The next generation of owners. - Page 2

Dorchester2 · 13th July 2018, 09:18

I love my Cowley built 75 V6 2.5 Connie.
I am doing around 6k mls a year only.
She is for holidays, week-ends & trips more than 60 mls long.

As a V6 fuelled by ethanol, she is even more thirsty than the average.
But E85 in our country - at the moment - is highly under-taxed (which is very uncommon here in France!): mind you that E85 costs only 40% of the 95 unleaded price!
So even with a rather low average mpg - 24 (and recently a unique fuel up at 21 mpg, the A/C working 100% because of a very hot weather) - fuelling remains very attractive for a V6. It's the equivalent of doing around 48 mpg with the high priced 95 unleaded! I have taken in account the over consumption in my calculation (raw it would be 60 mpg). Which looks very nice for a V6.

But apart from that kind of downside, it's a very delight to drive her.
Smoothness, comfort, good soundproofing, power (even a bit less than a ZT 190 or obviously less than a 260, but it's enough for my glee) and style!
Wood, leather & chrome: a nice & proud flavour of Britishness...

I hope I'll keep her for the long term, that is to say for life. My only fear being an accident and too much to be repaired considered from the insurance side.
Because money isn't actually my concern, even I dislike wasting money & by principle I'm always trying to get the better offer for the lesser expense. I'm perfectly aware that even to drive her back to her former initial condition (she was not too bad, but only neglected with lots of gremlins & niggles to sort out), I'm spending more than she is officially worth. But personally that's not a worry. I can manage with that.
I've bought her £3k (don't cry out, that's a decent price in France) and I'll add a good 2k (even a little more) when the medium & back stainless steel exhaust is done, probably in the autumn.

She makes me very proud, as well as my adorable & faultless 25 bought first hand 3 years ago with 35k miles only in 13 years! The latter is our daily (6k mls a year as well, but short journeys), actually my better half's.
I'm a lucky bunny... so far.

Mike Trident · 13th July 2018, 09:34

I know the problem at the moment is that virtually any garage repair costs more than the value of the car. But eventually, the value will climb. It may not ever be worth a fortune, but hey even old rubbish is worth money these days.
Who would ever have thought the basic Ford escort would be valued at what they are now? There were loads of them. The Morris Marina, and Allegro which everyone thought were rubbish are now worth money.

One thing in our favour is that modern (ish) cars like our 75's and ZT's don't rust away before your very eyes like the old stuff did. Also, back in the day, a car that had done 90K would be totally worn out. At least in some ways keeping an old 75 / ZT should be easier.

Groundsman Willie · 13th July 2018, 10:17

My 1.8 t is my daily driver. Touch wood, I haven't had a major problem, been stranded once with a driveshaft problem, but nothing else of note. She's got a few creaks and groans (haven't we all), which I am getting sorted as and when I have time, but my priority is keeping her on the road for the Monday morning run to work.
Worse case scenario, Mrs Dave can drop me at work if I need to take her off the road, but a Peugeot 206 is not in the same class as a 75, is it.

Mike Trident · 13th July 2018, 10:27

Mine is actually driven daily. Our Suzuki splash is just not in the same league lol.

To be fair the Rover has not been any bother really. The only thing that actually needed changing in the 18 months I have owned it has been the front suspension top mount bearings.

Touch wood quick lol

BillyMG · 13th July 2018, 10:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendrick

I couldn't afford to run two cars, don't have the space either, my 75 has to be my daily runner.

Me too mate.

Rogue · 13th July 2018, 10:40

Mine is a daily workhorse too and the preferred car to take if a work trip requires more than one of us to go.

Dorchester2 · 13th July 2018, 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Trident

I know the problem at the moment is that virtually any garage repair costs more than the value of the car. But eventually, the value will climb. It may not ever be worth a fortune, but hey even old rubbish is worth money these days.
Who would ever have thought the basic Ford escort would be valued at what they are now? There were loads of them. The Morris Marina, and Allegro which everyone thought were rubbish are now worth money.

One thing in our favour is that modern (ish) cars like our 75's and ZT's don't rust away before your very eyes like the old stuff did. Also, back in the day, a car that had done 90K would be totally worn out. At least in some ways keeping an old 75 / ZT should be easier.

You've made the point about those old ordinary cars that are now highly overestimated IMHO.
You took the good example of the basic Ford Escort. On this side of the Channel I can take the example of Citroen 2CV (I'd got 2) or Renault 4L (I'd got one too). 20 years ago they were considered as tats rather good to be scrapped and you bought and sold them for nearly peanuts.
Now a decent 2CV is estimated as far as twice my 75!
It's an historic car but drives very slowly and has zero comfort. But it's trendy...

To go back to your initial questioning, new generations want a good brand with reliability, trendy & up-to-date gadgets, good guarantee and spare parts easy to find out.
Not exactly what our Rovers have to offer.

And talking of insurance and spare parts, you lucky mainland dwellers don't imagine how it could be difficult on the continent or at least in France to find out those essential spare parts. I'm quaking in my boots in case I had to swap a wing, a bonnet or a door or anything else of the like.

