefly driving one of those in the 90s and wanting one. However, it was outside my budget then. Watching your video, I think I would still like one 😁

[@00kirbyd]

It’s not often I can say - I was in that exact same situation myself. 3 years ago, a local old lady had one of these in the same colour, same age, 3 door, non-turbo 220GSI. I left a note and she came back to me months later looking to sell it, she'd had it from new and it had 40k miles. It was also in a similar condition to this needing the rear arches welding. I test-drove it but I didn't buy it. I had three other cars including a Rover 213 SD3, and that car thanked me for my loyalty by needing welding the following year - which is still yet to be done and I'm debating selling it. Meanwhile I found a new owner for 220 through the 200&400 owners club and now that 220 has disappeared off the DVLA database altogether. Either it’s got a private plate (possible) or it’s been crashed or scrapped (more likely). After that experience I would say I made a mistake. The Honda and Jag will find a good home, but the Rover is from a dead marque with an unclear future following. Their values are still fairly low so their ownership could go either way.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Small world 😊 Interesting question about whether Rover will have a following. P6s and SD1s seem to be starting to pick up a little now but have been bargain classics (or maybe just bangers) for many years. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with the Honda-era cars. Saying that, I buy cars I like rather than to invest. I’m rubbish at guessing the market.

[@grenvillephillips6998]

"A gentleman's sports car" sums up the 220GSi perfectly. Such a rare specimen really deserves to be garaged by whoever decides to be its custodian.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Fully agree - that’s the main reason Ben is selling, he doesn’t have indoor space for it. Sadly nor do I at the moment 😔

[@theopinionatedbystander]

The first brand new car I ever bought was a 95 Rover 216 in a beautiful metallic blue. A beautiful car in every way… well that was until some idiot drove into the back of me and shortened the tail end by 20”. After it was repaired it never drove the same so I used it as a wedding rental car, then sold it to a buddy who added it to his rental fleet.. I still miss that car.

[@hughwalker5628]

I loved the T Series 2 litre engine. I had a 1997 820 which I'd drive from Victoria Embankment to Thurso. It was a big car but economical, quick and sure footed as well as a wonderful long distance driving environment. I remember blasting through Birmingham on the M6 at 2am during a violent thunderstorm at highly illegal speeds (you could do that then) and it never put a foot wrong. Putting that same engine in a smaller, lighter car is inspired. And I want one.

[@ianedwards468]

I think you should buy it. I had the earlier 220 GTi, a 1991 J-plater pre-facelift, without the chrome grill. I loved it (it replaced a 1986 Accord Aerodeck). Unlike modern cars ride isn't sacrificed for handling and you get nice clear instrumentation with nice simple controls. And the wood trim. What's not to like!

[@stephennorris2524]

I had one of those, brilliant car, had a Astra Gte 16v previously, but just hopeless in the wet, the Rover could handle all conditions.

[@DarrenJones042]

Had a 220 gti on a K.... a white 3 door, one of my favorite cars I've ever owned Tried to replace it with a later integra but always out of my budget

[@gbphil]

No, No, No, you need the turbo. With the turbo badge being the same as the one fitted to the diesel, it was a total Q car and the only outside sign being the bonnet bulge and on the interior the 150mph speedo (the half leather seats and turbo alloy wheels being later fitted to the 214 GSI but with the standard 135mph speedo). 197 bhp, 240Nm of flat torque from 1700-6000rpm and 146mph, a Torsen diff to reduce torque steer and it was one of only three or four 200bhp (the Tomcat was claimed to be 200 and 150mph capable) four cylinder cars at the time, Volvo and Ford Sierra Cosworth being the others. According to the development engineers, the engine could achieve 320 bhp comfortably but the PG1 gearbox wouldn’t. I took mine to the Nurburgring and have a full lap of the ring covertly on KZbin. I also saw an Indicated 150 (the speedo needle resting on the trip reset rod) on the Autobahns, it not going much above 135 with the grip of the track. The gear change points were 35, 70, 110, 135 and 146 (150+ indicated) max at 6250 revs in top so changing down to 4th for a bend at 130 or to 3rd at 100mph was a great joy. It also towed really well and I out accelerated and overtook an XR3i on a single track section of the A9 in Scotland whilst towing my dirt bike on the trailer.

[@davidvestey6014]

The first thing you mentioned is the commanding driving position, which I also loved, but interesting that the car magazines of the time continually said the driving position was too high

[@GrandThriftAuto]

That’s interesting - yes, like you I was very happy with the driving position. There was always the Tomcat coupé version if anyone wanted to sit lower.

