dollywobbler Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Having owned many vehicles this year that I really had no intention to buy - just amusing swaps and chance purchases - it's time for a change. The two vehicles competing for my attention are the delicious Rover 600 and the quirktastic Citroen XM. I had hoped to line up a deal on an XM but it is not to be. The Rover 400 heads to its new home on Wednesday. I have a deadline. I get some overdue funds on Tuesday, but apparently I can't spend all of this on cars. There's the small matter of bills we've been ignoring for the past few months... So, £450 or possibly £500 is the limit. Rovers are looking better for my budget. Check this out.£250, in Colchester, a few weeks of MOT. Nice spec, perfect age (ie classic insurance) and the holy grail of 600 colours for me - Nightfire Red. Gorgeous. It's a contender for sure. Representing Citroen, we have this XM turbo diesel in sought after VSX trim. £300 on Ebay, with an asking price seen elsewhere of £550. (I was already on it thanks Mr Shitpeas ) But, it's the 2.5 Turbo Diesel. It has TWO radiators. One of them is leaking. That's normal. They have a pretty crap reputation too - 40mpg is a major achievement and there's tons of utterly bespoke parts that can't be found for love nor money. If even XM fans are wary of them, I should probably stay away. A great engine - when it works. EDIT - it sold for £800! I'm heading to bed now as a morning of actual work lies ahead of me. Prace bets now to see what I'll actually end up with! Probably a Datsun Sunny van or something... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bell Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Blue XM isn't far from Shitpeas towers. If I can help in your automotive suicide by French, just shout. dollywobbler 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted October 12, 2014 Author Share Posted October 12, 2014 Thanks. Hmm. Being almost sensible, my budget is probably closer to £400 once I've factored in tax and the insurance admin fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bell Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Sounds like a good honest number. vulgalour 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulgalour Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 In all honesty, I think an XM would be a foolish car for you to own and I don't think you'd get the most out of it given the complaints you've levelled against big cars in the past. The 600 is a better fit, is a car you've wanted for a long time and is incredibly easy to obtain within budget. I reckon the 600 will meet your needs far better than the XM can and while it might not be quirktastic you do have the 2CV for that side of things. Speaking of, if you get a 600 chances are you'll save money that needs to be put into Elly's long-term prospects one way or another. An XM will not allow this to happen, because a sub-£500 XM is just going to be a money pit. Finally, in its favour is the fact that the 600 is an easier sell than the XM, even if it is a bit borked. It might be the safe bet but sometimes those are the bets we need to take. So obviously you'll end up with an XM. chaseracer, Micrashed, Angrydicky and 12 others 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Tidybeard Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 deffo the honda accord rover 600 FTMFW saucedoctor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 I'll just say Mk3 Cavalier. Still cheap and plentiful. Edit: or Mk3 Astra. I was looking for one before opting for the 75, they are within your budget Ian and I bet the 2.0 16v is a right weapon. cms206 and Cavcraft 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavcraft Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 I'll give you three weeks with the 600 and seven weeks with the XM. Pot to kettle, over. loserone, Junkman, The Moog and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted October 12, 2014 Author Share Posted October 12, 2014 I'll just say Mk3 Cavalier. Still cheap and plentiful. Stop hurling curve-balls into my dreams! Hold on. You can get Mk3 Cavs with headlamp wipers can't you? cms206 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Tidybeard Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 by the time you spent monies to make the shitreon work you could get 2 600s maybe even the holy grail grey bumper povvo spec in white! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspector Morose Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Shame about the XM, DW. I'm sure I could have found it a home after you finished with it too! I think at £400 a 600 would be a better move, I'm sure you should be able to get a cracker for that. But knowing your past randomness in purchasing I wouldn't be that surprised in anything gracing wobbler towers soon. You could always buy a BX. I've heard from someone once that they're really rather good... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honey Badger Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 How well are you going to get on with the Honda F series engines in the 600 if you disliked a similar Honda D series in the 400? XM looks nice but even old slightly tatty 600s stll look great and sound a lot easier to fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DS20 Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 I don't know if this matters to you, Dollywobbler, but one of the most significant things I found about living with a 600 was the abysmal ground clearance. Speed bumps were problematic, and the rough country roads where I was living at the time bashed the exhaust and undercarriage well out of shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Tidybeard Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 out of price range but just look at the giffer beigenesshttp://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201409247666694/sort/default/page/1/postcode/b113bl/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/make/rover/usedcars/model/600/radius/1500?logcode=p dollywobbler 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 How well are you going to get on with the Honda F series engines in the 600 if you disliked a similar Honda D series in the 400?.Good point. I learnt my lesson and now only buy Rovers that have Rover engines in them, both mine are GR9. saucedoctor, Sigmund Fraud and Junkman 