The Avensis and Rover are now FOR SALE! If you're interested in either car, drop us an email at Joe.miller@kelsey.co.uk to own a piece of Classics World history!
I think driving cars like the Avensis is an almost untapped pleasure. Motorway driving is a pretty laborious, stressful, miserable task but the Avensis offers a small bubble of sanctuary. No one is threatened by you, boy racers leave you alone, German car drivers think they're superior so you're invisible to them, plod doesn't bother you, you have no desire to drive like a lunatic, the seats are soft, the engine ticks like a clock, the world moves slower - I'd say that's a win win situation.
The late 90s and early 2000s were a high point for simple durable cars. Since then cars have become more complex, harder and more expensive to maintain.
Fantastic cars! The Rover 600 series looks fresh nearly 30 years on imo. Does anyone remember the original advert for the Avensis when it was launched? The ad agency used The Passenger by Iggy Pop as they showed a bloke sitting in the back being driven by an invisible driver.
still driving my 1998 Volvo s70,I bought it in 2002......cv joint went a few weeks ago and I thought it might be the end but got it repaired for just over £200.
Love the attention to detail with the sales rep attire. 😅 Interesting point you make about the fuel economy. I did a long weekend trip of around 700 miles a few month ago in my 1997 Mégane coupe 1.6e 8v and averaged almost 46 mpg which was about ten more than I would have expected with four people on board and the windows and sunroof open due to the temperature that weekend. Another interesting fact is how incredibly comfortable cars of that era are compared to their modern day counterparts. Probably even more so in your rep mobiles.
I have been round both them cars when I worked in the trade and I would have any one of them there are both good cars when well look after the engines will still be running when the body turns to rust :-)
Wish I could find a 623 in dark royal blue my partner had her dad's when he passed and some uninsured driver smashed it she's never gotten over loosing it loved driving it my self
Reliable, cheap, goes from A to B perfectly well, lots of plastics and modestly little in electronics to go bad. These are perfect examples of how utterly dull, uninspiring and un-memorable driving a box can be. Old does not automatically = interesting classic. Get one for what it is, a cheap honest car. Dreams are not made of this.
Why does driving always have to be exciting and dynamic? There's a lot to be said for easy, relaxing, comfortable driving, especially on today's congested roads.
@@asensibleyoungman2978 That’s a fair comment, driving doesn’t need to be ‘exciting and dynamic’ and you’re absolutely right, there’s no need or reason for every journey to live up to those expectations. In all fairness to myself also, I didn’t drag down those particular cars for not delivering on those two aspirations. Rather, I was trying to convey that given the amount of time one might indeed spend inside a box on 4 wheels suffering yet another M25 bumper to bumper experience, neither of these cars would uplift the experience. I don’t judge anyone choosing either as perfectly suitable transport, but desirable? classic? I can think of dozens of cars more interesting mechanically and historically. How about a Lancia Delta HF Turbo ie (not the uber expensive Integrale) or a Renault 21 Turbo, or BMW E39 528i/530i. Cheap, characterful, and actually reliable if well looked after.
Ah, the 90s the peak ‘dad car’ era - largish, well equipped 2.0litre saloons and hatchbacks from (Rover excepted) non premium brands. I remember the roads being awash with Fords, Vauxhalls, Austin Rovers, Nissans and Toyotas, before everyone felt the need to choose a ‘premium’ brand car!
We bought a 2001 Avensis 1.8 back in June and it has been a pleasant surprise. It has 59000 miles, comfortable and relaxing to drive. My only issue is the driving position; too tall and no steering whell reach adjustment. And I'm only 5'10". The only repairs were the power steering fluid change (did it myself) and the wiper blades. Other than that, it's been brilliant.
@@ClassicsWorldUK like most Toyotas of this era. I also have a 2005 Yaris bought in 2006 with only 10,000 miles. Still have it and never missed a beat. Cracking machine!
