1998 Rover 620 GSi Goes for a drive 

I had a metallic dark green one of these , manual gear box , 15 yrs ago , lovely smooth car , misses broke the front end when she ran into the back of a car , Shame I used to like it ,, cheers Shane uk 🇬🇧

The 600 series is one of the best looking cars of the 1990s imo. The design has aged extremely well. I think that Rover probably should have offered a 1.6 litre engine so that it was more in line with the Montego it replaced.

“Every car came with a free Labrador” 😁😂😂😂 Love these videos with older cars from the 80s and 90s. 👍🏻

It was a great shame that the Rover Honda marriage ended, probably after BMW got involved. As the cars looked and went great .

It's nice to see the 600 getting some love as they are hugely overlooked cars. The Honda Accord of this type is actually quite sought-after now (bear this in mind if you get the opportunity to buy a nice one cheap, they are still out there) but the 600 seems to be virtually forgotten. I had a 1995 620 SLi auto back in the early 2000s and it was a really nice car, hugely comfortable, utterly reliable if it was given some care with maintenance and it really felt a cut above anything else you could buy for the money. My car had the driver's air bag, which was an option before they became standard. I would say, though, that buying one with an auto box is, perhaps, not the best idea. The Honda auto doesn't have a replaceable fluid filter so, if fluid changes have not been carried out at the specified intervals as they often won't have been on an older, cheaper car, the gearbox can build up muck and debris inside which will kill them. It is possible to have them rebuilt by a specialist, or at least it was in the 2000s, but back then the likely cost would be "around £2,000 and ;maybe a lot more if a lot of parts are worn or damaged." It also has to be said that the fuel economy for the 2-litre mated to the auto box was horrible, I was averaging low-to mid 20s in mine and only getting low-ish 30s on long motorway runs, which was pretty terrible for a 2-litre petrol car of that age when you consider that the earlier, single cam 2-litre Cavalier mk3 could average the low 40s without too much trying. The 600 actually handles very well, as it used the multi-link Honda rear suspension. Something to be aware of, though, is that the standard fit Rover springs and dampers were not very good so the cars could start feeling very floppy and mushy by about 50,000 miles. A new set of springs and dampers make a huge difference that returns some sharpness to the handling and adds compliance to the ride...

I had one of the 620’s and it was one of my favourite cars. Very reliable and comfortable to boot. I only got rid of it because I had to have an estate car for work. Great to see one again. ✅

I had a 620ti in green, loved it apart from the drivers window falling down in the rain after paying the Dartford toll and not going up without using 2 hands :)

You just have to laugh at Rover. Design a car to replace the Montego then introduce it a level above & keep the Montego going. Then do the same with the 75.

Great review of a good honest 600. Many thanks Matt. It's so sad to see these lovely but largely forgotten cars.

I acquired a 620Si auto (with the right badge on the boot) early this year for the princely sum of 230 quid. British Racing Green with just 56K on the clock and a terrible power steering leak. 50 quid at Pirtek for a bespoke replacement pipe, and another 20 quid on some rear suspension bits and the car flew through its MoT. I showed it at the Festival of the Unexceptional which was to have been its final hurrah before I sold it on, as I had bought something even harder to find (a 2000 Accord Coupe) but the amount of attention , llove and coo-ing it got, helped by a 2000 quid paint job by the previous owner before he passed away, and then a lovely day trip in it to the seaside meant it has now wormed its way into my affection and will be staying on the fleet for the forseeable. I suspect many 600s fell foul of the various scrappage schemes, which is a real shame as they are barge-tastic waftmobiles and absolutely made for long distance cruising. Mine sits happily at (cough) 70mph for mile after mile and it's not too thirsty. You're right about the autobox too (did you not spot the little sport button by the way ? ;)), it just gets on with it in the background and you just don't notice it at all. You get a typical Honda redline roar too if you give it the beans (although not quite as awesome a sound as a VTec). Aside from the usual door regulator failings and a propensity for rusty wheel arches, these are lovely old things and feel like a Proper Rover - the way the doors close with a reassuring thunk, the incredibly comfortable seats (even the pauper velour in the Si trim), the queiet ambience of the cabin and, most critically, the ride - soft, supple, not much body roll when taking corners enthusiastically, and a nonchalant shrug over potholes and other poor road surfaces. Lovely to see one being given a run out by you, so thanks for sharing and for publicising this wonderful car. There is a Facebook group for Rover 600 owners which is well worth signing up to as some very friendly people on there : facebook.com/groups/31752176123

I thought this was a really great video furious. You were bang on form when you made this video. I love all these rover videos you’ve come out with lately

Great video. My mum had this car as her first car as an automatic in the same blue colour and grey interior (she started driving in her adulthood). It was a great car and was actually very comfortable for what it was. Truly reminds me of all of the memories we had.

