1997 Rover 200vi Goes For a Drive

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.

"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.

So glad you saved this car! Proper little hot hatch. Needs the same treatment as Quentin. Great video Matt.

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!

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.

As a hot hatch fan (Fiesta ST), I really like this one a lot. And that engine note… wow!

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.

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.

And here I was thinking the 2400 unit production run on my car was low... THIS car is a true unicorn.

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

Another cracking little car you've brought back to life, well done Matt!

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 👌😎

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 😂

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 :(

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

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 😏

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. 🤫

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.

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.

Great review Matt, glad it’s up and running again. Keep you special cars on the road love them . Peter