Posted by: music
Rover = Toast - 07/04/2005 22:37
The
end of Britain's last independent automaker
Posted by: sn00p
Re: Rover = Toast - 08/04/2005 09:04
Lets face it, it's suprising they lasted this long with their lack of product range and product development!
Even their main MG product line (barring the TF) were producing modified versions of the standard models coming off the rover production line, that's just lazy!
Their last car (city rover) was a heap of junk that they bought in from some indian manufacturer and rebadged.
Posted by: tahir
Re: Rover = Toast - 08/04/2005 09:25
LDV have actually launched a new model, something I didn't expect to see. So any of you van drivers out there, buy one.
Its Rover's own fault for making some of the poorest cars ever. I can't say I'm bothered or surprised to be honest.
When you think they are responsible for this...
Posted by: tahir
Re: Rover = Toast - 08/04/2005 10:59
Can't say I've ever been a rover fan (apart from the SD1)
The MG range is ok, and Landrover/Rangerover isn't so bad but the standard lineup is woeful. Overpriced and nothing special I think. The Rover 75 anyone? The people who could afford a 75 tend to get Lexus or BMW instead. At least from the people I've spoken to.
Posted by: andym
Re: Rover = Toast - 08/04/2005 11:55
I had a 75 as a hire car, piss-poor. Cheap and nasty interior, gutless engine, horrible... and it looked so nice from the outside.
The MG line is a bit of a joke. The number of times I've pulled up at the lights next to some pointy haired idiot in a new MG-ZR 160 who thinks he's bought a real road racer and ends up 2 or 3 car lengths behind even before I've changed out of 2nd. All good fun.
I also seem to see a lot of new silver ford fiesta zetecs with young chavs behind the wheel. They must the affluent chav car of the moment.
Yes I know - I just meant the Landrover name will live on. (Do BMW still make the mini? How did that work when BMW saw sense and ditched Rover?)
Yeah the MGs aren't sporty at all - I think I see the same pointy-haired guy here in Scotland!
This link has the five years to failure. BMW sold Rover for £10 to Phoenix Venture Holdings.
Posted by: frog51
Re: Rover = Toast - 08/04/2005 17:20
The 220 turbo was pretty good fun! Even if there was enough torque under load to visibly warp the front end
Posted by: andym
Re: Rover = Toast - 08/04/2005 18:14
Amen to that! Rover definitley went downhill after....
Posted by: AndrewT
Re: Rover = Toast - 09/04/2005 00:52
There used to be the saying that a Rover "was a poor man's Rolls-Royce" - I haven't heard that for a long long time. It's a real pity to see Rover go but to be honest, they've not made anything I'd want to drive since the 3.5 V8 SDi of the 80's.
ISTR that after that time they started using imported Japanese components (not that the design of the classic V8 wasn't itself imported) and lost their identity and any claims to their heritage almost overnight.