@@Azureecosse Avoid E10 fuel in pre 2010 cars. A chap I met in a petrol station has inadvertently ruined the K-Series engine in his 1992 Rover R8 by using E 10 plus an additive marketed as making Ex10 safe to use in older cars. It doesn't. The engine wouldn't rev, and kept misfiring. Then it wouldn't start. He had the fuel drained and filled up with Premium Grade 97 Octane E5. The car now starts and runs, but it still won't rev and keeps intermittently misfiring. He's having the car inspected by a K-Series specialist to see if there's any lasting damage, but it sounded very poorly to me. It's not clear whether the E10 caused the problems, or the additive, or a combination of both, but my advice would be not to use E10 for now, until more information is available. Use the E5 premium grade fuel while it's still available. I run my 1981 Triumph Acclaim on Shell V Power anyway, as it runs much better on that than anything else. Long term, I'll probably get the fuel lines changed and the carb rebuilt. I wouldn't trust these so-called additives, they don't appear to work.
@@Azureecosse The car in question is a Rover 214 SLi, which definitely has a K-Series, not the Honda unit. It is also a low mileage (82k) car with full service history and well maintained. The car looked pristine, and is obviously well cared for. I can't comment about his driving style, but he didn't look the type of guy that would abuse his car. As for time period and miles covered on E10, he didn't actually say, and I didn't ask. It's very easy to jump to conclusions and apportion blame on a TH-cam comments section. None of us really know the effects of using E10 in older cars yet, and comparing a 1992 Rover to a 2004 & 2019 Toyota is like comparing apples to a pile of bricks. Either the E10, or the additive, or both have definitely done some damage to the Rover's engine, so all I'm saying is be careful and don't take risks until we know more.
Excellent chaps, a pair of beauties from the 90s, seriously decent cars, 30+ years old but the fact is they are still competitive in terms of performance and economy. To a bloke in his fifties it seems like yesterday they were on the road...everywhere. Yep, I'd have one...either one. I always liked the "Honda" Rovers, always like Toyotas cos...they're Toyotas. So reliable and durable.
Agree that the 600 is underrated and you did some nice things to it, helping it to stay on the road. The Avensis may be less stylish but mechanically superb, even the automatic can be a great bonus on long journeys.
I like both cars but I never got to drive or even sit in the rover, but I have in the avensis and even drove they are very well built, my uncle bought one in 2012 a 2001 2.0d4d avesis estate, was used as minicab from new which was owned by one of our far relatives, and the car already had over 400k miles and was even clocked back years ago to 250k miles, the car never gave up it was very relible even though it wasn't as good condition or looked after before, when we got it we did service and the oil was so black and filters were dirty so done full service and car drove another few years then the turbo went and he sold the car for cheap even though he bought it for £500 in first place so no loss there.
Those cars are too boring; perhaps try the same trip in some 1970's non-classics eg Austin Maxi Land crab, Marina, etc. And break down in embarrassing places, frequently :-)
![[Full] 4 ต่อ 4 Celebrity EP.910 | 22 ก.ย. 67 | one31](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4TR3MVpOiw8/mqdefault.jpg)
The Avensis and Rover are now FOR SALE! If you're interested in either car, drop us an email at Joe.miller@kelsey.co.uk to own a piece of Classics World history!
I think driving cars like the Avensis is an almost untapped pleasure. Motorway driving is a pretty laborious, stressful, miserable task but the Avensis offers a small bubble of sanctuary. No one is threatened by you, boy racers leave you alone, German car drivers think they're superior so you're invisible to them, plod doesn't bother you, you have no desire to drive like a lunatic, the seats are soft, the engine ticks like a clock, the world moves slower - I'd say that's a win win situation.
those old Toyota's brillant
The Rover its more Beatifoul that Toyota Avensis
Forever!!!!
The late 90s and early 2000s were a high point for simple durable cars. Since then cars have become more complex, harder and more expensive to maintain.
Thats why all my cars are 200 and older👍 needed main one before 2001 taxed on emissions rubbish
Fantastic cars! The Rover 600 series looks fresh nearly 30 years on imo.
Does anyone remember the original advert for the Avensis when it was launched? The ad agency used The Passenger by Iggy Pop as they showed a bloke sitting in the back being driven by an invisible driver.
