Rover 45 opinions please

Praetorian

I went to see a Rover 45 at the week end. Silver / Alloys / 02D / Saloon / Sun roof / 10 k on the clock / ex demonstration model. A couple of very small scratches on the back. Dealer had €13,500 on the window, but said they would sell if for €13,000 cash.

Is this a good deal? Is this a good car? I really love the front and sides, the back isn't too bad.

My alternatives are black / silver golfs 00-01 for around the same money. I heard the 45 is about 2 seconds quicker 0-60?

I suppose I would also consider a Ford Focus...

Please help!!!

bbbbb

Rover wouldn't be my first choice of the 3 you listed, probably the oldest car in the list from a technology point of view. If you are interested though, I would be looking to get it for 12000. Cash buyer and time of year (the selling season has passed), I'd be looking to get 10% or more off the sticker price.

Kersh

Look for a Focus. Much better, the 45 is based on a fairly old design /engine now. I urge you to check out a Focus.

Praetorian

Thanks very much for your opinions.

I drove some Golfs today, a 00 (which was lovely), and a 01 which was horribly jumpy (don't ask me to explain, I don't know why!!

The 45 looks deadly in silver / alloys etc. I can see it doesn't hold it's value like a Golf!

Golfs on the other hand hold their values, but come with fúck all as standard (no electric windows / cd player / alloys).

I might go see a ford focus so!

unkel

Not a bad car and standard equipment is very generous. Focus is a much better car to drive though. Are you looking at a 1.4 or a 1.6 Rover 45? Would you consider other cars? You can get a '01 Alfa 156, '00 Audi A3, '98 BMW 318is, '02 Ford Focus, for the same money (€13k) to name but a few

€13k for the '02 is overpriced. I'd expect a mint low mileage '02 45 from a dealer for about €11k to €12k tops including a good warrantee (6 or 12 months)

Also, you can get a '01 Rover 45 for about €9k - seems better value - and you got 4 grand left in your wallet

Praetorian

Thanks for the suggestions Unkel. I'm going to avoid the Rover because it seems to lose far too much money every year.

I have to go with a 1.4 for insurance reasons (I'm only 22).

I was told the Focus 1.6 is great but the 1.4 is not, so I'll probably go for the Golf!

bop1977

the 1.4 focus is a nice car but has a gutlass engine u really need to drop it down to 3rd to overtake safely at anything over 40mph. also go for the 3dr its looks far better

unkel

Originally posted by bop1977
u really need to drop it down to 3rd to overtake safely at anything over 40mph

At 40mph you prolly need to drop to 3rd or even 2nd in most petrol cars

Originally posted by bop1977
also go for the 3dr its looks far better

Couldn't agree more. I am regularly amazed how good looking small cars can be with 3 doors compared to how their looks are ruined with 5 doors. Typical examples: old model Micra, Peugeot 206, Focus, Clio, Golf and even the Astra. Generally I feel 4/5 doors only work on large saloons. Best exception of course the Alfa 156

knifey_spoonie

Run from the 45 and the golfs arent much better there turning into the pasats run for the focus:D

BrianD3

I was told the Focus 1.6 is great but the 1.4 is not, so I'll probably go for the Golf

The Golf 1.4 is no better (in terms of performance) TBH, the 1.4 Golf and Focus are both dog slow. Both have only around 75 bhp in fairly heavy bodies. The old model Renault Megane 1.4 16v is lighter and has 98 bhp, some of the Rovers have 103 bhp, Toyota Corolla 1.4 VVTi has 97 bhp I think.

BrianD3