1999 Rover 600 618

I have been borrowing this from a friend and it has been utterly joyous to use as a daily over the last 1000 miles or so. The 1. 8 twin cam Honda engine is incredibly frugal, pulls well and benefits from proven Japanese reliability.
I am no Rover expert, but this 1999 runout 618is model must be one of the best, most original 600s left. There isn’t much in the way of creature comforts, but it’s still in a really nice, unusual spec with factory-fit Ti seats, wheels and fog lights (apparently).
Owned for around a year, the 618 has a comprehensive history file and has received a timing belt and water pump, two front calipers and a radiator during this time. The current mileage is circa 74, 000, it has MOT until March 22nd 2025 and is used almost daily. It drives as I would imagine a new one would. The steering is light and positive, the gearchange slick and the clutch operates as it should. It handles surprisingly nicely and feels very tight. It is a great size for use on UK roads filled with bloated modern SUVs and faux-by-fours. There is plenty of room for four and the boot is surprisingly cavernous. Even the rear seats fold for extra luggage space.
The exterior is in lovely condition. There is only one small bleb on the nearside rear quarter, as pictured, and all the usual Rover 600 grot spots are in incredibly good condition. It was also undersealed using quality, clear Buzzweld products last winter to make sure it lasts for as long as the Japanese drivetrain. There are a few minor marks and scuffs as you’d expect for its age, the worst of which are two storage marks on the roof and an odd scratch on the rear window, but nothing to detract from the overall appearance of the car. It’s in great, honest and original condition.
It has been driven all over the UK in the last 12 months, from north Scotland to Devon, with the only issue being a slightly leaky original radiator, which has long-since been replaced. It also had new tyres in 2022.
Inside, the electric sunroof works well. The passenger electric window is perfect, but the driver’s window is apparently temperamental if you open it too far, but I’ve not had any issues while operating it with a little consideration to around a third of the way down. The rear windows are manual so nice and reliable! The electric mirrors work as intended and are even heated.
The seats are lovely and supportive with only light wear to the driver’s bolster, the central locking and interior lighting works, but the display for the radio is pixelated, as per nearly every 600. The remote boot release is a great novelty and pops up as intended. The electric aerial is intermittent, at best, and is currently in the enviable state of permanent erection. The stereo works well and I have been simply using the autotune function.
Air conditioning is fitted, but it will come as no surprise to learn that it doesn’t blow cold.
Overall this is a genuinely nice, good looking retro daily that is as happy touring the country as it is being polished and displayed at shows. It’s modern enough to start every time, stop when you expect it to, return around 40mpg and feel safe, but old enough to feel compact, analogue and a little different to everything else on the roads. The metallic blue bodywork stands out in a sea of grey and turns a surprising number of heads.
Also comes with a few spares, all paperwork including book pack and folder, and a couple of keys.
Rover 600s are criminally underrated, so this is a great opportunity for someone to pick up a useable modern retro that they can enjoy every day, for a bargain price. It will even go on cheap classic car insurance.