Terrific video sir - evoking memories of my work experience while at school in 1998 when I was all of 15 years old, KNIGHTS Rover in Manchester on Upperbrook street, the mechanic I was paired with taught me how to do oil changes & the like so much fun! I remember sitting in a couple of the big fancy 800 Vitesse models, but it was mostly Rover 200 that came through the door in the couple of weeks I was their.

My grandparents had one of these or the 600 version? Quite high spec with cream leather and a nice dark met green colour. Was really nice

Always love to see a Rover Video. You are right it is the forgotten Rover . When they came out I thought they were one of the most beautiful cars on the road. Great vid.👍🇬🇧

I have to be honest. I have skipped past the Rover 620 for over a year now. So, after collecting my Audi from my ex Rover mechanic (now BMW Technician) after fitting new rear discs and pads, here I am. I am so glad I clicked the 620. I always greatly admired the grille, numder plate surround and the interior. I would have bought the Honda Accord at the time though because I was always drawn to the practicality of hatches and estates. I knew that the Rover would be a smooth soft drive, and so it proved. Having changed from a Dodge Power Wagon shirt to my Amaranth Tomcat to collect my car, I pulled up my hoodie and showed it Mr 75, as he has become known. Giving him a lovely warm Christmas smile and a big thumbs up . A miserable wet Saturday morning cancelled out by an old Rover. You touch hearts Matt. Just wanted you to know that.

Thanks so much for these episodes! I'm looking forward to finding a review of the Rover 75 which we never got in North America.

My Dad had a 1998 200hp turbo version when I was a kid, I absolutely loved it and still remember it very fondly! I've been looking for one myself for about 5 years now but I've been waiting for a good one to pop up. I've seen 2 that I've considered buying but they sell so bloody quick and I've missed out. The last one I called about, sold within 2 hours of being put on Autotrader!

Owned a 1998 Peugeot 406 and still believe that was the car to beat.

I had a few Rovers in my time and a 1998 (R reg) 600 SLDi (with the L series diesel) for 9 years. I still say it was one of the best cars I've ever owned. I part exchanged it at 12 years old with 170,000 miles on the clock. I often wish I'd just held on to it. It was still on its original clutch! It did have the usual issues of the drivers window dropping out of the runner and the rear arches had started to rust where they meet the bumper but otherwise, apart from normal servicing it was a really nice car. I enjoyed your video, watching one of these lovely machines again.

Lovely to start the weekend with your video, great quality content.

Hi Matt,what a review on this Rover 620GSI, haven't seen these much,what a tidy example this one is.

I had the Rover 600 in fire reg with the the Honda 1.8 petrol engine coupled with a auto-box. I purchased it for 750 quid only by chance from a old chap with only 48k miles. Was so immaculate it was unreal! It was a really good looking, gracious saloon car. It was a smooth ride but wasn't in much of a hurry to go anywhere. The only thing I didn't like was the brakes had no in the middle response, it was either slam on hard to stop or Go. This was common characteristics of this type of rover brakes. Sadly I scrapped it when it failed its Mot in 2019 and also not being a ULEZ compliant i was put off to keep it. I do regret it now! I have some pics that I would like to share with you of my Rover 600 but not sure how to do that on here. But thanks for your very detailed and informative video as usual - it made me miss my Rover 600!