LOL £1.31 a litre of fuel , how times have changed in just 6 months , I paid £1.67 recently. Another great video guys.
Avensis is a great car.mine was 400quid on a Y plate
Both good cars
Had an Avensis same spec same colour on an S reg. Had it 5 yrs and it never let me down, sorry I sold it.
Really clean white example a few streets from where i live good reliable cars .
The Maestro on the back of a truck at 4.34 min.
still driving my 1998 Volvo s70,I bought it in 2002......cv joint went a few weeks ago and I thought it might be the end but got it repaired for just over £200.
Enjoyed this lads
Love the attention to detail with the sales rep attire. 😅
Interesting point you make about the fuel economy. I did a long weekend trip of around 700 miles a few month ago in my 1997 Mégane coupe 1.6e 8v and averaged almost 46 mpg which was about ten more than I would have expected with four people on board and the windows and sunroof open due to the temperature that weekend. Another interesting fact is how incredibly comfortable cars of that era are compared to their modern day counterparts. Probably even more so in your rep mobiles.
Thanks Mark! We're definitely fans of cars in this sector for comfort 👍
600 still looks a class act,The Toyota passes for a minicab....
I have been round both them cars when I worked in the trade and I would have any one of them there are both good cars when well look after the engines will still be running when the body turns to rust :-)
Wish I could find a 623 in dark royal blue my partner had her dad's when he passed and some uninsured driver smashed it she's never gotten over loosing it loved driving it my self
The M25 is, without question, the most miserable stretch of tarmac and concrete in the UK. The two cars are cool though.
The M62 is its sulky sibling.
There is a Avensis owners club
That doesn't surprise me one bit. Old Japanese cars have an enthusiastic following and rightly so.
Do you still have the avensis as I'm looking for one as well.
We do indeed! If you're interested in it, email CCB.ed@kelsey.co.uk
A GSI or a Ti are the best Rover 600 to get for buttons.
I had an Avensis. Head gasket failure at 70,000 miles. Disappointing (“unimpeachable reliability”) after my 230,000 mile Rover.
I had electrical troubles with my 2000 Avensis 1.6 plus it consumed lots of oil. The dealer experience wasn't that great too.
Nice video!
Thanks Daniel!
Reliable, cheap, goes from A to B perfectly well, lots of plastics and modestly little in electronics to go bad. These are perfect examples of how utterly dull, uninspiring and un-memorable driving a box can be. Old does not automatically = interesting classic. Get one for what it is, a cheap honest car. Dreams are not made of this.
Why does driving always have to be exciting and dynamic? There's a lot to be said for easy, relaxing, comfortable driving, especially on today's congested roads.
@@asensibleyoungman2978 That’s a fair comment, driving doesn’t need to be ‘exciting and dynamic’ and you’re absolutely right, there’s no need or reason for every journey to live up to those expectations. In all fairness to myself also, I didn’t drag down those particular cars for not delivering on those two aspirations. Rather, I was trying to convey that given the amount of time one might indeed spend inside a box on 4 wheels suffering yet another M25 bumper to bumper experience, neither of these cars would uplift the experience. I don’t judge anyone choosing either as perfectly suitable transport, but desirable? classic? I can think of dozens of cars more interesting mechanically and historically. How about a Lancia Delta HF Turbo ie (not the uber expensive Integrale) or a Renault 21 Turbo, or BMW E39 528i/530i. Cheap, characterful, and actually reliable if well looked after.
Very interesting, but how long did it take to get around the m25?
Too long...
The rover 600 will never be a classic nor the venisis they were a good car in their day the only collector would be scrap collector lol
Ah, the 90s the peak ‘dad car’ era - largish, well equipped 2.0litre saloons and hatchbacks from (Rover excepted) non premium brands. I remember the roads being awash with Fords, Vauxhalls, Austin Rovers, Nissans and Toyotas, before everyone felt the need to choose a ‘premium’ brand car!
Yep they have to Impress my Smith next door
We bought a 2001 Avensis 1.8 back in June and it has been a pleasant surprise. It has 59000 miles, comfortable and relaxing to drive. My only issue is the driving position; too tall and no steering whell reach adjustment. And I'm only 5'10". The only repairs were the power steering fluid change (did it myself) and the wiper blades. Other than that, it's been brilliant.
