Replacing a Rover 75

[Roverageous]

Proper hacked off with my car and a particular so-called specialist; so much so that I'm giving serious consideration to selling the 75 & cutting my losses. If I did this I have absolutely no idea what I'd replace it with. What I was able to sell the car for would mainly determine any budget for replacement.

 

So a generous budget of, say, £1500. Despite being in good condition the Rover needs a lot of niggly jobs completing which will, of course, limit what I can sell it for.

 

I do not have the ability to travel so I'd have to rely on lifts to view / buy cars within the local area (Aylesbury). Looking at what's available locally, and within budget I could get:

 

2005 Renault Laguna 2.0 Petrol 

2004 Ford Mondeo

Any number of leggy passats

2005 Peugeot 407

2005 Mazda 6 1.8

 

All with full MOTs. Trouble is that none of them appeal. Well the laguna does - but we all know how that ends.

 

What I actually want is this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-08-REG-CITROEN-C5-2-7-HDi-V6-AUTO-EXCLUSIVE-MASSIVE-SPEC-/172010322804?hash=item280c9d3b74:g:GLwAAOSwys5WViMw

 

But I don't have £5295, nor the means to maintain it properly. Other option is rescuing my Rover 45 1.8 from my Dad but I don't drink hot drinks.

 

Guess I should just get the rover fixed.

[oldcars]

Whats up with the 75? From photos before it looked great. No way i would get shot of mine for any of the above. Can the wee jobs needing done be spread over a while?

[Roverageous]

Whats up with the 75? From photos before it looked great. No way i would get shot of mine for any of the above. Can the wee jobs needing done be spread over a while?

 

Currently waiting to hear what's up with the gearbox. Could be low oil (although has only just been changed and symptoms started after that). Then a snapped rear spring needs replacing, then the engine cooling fans all need looking at, then it needs a service, then it's engine mounts, the sills have started to go in the usual place, it needs a new front bumper as this one is cracked, rear bumper needs paint etc... etc... Not to mention the suspension is noisy on anything but perfect road surfaces - this appears to be absolutely normal for 75s (all mine have been the same - it's also noted on the owners club) - mine has had new top mounts (and bearings), drop links (two different sets) and all bushes replaced-but it's so fucking annoying.

 

Part of the idea is if I have something I don't 'love' then I won't be such a perfectionist with it.

[xtriple]

What about a Jaguar x300/308? Or is that too thirsty?

[The Moog]

Honda civic 1.6i auto. Delivered to your door and plenty of changed from £1500 .

 

No? I don't blame you ...

[oldcars]

Seems there is a bit to do. My suspension seems to knock/rattle a bit as you say, Its been checked out and all ok so as you say it maybe a 75 thing.

I would try and get you mechanicals spot on then get the cosmetic stuff done. I did this with mine, but there is still a few wee bits needing done. I have a list and work though it knowing i will get to the end one day.

[Rocket88]

My Omega? Comfy as the Rover, without the nagging doubts that something, somewhere, is just waiting to explode.............

[Roverageous]

My Omega? Comfy as the Rover, without the nagging doubts that something, somewhere, is just waiting to explode.............

Have you got some details?

[SiC]

I've heard several times around the interwebs that changing Auto gearbox oil can actually kill boxes. Several theories about, one that the oil contains the remnants of the friction material in the box. Replacing the oil removes this, and so gives the clutch packs less grip/bite about them. No idea how true it is though.

 

 

For suggestions on replacement...

Honda Accord?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201602221283480 (Reliable, but not terribly thrilling)

 

Saab 9-5?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201603051665636 (Expensive for the age, but looks mint)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201602221272379 (This is cheap, cause tax on the newer ones is top band)

or travel a bit further for a 9-5 HOT for cheap, comfort, fast thrills.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Join the LAGUNA MASSIF of course!!!!

[Roverageous]

I'm having trouble looking past this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Renault-Laguna-2-0-16v-Expression-/252163208894?hash=item3ab61936be:g:TyIAAOSwhcJWQKXa

[NorfolkNWeigh]

£1495 on a Laguna 2 ? Is this even possible? Is it still 2009 in Aylesbury?

[RobT]

Ahem.  Can deliver.

 

http://autoshite.com/topic/23599-vectra-sri-22-litre-beater-%C2%A3350/

 

 

[carlo]

How about a nice, fast automatic Peugeot.  With some change to fix the thing:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-406-Excecutive-Saloon-Automatic-V6-year-2000-W-reg-/252302967426?hash=item3abe6dc282:g:3a0AAOSwFNZW01eM

[UltraWomble]

Primera GT

[Rocket88]

pm sent

[Lacquer Peel]

Roewe 750

[Jerzy Woking]

Another vote for a Saab 9-5

[purplebargeken]

Most of what is wrong sounds par for the course with a 75. Billy's Mondeo was actually rather nice. Yes, it needed a few bits but the now owner loves it. A pair of rear calipers, a couple of front springs and a tyre were needed but the car was peanuts. I see it everyday in the works car park and it is providing excellent service. So much so that I actually regret selling it now. 

[purplebargeken]

I know someone who is selling a tidy Seat Toledo, lovely car. 

[EssDeeWon]

Yeah those Diesels are prone to self grinading 

 

Na seriously, it looks in lovely nick and being low mileage im surprised an awful lot needs doing. Just bear in mind that spending £1500 on another car might not necessarily end all your woes. It sounds like you have listed fairly routine 75 stuff there.

 

Robs Vectra would fit the bill, at least your only spending a fraction of your budget and its a known quantity (Cavcraft, JohnK and RobT) 

[EssDeeWon]

I'm having trouble looking past this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Renault-Laguna-2-0-16v-Expression-/252163208894?hash=item3ab61936be:g:TyIAAOSwhcJWQKXa

 

Blimey that is so cheap for what I consider a NEW car.

 

His had it a while as it says £1795 in the screen.

 

Will you trade the Rover in?

[vulgalour]

Could you not just buy a more different 75?

[taxi paul]

My lad has just bought an 04 Volvo s60 2.0 ltr petrol turbo thingy. Awful lot of car for £1,500. You get an awful lot of car for your money with the v40 or s60 volvos.

[RoadworkUK]

75's are a bit too futuristic for me.

 

You need an 825, m9.

[vulgalour]

Nah, 825 is way too fancy.  What you want is a nice, simple, reliable, stylish P2.

 

[406V6]

My vote's with Carlo's suggestion. That 406 looks lovely. The mileage is very low and an MOT check suggests it's genuine. As no-one else will try to buy it being french and old you could probably succeed with a lower offer. All the waftiness of the 75 with a ride that's just as good. Cambelt change will undoubtedly be due though.

[dieselnutjob]

You can get a 607 HDI auto for under £1k and it has much in common with the C5.  The main hassle with them is the DPF but it's easily removed, I did mine myself.

[dieselnutjob]

with the 406 the V6 is a good choice because the only the V6 and the 2.2 HDI got the ZF gearbox.  The lesser models got the AL4 which is fragile.

[Junkman]

So, going by all this terminal pile of bollocks above, I assume a proper Rover isn't even being considered?