Mind that when in 2014 they had to repair my 214Gsi (1991-2015) my former garage (quitted since!) couldn't find a single Rover front left wing - as they pretended - and they put back instead a Honda one with another front & another lamp block! They told me that that wing was sold to them as a Rover compatible one, and unfortunately that was true, but the aesthetic prejudice!

How could we hope that young generations could be interested in buying our splendour of the past? even if our 75/ZT look like the very best compromise between luxury of the past & modern efficiency...
In France and elsewhere diesel cars are now going to be chased from towns & depreciated more & more, and it will not be too long that the same issue will happen to petrol ones...

bazyerma · 13th July 2018, 15:24

Hi

I bought a lovely MG ZT-T 190+ with LPG as my fun weekend car. It was too nice a car to pass up, but after running it a few months, tinkering with it (all new brakes, VIS motors,Cat back SS exhaust and an induction kit) I just did not find it to be that fun, so moved it on.

Now have a BMW 330 touring, and even with 160mils on the clock, I find it a lot more comfortable, faster and more fun, and with Getting 30mpg on a run, I can cope with the extra rust!

Although the MG ZTT was a better looker (I would love the V8, if they were more 5K than 10K!), it was just not a fun weekend car for me

.

Regards

Barry

Dawn · 13th July 2018, 15:34

My Rover's do go out to work etc with me, but they're not what I class as my daily car, that is a 57 plate Avensis. I don't think I'm too old at 46, and I fell in love with the 75, so other younger people can too. And one day they will become trendy to own. Everyone thought a Mk2 Cavalier was a banger, even up until a couple of years ago I couldn't get a few hundred quid for one, but values are now suddenly rising on them. It might not happen soon, but it will happen with the 75 as I think they're actually more iconic than your average Ford or Vauxhall!

Heddy · 13th July 2018, 17:27

Different strokes and all that. Some of the members enjoy cleaning 'em and preserving them, I like to drive mine. On my fifth 75 now, if it becomes uneconomical I'll move it on or scrap it. I certainly didn't buy it to look at or show it off, I bought it 'cos it was cheap and comfortable

13th July 2018, 09:18	#11
Dorchester2 incurable Rover addict Rover 75 Saloon V6 2.5 1999 - Rover 25 1.4 2002 - Rover 214i cab 1994 - Rover P5b coupe 1968 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bioule. South West of France. Posts: 1,643 Thanks: 612 Thanked 385 Times in 223 Posts	I love my Cowley built 75 V6 2.5 Connie. I am doing around 6k mls a year only. She is for holidays, week-ends & trips more than 60 mls long. As a V6 fuelled by ethanol, she is even more thirsty than the average. But E85 in our country - at the moment - is highly under-taxed (which is very uncommon here in France!): mind you that E85 costs only 40% of the 95 unleaded price! So even with a rather low average mpg - 24 (and recently a unique fuel up at 21 mpg, the A/C working 100% because of a very hot weather) - fuelling remains very attractive for a V6. It's the equivalent of doing around 48 mpg with the high priced 95 unleaded! I have taken in account the over consumption in my calculation (raw it would be 60 mpg). Which looks very nice for a V6. But apart from that kind of downside, it's a very delight to drive her. Smoothness, comfort, good soundproofing, power (even a bit less than a ZT 190 or obviously less than a 260, but it's enough for my glee) and style! Wood, leather & chrome: a nice & proud flavour of Britishness... I hope I'll keep her for the long term, that is to say for life. My only fear being an accident and too much to be repaired considered from the insurance side. Because money isn't actually my concern, even I dislike wasting money & by principle I'm always trying to get the better offer for the lesser expense. I'm perfectly aware that even to drive her back to her former initial condition (she was not too bad, but only neglected with lots of gremlins & niggles to sort out), I'm spending more than she is officially worth. But personally that's not a worry. I can manage with that. I've bought her £3k (don't cry out, that's a decent price in France) and I'll add a good 2k (even a little more) when the medium & back stainless steel exhaust is done, probably in the autumn. She makes me very proud, as well as my adorable & faultless 25 bought first hand 3 years ago with 35k miles only in 13 years! The latter is our daily (6k mls a year as well, but short journeys), actually my better half's. I'm a lucky bunny... so far. __________________ Rover 75 V6 2.5 Auto Connie born 1 July 1999, 24 kOhms resistor, 10 kOhms manual starter, full E85, modified airbox, full derestricted SS exhaust line, power & torque remap -> 202 bhp This vehicle was the 7,517th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 1,190th 75 2.5 V6 Contemporary to be made out of 8,214 This vehicle was the 2,032nd 75 in Atlantic Blue Pearlescent (code: JEY) to be made out of 2,572 Atlantic Blue Pearlescent 75s Last edited by Dorchester2; 13th July 2018 at 09:52..

