Sterling 827 SLi
This Car Lust was actually a request from David Colborne, who sent me an e-mail asking for some Sterling coverage with the irresistible lead-in: "I mean, these things were a worse idea than the Chrysler Maserati TC, if such a thing were possible." It's a good line, but no--it's not possible. The TC holds the crown for all-time bad automotive decision-making.
Actually, as ideas go, I thought the Sterling was a pretty inspired one. In the late 1980s Japanese cars were known primarily for their engineering and their reliability, not their flair or luxury. English cars excelled at sumptuous interior appointments and quirky charm. What better idea than to clothe reliable, well-engineered Honda mechanicals, in the form of the first-generation Acura Legend, with sophisticated English bodywork and an old-world wood and leather interior?
Unfortunately, the execution didn't really match the concept. For one thing, it was a an Austin Rover project, not a Jaguar or Aston Martin, meaning the vaunted Honda reliability couldn't overcome the inevitable build quality problems. For another, there was no brand recognition or dealer network, and not enough magical old English magic to give the car its own identity.
Unknown except for their poor quality reputation, poorly made, and not particularly exciting, Sterling sales cratered. After four years, Sterling--and Austin Rover--were gone. Happily, the commonality with the Legend means Sterling owners have an easier time finding parts than most owners of orphaned cars.
Oddly, I prefer the Sterlings to their first-gen Legend cousins. The first Legends were almost criminally anonymous, and the Sterling has a forlorn charm to it that I appreciate--especially the slick, sexy five-door hatchback 827 SLi pictured here. There are two Sterlings 825s near my house, completely knackered and on blocks. That's both sad and incredibly, incredibly unlikely.
The photos here are courtesy of Flickr user aqualite.
--Chris H.
meccano on July 16, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Honda had its paws all over British Leyland/BL Rover-Jaguar/Land Rover, Triumph, Austin/MG-Rover Group (or what ever the heck they were calling it at any particular moment) back in the 80's & 90's. The last Triumph was a rebadged Honda something that the Japanese showed them how to make so it would not fall apart. In fact, I seem to recall that Honda sold a rebadged Land Rover Disco in Japan. I know that is very hard to believe, but remember, Honda has no SUVs and was selling a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo in the US as the Honda Passport during that same period. As I remember the BL/Honda story, Honda was trying to help BL back to life with the goal of taking them over. That way Honda could sell the Brits a domestic made product with familiar marquees like Rover, Triumph, MG, Austin, Morris and so on and so on (one thing BL never seemed to lack was a seemingly endless supply of car brand names). As the story goes, Honda was really ticked off that Rover sold themselves off to BMW (with Land Rover going off to Ford who had already bought Jaguar at that point). That sale obviously worked out well for somebody, just not any of the companies involved in the transaction. Perhaps if Rover had continued with Honda... well, at least we have the New Mini and the Brits seem to have no problem with buying Hondas that are sold under the name, um... Honda.
nari chatani on September 22, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Have owned 3 sterlings ---still own a `1991 827si have experienced very little problems ---love the cars
Jason on December 01, 2008 at 06:51 AM
Why Honda and Rover worked together to build the car is beyond me. It's a nice looking car, don't get me wrong, but the build quality sucks.
Paul Cunningham on December 14, 2008 at 03:05 PM
I personally have six pre 1991 Rover Sterlings, admittedly they do have their problems, electric window mechanisms being the worst.
In general they are far more reliable than ANY Ford (example).
Yes, due to bad marketing maybe, and a few rogue, possibly alcoholic fitters on the production line, landed these lovely cars with a terrible reputation.
There is the other aspect of bad servicing.
I mean, how many people truly service their cars, Rover owners or not ?
apart from the occasional wash and wax, most people wait for something to go wrong.
That is not Rovers fault(although maybe the human resources mnager should have been hung !!!)
Over the past few years i have been collecting Rover Sterling 827's for my own amusement, and to get me from a to b
I now know the Rover Sterling 827 inside out !
Have come across a multitude of electrical and mechanical faults, found the cause and rectified the problem.
guess what ???
No more problem in that area.
wear and tear has to be taken into account, but this ! For some strange and unfair reason, has tarnished this wonderful cars reputation also.
SUMMATION...
I put it to you, the members of the jury...
If the Sterling had sold aswell as a cheap Ford Sierra (given the chance), how many would you still see today ?
I personally dont see many Ford Sierra of the same age today on our British roads, you will definately see a Rover Sterling if you bothered to care !!!
I'm driving one !!!!!!!!!!
John Rafferty on March 21, 2009 at 09:09 PM
The Sterling 827 SL was the second Sterling I bought for my wife. She loved the 1988 and was disappointed when I upgraded to the 827 SL in 1991. We just passed 100,000 miles and it has been one of the lesat expensive automibles we have had in our 55 years of marriage. We are about to sell it now because I bought her a Mercedes for our 55th wedding anniversary and she has only driven it about 1000 miles in five years.
nick on May 21, 2009 at 12:56 PM
ive had two of these cars, an 825sl and an 827sli. i loved them. the 825sl was the first car i ever owned. sometimes i had some problems, but not very often. that one pictured above is a silver bullet edition, thats super super rare.
Aleks Ristic, Toronto on December 20, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Very attractive car, too bad it was apparently junk.
I guess those who like the profile could have had a simillar look with a late 80's Mazda 626 liftback and get much better reliability at a much smaller price with the only sacrifice being interior trim.
Actually the 626 was sleeker looking too (if a bit cheap looking in the grille and bumper cover treatment..). I'm guessing the Sterling aimed to be a decafinated Citroen XM substitute but it looks a bit taller and boxier which might have made it seem like an overpriced ist generation Camry or Stanza....
Forestine Turner on January 24, 2011 at 08:08 AM
I bought a used 827 several years ago. I never had any real problems with it.It was the most comfortable and best driving car I ever owned. I absolutley loved it. Sold it because of it's age and miles, and bought a Nissan. Bad move. Regretted it terribly.
Jeff in Texas on February 20, 2011 at 10:01 AM
I actually owned a Sterling and despite their poor reputation, mine was actually a great car. It was big, comfortable and fast and red and never had a reliability issue. It was a 89 827 sedan. Put over 130,000 miles on it over about 6 years of daily driving. Resale value was next to nothing (not to mention trade in value) so when I got something new I put in the garage and kept it another five years or so. Nothing was wrong with it other than high miles. Drove it sparingly during that time and finally got tired of it taking up space and sold it - think I got $1,000 for it. I regret selling it now - would be neat to have such an unusual car. Oh well.
MAYAman on May 09, 2011 at 07:33 PM
I owned a 89 Sterling 827SLi for 14 years, never once gave me a problem other than my hood cable snapping and having to be replaced. Alas, a dear on the Merritt parkway ended her life. R.I.P ole 827 you were awesome and beautiful.
Many love to jump on the hate bandwagon, never realizing that many cars and issues due to stupid owners. Take care of your car and it will last.