A great test drive. This reminds me of my ex boss who drove an 820 Gsi. I drove a Rover 825 Sterling Coupe. He was good boss and I was very happy! The previous firm I slaved at, I drove a Honda Accord 1.8i . I remember it well as it was the first company car I drove which was not a hand me down and was my choice, brand spanking and delightful. I remember it was quite a large car and I loved the styling. Long low and wide. Happy Days :)

I had one (620, 1995), the engine was great. Driving was always a joy. In the end (2017) the radiator failed and replacing it was too costly. Finding properly working headlights (for the annual mandatory safety check) was a pain btw.

I used quarter inch self tapping screws on my lining on rover 45, it's only hardboared behind lining

8:40 Center mounted rear brake lights were standard in 1997 in all new cars in Europe. It was required by law, not a "good guy" move by Rover.

Great review Matt. I love these cars. I look forward to seeing what you buy as your challenge car. Good luck

I had a Nightfire Red 620SLi and loved it. Ref. steering, even at 4 years old and 40,000 miles it was frightening light over 85mph, so presumably that was factory standard.

I had one in BRG it was comfortable and reliable. Enjoyed seeing it here.

My papa had a T plate Rover 600 with the 2 litre Petrol Honda engine, finished in red and absolutely brilliant car ! He then got a 2002 75 Connoisseur 2litre BMW engine

Great review Matt, yeah these are nice cars and well built, but as you said they seem to be a forgotten car, overshadowed by the Rover 800 which seem to be fetching 4 figure sums but the 600 still being available for just a few hundred pounds.

Makes sense now you describe it as a Montego replacement - never thought of the 600 as that before!

My dad had the 620 2.0 diesel in racing green was a good car used to borrow it regularly to drive to Scotland to see a young lady so i covered loads of motorway miles in that 👍

One mate worked for Rover during this period and insisted that the body in white of the 600 was of exceptional quality regardless of anything else. Another mate had a 600 turbo which was quite unsuitable to his driving style. It was quite a hot car that liked to be caned but he used to chug around at low revs doing the car no good at all. Yet another friend owned a normally aspirated two litre and because it was a cheap car when he bought it he refused to do any maintenance on it and instead chose to run it into the ground. He could not kill it. It was running sweetly when he sold it after a couple of years.

In Greece where I grew up 99% of 600s sold were the 620Ti and it was also a massive success me having the pleasure to work at rover garage as a summer Job in my school days I got to drive a few 620Ti and I have to say they are phenomenal really well handling and very quick in fact one owner has tested his with v box and it was getting sub 7 sec 0-60 and all that whilst still managing to be comfy saloon

Yay! I love my 99 620SLi had her a long time and still runs great. Another unsung hero in my view, described as I use term cuddly which I’ve never told before now, reversing is easier in a Land Rover Discovery than Rover 600

I had a Rover 600 TI. I so wish I’d not sold it! Only a handful left and they’re till being broken!

I had an 620 SDI, it was a wonderfully comfortable car that pulled like a train rarely going wrong

Had 2x 618is, both rock solid. Only annoyances were a drivers window that popped out of the runners a few times and an appetite for brake bulbs. Lifeless light steering, roly poly handling and not fast, but as a mile muncher - they are great. I suspect arch rust has killed them as opposed to dead drivetrains. I’d happily run one today if I could find one.

Lovely Jubbly, I had a relative who had Ford company cars for years and years, he went to the dark side "Rover 600" and never looked back.

I recently purchased a mint condition 1995 623SLi with only 29,000 miles. This car is now proudly in my Rover collection and will be preserved.

I hired one in 1993 to go with my wife to a family wedding. It was in white and, I think, looked better at the time than the wedding car!

It was a nice car the 600 I liked the L series td version myself. Felt good to drive road and was good fuel.

My Mum used to have a 1996 Rover 618 in British Racing Green, it was a lovely car, shame it's no longer around.

I used to have a Facelifted Honda Accord 2.0 LS in Pirates Black sister car to the 600.

Literally every car I've ever owned has had dimmable instruments. Cant think of a car without them! 🤔

Having had a 75 prior, acquiring a 99 623 Sli (NZ had interesting, differing trims to UK so Sli had everything you could throw at it) was a completely different experience- and a wonderful one. The 75, hilariously, was more of a bruiser and could spool up a lot more than all that chrome and leather would suggest. People were scared of it and scared to drive it because it could be so suprising (and it was like driving a house with small windows). The single cam 2.3l 600 was sedate and...everyone who knew that car loved it (from my wife who was terrified of driving anything larger than a Nissan Micra (thanks to a very bad Jaguar) to my "v8, American only" friend). Only had it for 4 months...then it got written off 😢 I can only say good things about this car, and Rover cars as a whole...