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bell Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=121457595789 Pog-pink with the best engine and under budget. New clutch bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Tidybeard Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 caution wobbler friendly reg plateshttp://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201402111722583/sort/default/radius/1500/make/rover/page/1/usedcars/model/600/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/postcode/b113bl?logcode=p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted October 12, 2014 Author Share Posted October 12, 2014 I don't know if this matters to you, Dollywobbler, but one of the most significant things I found about living with a 600 was the abysmal ground clearance. Speed bumps were problematic, and the rough country roads where I was living at the time bashed the exhaust and undercarriage well out of shape. THAT is a valid concern. I like long-travel suspension. The 600 was always compromised by being a Honda. Hmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bren Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Rover - 623 gsi if you can find one - 156 bhp. I love xm's but most are just one big bill from the bridge. Just try and find a 600 with rear arches - the later ones are much better. I had a povo 620i - even the rear seats did not come down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honey Badger Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Good point. I learnt my lesson and now only buy Rovers that have Rover engines in them, both mine are GR9.Nowt wrong with either type of Honda engine and I'd rather have a 216 over a 214 any day of the week, each to their own I suppose. I've never driven a non Vtec F series so I can't comment on how they go, But I'd imagine you still have to rev them to get the most out of them, still way more reliable in comparison to the XM RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honey Badger Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Is this within budget, 620 with 12 months ticket for £495. Looks good in dark blue with the Rover alloys http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rover-620-2-0i-16v-R-Reg-Petrol-Manual-New-Mot-Taxed-07-14-/131195883579?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1e8be2503b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noel Tidybeard Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Is this within budget, 620 with 12 months ticket for £495. Looks good in dark blue with the Rover alloys http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rover-620-2-0i-16v-R-Reg-Petrol-Manual-New-Mot-Taxed-07-14-/131195883579?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1e8be2503bdw approved reg no Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honey Badger Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 This 623i for £295 is still on Autotrader copied from your rover sale thread Just going to quietly add this to the thread and then walk away. 623i Auto, 12months ticket, Velour seats and plastic Rover trims. Shite heaven for £275. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201410027883521/sort/locasc/make/rover/page/1/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/radius/1500/model/600/postcode/nn84sa/usedcars?logcode=p vulgalour, Lacquer Peel and purplebargeken 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted October 12, 2014 Author Share Posted October 12, 2014 I s'pose there's only one way to find out whether I like the suspension or not. I shall sleep on it. Thanks for your input folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_Rocket Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 A colleague of mine has just swapped her 400 for a 600. From the general consensus, I think you'll find the 600 lacking in the handling stakes.. They were very much built for the 90s salesman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beko1987 Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 From what I've read 2.1td xms are better /less borkage than the 2.5s. I'm gonna vote for the xm though, because I'm biased! DS20 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_dyane Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 I had a Rover 600 diesel for about a month. All I can really remember about it was that the engine was brilliant but it was a bit of a handful on the twistys. Might have been fucked though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forddeliveryboy Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Buy neither. You'd be bored with a 600 in the same way you were with the other Honda, and a sub-£500 XM would most likely stop working/bankrupt you. Why not buy something simple and tough, like the 2cv you love so much? Perhaps a Saab 95/6? I've a feeling it would be right up your street - there are a few which seem to have gone for under a grand on ebay. Of course, you could always sort out the 2cv or use it for spares (I'd sell it meself) and buy an older one, made from better metal. I know of quite a few Dyanes and 2cvs with more miles on than your many-times-rebuilt red and white Dolly, which have had just a clutch, tyres, brakes and exhausts. Original chassis (which are superb, compared with galv ones), original engine, original gearbox. Perhaps the odd sill or floor, not much else. By the way, there are loads of spares out there for 2.5 XMs, I know of fields-full of scrappers which are being kept just for spares. Also, the BMW i3 doesn't have a flat-twin engine like a 2cv (I read your blog ). Hybrids make a lot of sense, too. They don't all have to be like a Prius, they don't all have to use electricity - batteries are very inefficient for storing braking energy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted October 12, 2014 Author Share Posted October 12, 2014 Does seem that my entire desire for a 600 is looks-based. Basing your choice of partner just on looks rarely ends well. Perhaps I should reconsider. An XM has other appealing aspects but my budget really is at the dangerous end of the market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bren Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 The 600 is a nice drive. As with any old shitter, if the tyres and suspension are fucked, of course it will handle like a water bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now