[Eujax]

Hi all. I've just visited the Rover showroom. Never test the car yet but
would really like to say that it's interior is beautiful. Any of you out
there have experience to this car? Do you all think its a better buy over
the Japanese executive? Price is pretty attractive. Nevertheless i am
pretty worry over its maintenance fees and reliability.

Any advice and comment will be much appreciated. Thanks.

Regards
Jacky

[rapwong]

Eujax, i test drove the diesel recently and i am glad i did not bring the
cheque book along Still overdraft!
Truly remarkable! They will gladly oblige you a test drive.
Ask the SA for a copy of the service schedule and parts cost. It should
be available. Perhaps those with ssangyong can share their experiences
with the maintenance?

[iwandani]

Rover 75 is a very nice car to drive. I drove a 1.8 turbo from Bkt
Beruntung to Jln Duta and I found it to be smooth and rather stately. In
comparison to a BMW 520, the Rover felt lighter and not at all sluggish.
The engine doesn't seem to be even remotely stressed at highway speed.

As for after sales service, let's just say that we're banking on the good
reputation of the company after what they've achieved with the SSangyong
marque.

[Eujax]

Hello rapwong

I just went to test drove the V6 just now but pretty dissapointed as the
power is much lesser than what i expect, although it is decent and very
comfortable. I mean really comfortable comparing to other cars at the
same price range. I wanted to test drove the diesel but the sales person
told me they dont prepare any diesel for test drive purposes so did you
try on your friends car or something?

Anyway thanks for your info and experience i really appreciate them :)

Regards
Jacky

[Eujax]

Hi iwandani

Wow you actually compare this car to the BMW 5 series? I thought the 5 is
another range above? Anyway yes the 1.8 turbo gives a better kick but i
prefer the comfort level of the V6,although performance is pretty
dissapointing. Anyway you are rite, we are actually betting on it about
the company. I hope they are running it well now and then. The sales
person told me they have sold around 2000 units of the Rover 75 since
August. Not sure if he is honest but if it is, the respond is pretty
encouraging :)

Anyway thanks for your comment and please do share more if you have
anything to add about the car. Thanks.

Regards
Jacky

[jcw9960]

I was in the UK recently and asked about the 75. I didn't get very good
remarks. Quality issues, poor packaging and terrible resale values were
the most common response I got. And this is in Rover's home country. They
discount new cars heavily there, and still can't get sales volumes
anywhere near that of the UK market leaders (Ford No1, Vauxhaul No2 and
Renault No3). A sad surprise.

[iwandani]

Eujax,

I was talking about the 1995 BMW 520i. That's the only 'fair' comparison
I can make since I've never driven any other cars that can be considered
as the Rover 75's competition.

Price-wise, it is obvious that the distributor is targetting the Japanese
makes (Accord, Camry, Sentra) and the hig-end Korean cars (Sonata 2.4 etc)
as they'd surely be outgunned left, right and centre if they try to take
on the Germans.

Quality issues? Actually, we were bracing ourselves for a host of build
quality problems. So far we've found the panel gaps between the front
bumper and the front wing panels to be uneven. This is more prominent on
the light-coloured cars like silver. Other faults are yet to be
discovered, but we’re pretty sure they’ll show up sometime soon, haahh….

Anyway I was hoping to be able to talk about the V6, but let’s just say
that my father wouldn’t let me have the keys. Ahh well…

[rapwong]

eujax, the diesel IS the one to go for. Perhaps they loan the unit to a
dealer. Try calling another SA and fix a appointment.

As for quality issues this was all rover's own doing as they boasted it
would match the 3 series in terms of quality. Not suprisingly they fell a
bit short but the owners kept benchmarking it against the bmw.

The resale value could be hurt bcoz of their finacial standing but
nevertheless it is the best performing depreciator in their range. They
are about to joint venture with shanghai auto to penetrate the chinese
market, maybe something will come out from there

[Eujax]

Thanks for all your comments everybody. I appreciate it very much. Seems
like theres more bad than good. Sad thing as i really love the car. Is
there anything that you guys would like to add about this Rover car? As
to me, i am not sure bout the reliability but the comfort and interior
built is really good plus the design of the car still attract me although
its a 6 years old model. In dilemma...

Regards
Jacky

[rapwong]

eujax, if i am not mistaken, their diesel is a bmw unit. Reliable enough?

I had a few experiece with some japs and local cars before i plunged into
a citroen. Always dream of a conti. After 6 years i am very much fond of
it. Of course many discouraged me but my heart ruled my head No
regrest ever since as i maintained it well.

Finally my 2 sen advice: Trust yourself to make the right choice and not
judge just by taking a poll, people could be biased. Anyway when we want
to marry someone do we ask for a poll from our friends?