Memories had one of these as my first project car was also an s plate was great learning experience

My Dad had a quite tired 618 for a bit. Even in it's slightly unloved state it was a really nice car to waft about in.

I had a P reg 623 GSi, lovely car, with a lovely cream leather interior. I lent it to my mate to pick up mini parts, he wasn't used to this size car, thought it was unusual nobody was overtaking him, he glanced down to discover he was wafting along at 120mph 🤣

I had the 600 diesel strangely it was the same colour. S reg and ended with KBL lol. very good car, mine had cream leather

My mate had a few back in the day they drove nice and were smooth and quiet but i hated the lack of low down torque compared to my mk2 cavalier 1.8 sri .

The boot lip is useful for keeping your arms fit lifting stuff in lol Nice car.

My first car was a manual 620Si and it got me hooked on the brand as it was such a fantastic car. I believe that the Ti was only available with a manual box.

The boot lip thing. Long ago, my Renault 4GTL's tailgate and smooth floor were ideal for loading a bag of cement or the weekly shopping, and this made it a very popular "housewives' choice". I've always preferred soft suspension over performance handling but then, Norfolk roads aren't the best. Possibly less chassis rigidity induced a bit of torque-induced body flexing, but anyway, the R4 had too little grunt to make it a problem.

These were really great cars, handsome too!

One of my favorite Rovers, we never got it here in the USA damn! Great Video!

I had a 1996 620si great car also had 1997 420 saloon And I've had 1992 214 twin cam 16v and a 1994 216gsi

Great vid as usual

Love these 😍 Honda was a much better bet than those money grabbing arses at BMW. such a lovely car and very typical of the 90s Great video

Obvioulsy love the Rover videos! You should find a Rover 45 V6 to review!

nice video with the ROVER 620 well done I liked your video👑😎😎👑👑👑👑👑

I hired a 620i auto in 1995 to go to wedding and it was a wonderful car. I was so sad to hand it back on the Monday!

The rover 600 was well built car, the Gsi model was only out for a while and was dropped only sli was available, driven a 600ti very fast abs nice , like my rover 800 vitese , by the way the the vitesse was known as 800 ti in export markets , great review

Another great video.. thanks 😃

Another great video, not sure if you reviewed an sd1 but would be good 👍

Nice thing, always liked these

I do miss my 600, it was my second car, and felt like a real car. nobody really understood why I had it, untill they got in it.

My mums 04 rover 45 is going well, in our care it's not had anything major go wrong. It started pit with 23k on the clock and now it's on 58 or 60k. In that time its needed brakes like usual and 2 CV boots that perished for the mot. Great little car that I've driven quite hard and its still ok lol. There is an issue with the dimmable instrument lights if you wire in an aftermarket stereo in and somehow mess it up(like me) then you'll find the speedo stops working! Hahaha

The Honda EU Accord was styled like their newest prelude, but then with 4 doors. It was a great car, that was mainly aimed at the Ford Mondeo. The Rover 600 was the same car, but it wanted to be in the league of the BMW 3 and the Alfa 155... It worked out! Yes you find Japanees economics in the interior but they were good enough to accompanie wood and leather as well. Over years many People have started to talk bad over the Honda era, but the 600 was a big succes in its days, people liked it!

Is SMC, the dealership it came from, the one that is now abandoned but has multiple old used Rovers round the back with price tags still on them. That's a place to go visit if so

My brother-in-law had one of these as a company car, same spec probably, as it had beige leather. But I think it was a manual box. I remember thinking what a nice car it was, but like you, I found the rear seats a bit cramped, and head room was limited. I'm 5'11" and my head brushed against the head lining. But front seat comfort was fine. I did hanker after a Rover for a while, and nearly bought a 214SLi. But really wanted the 216GSi with all the available options. But finding a used one was almost impossible at the time. So instead, I bought a Peugot 405 Mi16, which was a very nice car with a great auto box and crushed velour sports seats. That thing used to fly, and felt really light on the road.

what a great video again, Thank you .

i still own a 1995 623 sli rover 600 it went off the road in 2010 i think the head by the look of the oil its sitting in the yard probably would be a classic.