A simple but effective machine!
@@ClassicsWorldUK like most Toyotas of this era. I also have a 2005 Yaris bought in 2006 with only 10,000 miles. Still have it and never missed a beat. Cracking machine!
@@Azureecosse Avoid E10 fuel in pre 2010 cars. A chap I met in a petrol station has inadvertently ruined the K-Series engine in his 1992 Rover R8 by using E 10 plus an additive marketed as making Ex10 safe to use in older cars. It doesn't. The engine wouldn't rev, and kept misfiring. Then it wouldn't start. He had the fuel drained and filled up with Premium Grade 97 Octane E5. The car now starts and runs, but it still won't rev and keeps intermittently misfiring. He's having the car inspected by a K-Series specialist to see if there's any lasting damage, but it sounded very poorly to me. It's not clear whether the E10 caused the problems, or the additive, or a combination of both, but my advice would be not to use E10 for now, until more information is available. Use the E5 premium grade fuel while it's still available. I run my 1981 Triumph Acclaim on Shell V Power anyway, as it runs much better on that than anything else. Long term, I'll probably get the fuel lines changed and the carb rebuilt. I wouldn't trust these so-called additives, they don't appear to work.
@@Azureecosse The car in question is a Rover 214 SLi, which definitely has a K-Series, not the Honda unit. It is also a low mileage (82k) car with full service history and well maintained. The car looked pristine, and is obviously well cared for. I can't comment about his driving style, but he didn't look the type of guy that would abuse his car. As for time period and miles covered on E10, he didn't actually say, and I didn't ask. It's very easy to jump to conclusions and apportion blame on a TH-cam comments section. None of us really know the effects of using E10 in older cars yet, and comparing a 1992 Rover to a 2004 & 2019 Toyota is like comparing apples to a pile of bricks. Either the E10, or the additive, or both have definitely done some damage to the Rover's engine, so all I'm saying is be careful and don't take risks until we know more.
There is steering wheel adjustment in them
Peak period for bulid quality mixed with still fairly decent simplicity: 1994- 2004 car models
My 2002 AVENSIS 1.8 GS has just passed 144,000 faultless!
Excellent chaps, a pair of beauties from the 90s, seriously decent cars, 30+ years old but the fact is they are still competitive in terms of performance and economy. To a bloke in his fifties it seems like yesterday they were on the road...everywhere. Yep, I'd have one...either one. I always liked the "Honda" Rovers, always like Toyotas cos...they're Toyotas. So reliable and durable.
Another 50 something year old bloke agrees with you right here.
Agree that the 600 is underrated and you did some nice things to it, helping it to stay on the road. The Avensis may be less stylish but mechanically superb, even the automatic can be a great bonus on long journeys.
Thanks very much! We're glad we could give both cars some TLC
I’d have a mondeo St-24, or a vectra gsi. Better cars back then.
Really interesting thank you....40'ish to the gallon is pretty good mixed motoring is impressive...great upload 👍
Everyone said the Allegro would never be a classic, but look at them now.
I like both cars but I never got to drive or even sit in the rover, but I have in the avensis and even drove they are very well built, my uncle bought one in 2012 a 2001 2.0d4d avesis estate, was used as minicab from new which was owned by one of our far relatives, and the car already had over 400k miles and was even clocked back years ago to 250k miles, the car never gave up it was very relible even though it wasn't as good condition or looked after before, when we got it we did service and the oil was so black and filters were dirty so done full service and car drove another few years then the turbo went and he sold the car for cheap even though he bought it for £500 in first place so no loss there.
Those cars are too boring; perhaps try the same trip in some 1970's non-classics eg Austin Maxi Land crab, Marina, etc. And break down in embarrassing places, frequently :-)
These two will have their day eventually! Also much more affordable than their 70s equivalents...
...is that a pink Hindustan Ambassador on the right at 4:23 in that picture? :O
No it's Mr Blobby.
Always thought the Rover 600 was one of the Better Looking cars on road back then