1997 Rover 200vi Goes For a Drive
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Published 2022-07-22
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All Comments (21)
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Out of the 18 Rovers I owned (don't ask, I had a bit of a problem) I never had a single head gasket problem with a K series. But then, I also owned a flawlessly reliable Alfa and a Lexus which was an unreliable money pit, so I think I must live in opposite world. I had the VVC engine in a Coupe, I'd imagine it's loads of fun in a bubble.
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"It's almost like a 911..." Was not a line I was expecting to hear in this video. It's aging well though. Great video.
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So glad you saved this car! Proper little hot hatch. Needs the same treatment as Quentin. Great video Matt.
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Great video as always. I think this is becoming one of my favourite cars on your fleet. The nineties-ness of the whole car brings back lots of happy nostalgic vibes!
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Had one in the same colour but with the full leather interior, great little car which surprised a lot of people at the lights. Small correction: the 1.4/1.6 engines came with R65 gearboxes but the 1.8 had the PG1.
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As a hot hatch fan (Fiesta ST), I really like this one a lot. And that engine note… wow!
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It’s amazing how you came across this car and saved it, when many would have scrapped it. I remember when they first came, but weren’t on this planet for long. A work colleague had one in red many years ago.
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The R3 200 has aged very well and is still a good looking car. I had high hopes for the model when I replaced my trusty R8 214SLi with an R3 216Si. Had so many issues I traded it in after only 7 months as I lost faith in it. In between trips to dealers it was a fun car to drive. I remember the interior boot light on mine still having the Austin Rover logo embossed in it as did the side repeaters.
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And here I was thinking the 2400 unit production run on my car was low... THIS car is a true unicorn.
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I loved my little R3 bubble Rover, it's was only a 3 door 1.4 sli but with 104 bhp felt as quick as my previous XR3i, so your vi must feel blisteringly quick.... also loved my R8 220 Gti 3 door.... 2 cars I miss terribly
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Another cracking little car you've brought back to life, well done Matt!
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Back in 2001 at the age of 20 I bought a 3 year old 218iS, fabulous car with so many wonderful memories 🤗 the R3 was a well made car and the quality is far better than the 25 and ZR especially the facelift cars. Millionaire me has a 200 BRM in the car collection 👌😎
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My Dad had one of these and it was rapid in its day. He used to say, are people actually trying when he used to put his foot down 😂
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I had a 218is, the 120bhp 1.8 non vvc version. Same seats, suspension and equipment as Vi. Absolutely loved it. Best car i ever had. Missed it so much i have another one now but still not on road yet :(
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Great video on the Vi as always the blanking plug next to the hazard lights would have been the A/C button if the first owent had optioned it
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I love the vi for the same reasons as you, I remember when they came out but think they went under the radar for alot of people, great to finally it on the road, welldone 😏
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Great review Matt, so glad you saved this one, I’m a big fan of these as I own a 1.6IS 25 & an MGFVVC both a hoot to drive, if you compared the Vi to the true competition a Fiesta & Corsa I think it was streets ahead in quality,refinement and looks. As you said the Rover brand didn’t really grab the youngster’s imagination hence the re-birth of the MG brand in the ZR,ZS & ZT in the 2000’s but the plus side is the Vi,Gti,s 1.6 & 1.8 200 & 25’s are under the radar can be easily tuned and are bargain buy’s so let’s keep the secret. 🤫
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I had a N-reg 214 Si 1.4 about 15 years ago, my god was it quick! Achieved three figures on a private test track very easily. Yours is looking great Matt.
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Great that you got this car Matt. I think this will be a keeper. Sadly we did not get any of this era of Rover in Australia.
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Great review Matt, glad it’s up and running again. Keep you special cars on the road love them . Peter