My first car was a 620Ti. Great car. VERY quick. Comfy, handled well, not that bad on fuel. A few little niggles here and there but hey ho. I loved it.

You make awesome videos! I would love to see a review about the Nissan Sunny N13!

Had one loved it well built fast still miss it.

We had a White 1994 Rover 620 Si Loved it, sadly it went to scrap in 2008, it did 300,000+ miles

I prefered these to the 75. Used a 2.3 for a while which was quite good fun. The 75 felt like a retro homage to the old Auntie Rovers, felt a bit like them to drive too. Good one. Oh, and switchgear is important too!

I owned one of the first Rover 600's in the Netherlands. They were green with grey non coloured bumpers. Luckily for me before I bought it with the bumpers already painted green Really miss it.

Had three of them, loovley cars. One fun thing is that they turned the engine round in the TI and Diesel, because the original honda units had the gearbox on the wrong side..

Hmmmm! I had two Rover 800s, back in the day - a Vitesse and a Sterling. But dang me if I don't prefer the instrument cluster on this.

One of my favorite Rovers, the 600 series...

Have you tested a Volvo 960 yet I have a 1995 example very rarely found in the UK now has a lovely 3 litre straight 6

Went to Europe with it twice. Had diesel model in green. Decent thing

One of my favourites.....Had two of them. A Polish guy who was an alcoholic and an accident in his bathroom and was dead for three weeks, his ex wife was stepmother of my ex, I digress, they wanted to take it to auction and needed help with English, I already had a car but had to have it, great car my mother had it after. Robust Honda engine.

At 6:54 surly wiring must still have to go to both doors to power the motors...?

I inherited a 620si - I see this one has a little clock mounted next to the shifter where the dash clock has presumably failed ... ‘mine’ had a bloody great bedside alarm clock blu-tacked to the dash!!!

I have a rover 623 with 110k and I was given a rover 75cdt connie se a year ago , people think I'm mad because I say I'll keep the 600 over the 75 and get lots of remarks, like how can I think its better / its old /rubbish and looks worse ( apparently). The answers simple, i had no expectations with the 600, it surprised me with a perky engine that's lots of fun, very comfy seats, very soft ride, light steering and controls even the manuals are nice. And the Honda engines are so reliable after 20+ years the cars has been utterly reliable. The 75 on the other hand i had expectations of improvement on all of the above being more modern, especially looking at the classic styling both in and out it gives you an expectation that it didn't live up to , what i found was seats which are not quite as soft even though they look more plush, a firmer ride, heavier controls, clutch especially, and a gutless engine that's only good for what the cars made for, long wafting journeys which it does well and looks good doing it , but if you want to put your foot down it does nothing to excite and so is nowhere near as much fun. Its got to 15years 70k old and now has started to develop lots of niggles And the petrol 75s are so unreliable especially the k series you can't really have a 75 unless its diesel..people think the 600 is crap but to me its qualities outweigh that of a 75. Whether the 75 looked nicer is the only debatable thing to me

Would love another one, but already have a Volvo S80 2.4 and BMW 740i so am ok for toys.

9:15 He's behind you!

The front end reminds me of the 1st gen Infiniti Q45 face-lift (94-96)

I recognise this car from somewhere, sir... Can't think where?

The third brake light was required in the United States back in 1986 in car's 1993 for Truck's and SUV'S

@6.07 ... the heater control goes up to ‘V’ ! Very Spinal Tap !

The device for dimming the dash/interior lights is called a RHEOSTAT, NOT a Rio sat or the Rio Grande or even a Kia Rio, not even Duran Duran singing "her name is RIO" JUST a good old fashioned name that everyone's forgotten except me !

I had a 216 gti with the honda twin cam engine and really wanted a 620ti to follow that- never scatched that itch. Big regret

I really like mine, but she's coming to the end of her life now. She is a bit thirsty but is so comfortable. I'm updating to a 75 diesel. It's hard to find a 600 diesel

I currently drive this its nice