[@davidpeters6536]

The car we should remember is the Tomcat. With its Honda roots reliability and build quality was almost guaranteed. and it was bloody quick in those days.

[@markonmotoring]

I really really like the R8 and was looking for one before I found my Mégane Coupe. The three door is definitely my favourite and that GSi is pick of the bunch. They are out of my budget so was looking at the 5 door cars like my Grandad used to own. Above all, it's a Rover.

[@agenturawubekistanie]

I know it was a year ago, but I think that you could regret not buying that thing. In Poland we still see Rovers from 90s and 00s on street rarely, and I admit they always attract my attention.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

You’re right, I do regret it. Actually I think Ben regrets selling it too, although it went to a good home.

[@agenturawubekistanie]

Thats the most important thing, to preserve whats valuable :)

[@TK42138]

Always loved the build quality of the R8 Rovers. Currently restoring a 1992 1.6 GTi TC and it's while removing trim and bolt on panels that one can appreciate how well they were put together. I agree with Ben - the gear change throw is a bit long. Definitely needs a quick shift kit.

[@stephennorris2524]

I had the 220Gti in BRG, best car I owned, got the 420gsi R plate later.

[@shaunpalfrey1432]

Excellent review my mate had one and it went like stink, fab car and he wrung it’s neck but I can’t remember being in anything that felt faster at the time

[@StarHorseLover2012]

Great review. I had one in the 1990s. It was actually the Honda Concerto, but the same car essentially. I loved it. Utterly reliable and fun to drive, with a lively engine, spacious cabin, precise steering and gear change. A real winner, no wonder it sold so well.

[@johnnorman7097]

the rover 200 owners club would love to hear from you

[@thelastgeneral4482]

I had a white one as a company car I wanted the turbo but could not convince the manager to let me have the turbo but the GSI was lovely. I then changed it for the 220GSI tourer just as good but with much more load capability

[@markyboy7012]

My dad had the 2 door T-Bar 220 Coupe in a nice blue colour as a company car back in the day. Think it was turbocharged but Can’t remember. Was pretty rapid tbh Had a catastrophic engine failure at only a few years old. Sure the cam belt snapped whilst sitting at some traffic lights. Or some such disaster.

[@robtt997]

Good review of an interesting car. Thank you

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Glad you liked it 🙂

[@owainjohns2815]

I drove from torquay to Cardiff in 1 hour and 2o mins in a 220 coupe turbo and I got paid 45pence per mile. happy days. 1999?ish

[@johnmarsh2078]

This R8 car came from B/L or A/R's purple patch. Build quality was bullet-proof and the cars exuded class. Starting with the Triumph Aclaim the partnership between Honda and Austin/Rover saved A/R and showed that the British workers were able to assemble a well designed car as well as any from around the world. And to everyone's relief Red Robbo had got the sack and lost his case for unfair dismissal in the tribunal. The problem was that the parallel Honda Concerto, made in Longbridge, didn't sell and Honda weren't amused. The BMW takeover was a disaster and the Four Thieves that followed bled the company dry. The1995 on Rover/Hondas weren't a patch on the R8 for style and appeal and were overpriced. It was the beginning of a downward slide. I have an R8 416 Tourer from 1996 and it's a really good car. In its era it must have been unapproachable for style and practicality.

[@richardbatty6520]

You know you want it, they are rare and I believe you said it's on your bucket list? You only live once, don't let it get away!

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Totally. Very well put - would it be ok if I phoned you up and then you could maybe just say that to Mrs ThriftAuto? 😉

[@dylanmatthews1484]

I had the k reg 216 gti and loved it , had it for 3 years,

[@chrism2964]

I had 3 420GSI Turbos in the early 2000s, basically the same but a saloon. They were quite rapid and I loved them, but they didnt have the grip of a more modern car, being a little nose heavy. Too high, too soft and the same brakes as the high model 1.6s.. not a great idea in a 200bhp car. Nothing that wasn't fixable mind you, and I did. The torgue limiting on the turbo was more to protect the gearbox than limit wheelspin. What killed them was ultimately Rovers cost cutting cheapness. Plastic cage diff bearings broke, almost as a guarantee, making the drive shafts fall out. Again fixable, but expensive to do. The other killer was the complete inability to handle any more boost than stock.. like at all. Tune them by increasing boost, which you could on just about every rival, and the pistons melted. All you could really do was remove the boost limiter at low revs, raising the torque to about 200lbft, which killed the gearbox faster.

