How would you rate a Rover Streetwise compared to.....?

Question

a Rover 200, or an MG ZR. All three are possible options hence why I'd like to know your opinions.

Answer 1

Compared to....walking? I'll walk thanks.
Rover 200=inoffensive little hatchback
MG ZR=as above, but with attitude!
Streetwise=All your mates will laugh at you!
If you've just bought one, my comiserations. If you're thinking about it, buy a Skoda instead. People may still snigger slightly, but at least you'll have a decent car.

Answer 2

Go for the latest Rover 200 or earliest Rover 25 you can find, and preferably a diesel.

The Rover L-series diesel engine is a bit unrefined, but is much more durable than the K-series petrol engines.

The late 200s and early 25s were pretty-well built and specified (part of the reason BMW could not make any profit from Rover). When BMW sold the company, the new MG Rover took cost out of the cars, and part of the cost they took out was useful equipment (e.g. the steering wheel-mounted remote audio controls) and part was durability related (e.g. wax injection rust protection in the doors). This means the later 25s the MG ZR and the Streetwise are less durable than the 200 and earlier 25s.

The MG ZR has another durability issue - when stiffening the suspension during its development, MG Rover discovered that this had an adverse effect on the durability of the suspension and body (which were designed for the softer suspension of the 200). Their solution was simple - reduce the durability target!

The 200 does have one serious flaw compared to a 25 - the headlamps (particularly on dipped beam) are poor.

Answer 3

I suppose it depends on what you mean-they are the same car with a different party frock on. The Streetwise is the one to avoid if you're under 50 and want to maintain a modicum of credibility, it has all the cool and street cred of Alan Partridge in Farahs. The MG is actually a good little car, the Rover 200 always did have decent handling, and with the tuned sports setup that MG Rover's engineers threw in, it really is good fun to chuck around. The equipment list can be a bit poverty spec on early cars and ZR 105,s, but the rest are well specced and good performers. The Rover 200 is a bit of hybrid of both, non of the street cred and fun of the MG, with worse depreciation and duller looks.

Go for the MG. I would.

Answer 4

don't touch a streetwise - absoloute disaster, but the standard 200 and MG models actually good cars and good value. Just make sure it doesn't need a head gasket but certainly budget for one in the future because it will go.

Answer 5

Total and utter crap.A "do not buy cos u will regret it "move.