Five years of ownership still enjoying my 75 :-)

[johnnyb44]

Hi.
I don't post very often but I'm still an avid reader of this forum and still enjoy my 75 just as much as the day I bought it nearly five years ago.
Way back then when I was considering buying one ,it was a tale of my heart wanting one but my head was telling me no..I've always liked the retro look and the luxury feel to the interior, and that it looked like nothing else on the road. My head though was saying no. After spending weeks reading through all the scare stories of Hgf ,flooded plenum chambers and problematic and expensive clutch issues on diesels I was somewhat put off the whole idea of finding one. Even my work mates thought I was crazy to consider such a car..I would get comments like " it's an old man's car" or " Rovers are rubbish and unreliable"
In the end though I let my heart rule my head and spent an age looking for a decent 75. My budget was small and it proved quite difficult to find a decent 75 for around £1200 back then. I spent a good few weeks walking away from a car that were advertised as good condition only to see it was badly abused and tarted up for the unsuspecting punter.
Eventually though I spotted a 51 plate diesel Auto with 49k under its belt for £1500 and on its second owner.I went over to view it just a few miles from where the regular Four ashes nano meets take place.
The car was pristine and owned by an elderly lady how hung on to it for a number of years through sentimental reasons as it was her late husband's car..
After a test drive and a good look round I made an offer of £1400 and she accepted.
I was thrilled with this car and still am today. I had the "mickey" taken out of me somewhat chronic by my work mates and friends. I got the nickname " Mr Werthers" for owning one but did I care. Not one bit :-) :-)
Over the years and 70k miles I've travelled in it, it has never failed me..First turn of the key whether it's been -15 and deep snow to blistering hot days it's been totally reliable.
It's quite funny now ,but these guys now have a different attitude towards my car and now give it some credit ,as all of there euro boxes have died a death whilst mine keeps soldering on without any major issues.
I now take the "mickey" out of them and the unreliable French rubbish they buy :-).
Another thing that's amazed me with my 75 is that it's passed every mot with no advisories.
Don't get me wrong, it's had a few niggling problems over the years namely broken springs, but most of of my money has gone on preventive maintenance to keep it in good stead for the future.
I'm still in contact with the previous owner and every now and again I let her know I'm still enjoying it which "makes her day"
If you are new to this club and like me was/are somewhat put off by the horror stories about the 75/zt please don't take then as the Holy Grail of ownership. If you look after them and spent the time on preventive maintenance they will serve you well for many year's to come. If my car was now valued at £500 its barely depreciated by £200 a year. That's cheap motoring by any standards really. A new car with half the character and style would lose money hand over fist plus the interest of paying for it on the never never..
As my car is now rock bottom value there's only one way for it go and that's up, so in a few years time the depreciation will be even less.
So If your looking for a fantastic car, now is the time to buy a 75/ZT, because soon they will sadly become rare sight on our roads, and all the good ones left will start to slowly rise in price.
It will be sad day when the only ones left can only be seen at shows and not gracing our roads anymore.
All the very best all and happy motoring :-)

[greendriver]

Agreed with everything you say here. Especially if you have knowledgeable people around who can help you keep it on the road.

[Ravinder]

Lovely story.

[Comfortably Numb]

Heartening to hear your story, Johnny. As a new owner on here, and having already fixed a few faults on my CDT not noticed at purchase, but most caused by previous ham fisted "mechanic", while I doubt if I will get the value out of mine that you have out of yours, I bought it for exactly your reasons, and love it for it's sumptuous interior, retro chrome and oval cream dials, as well as its classic, British lines. I am expecting to have to replace some suspension parts this year, and keeping my fingers crossed that the clutch will be trouble-free. Still not sure long term whether it is the rational choice (which would probably have been a Honda), but having regretted trading in my last near classic for a rational Audi, I conclude that I need a car that I can love most days, even if it lets me down occasionally. So far, it hasn't.

[BoroRover]

Here Here !! The 75 is a wonderful car, spanks the pants off other makes ...they just don't match the 75 !!

[bl52krz]

Hi John. I remember seeing your car at the meet we had in Llangollen. Good meet by the way. I know you have had a few things go wrong, but as you say, nothing serious. Your post must give some confidence to our new members on here. I can report that my experience has been the same. Just waiting for better weather to replace the rear brake disc’s. At 97000 miles I think that is good. My experience with mot’s has been one of passing but with advisories some years. Anyone who thinks that Rover/MG cars are rubbish don’t know what they are missing. Please don’t tell them I said that. Hope to see you at a future meet, and keep on motoring.

[suzublu]

What a heart warming tale John I've had mine for 9 years now, longer than I've owned any vehicle, longer even than any of my marriages Still look back, & still get folks walking up & chatting about it & the history of Rover/MG

[m2n]

In all the years of owning numerous cars, I have NEVER had anybody approach me and comment on the car I was driving .......Until now,my Rover 75, to date within the 4 weeks of owning it I have been approached by 8 people commenting on the R75..... one even offered me more than what I paid for it, no I didn't and I am still driving it..

Even my wife has made comments on how it looks like an executive car,now that is very,very unusual for her.
The best comment came from a BMW(16 plate)driver sat behind me in the school queue, said how "graceful and elegant" the car looks... couldn't have said it better myself, gives you a warm glow of satisfaction.

[robbrooks]

Originally Posted by m2n

In all the years of owning numerous cars, I have NEVER had anybody approach me and comment on the car I was driving .......Until now,my Rover 75, to date within the 4 weeks of owning it I have been approached by 8 people commenting on the R75..... one even offered me more than what I paid for it, no I didn't and I am still driving it..

Even my wife has made comments on how it looks like an executive car,now that is very,very unusual for her.
The best comment came from a BMW(16 plate)driver sat behind me in the school queue, said how "graceful and elegant" the car looks... couldn't have said it better myself, gives you a warm glow of satisfaction.

Had mine for 16 years from new and still love it! Currently off the road having accident damage repaired. Its longest time off the road since 2002, but this was inflicted by my wife's driving!

[slovcan]

Originally Posted by robbrooks

Had mine for 16 years from new and still love it! Currently off the road having accident damage repaired. Its longest time off the road since 2002, but this was inflicted by someone else's driving!

There, saved a marriage!