[@mattw8332]

Only earlier this afternoon I was wondering when the next video would be coming out! 😁 I really liked the R8. Superb car and a worthy replacement for the outdated Maestro. Never owned one sadly.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Sorry it’s been a while! I’ve been travelling. My plans are now a bit thrown out because I’m under house arrest for having briefly passed through France, so the next one will be a couple of weeks away too. I agree, the R8 was a properly good car, which I sadly think people tend to forget.

[@johnj3577]

I really enjoyed my 220GSi 3 door hatch and expected to keep it for a long time, but then the gearbox exploded (it literally cracked open the casing and dumped all its oil on the road). The car only had around 40k miles on it. I had a replacement fitted but somehow it was never the same, and the new gearbox also started making strange noises including a devilish squealing at one point. In the end I reluctantly traded it in. If that hadn't happened, I'd have kept it much longer. It was an excellent all rounder, quiet and refined, felt generally solid, was comfy, handled really well and had a good turn of speed too.

[@trigsretromotors]

I've always liked these, I desperately wanted a 214 SEi in the 90s! The 420 Turbo was torque steer crazy, not a very pleasant car to own, the 620 Ti was miles ahead in driver enjoyment and performance

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I didn’t know you’d had a 420 Turbo - yes, I can imagine it was a right handful! What were they thinking?

[@trigsretromotors]

@@GrandThriftAuto Sorry, I didn't own one, it was a garage trade in that came in for some bodywork, I had to collect and deliver it so got to drive it over several miles, quite rememberable for all the wrong reasons. The normally aspirated 2.0 is a much better drivers car in the R8, plus it still has that very cool bonnet hump!

[@kevinbray9550]

I am now entering the abyss of your back catalogue Martin. I may never reappear ! . Hope to bump into you at "Radwood" (20th Aug) in Bicester and we can compare E30 ownership stories.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Eek, good luck in the archive, there may be monsters 😬 Sadly I don’t think I’ll make it to Radstock, but I’m sure our paths will cross somewhere!

[@nickhill3362]

Shed garage or barn space doesn't matter how big, they are very easy to fill I can see your problem 😂

[@GrandThriftAuto]

So true, sadly!

[@marklotinga]

I had one of these and as a l vaguely recall, loved it. It was a nearly new used by Rover at their HQ. I was the first private owner as it were. Mine was dark gray. Astonished to hear that only 13 survive. This car like the 220 GTI do not get nearly enough love. BTW what did the model featured sell for?

[@jimjardine4705]

The driver seems to bey trifle overconfident, but the car is performing very well. . As a used car test drive, it is a success. Seems like very good value and a steady driver car!!!!!

[@andrewolds9586]

Owned a red one, I loved it, i was 21

[@davidcooks5265]

I'd buy it, it's only going to go up in price 👍

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I think you’re right about that.

[@frenchenstein]

This was/is a VERY good car👌🏽

[@richardbatty6520]

Ps, enjoy your channel, I subscribe and like the 'real world' feel.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks! Glad you like it 😊

[@Lot76CARS]

Let’s not forget the importance of the fleet market when these were produced the choice for the average UK fleet manager was Ford, Vauxhall or Rover. I remember working at a leasing company winning a camera based on product knowledge of the R8! I remember driving 218 GTi and even the 214 they really were impressive cars at the time and absolutely a country mile ahead of Ford and Vauxhall, particularly in terms of refinement and interior quality, there was a sense of occasion getting into Rover that the competition simply didn’t have. As far as Mrs Thrift Auto, seek forgiveness not permission is my motto.....

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Really good point about the fleet market - in fact my friend’s one I drove back in the 90s was a company car. I think Rover was the official fleet policy - her colleague had a 220 coupé. I’m not sure how much forgiveness would be forthcoming…probably better to chisel away at getting permission!

[@davesmith60]

We had them as rentals. It was the best way to have one. The lease company used to take them back at 5k miles. They were miles better than the fords, those 2litre engines made the best sound when you revved them out and the interiors were great.

[@Simon-ui6db]

had this body shell 214sei, and yep the head gasket went.... mind you that was after a log took out the bottom of the radiator I didn't see on the A23.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Yup, that would do it 😬

[@fhwolthuis]

Nice car, I like this model better than the coupé, to be honest.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Me too. The coupe was nice but I think this 3-door has aged better, best of all the R8s in fact. Plus the coupes all had targa roofs, which is against my religion. (Sunroofs are bad enough, but forgivable.)