13th July 2018, 09:34	#12
Mike Trident Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDTi Saloon & Citroen C1 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Oakenshaw, Near Bradford Posts: 1,622 Thanks: 385 Thanked 552 Times in 328 Posts	I know the problem at the moment is that virtually any garage repair costs more than the value of the car. But eventually, the value will climb. It may not ever be worth a fortune, but hey even old rubbish is worth money these days. Who would ever have thought the basic Ford escort would be valued at what they are now? There were loads of them. The Morris Marina, and Allegro which everyone thought were rubbish are now worth money. One thing in our favour is that modern (ish) cars like our 75's and ZT's don't rust away before your very eyes like the old stuff did. Also, back in the day, a car that had done 90K would be totally worn out. At least in some ways keeping an old 75 / ZT should be easier. __________________ Rover 75 2.0 CDTi (131Ps) Conn SE Saloon. (Manual) 160 Remap, cruise control, electric window blind, temp gauge, Real walnut / ZT interior, FBH with GSM control. BORN Tuesday, 5th October 2004 @ 12:35:52 This vehicle was the 104,679th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 3,318th 75 CDT Connoisseur SE (135) to be made out of 4,744 This vehicle was the 12,440th 75 in Starlight Silver (code: MBB) to be made out of 14,280 Starlight Silver 75s

13th July 2018, 10:17	#13
Groundsman Willie Gets stuck in Rover 75 1.8t Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Newbury Posts: 842 Thanks: 783 Thanked 423 Times in 264 Posts	My 1.8 t is my daily driver. Touch wood, I haven't had a major problem, been stranded once with a driveshaft problem, but nothing else of note. She's got a few creaks and groans (haven't we all), which I am getting sorted as and when I have time, but my priority is keeping her on the road for the Monday morning run to work. Worse case scenario, Mrs Dave can drop me at work if I need to take her off the road, but a Peugeot 206 is not in the same class as a 75, is it. __________________ Dave

13th July 2018, 10:27	#14
Mike Trident Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDTi Saloon & Citroen C1 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Oakenshaw, Near Bradford Posts: 1,622 Thanks: 385 Thanked 552 Times in 328 Posts	Mine is actually driven daily. Our Suzuki splash is just not in the same league lol. To be fair the Rover has not been any bother really. The only thing that actually needed changing in the 18 months I have owned it has been the front suspension top mount bearings. Touch wood quick lol __________________ Rover 75 2.0 CDTi (131Ps) Conn SE Saloon. (Manual) 160 Remap, cruise control, electric window blind, temp gauge, Real walnut / ZT interior, FBH with GSM control. BORN Tuesday, 5th October 2004 @ 12:35:52 This vehicle was the 104,679th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 3,318th 75 CDT Connoisseur SE (135) to be made out of 4,744 This vehicle was the 12,440th 75 in Starlight Silver (code: MBB) to be made out of 14,280 Starlight Silver 75s

13th July 2018, 10:40	#16
Rogue I really should get out more....... 75 CDT SE 160 Saloon Join Date: May 2017 Location: Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich Posts: 2,650 Thanks: 1,386 Thanked 1,096 Times in 774 Posts	Mine is a daily workhorse too and the preferred car to take if a work trip requires more than one of us to go. __________________ Glutton for punishment --- Previously ... 2.6 SD1 x 2, 3.5 SD1, 820S, 820Si x2, 216 Gsi, 220T saloon, 414, 45 1.4 x2 and now a Cowley 75 CDT

13th July 2018, 15:24	#18
bazyerma Avid contributor MG ZT-T Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 147 Thanks: 117 Thanked 24 Times in 23 Posts	Hi I bought a lovely MG ZT-T 190+ with LPG as my fun weekend car. It was too nice a car to pass up, but after running it a few months, tinkering with it (all new brakes, VIS motors,Cat back SS exhaust and an induction kit) I just did not find it to be that fun, so moved it on. Now have a BMW 330 touring, and even with 160mils on the clock, I find it a lot more comfortable, faster and more fun, and with Getting 30mpg on a run, I can cope with the extra rust! Although the MG ZTT was a better looker (I would love the V8, if they were more 5K than 10K!), it was just not a fun weekend car for me . Regards Barry

13th July 2018, 15:34	#19
Dawn I really should get out more....... MG ZT 180+ auto Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ilkeston, Derbys Posts: 2,743 Thanks: 285 Thanked 1,128 Times in 504 Posts	My Rover's do go out to work etc with me, but they're not what I class as my daily car, that is a 57 plate Avensis. I don't think I'm too old at 46, and I fell in love with the 75, so other younger people can too. And one day they will become trendy to own. Everyone thought a Mk2 Cavalier was a banger, even up until a couple of years ago I couldn't get a few hundred quid for one, but values are now suddenly rising on them. It might not happen soon, but it will happen with the 75 as I think they're actually more iconic than your average Ford or Vauxhall!

13th July 2018, 17:27	#20
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	Different strokes and all that. Some of the members enjoy cleaning 'em and preserving them, I like to drive mine. On my fifth 75 now, if it becomes uneconomical I'll move it on or scrap it. I certainly didn't buy it to look at or show it off, I bought it 'cos it was cheap and comfortable