Rover Coupe Review (1996 to 1999)

Quick Summary

The late Rover Coupes will probably be more expensive than you at first imagined, but this is more than offset by the fact that they are better cars than many people will recall. Against a Calibra or Probe, the Rover Coupe seems a far more focused tool, especially in VVC guise. Next time you're in the market for a used coupe, give one a try. You might just surprise yourself.

Overall:

Models Covered:Two door Coupe [1.6, 1.8 (base, SE, VVC]

TOMCAT TAMED

How quickly we forget. Look at a Rover Coupe now and it seems like a product of a bygone era, an eighties throwback that could serve up a bit of cheap fun. What's hard to believe is that these cars were produced right through to early 1999 and were refined to the point where the final Coupe models were surprisingly good cars. Forget the torque-steering antics of the old 220 Turbo, the later models, having done away with the numericals, were surprisingly urbane. If you can get over the slightly dated detailing, a Rover Coupe makes a distinctly affordable used option.
Used Rover Coupe for sale

History of the Coupe

Dating back to 1992, the Coupe version of Rover's 200 became something of a sleeper for Rover, racking up sales against rivals such as the Honda CRX, Ford Probe and Vauxhall Calibra. The headliner in the range was undoubtedly the 150mph Turbo model, a car that could turn its front tyres into shrivelled carcasses treated to a hefty right boot, but the cars we're concerned with in this instance are the post 1996 versions. These models were rebranded by Rover so as not to be confused with the later shaped 200 series cars, at the same time getting the sweet 143bhp 1.8 VVC engine found in upspec MGFs.Although superficially similar to the older cars, Rover modernised the Coupe in 1996, giving it a revised dashboard, standard driver and passenger airbags, revised suspension settings and steering wheel controls for the music system. In addition, Rover offered the option of CVT automatic transmission on the 1.6-litre models although this rather pricey option found few takers.Production continued right through until 1999 when owners BMW decided that the Coupe had no place in a modernised line-up and axed it. Despite having lasted beyond its sell-by date, the Coupe was never replaced by Rover, the coupe-shaped gap in their model range instantly apparent when they subsequently rebranded their 25, 45 and 75 lines as MG sports models.
Used Rover Coupe for sale

Rover Coupe Road Test

The slightly claustrophobic cabin with its high waistlines may make shorter drivers feel a little hemmed in, but it does a great job in shrinking the car around the driver, giving a great degree of confidence. The relative lack of speed in the 1.6-litre cars is more than compensated for by the free revving nature of the K-series engine. You'll have to row the gearstick a bit in the 1.6 models whereas the 1.8-litre VVC is a swift cross country tool, capable of hitting 60 in a mere 7.9 seconds and capable of seeing the naughty side of 130mph. The ride is firmer than you may expect, and due to the changes made to the suspension, handling is composed for such a punchy front wheel drive car. The two-door coupe body is supremely rigid, versions of which were successful in several production car race series.
Used Rover Coupe for sale

Buying a Rover Coupe

You may find that on older models, the seats tend to sag if the car has had heavy use. The brakes can suffer from judder and vibration and the electric windows had a history of occasional failure. Many of the engineering bugs that plagued the early Coupes had been well ironed out by 1996 and these late models never attracted the hooligan element the early cars did. Try for a service history and take a good look at the receipts and the state of the owner. Have they looked after the baby Rover? Get the keeper to remove the roof panels and check them for damage and wind/water seal as this can be a problem.
Used Rover Coupe for sale

Rover Coupe Typical Pricing

Prices start from around £1,400 for a 1996 N registered Coupe 1.6, with this particular model topping out at just under £2,500 for a very nicely maintained 1999 T plate example. If you want the additional equipment afforded by the SE specification, you'll have to be prepared to fork out £2,050 for a 1997 P plate car ranging up to £2,425 for the run-out 1999 S-registered models. By far the most satisfying option is the rarer Coupe 1.8 VVC which starts at just over £1,600 on a 1996 N plate whilst if you search long and hard you may unearth a 1999 T-registered example changing hands for just under £2,575. Depreciation being what it is, we'd recommend sticking with a fastidiously maintained early example. Insurance for the 1.6-litre models is Group 14, whilst the 1.8-litre VVC model is only rated one group higher.
Used Rover Coupe for sale

Rover Coupe Parts

(approx based on a 1996 Coupe SE - exc VAT) A clutch assembly will be around £190. An alternator is about £250 and brake pads around £75 each.A headlamp is around £75, a full exhaust system (excluding the catalyst) would cost you about £250, an alternator can be between £120 and £250 with an exchange varying from £70-£150, a starter motor £135 and a front head lamp £75.
Used Rover Coupe for sale