[@fhwolthuis]

@@GrandThriftAuto It's one of the few all purpose cars, you can do the shopping, travel 4 up, drive long distances is good comfort and have a hoon in it if you want to. And all that in a stylish compact package. Buy it! 👍😀

[@homechar]

I owned 2 of the 220 Tomcat turbos and 3 GSi 3-door Nasps. 3-doors are much better as allday runners, so I switched 2 of the Nasps into turbo and these are the perfect allround sleeper sports cars. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKXGaYyEd8-rgbc that´s my sleeper

[@skylined5534]

These were great Q cars, much like their bigger sister car the ti. I had a 'phase 2' 1998 620ti in white gold. Fab motor! Still miss it. I always wanted a Tomcat but looking back I think the less obvious GSi was where it was at. How come they never did a 420 Turbo Tourer? That would have been an incredible sport wagon!

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Well said! Rover 600s were handsome things too, inside and out. I’d happily rock a 620Ti now. And yes, the 420 Tourer would probably have been the best turbo of all, with better weight distribution…opportunity missed!

[@paulc9588]

Really liked the 1989 R8, to me the high point for Rover in the post-BL era. Crisply styled, modern, highly competent and also quite aspirational. In short, a formidable C-segment offering compared to the mainly dowdy opposition. Unfortunately it seemed to wither on the vine after the first iteration and the later facelifts/updates served to cheapen and date the car rather than build on the success of the original. A shame, as Rover and Honda really did nail it with the R8.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I agree, and sadly this often seems to happen (not just with Rover). Having said that, I can forgive the slightly kitsch afterthought chrome grille on the nose of this one.

[@HopelessHeroes]

Get it bought. Worry about the storage or marital issues later. 👌

[@GrandThriftAuto]

How’s that approach going with the £30 yellow Mercedes? 😉

[@HopelessHeroes]

@@GrandThriftAuto not well. Especially since it broke down the other day and she had to rescue me 🤦‍♂️

[@GrandThriftAuto]

@@HopelessHeroes Oops 😬

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Yeah. Come what may!

[@GrandThriftAuto]

@@kamrankhan-lj1ng I like your thinking!

[@user-rc1ke1ef3t]

I like it.

[@kevinparr4823]

I had one of these in nightfire red loved the car to drive but it could not keep the oil in the engine and lots of electrical problems.. I eventually got rid when the Centra locking wouldn't let me in outside a take away 😡😡😡

[@richardrichard5409]

Really good old buses those old Honda Concerto or 200/400 if you had to go cheaper. Honda body and trim et al, often a VW gearbox - when they could nail one together decently - and a wonderful 1.9 PSA diesel upfront. The Honda always held it's money better but the Rovers were good sellers too.

[@someonebald2022]

When you give it the beans it sounds like a Honda, though ;)

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Nothing wrong with that! It’s a good noise up at the top end there 😁

[@someonebald2022]

@Operation Bell Boy I dunno: Rover P5? that's art!

[@johnnorman7097]

try a 220 gti turbo ! or a gsi 220 turbo near 200 lbs ft 200 bhp full on riot !

[@matthewparker2318]

Hi, did you ever buy this car or did the owner ever sell it on. I had an identical car on an L plate and I am feeling very tempted to aquire another. Sadly mine was stolen never recovered and I made the huge mistake of buying a brand new 200Vi as a replacement which spent more time with Rover than it did with me!

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Hi Matthew - I haven’t bought it as I still don’t have room. Ben still has it so I’d be delighted (yet sad in a way) to put you in touch. If you send me your contact details via the secure form at grandthriftauto.uk/contact-8 I’ll pass them on to him, if that works for you?

[@benhooper1956]

I do hope things are going well with you Matthew, and that the car has been enjoyable too! Been thinking a lot about it lately...

[@adventuresinrust1644]

@@benhooper1956 hello Ben! It's Chris, who came down with matt to get the car. It's off the road at the moment because a: winter, and b: it's going to have some fettling soon. Also, a couple of other bigger projects have rather taken our time up, but it's still a lovely car and will be back out this year

[@benhooper1956]

@@adventuresinrust1644 Chris it's great to hear from you, hope you are well! Glad to hear it will get some attention soon, hope the fettling isn't too serious, but look forward to potentially seeing it on the road, as I am now based down your neck of the woods for university. The bigger projects sound exciting! Still miss the car, even though I adore the Audi 80 that replaced it. If it ever needs to be moved on, feel free to get in touch ;)

[@adventuresinrust1644]

