Rover City Rover Review (2003 to 2005)

Quick Summary

MG Rover had great hopes for the CityRover and, by and large, they've been dashed on the rocks of buyer apathy. Much of that has been caused by a combination of optimistic pricing from new and the basic unrefinement of the product itself. As a used buy, the CityRover makes much more sense. As long as you're not expecting the last word in interior sophistication, this car has a lot going for it. It's not only quite good looking, it also has five doors, a zippy engine, a rugged interior and a sensible price tag. Let somebody else swallow the steepest part of the depreciation curve and you could be left with a surprisingly attractive buy.

Overall:

Models Covered:(5 dr hatchback 1.4 [Solo, Select, Sprite, Style])

GOING FOR AN INDIAN

Although not without its merits, it's doubtful that Rover's tie up with TATA cars of India will be remembered as a high point in the firm's corporate history. The car that was spawned, dubbed the CityRover, was a quick and inexpensive way for the company to access the city car market and would have had quite some appeal were it not for some rather optimistic pricing from new. Given that buying used will nix that quibble about value, does the CityRover make a better used purchase than a new one? Find out here.
Used Rover City Rover for sale

History of the City Rover

It's common knowledge that MG Rover don't have the motoring industry's largest new product development budget and much of their product planning centres around modifying existing products to appeal to new market niches. The CityRover is different. Built by TATA in India, the CityRover is based on their Indica city car, but has been given a thorough makeover by MG Rover to appeal to European palates. Four models were available from launch, all based around the same 1.4-litre 83bhp engine. First up was the Solo, followed in order of plushness by the Select, the Sprite and finally the Style. This top of the range version was saddled with a price tag of £8,895 upon introduction. If MG Rover could have carved around £1,000 from the prices of each model, the CityRover may well have shifted the numbers they were initially looking for. As it stands, a CityRover will remain a rare sight on British roads. Production ended with the end of MG Rover in 2005.
Used Rover City Rover for sale

Rover City Rover Road Test

There's only one engine choice available, a Peugeot derived 1.4-litre 84bhp unit, and you'll only be offered a five door body shape, though that's in positive contrast to many rivals which charge a premium if you want unfettered access to the rear seats. Access to the car is easy thanks to doors that swing open through a ninety-degree arc and a high seating position. The rear seats are mounted slightly higher than the fronts to give improved passenger visibility and the rear bench splits 60/40. With a carrying capacity of 220 litres with the seats in place and 610 litres with the rear bench folded, the CityRover Sprite is a citycar that can do more than just a light shop.Although the engine is undoubtedly unrefined, it's gutsy enough to punt the CityRover up the road with quite some verve. In fact a CityRover is capable of dispatching the sprint to 60mph from rest quicker than virtually any comparable rival. It's also good fun to drive, albeit in a rather crude fashion. Rather ironically, the sort of mature customers the car is targeted at are least likely to appreciate the outer limits of the car's acceleration and handling!
Used Rover City Rover for sale

Buying a Rover City Rover

The engine is a tough little unit with few reported issues. Interior quality isn't the best but the rather crude plastics used do tend to be correspondingly tough. If you manufacture a car for use on India's roads it will stand up to British tarmac without too much of a problem. Check the electrics over as these can occasionally betray a few gremlins (no Prince Philip jokes please) and also check the back for any kiddie destruction but otherwise there's not a whole lot to go wrong with a CityRover. Check that essential servicing work has been done, that there's no accident damage and you should be able to land a decent car.
Used Rover City Rover for sale

Rover City Rover Typical Pricing

Opening book on a CityRover Solo is £3,025 although you'll find a lot more retailing for around £3,300. You'll still need around £3,550 to find the earlier Select and Sprite models with the rarer Style version still commanding £3,800. As you can see, the market has dictated the true value of the cars and they now look reasonably good value for money. Another year down the depreciation curve and the CityRover will be a bargain. Insurance for all models is rated at Group 4E.
Used Rover City Rover for sale

Rover City Rover Parts

(approx. based on a CityRover Solo) For most parts the prices are quite reasonable and worth the money. Expect to pay around £115 for a full clutch assembly, around £85 for a headlamp and up to £135 for a radiator. Brake pads should cost about £45 for the front and £40 for the rear, an alternator is around £155 and a starter motor around £160.
Used Rover City Rover for sale