@@benhooper1956 I'm fairly average thanks! Hope you and yours are well. Matt still loves the car, but I'm sure he'd give you first refusal if he ever moved it on. Nothing serious, exhaust, brake overhaul, bit of corrosion (nothing horrific) and we're going to pull the engine, primarily to fix a couple of oil leaks, but we'll go right through it whilst it's out. It'll probably be on the channel in the coming months

[@PeeJay7290]

Can I just ask, why does your camera move around? I’ve noticed it when “I think” you’re alone in the car too. With the fish eye effect it makes viewing slightly unpleasant for me. Maybe it’s a “me” issue, I’m more curious than anything

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks for the feedback and sorry you find it off-putting. I did a video on the filming technique a few months ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rF7NeYGHYrCIors; the interior driving shots are done with a 360 degree camera and any panning effects - or more often, stabilisation to _reduce_ camera movement - are done in post-production. I do try to keep camera movement slow, gentle, minimal and relevant so apologies if I haven’t succeeded. I’m interested to hear if anyone else finds it unpleasant to watch.

[@tz6414]

Yes I don't like the fisheye in car part, it looks odd. The rest of the filming is great though.

[@davestraight8219]

t or m series in these - cough twenty something then lmao :D

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Probably, but nobody ever bought a 90s hot hatch to save fuel. (T series in this one.)

[@alfamonk]

Only 30 left from ‘95 - what is happening to all the 80s and 90s cars, are they all being scrapped, did they really not last that long?

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Scrappage took a lot of them (I don't have numbers to hand but they're available online somewhere). R8s seemed to last quite well actually, I still don't think of them as a particularly rare sight...the 3 door ones, especially in this spec, were always more scarce though.

[@fatwalletboy2]

Of the 13 left how many are Turbo versions.....

[@GrandThriftAuto]

The 13 doesn't include the turbo version, just the normally aspirated 220GSIs. But the DVLA (via Howmanyleft.co.uk) says there's 58 Turbo Coupes currently taxed and half a dozen 220 Turbo hatchbacks.

[@RS7John]

I don't know about mega rare still few about if you know where to look. I brought a ex Dunlop 216 GTi race car earlier this year that came with a 220 exactly the same as the one in the video (all tho not as tidy) and I honestly couldn't get any interest at £500 on FB or the owners club

[@GrandThriftAuto]

The DVLA says 14 left on the road but most of those will be the 5-door version that was more common. They only made the 3-door 220GSI for one model year.

[@johnmitchell2269]

The best Rover is the 220 Coupe (Tomcat) Turbo

[@GrandThriftAuto]

The fastest, yes. The best though? Only if you like monstrous torque steer.

[@BenAdlard]

Is this the Tomcat vesion?

[@GrandThriftAuto]

No, the Tomcat was the coupe version with a lower roofline. This is the (rarer) 3-door version of the regular hatchback. Same car underneath though, of course.

[@tonypowell7529]

Nice car, is it vulgar to ask how much ?

[@b4mouse]

How much is it?

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Somewhere in the region of £2800 I believe.

[@b4mouse]

@@GrandThriftAuto Seems reasonable.

[@tz6414]

Nah, its a bit gutless for a fun hot hatch. Today it would feel very sluggish compared to a modern 2.0 TDI hatch. Probably cheap compared to other hatches of that era which frankly have gone daft in their inflated prices. Might be fine as an old hatch, but certainly not hot.

[@MarcusTDM]

The owner of this car tries to sound all knowledgable about rover but clearly knows very little. 😂

[@jamesemcclure]

Tip: If you're going to refer to yourself as "I" in your video(s) at least say who you are. A part from this they are quite good.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks for the feedback. It’s an interesting point - I’m not famous or anything, just the bloke who does this channel, so I don’t think anyone cares who I am. There’s an introduction on the channel home page in the unlikely event that someone does.

[@jamesemcclure]

@@GrandThriftAuto Hard to get famous if you don't use your name.

[@jamesdeane6052]

Spaniard who's driving the spanish man who can't drive the gears!

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I have no idea what this means. Are you a troll or a spambot?

[@kjellhmyhre2374]

I will never whatsoever understand why you don't get rid of that foreign, completely uninteresting machinery in favour of this 200 and potentially other brits! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Ha! In my defence, I do already have four British cars - SD1, XJ-S, Lotus and Vauxhall Victor 😊

[@kjellhmyhre2374]

@@GrandThriftAuto I heard you said so, yes. Stay the course, man! 😍